Photo by Carole Topalian
These restaurants and caterers prioritize ingredients sourced from our region. They are proud of their links to farmers, fishers, brewers and vintners. Inclusion in this guide is by invitation only.
RESTAURANTS
BIRCH & BARLEY
Birch & Barley is a groundbreaking Washington, DC, restaurant dedicated to an unparalleled collection of 555 artisanal beers. Committed to the region’s finest ingredients and guided by the seasons, Chef Kyle Bailey and Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIsaac cook deceptively simple, market-driven dishes that draw flavor inspiration from the beers of Birch & Barley.
1337 14th St. NW, Washington, DC
202-567-2576 | www.BirchAndBarley.com
BLUE DUCK TAVERN
The Blue Duck Tavern welcomes you with wholesome American fare prepared with simple, time-honored cooking methods such as roasting, braising, preserving and smoking. This contemporary neighborhood tavern evokes the warmth and convivial setting of a residential kitchen and gathering place.
24 & M Sts. NW, Washington, DC
202-419-6755 | www.BlueDuckTavern.com
BREAD AND BREW
Fresh, natural ingredients from local purveyors are used to create delicious sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, homemade soups and small plates at this bustling eco-friendly café and caterer. The bar serves house-infused cocktails, local craft brews, and specialty coffee drinks. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in their use of biodegradable and recyclable materials and their Green Restaurant certification.
1247 20th St. NW, Washington, DC | 202-466-2676
BUSBOYS AND POETS
Busboys and Poets is a community gathering place. Established in 2005, Busboys and Poets was created by owner Anas “Andy” Shallal, an Iraqi-American artist, activist and restaurateur. Busboys and Poets is now located in four distinctive neighborhoods in the Washington Metropolitan area and is a community resource for artists, activists, writers, thinkers and dreamers. They primarily serve sustainable seafood; grass-fed, free-range beef from a local farm; and local, organically grown field greens from the Engaged Community Offshoots farm network. For a list of locations, see www.BusboysAndPoets.com.
CLYDE’S RESTAURANT
Long ago Clyde’s Restaurant Group made the decision to bypass traditional commercial produce routes and buy instead from local farms. From spring through autumn, their fruits and vegetables are always fresh and of the highest quality. Likewise, they source many meats, fish, poultry and seafood direct from their native regions. Today their menus are created around these fresh, natural ingredients, using classic American recipes that showcase their flavor and texture. There are seven Clyde’s Restaurants in the Washington metropolitan area. For specific locations see www.Clydes.com.
CORK RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
Cork Restaurant & Wine Bar is the creation of Logan Circle residents Diane Gross and Khalid Pitts. Their dream in creating Cork was to open a welcoming space in their neighborhood for people to come with their friends and family to try outstanding wines, often from unexplored regions of the world, paired with good, simple, local food. Chef Rob Weland is dedicated to sourcing the best local ingredients.
1720 14th St. NW, Washington, DC
202-265-CORK (2675) | www.CorkDC.com
DINO
An Italian restaurant/enoteca in Cleveland Park, specializing in local ingredients along with reasonably priced and really good wines.
3435 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
202-686-2966 | www.Dino-DC.com
RESTAURANT EVE
Both the Bistro and the Tasting Room at Restaurant Eve offer thoughtful preparations that showcase the best hand-fed, farm-raised, organically grown bounty Virginia and the surrounding countryside have to offer. Everything on their menus has a story; every ingredient is special. From the various offerings of house-made products—which include seven to nine varieties of bread baked daily and artisanal cheese—to the roster of craft cocktails, by cocktail authority Todd Thrasher, their carefully chosen ingredients signal a seriousness that extends throughout the operation.
110 S. Pitt St., Alexandria, VA
703-706-0450 | www.RestaurantEve.com
Photo by Carole Topalian
RESTAURANT NORA
In April 1999, Restaurant Nora became America’s first certified organic restaurant. This means that 95% or more of everything that you eat at the restaurant has been produced by certified organic growers and farmers, all of whom share in Nora’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. Nora always offers seasonal, fresh organic food, prepared in a healthy, balanced way and enjoys a following of environmentalists and politicians, who can eat here with a clear conscience knowing that what’s on their plate hasn’t polluted the environment, is healthy for them and tastes good too.
2132 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC
202-462-5143 | www.Noras.com
RIPPLE
They’re a neighborhood restaurant in the heart of Washington, DC, with a focus on good food, good drink and a good time. In a comfortable setting, Ripple offers a complete dining experience, with a focus on sustainability, organic and locally acquired produce. They are proud to support local farmers and co-ops in their mission to bring the best products to the table.
3417 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
202-244-7995 | www.RippleDC.com
RIS
Ris Lacoste is one of the most dedicated chefs in Washington, DC, today. Her reputation has been built upon high-quality ingredients, bold innovative technique and food that is both familiar and delicious. Beyond the kitchen, Lacoste’s favorite place to be is in the middle of a local farmers market, hunting down the freshest fruits and vegetables and chatting and getting to know the farmers who grow the food she serves. These markets, where she frequently presents chef’s demonstrations, are not only a source of inspiration for her cuisine but a meeting point to talk about the importance of investment in the local community and dedication to the ideals of local and sustainable farming.
2275 L St. NW, Washington, DC
202-730-2500 | www.RisDC.com
SONOMA RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR
Sonoma’s mission is to highlight the Mid-Atlantic’s best naturally raised and local ingredients and pair the creations with the best American and Italian wines.
223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC
202-544-8088 | www.SonomaDC.com
SWEETGREEN
sweetgreen is a place where you can get fun, fashionable food that’s both healthy for you and aligned with your values. They believe in sourcing organic and local food from farmers that they know. All their proteins are hormone free, antibiotic free and all-natural. They use 100% plant-based compostable packaging for their bowls, cutlery and cups. There are 11 locations throughout the city, Northern Virginia and Maryland. For locations, see www.sweetgreen.com
Tallula Restaurant
For years, Tallula has been recognized as the archetype for modern American cooking, stellar wine and informed service in Arlington, VA. Each night, the kitchen at Tallula creates a seamless culinary adventure based on the finest seasonal, farm-driven ingredients against a backdrop of nearly 400 unique wines. Comfortable, smart, unpretentious and fun, Tallula is a neighborhood gem to come back to time and time again.
2761 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-778-5051 | www.TallulaRestaurant.com
THE PIG
The Pig serves handcrafted food and drink, pork-centric and respectful of the whole animal. They are local and seasonal and feature vegetables from their farm in La Plata, MD. Their plates are designed for sharing and are inspired by rustic dishes from around the world. They create unique cocktails and offer American craft beers and eco-friendly wines.
1320 14th St. NW, Washington, DC
202-290-2821 | www.ThePigDC.com
VERMILION
Vermilion offers deceptively simple modern American cooking. From Chef Tony Chittum’s regional cuisine using local, farm-raised products whenever possible to the warmth of its ambiance and the gracious hospitality its staff brings to the table, Vermilion serves as an ideal location for a casual weekday dinner, a special occasion destination or simply a great gathering place for drinks.
1120 King St., Alexandria, VA
703-684-9669 | www.VermilionRestaurant.com
CATERERS
FRESH START CATERING
Fresh Start Catering is DC Central Kitchen’s revenue-generating social enterprise employing Culinary Job Training program graduates. Fresh Start caters events such as breakfasts, luncheons and weddings, and features high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. When doing business with Fresh Start Catering, you are directly supporting DC Central Kitchen’s programs and culinary graduates.
202-400-2815 | www.DCCentralKitchen.org/FreshStartCatering
OCCASIONS CATERERS
Occasions Caterers is committed to environmental and social responsibility in their day-to-day operations. As part of their ongoing commitment, Occasions has collaborated with the Green Restaurant Association, a national environmental organization, to implement eco-friendly practices. In 2008, they became a Certified Green Restaurant Caterer—the nation’s first catering company to achieve this certification. Occasions partners with purveyors to use locally sourced, organic and sustainable products.
202-546-7400 | www.OccasionsCaterers.com
ROOT AND STEM
They believe in sourcing from vendors that care about their products and service first and foremost. All their seasonal menus begin with the best possible ingredients. Much of what they provide comes from the Mid-Atlantic farms and fisheries that go the extra mile to ensure their product is fresh and wholesome.
703-289-1281 | www.RootAndStemDC.com
SPILLED MILK CATERERS
There are no fancy gimmicks or tricks, just honest, well-prepared and good-tasting food that uses fresh, seasonal and local ingredients whenever possible. They wouldn’t serve anything that they don’t love to cook or eat themselves. They’re different from other Washington, DC, caterers because of their diverse and international approach to catering and cooking, which in turn enables the creation of a wider variety of menu items, both sweet and savory.
202-525-6455 | www.SpilledMilkCatering.com
Photo by Carole Topalian
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