BEST DISHES EATER EDITORS ATE THIS WEEK: FEBRUARY 3

With Eater editors frequently dining out all over town, we come across lots of standout dishes, and we don’t want to hold back any secrets. Welcome to Eater DC’s rotating roundup of the best things we ate as of late.

Killer cucumber salad at Dear Sushi

Dear Sushi in the Love Makoto food hall has a fun new lunch omakase — $35 gets you miso soup, edamame, nigiri and hand rolls. But I gilded the lily with an order of their spicy cucumber salad with shiso and it was the dish that continued to live on in my memory. Saucy cucumbers are stacked high in an appealing visual presentation accented with sesame, shallots, and even edible flowers. It’s the kind of cooling, refreshing dish that enhances any meal. 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW — Missy Frederick, cities director

Bustling Baltimore brunch at Trading Post

I met some friends in Hampden last weekend for brunch, where I was introduced to Chuck’s Trading Post. Clearly a favorite among the morning crowd (we waited about 30 minutes for a table on a Saturday), the restaurant has developed a following for its excellent bloody marys and potato and egg-heavy skillet dishes. I had a nice riff on a Philly pork and broccoli rabe sandwich, but I think the best dish for our table was the biscuits and gravy special. For such a normally heavy dish, their version had a certain delicateness to it — flaky biscuits that aren’t too dense, a satisfying but not too heavy gravy. Worth the reasonable wait. 1506 W. 36th Street, Baltimore, Maryland — MJF

Pho ga in Eden Center

I’ve been finding myself ordering pho ga, or chicken pho, a lot more lately. Traditional beef pho is naturally still a favorite, but sometimes I want something that’s slightly easier on my stomach, or a closer sibling to good old chicken noodle soup when I’m feeling under the weather. Pho Ga Vang in Eden Center has my favorite version of the dish near me, but I got a bowl from Lantern House in Falls Church for delivery over the weekend, and it’s offering a bit of competition. Tenderly poached chicken meat (I got the white meat version) results in a broth with personality. It’s good to have another strong contender in the Falls Church mix. 6767 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, Virginia — MJF

Espresso martinis at Arrels

Arrels made a solid first impression on me on a recent visit, particularly such dishes as its wax beans and Brussels sprouts combination and its whole branzino. But it really sparkled near the end of the night. The churros proved to be a star dessert order, with spicy Mexican chocolate and whipped cream pleasantly paired with the thin, crispy fried dessert. I’m not one to frequently order an espresso martini (our waiter cheekily steering me in this direction after I initially ordered an espresso), but Arrels may have my favorite version of the uber-trendy cocktail in town — pleasantly foamy, strong coffee flavor, not too sweet. It’d probably be even more appropriate when ordered in their lovely rooftop lounge space — check out the killer views next time you make it in that direction. 333 G Street NW — MJF

Pumpkin soup at Pink Tiger

There’s no shortage of places to eat at the Wharf, but I think I found my favorite new neighborhood hangout with the arrival of Pink Tiger. Full of tropical palms and pops of hot pink at the lively bar, this refreshing replacement to Kaliwa gives me instant Miami Vice vibes. Filipino chef Joe Castro delivers excellent takes on lumpia and slow-cooked adobo, but he’s also not afraid to throw American accents on the menu. I especially enjoyed my big bowl of garlic noodles blanketed with Parmesan. Pumpkin soup was the perfect antidote to the cold on a recent night, complete with a Thai twist from coconut milk, ginger, and lemongrass. Props to the brave sous chef on the patio who frequently sizzles skewers while waving guests to come in. Fluffy bread pudding slathered in salted caramel was the ideal ending for someone like me who doesn’t love sweets. The friendly staff remembers your name, making this a sort of Cheers you don’t typically find at the Wharf. 751 Wharf Street SW — Tierney Plumb, editor, Northeast

2025-02-03T22:07:48Z