In the past, I would write a blog post for each and every single spot that I dined at for the most part. However, I have been dining at a ton of different unique spots in the Washington, DC area that I think it will be fun (and A LOT easier) to do a round-up of each of the different spots that I dine at each month. In case you haven’t noticed on Instagram or Tik Tok, the Washington, DC area foodie scene is booming. There are SO many different places to try dining-wise and I am excited to share more about where I eat each month here!!
Virtue Feed & Grain (Old Town Alexandria, Virginia)
As my friend Lorena says “this is your spot”! Yes, I frequent Virtue Feed & Grain in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia *quite* a bit. I went to this favorite spot of mine back in January with my good friend Haley and I took Lorena here when she came to visit for the day in March. Virtue Feed & Grain is located in an old warehouse building turned restaurant. It *even* has stain marks from a past hurricane flood which adds to its unique character. In January, Haley and I sat upstairs at a table looking over the waterfront. This time around, Lorena and I enjoyed mimosas, eggs, and waffles at the bar! Read more on my experience at Virtue Feed & Grain back in January here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2023/02/08/washington-dc-spots-virtue-feed-grain/
Lotus Pho & Grill (Lorton, Virginia)
My good friend Haley wanted to check out this close to our homes Vietnamese restaurant for her birthday and it was A HIT! Asian cuisine is probably my favorite type of cuisine besides Italian and classic seafood from practically anywhere. I rarely go out anymore for Vietnamese food but I am glad I did recently. I am not a huge pho fan, but I tried their Vermicelli and it was amazing. At the same time, the staff at Lotus Pho & Grill were super sweet along with the quick service. I could easily go there to grab and go or stay and chat for some time which is what Haley and I did.
Residents (Dupont, Washington DC)
When my fellow influencer bestie Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram came to visit, Residents in Dupont was on her list brought to you by the power of Instagram sharing *just* how cute this spot truly is. Residents is decked out in ALL the cherry blossoms galore this cherry blossom season and the food is definitely not to miss as well. At the same time, Residents had so much character as they use their old candle jars as decoration on the interior walls. Lindsay and I got coffee and avocado toast, but Residents also had a gorgeous bar and drink menu (espresso martinis anyone?!), too. The brunch truly hit the spot!! Our server Maria was super sweet, too, and made our experience dining at Residents SO SO SO worth it. I definitely will be back!
Vola’s Dockside Grill (Old Town Alexandria, Virginia)
I dined at Vola’s a few years ago just before Christmas with my family when they were in town. My memories at Vola’s were very fond and the food there was hard to beat. Not to mention, I had a hard time then as I did just about 10 days ago deciding what to eat off their menu that is tempting to order just about everything off of it. I took Lindsay to Vola’s for dinner as I wanted to show her Old Town Alexandria on her first night in the Washington, DC area and we had an AMAZING time! We got the crab dip (which is TO DIE FOR), crab sandwiches with Old Bay fries, and cocktails. Lindsay was introduced to Old Bay seasoning (if you know, you know!!) here at Vola’s. The staff and service is pretty great too – Franklin was our server and was super sweet! I definitely hope to bring Papa back to Vola’s in the coming weeks/months.
Founding Farmers (Foggy Bottom, Washington DC)
The corn bread croutons at Founding Farmers on my caesar salad were SO HARD to beat! Needless to say, I am STILL craving those incredible croutons at Founding Farmers. Funny enough, I have been to Founding Farmers every month so far in 2023. Founding Farmers is a Washington, DC area-based farm-to-table chain that uses locally sourced goods and brings it into delicious cuisine. I have been to both the Tysons Corner, Virginia and Foggy Bottom, Washington DC (where I went in March!) locations and they do not disappoint. Lindsay and I sat at their gorgeous bar and got drinks and salads along with freshly made candy to go off of their glorious dessert menu. I have always admired what a classic staple Founding Farmers is here in the Washington, DC area and will definitely be back in the near future.
Mike’s American Grill (Springfield, Virginia)
Nothing beats dinner at Mike’s American Grill in my book!!! I’ve grown up dining at Mike’s American Grill – one of the iconic Great American Restaurants via The Carlyle Group chain (which also includes Coastal Flats, Sweetwater Tavern, Ozzie’s Good Eats, and Carlyle!) in the Northern Virginia area. I had my first-ever Washington, DC area Dinner Club meet up with some of my best friends at Mike’s American Grill. My great friends Laura and Sarah came and we enjoyed their delicious rolls (which you can get for $1 which is then donated back to charity!), burgers, salad, and cheesecake and simply catching up. The memories, the magical environment and atmosphere, and the food make Mike’s American Grill such a classic!
Coyote Grille (Fairfax, Virginia)
I dined at Coyote Grille back in September 2021 with Haley when she was in her undergraduate years at the nearby university there. Coyote Grille is located in the adorable Old Town Fairfax, Virginia and is an authentic Mexican restaurant. After my hair appointment at a nearby salon, I was starving and decided to pop into Coyote Grille on my own for some chips and salsa and tacos – nothing better am I right?! Thee waiters who are all mainly university students there were SO kind and fun to talk to. Their salmon tacos were so so so good that I am craving them now as I write this. I definitely want to come back to Coyote Grille after sightseeing a bit in Old Town Fairfax!
Now, onwards to my April dining round-up!!!
XOXO – Katie <3