Virginia Blair is a Regular Contributor with LEAD Cincinnati. Find her Tumblr blog at vartfashionfoodiefanatic.tumblr.com

This past weekend Justin, (my fiancé) Bella, (our Westie) and I traveled to DC to visit my brother Paul and his fiancé Nadia. Before leaving for DC, I knew I had to stock up on warm yet brilliant wardrobe and accessories from LIBBY, a boutique located in OTR. Justin made sure to bring his perfectly lined olive green Jacket from ARTICLE Menswear, also located in OTR. With a couple more items including our local wears packed, we were one step closer to our weekend away. I am in love with our foodie scene here in Cincinnati, Ohio. To the point where my taste buds are in a constant state of bliss. My curiosity and expectations of what DC’s foodie scene has to offer grew more and more as we got closer and closer to DC.

On the VB//DC Travel Guide I have listed the following EATS you should definitely try, especially on a cold wintery weekend. Get your grub on at Old Ebbitt Grill, Le Diplomat, Founding Farmers, drinks at OFF THE RECORD, deliciousness at The Takorean food truck, Ben’s Chili Bowl, GBD, and Toki Underground (and that’s just to name a few DC places to dine). Friday night we arrived at Hotel Palomar located in Dupont Circle. I loved the hotel, it was modern, colorful, in a fantastic location, and also happened to be pet friendly. We were so close to the metro, which took us all over DC (even though for the majority of the weekend we just Ubered it).  

By Saturday morning we awoke to a DC that was covered in a beautiful almost silencing blanket of snow. The city was so calm and the museums were nearly all ours. The city in general seemed so much less crowded than usual. 

After a restful night at Hotel Palomar we started our Saturday off at Old Ebbitt Grill where I ordered The Oysters and Eggs (a bacon, potato, cheddar cheese and spinach opened faced omelet, topped with fried oysters, and old bay hollandaise) I completed the brunch with a must have mimosa.

After our brunch we ventured to The National Art Gallery and from there to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, as Justin works at GE and couldn’t wait to explore.

We were starting to get hungry so we ventured to H-Street for seasoned fries and a grand beer selection at Dr. Granville Moore’s, while waiting for our name to be called at a nearby restaurant, Toki Underground. If you land a spot at Toki Underground, try the fried chicken steamed buns (Japanese mayo, sweet chili sauce, beet cabbage, with seasonal pickles herbs ) and the Red miso Ramen (red miso infusion, pulled pork, greens, egg, and pickled ginger) From there we went to Founding Farmers where I had the FARMHOUSE PLATTER*( baby cheeseburgers, chili dogs, pork ribs, perfect served cold potato salad, and amazingly seasoned corn). A DC staple which is a must-go place to eat is Ben’s Chili Bowl, where your should always order the half-smoke (1/4lb. half pork and beef smoked sausage on a warm steamed bun and top it with mustard, onions and their spicy homemade chili sauce. Split and grilled on request). For after dinner drinks head to OFF THE RECORD, which is located directly across from the White House. Looking for an open-mic night? Check out Busboys and Poets on 14th Street. 

Sunday morning we were ready to try the famous GBD ( Golden Brown Delicious-Fried Chicken + Fresh Doughnuts). We loved the option to dine in or carry out. Since Sunday was our last day in DC we wanted to take our Golden Brown Delicious Donuts to go and explore. So, we ordered the German Chocolate (Milk Chocolate Ganache, toasted coconut) Nutella (Nutella, Ganache, Toasted Hazelnuts, Maldon Salt) Chocolate Pudding (Chocolate Pudding Filling, Milk Chocolate Glaze, Cocoa Krispies) and (Maple Makers Mark Glaze + Kyles Crispy House Cured Bacon) maple bourbon bacon to go. We took our insanely devilishly rich and cutely crated donuts and coffee with us to the Washington Monument.  

From the Washington Monument we were able to go to the Lincoln Memorial, then to the Vietnam Memorial and lastly we were able to visit the White House. I loved our trip to DC and can’t wait to check out more places to venture to the next time I head to our nation’s capital. Happy Travels and EAT ON!

DC I can’t wait to go back, needless to say your vibe is pretty. 

Weekend in DC 

Hotels in DC:

Our Hotel | Hotel Palomar DC in Dupont Circle 

2121 P St NW

Washington, District of Columbia

(202) 448-1800

http://www.hotelpalomar-dc.com 

or 

The Hay-Adams 

800 16TH ST NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20006

T: 202.638.6600  F 202.638.2716

http://www.hayadams.com/washington-dc-bars

Great EATS and DRINKS 

Old Ebbitt Grill, Busboys and Poets, Le Diplomat, Founding Farmers , OFF THE RECORD, The Takorean food truck, SAX, Ben’s Chili Bowl, GBD, and Toki Underground, Good Stuff Eatery, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, Amsterdam Falafel Shop, Ping Pong Dim Sum, + Locolat. 

To See in DC:

National Gallery of Art 

White House 

The Washington Monument

International Spy Museum 

Air and Space Museum 

Smithsonian – Natural History Museum 

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 

The National Mall 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial