JINYA Ramen opens today and is giving away free ramen

We have to admit, it's not all that often that Washingtonians are jealous of Northern Virginians. But when it came to ramen, NOVA definitely had something going on that we wanted for ourselves: JINYA. After two years of patiently waiting, D.C. can breathe

The top 5 sushi happy hours in D.C.

If you are craving quality sushi, but don’t want to spend a ton of money, a good sushi happy hour is all you need. Luckily, we have plenty of great happy hour sushi deals to satisfy that craving. Check out some of our favorites.

Here's how much money you could save by making your own yogurt

There are plenty of benefits of making common kitchen staples at home: an expertly whipped aioli is a great way to earn counter cred at dinner parties; the flavor and freshness of canned heirloom tomatoes can’t be touched by their supermarket counterparts;

D.C. chefs took over the James Beard House — and I tagged along

Being able to say you’ve cooked at the famous James Beard House in New York City is something every chef dreams of checking off their bucket list. And every year, a handful of chefs who were recognized at the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washingt

6 things to know about the Trump Hotel's soon-to-be newest resident

When Alessandro Borgognone announced last fall that he would be bringing his renowned New York City restaurant, Sushi Nakazawa, to D.C., he made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Just two days after the announcement came, an interview with New York Maga

The team behind the Game of Thrones bar is back with Halloween horror

Get ready girls and ghouls because we are finally getting a horror-filled Halloween bar from The Drink Company! PUB DREAD is sure to terrorize all October.

Turkish Festival brings the magic of Istanbul to downtown D.C.

Merhaba, reader, and welcome to Istanbul. Here the waters of the Bosporus strait unite the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Here, historic empires have risen and fallen.Istanbul attracts over 10 million visitors each year, but you don’t have to cross the

11 burgers to drool over on National Cheeseburger Day

The beginner’s guide to making your own kimchi

First things first: kimchi is a verb, not a noun, Sasha Felikson told me. As in, “I kimchi-ed this cabbage,” not “I made kimchi.” The chef at Southeast Asian restaurant Doi Moi on 14th Street said because it’s a method of transformation, the word should be

Slurp your way through Virginia’s oyster trail this fall

Maybe you’ve taken a weekend or day-long trip along Virginia’s famed wine trail or ale trail. But did you know, there’s another type of trail for bivalve lovers?If you want to slurp down some of the freshest oysters from the Chesapeake region, look no furt

We previewed Nobu to determine must-have dishes paired with signature cocktails

The iconic Japanese restaurant loved by Hollywood celebs and the entire Kardashian clan has made its way to Washington. Nobu, located on the ground floor of the new 2501 M Street Residences opened its doors to the public for dinner service yesterday (Septe

Diet-to-Go might just be the best meal service for busy people

My normal food schedule works like this – coffee and maybe some yogurt or a bagel in the morning, promptly followed by forgetting about food for the next 8-or-so hours while I work, topped with stuffing my face with whatever’s in the fridge because I’m sta

Win free tacos for a year at the opening of Taco Bamba Springfield

Taco Bamba Springfield opens Thursday September 14 at 11 a.m. and all guests who visit the restaurant on opening day will be entered in a drawing for a chance to wine one of 100 cards good for one free taco each week for a year.

The top six Ethiopian restaurants in D.C.

DC has always been the go-to city for Ethiopian food, and considering that the metro is home to over 250,000 Ethiopians, this should be no surprise. Add to that it's vegetarian and vegan friendly cuisine, as well as the communal dining aspect, and you have

Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month with D.C.’s first Bourbon--and lots more

It’s an exciting time in D.C. right now for whiskey. One Eight Distilling just released its Rock Creek Bourbon--the District’s first Bourbon since before Prohibition. After resting in barrel a little over two years, it was ready, with great oak extraction

Exclusive First Look: Here’s what you can expect from the cocktail menu at Bresca

When Ripple in Cleveland Park closed back in June, fans of the restaurant’s innovative chef Ryan Ratino hoped that he wouldn’t be gone for long. Now, just months later, Ratino is poised to open Bresca, a modern bistro, in what used to be the first floor of

Want to win free sweetgreen for a year?

I don't know about you guys, but I'm a biiiiig salad for lunch fiend. And as much as I wish I could say I dutifully pack a refreshing, nutritious and instagrammable salad every day, I don't. Instead I'm hitting up Chopt (or more recently sweetgreen, thanks

The wait is over! The Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks

When we think of fall, we think of the leaves changing, apple picking, and of course the best fashion season, but the first thing that comes to mind is a nice hot Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks! Call us basic.. we don't care!Starbucks announced the inf

Where to grab brunch this Labor Day

Station 4At Washington’s Southwest Waterfront, Station 4 will be offering their popular weekend brunch menu, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Labor Day! Guests have the option of ordering a la carte or can enjoy endless Bloody Marys and Mimosas along with the c

The top restaurants for gluten-free dining in DC

If you have a gluten sensitivity or are celiac, you probably know the struggles of finding gluten free dining options in the city where non GF and GF folks can all eat well together. But don’t worry, you need not miss out on getting some of the tastiest fo

A Californian's guide to D.C. tacos

We ate 31 tacos.

Local restaurants supporting Hurricane Harvey relief efforts

With the devastation Hurricane Harvey has caused in Houston, you may be wondering how you can lend a hand to those in need. There are several local restaurants who are teaming up to donate a portion of their proceeds to the relief efforts in South Texas. B

Want locally-produced wine without driving too far? Go to these 4 spots in the DMV.

If you just can’t dedicate an entire Saturday to jaunt to a local winery, these producers have you covered. One is actually in the District, while the other three aren’t too far of a drive into Northern Virginia. Meaning you can make it back in time for di

The top 5 Korean restaurants in the DMV

From feasts of Korean barbecue, to bulgogi, and Korean fried chicken, here are the top five spots for finding great Korean food in and around D.C.ManduMandu is definitely one of the best bets for Korean food within the city. Their pan fried mandu are addic

Chef Kwame Onwuachi to pay tribute to his childhood with Kith and Kin

Chef Kwame Onwuachi and InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf have announced the upcoming opening of Onwuachi's newest venture, Kith and Kin, a 96-seat restaurant including a private dining room and bar located at 801 Wharf Street, SW. The highly an

All Things Go Fall Classic announces 2017 food lineup

I don't know about you guys, but when I think of music festivals, good food isn't the first thing that comes to mind. I think of flower crown-wearing millennials washing a hot dog down with some Bud Light and gyrating to electronica. But D.C.'s OG music fe

Off The Record releases new politically-inspired cocktails and coasters

There's a lot about this town that makes us shake our head and say Only in D.C. but this might take the cake: Off The Record, a popular watering hole for Washington's power crowd, has just announced their newest batch of politically-themed cocktails which

Wake up with 14 new breakfast sandwiches around the DMV

Mom always says breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not do it up right? Breakfast sandwiches can’t be beat as a source of energy and satisfaction, and new options are always popping up at restaurants and cafés across the region. Here ar

5 Toasts that beat Avocado Toast hands down

I dislike avocados. In fact, I hate avocados. There, I just went ahead and said it. So this avocado craze of the last few years is completely meaningless to me, especially avocado toast in its various forms and the fact that it's become ubiquitous!For thos

5 spots to savor a frosty granita and beat the summer heat

In the throes of the hottest time of year, one of the best ways to cool off is with an ice-cold treat. If you’re looking for something more unique than a Natty Boh or an ice cream cone, turn to glitzy granitas.

Where to score some of D.C.'s best avocado toast

A list of the hottest events for DC Beer Week

DC Beer Week is an eight day festival that celebrates the DMV's amazing craft beer community. Below we have highlighted some of the best events that will be happening over the next eight days! Bottoms up! Sunday, August 20Learn how to homebrew with DC Home

The National Gallery of Art launches bottomless brunch

Here at DC Refined, we are big, big fans of the museums on the National Mall and bottomless brunch! Unfortunately, we've never been able to combine the two loves ... until now! The National Gallery of Art now serves bottomless weekend brunch in their Garde

Free donuts for a year to first 50 customers at Sugar Shack Shaw's grand opening

If we didn't get your attention with that headline, I don't know what will! To celebrate their grand opening in Shaw on Friday, August 18 at 6 a.m., Sugar Shack Donuts and Coffee  will be giving away a free donut every month for one year to the first 50 cu

This time, the RAMMY Awards gala served up some surprises

2017 has been a big year for restauranteurs in the District.2016 raised the stakes – steaks? – citywide as accolades rained down. Last year, Bon Appétit magazine named Washington, D.C. “Restaurant City of the Year,” ZAGAT called it the “Hottest Food City”

This secret rooftop bar is fulfilling all of our gin and tonic dreams

They have 27 variations on the classic G&T!

9 restaurant week reservations you need to make now

Summer is coming -- Summer Restaurant Week that is! From August 14-20, guests can enjoy curated menus from some of the city's hottest restaurants at a deep discount. For the uninitiated, participating restaurants typically offer three-course menus for brun

Ready, set, go! You have one month to complete the D.C. Tiki Trail

If the words Pina coladas, punch bowls, mai tai's and such excite you, or if you just want to be reminded of exotic paradises, then you must not miss out on DC's Tiki Trail happening throughout the month of August.The brainchild of Brian Nixon, the Bar Man

Find refreshment with these 19 gazpachos around town

Now that the dog days of summer are upon us, we’ll do anything we can to fight the muggy heat. Gazpacho, a cold Spanish soup, is an age-old way to cool off. One theory about its early history is that it was a thirst-quenching, rejuvenating meal for peasant

5 kid-friendly beer gardens going the extra mile to welcome parents

In truth, most beer gardens are pretty kid-friendly as long as you ignore the occasional side-eye from the kidless or even parents who successfully unloaded their little angels on a grandparent or babysitter for the afternoon. There’s usually plenty of op

Can you guess which IPAs DC, VA and MD like best?

At this point referring to craft beer as a trend is laughable. The craft beer scene has exploded between 2011 (when all we had was DC Brau and Port City) and today, where we have more than 25 local breweries giving us more beer choices than we can sometime

The top 5 Thai restaurants to try in D.C.

From spicy wings and hearty noodle dishes to tongue tingling curries, there are plenty of great options in D.C. to get your Thai food fix. Here are my top 5 picks for restaurants that do Thai food right.Baan ThaiLocated on the second floor of Tsunami Sush

Three local spots named to Bon Appétit's 50 Best New Restaurants list

When it rains it pours, but lucky for us, it's raining good news in D.C.! Bon Appétit just released their much-anticipated Best New Restaurants list, which includes 50 semi-finalists who will be narrowed down to the Hot 10 winners on August 15. Last year,

Take a peek at the 2017 RAMMY winners and the raucous after party

Last night saw the crowning of D.C.'s proverbial kings and queens of the food world at the 2017 RAMMYS -- a.k.a Restaurant Prom, where the hardworking men and women of the hospitality industry finally get a night out to celebrate the dining scene of Washin

The top 5 Indian restaurants to try in DC

From establishments focusing on home style Indian food to those presenting modern dishes, here are five of the best restaurants to hit up when you are craving top notch Indian food.IndiqueThis Woodley Park restaurant has been around a while, but recently w

The Watergate Hotel celebrates its 50th birthday with a chef tribute dinner

To ring in its golden anniversary, the iconic Watergate Hotel hosted an all-star chef dinner as a tribute to the late French chef Jean-Louis Palladin, who moved to America in 1979 to open Jean-Louis at the Watergate and was D.C.'s original celeb chef.

The top 5 Mexican restaurants to try in D.C.

Nothing quite hits the spot like a giant enchilada smothered in sauce and cheese, or a taco piled with tasty meat and toppings. Over the last few years, we’ve been lucky to have a wave of better Mexican restaurants open in DC. Here’s the best of them – the

Sweet Deal Alert: Chesapeake Bay crabs delivered to your door for less than $30

As much as we love to hop in the car, open the windows, turn up the radio and head east to a bayside crab shack, the reality of a busy Washingtonian’s life means that’s not always a possibility.So when we learned that FreshDirect, an online grocery deliver

Slay brunch by setting up this killer Mimosa bar

Brunch is one of my favorite ways to entertain. There is something cool about starting--versus ending--the day with friends. Plus, savory dishes like frittatas, quiches and soft-scrambled eggs with chives and smoked trout are super easy to make but never f

Truckeroo brings good eats to The Bullpen

5 under-the-radar eats at Union Market

If you’ve ever been to Union Market, chances are you know all about the old-timers that have been around for a while. And while places like Red Apron and Righteous Cheese will always be among our favorites, we challenge you to try something new.

A beginner's guide to assembling the perfect summer cheese and charcuterie board

When you dine out, is there anything more decadent sounding than starting your meal with a beautiful cheese and charcuterie board? I'll answer that for you -- no, there isn't! Not only are the presentations usually out of this world visually, but the meat/

Open & Shut: Late June and early July restaurant rumblings

OpeningsChicken & Whiskey: It's hard to imagine there is still a need for anything dining-wise on 14th street, but this new Peruvian chicken restaurant, coupled with the whiskey bar next door, is already proving otherwise. The mixed-breed experimental vent

These seasonal cocktails put the "fresh" in refreshment

Right now really is the best time of the year to stroll through the stalls of farmers’ markets, isn’t it? Chefs are all but giddy with excitement at the selection of fruits, veggies and herbs. The DMV’s top bartenders are, too, making sure to allocate some

D.C.'s five best all-day cafes

The only "ladies night" in D.C. with 10 cent wine

As I'm sure you can imagine, the job of a lifestyle writer involves a lot of scouring press releases for relevant information, attending media dinners to stay current on recent menu offerings and Twitter research to know what's hot and trending. But my fav

Celebrate &pizza's 5th birthday with freebies and bacon cheeseburger pizza

Today, &pizza celebrates their fifth anniversary since they opened the inaugural store on H Street, where experience was the focal point and the store was designed to celebrate the neighborhood's culture. I have been a fan of &pizza since day one and can h

Manger et boire comme les Français at these restaurants celebrating Bastille Day

If you are a native (or even just a wannabe francophile), le 14 juillet est très important. That’s the date that marks the storming of the Bastille, a Parisian fortress and prison, by an angry working class crowd fed up with being ruled by a monarchy. The

Beat the D.C. heat with these summer spritzers

When temperatures climb into the 90s and the humidity won’t let up, say hello to your new best friend: the spritzer. The light and refreshing sparkling cocktail is the perfect way to beat the heat and avoid overdoing it on a swampy summer day. Add these bu

5 ways to enjoy a Mojito in DC on National Mojito Day

This week we give our love to the mojito. Why? For starters, it’s National Mojito Day on Tuesday, July 11, but as we get through this sweltering heat of the summer is there anything better than this cool combination of rum, muddled mint, sugar, and soda? U

California's beloved Blue Bottle Coffee opens in Georgetown

For coffee fanatics,a visit to this store and a conversation with a barista is a must do this summer!

Bring on the brain freeze with these 5 boozy slushie recipes

When it’s just too hot to bust out the cocktail tin and exert all that effort shaking up a batch of drinks, let the blender do the work instead. These frozen creations from crafty bartenders around town may make you feel like a kid again, but one sip, lick

Six local spots with insta-worthy packaging

Now that #foodporn reigns supreme on Instagram, eating has become a photo op above all else. Of course the food itself has to look mouthwatering, but restaurants are also stepping up their packaging game so a to-go order is ready for its close up before yo

6 above and beyond hot dogs you can chow down on in the District

Hot Dogs are an All-American classic, and sometimes you just want the basic ketchup and mustard kind. But when that seems a bit too ordinary, get acquainted with one of these loaded hot dogs.The Feast Mode at Swizzler DC's own gourmet, grass fed hot dog tr

Where to eat out this July 4th

Celebrate independence (and your day off) with a delicious meal in the most patriotic city in the country! Here are 10 local restaurants to stuff your face at this fourth of July: Café Du ParcFrom Saturday, July 1, to Monday, July 3, Café du Parc will serv

This meal delivery service will keep you beach-ready all summer

Have you tried Mighty Meals yet?

Myron Mixon: Mayor, fried chicken lover & the winningest man in barbeque

Myron Mixon is a man of many trades; He is the mayor of his hometown in Georgia, writer of three best-selling cookbooks, television host, restaurant owner, and the winningest man in barbeque. And now this multitalented man has brought his delicious barbequ

Enjoy a Saturday stroll through the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April through December, you can pop by the Mt. Pleasant St. Plaza and peruse some fruits, veggies, baked goods, cheese, eggs, meat, flowers, herbs, clothing or even grab or falafel for lunch!

Is CaliBurger D.C.'s cure for In-N-Out cravings?

Like every Californian, I’m a snob about tacos, traffic and In-N-Out. So when someone mentioned that CaliBurger, which delivers out of Union Kitchen, tasted exactly like the burgers I grew up on I was immediately skeptical. Maybe it was the name; what self

7 stellar spots to grab breakfast in D.C.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? If you are an early riser like me, you will sympathize when I say brunch is just too late - most establishments don't open till 11 a.m. even on weekends. And trust me, no one is fun when hangry! Resta

Take a group of your cocktail-obsessed friends to these 3 exclusive spots

Have friends who are way into cocktails? The kind of people who infuse their own booze, are on top of the latest garnish trends like mini clothespins and citrus peels cut into shapes and obsess about procuring gorgeously clear ice for their rocks glasses?

The 25th annual Capital Barbecue Battle brings the grill to The Hill

A beginner's guide to baking Ocean Prime's famous Warm Butter Cake

Do you want to be the most popular guest at your next dinner party? We've got you covered! We teamed up with Chef Jason Shelley of Ocean Prime D.C. to bring you a simple at home recipe for Ocean Prime's infamous Warm Butter Cake. (YUM) Follow the step-by-s

The best coffee shops by neighborhood in the DMV

While we all have favs when it comes to coffee shops, sometimes you find yourself in an unfamiliar neighborhood jonesing for a fix. Rather than calling an Uber just to get to your usual joint, why not branch out and learn a few new places around town.

We fell in love with this old-fashioned neighborhood market

If you've ever wandered around D.C. you've probably come across a few corner stores, maybe you've stopped into Union Market for a quick bite, and you most definitely have made a stop at a big chain grocery store for your weekly grocery shopping.  But why m

'Drink and know things' at the Game of Thrones pop-up bar

Drink like Tyrion Lannister and feel like a khaleesi.

This potluck meal club is bringing dinner table conversations back

The closest I get to "family dinner" is when all of my roommates are in the living room at the same time watching the Bachelor(ette)'s antics on Monday nights. So when I heard there was a group in D.C. making potluck dinners cool again, I was all in!

Play distiller for a day at one of Catoctin Creek’s bottling workshops

Ever take a distillery tour and say to yourself: “I’d love to give that a try”? Well, while you can’t technically make a batch of their award-winning Roundstone Rye (that would be the job of co-founder, chief distiller and former chemical engineer Becky Ha

Get a taste of the good stuff every Wednesday at the Rosslyn Farmers Market

The FRESHFARM Rosslyn Farmers Market, which opened last month, takes place every Wednesday evening from 4-8 p.m. through November.

4 chef-dads reveal how they strive to achieve work-family balance

Dad-dom can be difficult no matter what you do for a living. Chefs know this better than most. Finding a balance between the oftentimes-conflicting obligations of family and the kitchen is difficult and ever-evolving. In honor of Father’s Day, we chatted w

Drink your way through the district with this boozy passport

Have you spent all your money planning over-the-top summer trips around the world? Maybe you're thinking you need to cut back on after work drinks with friends to save a little money... but what if I told you that with the handy-dandy DC Passport Program y

We asked a Canadian to try out D.C. poutine. Here's what he thought

Next to maple syrup and Justin Trudeau’s winning smile, poutine is Canada’s most recognizable export. The combo of crispy fries smothered in dark gravy and cheese curds meld together into a comforting, filling meal that’s perfect after hitting the hockey r

Brunch Guide: Where to indulge with your dad this Father's Day

If you plan on taking your dad out for a good meal on Father's Day, look no further! We have compiled a list of the best places to brunch with your dad on his special day.Central Michel Richard This holiday, treat your favorite dad to a special meal at dow

Open & Shut: The recent rumblings of restaurant openings and closings

OpeningsThe Salt Line: If you’re craving New England-style food you no longer have to trek up north to get some clam “chowdah,” New England-style lobster rolls, deep fried seafood dishes and Jonah style crab claws. The Salt Line, a New England-style restau

Where to celebrate National Rosé Day this weekend (and all summer)

So I have to admit, I skip right over most of these National Days. It just becomes too much trying to keep up with National Hot Dog Day, National Pancake Day and National Tell Your Best Friend You Love Them Day -- I'll celebrate my love of pancakes and bes

D.C. represent! The official drink at Tales of the Cocktail is from Mirabelle's Zach Faden

Each July, thousands of bartenders, media, publicists and enthusiasts converge on New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s difficult to describe; for those of us who make our yearly trek to the Big Easy for seminars, tast

D.C. drinks up and tunes in to Comey's senate testimony

Snappy comebacks pair well with beer, apparently.

DC bars to open early for former FBI Comey's testimony with drink, food specials

If you want to watch former FBI Director James Comey's testimony Thursday but don't want to do it without a drink, then several D.C. bars have you covered!Shaw's Tavern in Northwest announced they are celebrating The Comey Hearing Covfefe. In a Facebook po

Keep cool with these 5 fragrant takes on the Gin & Tonic

In its simplest form--a couple of ounces of gin, a splash of (good quality) tonic water and a generous squeeze of lime served over ice--the G&T is already an amazing cocktail which deftly balances bitter, botanical and citrus. But some local bars have uppe

Where to get free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day!

Who can resist the deliciousness of a warm doughnut on just a normal day? Not us! And today isn't just a normal day, it's National Doughnut Day!Did you know that while we celebrate this holiday annually on the first Friday in June, National Doughnut Day wa

Four summer cocktails literally anyone can make

With the promise of better weather ahead, porch sippers and refreshing cocktails are all the more appealing. While rosé is perfect for quaffing,  how about teaching yourself a few cocktails to have in your arsenal for guests or yourself? You should totally

'Stay Classy' at H Street's Will Ferrell pop-up bar

“I’m in a glass case of emotion!”

9 spring desserts to try right now

After a long winter of waiting of waiting for fresh, juicy produce, we’re finally seeing plenty of spring berries and colorful desserts that celebrate what a little sun can do. But like spring in the mid-Atlantic, these desserts are fleeting try these 9 a

Whaley's new Rosé Garden is the spot to #DrinkPink all season long

A glass of rosé on the patio on a sunny spring day is fine. Soaking in a waterfront view while sipping one (or several) of eleven pink options while sitting at a retro metal table under an umbrella whose stripes match your beverage? Now that’s divine.This

9 of D.C.'s best adult desserts to satisfy your childhood cravings

Sweets don't have to be boozy to be grown up!

4 tasting menus under $100 that are an absolute steal

D.C. restaurants have no shortage of high-end tasting menus, from minibar to Pineapple & Pearls. But you don’t have to spend $250 for a memorable evening out. Check out these four spots offering staggeringly affordable, yet amazing, multi-course culinary e