🍄 How to forage in the DMV

What's CITY Talking About?

Parents Sue Over Weed Shops

Community groups sued D.C. after the city granted medical marijuana licenses to two controversial smoke shops. Some parents say the locations of the shops, in the Palisades and Penn Quarter, are too close to schools. The lawsuit calls for the city to ban weed shops within 1000 feet of schools and both schools in question fall within that boundary. [Axios, City Cast DC 🎧]

Call Your Mother Lawyer

Fan-favorite bagel shop Call Your Mother is fighting to keep its Georgetown location open after the neighborhood’s ANC called for the city to pull its permit due to overcrowding. The location is a rare commercial space within a largely residential area, and neighbors say spillover from the restaurant’s lines are causing a nuisance. [Axios]

GOP Looks to Block FBI Move

House Republicans are pushing a bill that would block the FBI building’s move to Greenbelt. The bill would only allow money towards renovating the current building, or towards finding another location in the city. The Greenbelt move was announced in November, beating out Landover and Springfield. [ABC7, City Cast DC 🎧]

What Is DC’s Best Park?

Welcome to round two! D.C. has hundreds of parks, but which one has what it takes to win the crown? With your help, we've narrowed it down from eight of D.C.’s most popular parks to four. Which will be eliminated next? Cast your vote in round two!

Come back here tomorrow for the final showdown!

Food & Drink: Best New Restaurant Openings

What’s new and good to eat in town this summer? D.C. is continuing its Mediterranean food frenzy and love of natural wines. Also, expect a few new concepts from beloved restaurant owners!

Láylí Mediterranean (Clarendon):

This Lebanese-inspired eatery is the latest addition to a Mediterranean food resurgence in the DMV. The menu is mostly shareable mezze, as well as larger items like beef tenderloin shawarma and hummus with duck confit. But don’t miss the pistachio espresso martinis or pesto sours!

Baan Mae (Shaw):

The family behind Thip Khao just opened this new Southeast Asian spot with dishes like crab curry with lychee, banana jicama blossom salad, and black sesame coconut rice. It is one of several new spots the family has opened including Padaek in Arlington.

Sixty Vines (Foggy Bottom):

This Texas-based wine bar and restaurant opened its first D.C. location on June 11. It has over 60 wines on tap, a full American-fare menu, and a greenhouse. But more importantly, they have a happy hour with $8 espresso martinis and frozé drinks.

Ama (Navy Yard):

This new Italian eatery opened on June 4. It transforms from a café and focacceria by day to an aperitivo bar and restaurant by night. Think carpaccio, foraged greens ravioli, and braised rabbit stew.

Catboat Pizza Bar (Alexandria):

The owners of Sonny’s Pizza and No Kisses bar in Park View opened this grandma-style pan pizza joint and wine bar on June 7. Right now the seating is only outdoors and hours are limited. However, it will be expanding later this summer.

What To Do

Today on City Cast

How To Forage Your Next Meal in the DMV

Want to go urban foraging but don’t know where to start? April Thompson, culinary chair of the Mycological Association of Washington D.C., explains what you need to know to safely and deliciously forage in the DMV.