🧑‍🍳 DC gains two Michelin stars, loses two

What's CITY Talking About?

New DC Michelin Stars

Two D.C. restaurants gained Michelin stars this year: plant-based South American restaurant Mita and Japanese tasting counter Omakase @ Barracks Row. Amparo Fondita also took home a new Bib Gourmand. However, Maydan and Pineapple & Pearls each lost a star. [Axios]

Underrated Southeast Eats

Looking for something more under the radar? We’ve got a podcast episode stacked full of Southeast gems for you. Local influencer LaVondra Shinholster (@typicalblaqueen) spills her favorite spots to eat and hangout. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Metro Could Expand Weekend Hours

WMATA is considering opening earlier and closing later on weekends. Under the new proposal, Metro would open at 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and run until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. [X/@AdamTuss]

PG County Holds Special Elections

Prince George’s County is holding a pair of special elections this spring to fill vacancies left by Angela Alsobrooks and Jolene Ivey. Alsobrooks was elected to the U.S. Senate in November, leaving the county executive’s seat vacant. Meanwhile, Ivey was elected to an at-large seat, leaving her District 5 council seat open. [Washington Post 🔒]

Fairfax Teacher Retention Rates Bounce Back

Fairfax Public School District is retaining over 90% of teachers, meeting its benchmark for the first time in four years. The county has struggled with teacher retention since the pandemic. [WTOP]

DC’s Best New Restaurants

Restaurant openings are slowing down for the season, but there's still lots happening in D.C.’s burbs, including a halal taquería in Alexandria and a build-your-own pasta spot in Tysons. On the downside, ​​Chef Cedric Maupillier’s beloved French eatery Convivial is closing after almost 10 years.

👋 Say hello to these newcomers:

Arrels (Chinatown)

Located in the Arlo Hotel, Chef Pepe Moncayo's new Catalan-inspired concept takes full advantage of its charcoal grill, infusing traditional dishes with smokey, home-cooked flavor. The menu includes Conejo y Alcachofa (rabbit with artichokes), seafood paella, croquetas, and churros with Espelette pepper chocolate sauce.

Minetta Tavern (Union Market)

Hailing all the way from Greenwich Village, the legendary Minetta Tavern opened yesterday in an alley near Union Market. The adorable New York-style tavern is known for its vintage feel and Parisian menu, serving up New York Strip, bone marrow, and its famous Black Label burger.

• Upstairs, you’ll find its sister bar, Lucy Mercer Bar (after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mistress), with martinis, caviar, and no phones allowed.

Elena James (Chevy Chase)

This casual all-day restaurant comes from the owners of Nina May and Opal and is serving all American classics done right. They will have a counter-service cafe for breakfast and lunch and an evening dining room serving Olive Garden-style breadsticks, patty melts, Old Bay duck wings, dino nuggets, and banana splits.

El Taller del Xiquet (Glover Park)

Chef Danny Lledó just opened this new 14-seat dining “laboratory” on the first floor of Xiquet. Here, you can try Lledó’s refined Spanish cooking à la carte style. The restaurant’s inaugural menu offers specialties from coastal Spain like Ibèric ham paella, a bustling cheese cart, sea bass gravlax, and chocolate mouse with coconut caviar.

Scolapasta (Tysons Corner)

This new spot in Tysons Galleria does one thing: fresh-made pasta. Chef Roshan Ashiq, who previously helmed the kitchen at Il Canale in Georgetown, is bringing this fun new concept to life. Customers will build their own pasta dish, choosing from traditional pasta shapes and homemade sauces like cacio e pepe, ragu alla bolognese, pesto, and pomodoro.

La Tingeria (Alexandria)

This viral food-truck-turned-Falls Church-taqueria opened its second location at the Port City Brewery in Alexandria last week. Chef David Peña’s eateries specialize in certified halal Mexican food. Try the goat birria, chicken tinga, and Halal pastor tacos.

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