DC’s new psychedelic restaurant and other openings

What's CITY Talking About?

DC Leaders Lobby House To Pass Budget-Saving Bill

D.C. officials have redoubled their lobbying efforts as the District anxiously awaits a decision by the House of Representatives on the fate of D.C.’s budget. Depending on what they decide, D.C. could see a $1 billion hit over the next six months The House is on recess until March 24. [City Cast DC 🎧]

29% of DC Restaurants Consider Closing

A record number of restaurants closed in D.C. last year, and another 29% of restaurants surveyed say they are "somewhat likely" to shutter this year. Industry leaders say it’s due to higher operating costs, the threat of an economic downtown, and other pressures. [WBJ 🔒]

MPD Audit Finds No Connection To Hate Group

In a new report, D.C.’s auditor says there is no evidence of D.C. police ties to the Proud Boys, but she recommends improving employee background checks and regularly reviewing officers’ views and social media. Chief Pamela Smith disagrees, saying it could be an invasion of privacy. [City Paper]

Trump Bashes Kennedy Center In First Board Meeting

President Trump told reporters the Kennedy Center was in “tremendous disrepair” due to “bad management.” He said many changes were needed, but did not specify. He also said he was happy that Hamilton cancelled its upcoming performance. [NPR]

• As the Kennedy Center's new chairman, Trump has promised to eliminate “woke” programming, which has left the D.C. art community reeling. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Bowser and Trump Both Want FBI To Stay

Mayor Bowser says she agrees with President Trump’s push to keep the FBI Building downtown. The Biden administration had decided to move the HQ to Greenbelt. Bowser suggested the HQ should be by an underutilized Metro station. [WTOP]

DC's Best New Restaurants & Bars This March

The slow winter season is behind us and a rush of new D.C. restaurants is finally here. The much-anticipated Bar Betsie and Tapori certainly live up to the hype. But perhaps the most unlikely excitement is surrounding the return of beloved burger chain Fuddruckers to Chinatown.

Tapori (H Street NE)

Chef Suresh Sundas and Bar Director Dante Datta, the owners of Daru, have spent the last two years dreaming up this South Asian street food restaurant. They want diners to feel like they are eating at a bustling street food market, with dishes ranging from Southern India to Nepal, Sundas’s native country, and cocktails made with imported Indian spirits. Do not sleep on the lotus root chaat.

Bar Betsie (Union Market)

Jane Jane’s anticipated D.C. sibling scores top points for vibes. The moody cabaret-style bar has cozy wooden booths and a dramatic neon light curtain that sets the backdrop for Puerto Rican-inspired cocktails and all-American drinking snacks.

Sagrada (14th Street NW)

This fine-dining concept restaurant explores the transformative power of psychedelics — through food. No actual psilocybin is used, but the tasting menu is meant to mirror the stages of a psychedelic trip and trigger sensory shifts. The exact eight-course menu itself remains a mystery until arrival but features ingredients like duck, cacao, hibiscus, and pumpkin. A portion of proceeds supports Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.

Fuddruckers (Chinatown)

Chinatown is sooo back. And by that I mean Fuddruckers is reopening (on the same block no less) with its grill-to-order burgers and Oreo shakes. Just in time for March Madness 🍔 (Opens March 20)

Occidental (Downtown)

D.C. restaurateur Stephen Starr has completely revamped the historic Occidental restaurant. Originally opened in 1906 just two blocks from the White House, the dining room is known for serving D.C.’s political elite. Now, Starr has outfitted it with stunning green and yellow velvet furnishings and a new menu with midcentury American classics and tableside martini service.

Whitlows (The Wharf)

The U Street watering hole is opening up a second location at The Wharf with a familiar menu and a massive patio overlooking the Potomac. Also get ready for their huge tiki-style Whitlow’s party boat, which will dock out front come spring. (Opens March 21)

Onggi (Dupont)

This upscale ode to Korean “Jeong” cuisine has set meals and traditional a la carte bites like galbi, grilled abalone, kimbap, and pumpkin porridge. They also boast refreshing tales on traditional cocktails icing spirits like makgeolli and soju. Official opening is April 1, but soft opening was March 14.

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