These days, chefs are taking a more casual approach to chicken. Moon Rabbit’s Kevin Tien slings Nashville hot-chicken sandwiches at Hot Lola’s. Carey and Yuan Tang run the takeout-only Side Chick out of their hit Falls Church restaurant, Ellie Bird. Here’s a look at two notable chef-driven newcomers, both on Capitol Hill.

Bumblebirds

Eighteen years ago, Carla Hall competed on Top Chef. The DC-based former hotel chef, caterer, and Howard University grad didn’t win, but she became the most famous of the show’s alumni in large part due to her charming personality. She spent seven years as a cohost of an ABC talk show. Her first and only restaurant, the Nashville-style hot-chicken shop in Brooklyn she opened in 2016, lasted barely more than a year. (Hall cited its out-of-the-way location and staffing issues as reasons for the closure.)

Now she’s betting big on fried chicken again. Bumblebirds, a sunny, folksy fast-casual place in the former Good Stuff Eatery space, opened in March for a six-month test run. If it does well, it’ll stay put, though Hall recently hinted it might close, which would be too bad. Because even if you’re asking yourself whether DC really needs yet another place for a honey-butter-soaked fried-chicken sandwich, I’d say it’s off to a good start.

I appreciate that the strawberry lemonade tastes more like berries than simple syrup and that the massive chicken tenders come with a perfect honey mustard. A scoop of pimiento cheese could have been plucked from a Carolina kitchen (its accompanying slices of dried biscuit not so much). At night, there are elderflower juleps and boozy iced teas from Andra “AJ” Johnson, formerly of Serenata.

Hall’s fried-chicken sandwiches are big and unapologetically drippy (I had to clean all my rings when I got home) but held together with sturdy brioche buns. They’re also $12, which seems like a steal at a time when $18 sandos are commonplace. Still, the most important part is the bird. It gets a dry brine that includes a tenderizing powdered vinegar, and the trick works: The thighs emerge from the fryer juicy, nicely crunchy, and not too salty.

The sandwiches I’d happily return for include the OG Bumble, layered with peppery slaw, pickles, and Havarti; a Buffalo-wing homage heavy on the blue cheese and celery-leaf slaw; and, yes, a honey-butter-gilded version. The one I’d skip: the lone vegetarian option, with vinegary fried mushrooms. (A side of bland fried chicken skins was disappointing, too.)

You can get any sandwich with grilled chicken, which is fine but somehow feels like sacrilege here.

Little Engine

Rob Sonderman might not have the same level of name-brand recognition that Hall does, but he is the culinary mind behind some seriously popular DC joints, including the urban barbecue pioneer Federalist Pig and the Petworth fried-chicken bar Honeymoon Chicken. The financial backer behind his latest spot might ring more of a bell: Jeff Zeints, Joe Biden’s former Covid czar, who also helped get Call Your Mother off the ground.

Sonderman grew up near his little rotisserie shop, which is decorated with ’90s relics like videotapes and CDs. And it feels like 2026’s answer to the late local chain Chicken Out—a Clinton-era staple for reliable takeout. Scrambling to figure out a weeknight dinner that’ll feed the family and not horrify your cardiologist? Sonderman wants to be your guy. The $42 “Family Van” takeout package, centered around a whole chicken, will feed four.

Some chickens here have been more memorable than others. Sonderman coats his birds with smoked paprika and other spices for up to two days before giving them a spin in the rotisserie. One night’s chicken leaned dry and salty but was saved by a bright jalapeño-lime sauce, which is so good it deserves to be bottled. On another two visits, the bird was far better. It was helped by the savory-sweet “Hazel’s magic dust,” one of three finishing rubs you can opt for.

Wings, big and meaty, are fried and can be either dry-rubbed or (a better bet) sheened with, say, Buffalo sauce or a sticky garlic glaze. Grab some of the housemade ranch and more of that jalapeño-lime sauce.

Most of the sides lean healthy, such as a piquantly spiced carrot slaw, a cucumber-tomato salad, or sautéed snap peas with salsa macha. Only one is truly memorable: big, golden-fried hushpuppies studded with sweet corn and scallions. Sonderman’s secret? Another sprinkling of that magic dust.

Bumblebirds

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Neighborhood: Capitol Hill.

Dress: You’ll see a lot of suits because of its location, but anything goes.

Best dishes: OG Bumble, Buffalo & Blue, and Sassy Honey Bird sandwiches; chicken tenders; pimiento cheese.

Price range: Starters and sides $6 to $15, sandwiches $12 to $15.

Bottom line: DC’s fried-chicken-sandwich scene is crowded, but Carla Hall’s entrant is a worthy competitor.

Little Engine

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Neighborhood: Eastern Market.

Dress: As casual as you want.

Best dishes: Rotisserie chicken with “Hazel’s magic dust” and jalapeño-lime sauce; hushpuppies; barbecue and Buffalo wings.

Price range: Sides $5 to $8, chicken plates $10 to $22.50.

Bottom line: A rotisserie spot that aims (and mostly deserves) to be part of your regular dinner rotation.

This article appears in the June 2026 issue of Washingtonian.

The post How Do DC’s Buzzy New Chicken Joints Stack Up? first appeared on Washingtonian.

Feeling a little de ja vu? There could be two reasons for that. Allow us to break it down. First: Snyder and his wife, Tanya, initially bought this house, River View, in November 2021—reportedly for $48 million in cash—earning a slew of buzzy headlines calling it the most expensive home sold in the Greater Washington area. In July 2023, less than two years later, Snyder sold the Commanders (for $6.05 billion), and 11 months after that, in June 2024, River View went back on the market—with a whopping $60 million price tag. At some point—according to Redfin, in February of this year—the listing was removed, and on Wednesday, it returned with a new broker (Michael Sobhi, The Sobhi Group of Real Broker) and a new list price of $49.9 million. 

 

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If that’s still confusing, perhaps it’s because Snyder’s other former estate, known as River House—and also on the Potomac River, but located on River Road in Potomac, Maryland—also caught a lot of buzz in the last few years when it was listed for a nearly identically staggering $49 million in February 2023, had its price dropped, was donated to the American Cancer Society, was listed again, was reduced in price again (twice), and finally sold at auction in December for $13.29 million. It’s a lot of Dan Snyder estate-on-the-Potomac-River sales news, we get it.

Back to River View—the house currently on the market. There are eight bedrooms and a slew of bathrooms, with a main house, a guest house, and a carriage house, the latter of which includes a studio apartment and a four-car garage. The property is designed to work as both a private home and a gathering spot, says listing agent Michael Sobhi. “The property offers an extraordinary level of privacy . . . while still being designed to accommodate entertaining on a remarkable scale,” says Sobhi.  “It has the ability to host hundreds of guests comfortably, yet still function as an intimate private residence.”

In fact, according to the listing, the main house has an entire floor dedicated to entertaining, with a full bar, billiards table, and doors that open to the river. There’s also a wine cellar, a private theater, and a fitness center and spa with an indoor resistance pool, steam room, sauna, and more. All on 16.5 acres of land with 400 feet of waterfront, and a private dock.

“That combination of ultra-privacy, scale, waterfront living, and proximity to the center of power is incredibly rare,” Sobhi says.

If it sells at this price, it’ll be the most expensive property sold in the DMV for the second time, outselling its own last sale by a ($1.9 million) hair. See the photos of the estate below. 

The post Dan Snyder’s Potomac River Estate Is Back on the Market first appeared on Washingtonian.

Washingtonian President and CEO Cathy Merrill delivered brief remarks thanking the evening’s sponsors, and raised a glass to the 2026 honorees.

Thank you to our event sponsors for helping to make the event such a success: Arnold Ventures, CVS Health, Delta Air Lines, Duke Energy, General Motors, Intuit, Next Era Energy, PepsiCo, and Verizon. 

Venue and Vendors: The Four Seasons Hotel DC, Mixing Maryland DJs, Lee’s Flower Shop, Washington Talent Agency.

Photos by Stacey Salter / IC Image Works and Evy Mages

The post Photos from Washingtonian’s 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy Celebration 2026 first appeared on Washingtonian.

Sports this weekend: The Nationals are at Atlanta today, tomorrow, and Sunday. D.C. United host Montreal Saturday. Loudoun United FC host Detroit City FC at Segra Field Saturday. Old Glory DC visit the CA Legion Sunday. 

How well do you know DC? We launched a new game, Districted, that tests your geographical knowledge. Give it a try!

Have a great Memorial Day. You can find me on Bluesky, I’m @abeaujon.87 on Signal, and there’s a link to my email address below. This roundup is available as a morning email newsletter. Sign up here.

I can’t stop listening to:

Big Daddy Kane, “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’.” The influential MC plays a special performance with the Duke Ellington School Orchestra tonight at the Bethesda Theater. 

Take Washingtonian Today with you! I keep ridiculously long playlists on Apple Music and on Spotify of this year’s music recommendations. Here are 2025’s songs (Apple, Spotify), too.

Here’s some administration news you might have blocked out:

The war: Iran’s Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the country to keep its stock of enriched nuclear material. That edict comes as the country has toughened its stance on its nuclear program—it says negotiations about ending it won’t start until the US and Israel guarantee they won’t attack Iran again. (Reuters) US intelligence assessments say the country is also “rapidly rebuilding certain military capabilities degraded by US-Israeli strikes.” (CNN) The cryptocurrency exchange Binance has been “a financial artery for the IRGC, the powerful political, military and economic force that dominates Iran.” President Trump pardoned Binance’s founder, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, last October. (WSJ) Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told  senators yesterday that the US had paused arms sales to Taiwan to help preserve the US military’s stock of munitions. (Hill) Defense Department assessments show that the US used “far more high-end munitions defending Israel amid hostilities with Iran than Israeli forces used themselves.” (Washington Post)

Meanwhile, at home: White House aides are worried not just about the average price of a gallon of gas exceeding $5.02—its high point during the Biden administration—but also the rising yields on Treasury bonds, which are already causing the cost of consumer credit to rise. (Politico) A gallon costs $4.552 on average today. (AAA) Mortgage rates hit a nine-month high yesterday. (WSJ)

Burn the votes: House Republicans yanked a vote on a measure that sought to end the war on Iran that Trump started in February because they didn’t have enough votes to stop it. (NYT) Meanwhile, Senate Republicans gave up on passing a reconciliation bill that would have funded ICE and CBP operations before Memorial Day. (NBC News) That move came after acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche “struggled Thursday to quash GOP concerns” over Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund for people who feel they are victims of government “weaponization”—including January 6 rioters. Blanche told senators no funds would go to anyone convicted of assaulting police during the riot. (Politico) “It’s difficult to overstate the erosion of goodwill between Trump and Senate Republicans.” (Punchbowl News)

Slush hour: Applications to the fund are already pouring into DOJ, even though no commissioners have yet been named. Trump’s ally Michael Caputo has applied for millions, and hundreds of January 6 rioters intend to apply. So has Michael Cohen, and James Comey has joked that he may file a claim. (NBC News) A bipartisan bill that would kill the fund has sprouted in the House. (Politico)

D’oh J: Federal prosecutors in Chicago dropped all charges against the “Broadview Six” protesters arrested outside an ICE facility in Illinois last year. US Attorney Andrew Boutros told the judge the decision “was due to improper handling of the grand jury proceedings by the lead prosecutor in the case.” (CBS News)  Two of the defendants said they planned to apply to Trump’s slush fund. (Chicago Sun-Times)

DH-mess: Five people have died by suicide in ICE facilities this year alone—the highest number of deaths in such facilities in two decades. (NBC News) Meanwhile, new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is moving ahead with a plan to reduce CBP operations at US airports in so-called “sanctuary cities”—including Chicago. (Atlantic)

Administration perambulation: Trump said he would send 5,000 US troops to Poland after the Pentagon canceled a deployment of 4,000 troops there last week. (AP) The White House yanked Trump’s planned executive order on AI after David Sacks, Trump’s former “AI czar,” “voiced industry concerns about the measure.” (Politico) The Commission of Fine Arts, a body stuffed with Trump appointees, approved his planned Triumphal Arch project at Memorial Circle. (NYT) A federal judge seems unlikely to halt work on Trump’s paint job in the Reflecting Pool. (NYT) DOJ announced it had arrested and charged 15 people in Minnesota whom it accused of Medicaid fraud. (Politico) Elon Musk‘s Grok AI thing “has been a flop” with federal government customers. (Reuters) Trump said he supported the most recent push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. (Washington Post) He also said he probably wouldn’t attend his son Donald Trump Jr.‘s wedding to Bettina Anderson this weekend, saying he’d “get killed — by the fake news, of course, I’m talking about”—whether or not he showed. (NYT)

Recently on Washingtonian dot com:

• Our June issue is on newsstands now. Take a peek at what’s inside.

• Attention, music-lovers: You’ll want to add these summer tours and festivals to your calendars.

• Here’s our party photographer Dan Swartz‘s roundup of  galas and dos around town last month.

Local news links:

• DHS has ordered all Americans who have visited Congo and two other African countries that are the sites of a deadly Ebola outbreak to travel through Dulles, where the agency said it was “focusing public health resources to implement enhanced public health measures.” (NBC4 Washington)

• Police in DC said Charles Joseph Ali of Rockville threw a keg through Georgetown Cupcake’s window. (WTOP)

• Police in Fairfax charged two people with stealing almost “$10,000 worth of Legos, small appliances, clothing and other merchandise” from local merchants. (WTOP)

• A Virginia judge dismissed a criminal case against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal at an elementary school. Prosecutors alleged Parker ignored warning signs about a six-year-old who later shot his teacher. The judge said Parker’s actions didn’t constitute a crime. (NBC4 Washington)

• An infant died in a hot car in Spotsylvania County on Wednesday. His mother has been jailed. (NBC4 Washington)

• Firefighters rescued two people and a dog from a blaze in McLean early Friday. (WUSA9)

• Authorities in Fauquier County arrested Mason Griffith “after being tipped off to his plan to sell a young fox.” (WUSA9)

Weekend event picks:

Friday: Jazz in the Garden returns with an American theme. This edition’s performer is DC’s Oh He Dead. (These performances may be canceled for inclement weather; ticket-holders should keep an eye on their email.)

Saturday: It’s Day 2 of the IlluminAsia Festival at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.

Sunday: Your last chance to see “The Great Gatsby” at the National Theatre.

See lots more picks for the weekend from Briana Thomas, who writes our Things to Do newsletter.

The post Travelers From Ebola-Outbreak Countries Must Travel Through Dulles, Alleged Keg-Thrower Arrested, Sale of Baby Fox Thwarted first appeared on Washingtonian.

April 13

Shakespeare Theatre Company 40th Anniversary Gala at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

April 16

Semafor Gala at the National Portrait Gallery

April 17

VIP Sneak Peek at Peruvian Brothers’ North Capitol Street Location

April 22

Améthyste at the French Ambassador’s Residence

May 1

Book reception for Dana Perino’s Purple State at Fox Corporation’s Government Relations Offices

White House Correspondents’ Dinner Weekend

April 24

UTA’s “Celebration of America’s Journalists” WHCD Pre-Party at Osteria Mozza

April 25

WHCD Garden Brunch at the Beall-Washington House

April 25

An Evening With Time at the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence

April 26

Ned’s Club and Air Mail White House Correspondents’ Week Wrap Party at Ned’s Club Washington, DC

April 13

Shakespeare Theatre Company 40th Anniversary Gala at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

 

April 16

Semafor Gala at the National Portrait Gallery

 

April 17

VIP Sneak Peek at Peruvian Brothers’ North Capitol Street Location

 

April 22

Améthyste at the French Ambassador’s Residence

 

May 1

Book reception for Dana Perino’s Purple State at Fox Corporation’s Government Relations Offices

 

White House Correspondents’ Dinner Weekend

April 24

UTA’s “Celebration of America’s Journalists” WHCD Pre-Party at Osteria Mozza

 

April 25

WHCD Garden Brunch at the Beall-Washington House

 

April 25

An Evening With Time at the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence

 

April 26

Ned’s Club and Air Mail White House Correspondents’ Week Wrap Party at Ned’s Club Washington, DC

This article appears in the June 2026 issue of Washingtonian.

The post Journalists, Politicos, Ambassadors: Photos of the Best Parties Around DC first appeared on Washingtonian.

FESTIVALS

1. Vans Warped Tour

In 2025, The Warped Tour returned to DC after a six-year hiatus to commemorate the rock music festival’s 30th anniversary. This summer, the punk rock mania continues at a two-day showcase featuring more than 80 live acts ($199+ for two-day admission).

2. Home Rule Music Festival

This celebration of DC’s musical roots kicks off at the Parks at Walter Reed on June 20 and ends on October 3 at Alethia Tanner Park. The free outdoor concerts plan to transport festival goers into the cosmos with jazz, soul, go-go, and funk rhythms from artists such as Chuck Brown Band, Melanie Charles, Trouble Funk, and SunRa Arkestra featuring Marshall Allen (free, NoMa, Takoma Park).

3. DC Jazz Festival

Listen to homegrown and international jazz tunes at the District’s most popular ode to the genre. This year’s finger-snapping lineup features award-winning artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet and Kurt Elling, and local musicians Nasar Abadey and Janelle Gill. Most of the shows and concerts will take place at Wharf-area venues: Arena Stage, Union Stage, Pearl Street Warehouse, and the Anthem ($25+).

4. Afro Plus Fest

Afrobeat stars Wizkid, Davido, and Alkaline headline the second iteration of Afro Plus Fest this Labor Day weekend. After a sold-out debut last year, the Afro-Caribbean and hip-hop party is expanding to a multi-day showcase at Northwest Stadium where fans can whine their hips to the beats of ampiano, soca, and other high-energy genres ($199+ for three-day admission).

CONCERTS

5. James Blake

Grammy-winning producer and songwriter James Blake arrives in DC to promote his first self-released album Trying Times—an emotional project featuring melodic hums and R&B vocals ($58).

6. Yungblud

Britain’s genre-defying artist Yungblud performs an electrifying concert at The Anthem. Expect to be on your feet singing along to rock songs “The Funeral” and “Zombie” (sold out, $98+ from third-party sellers).

7. Lizzo with National Symphony Orchestra 

Hear your favorite Lizzo pop songs accompanied live by the National Symphony Orchestra. The trained flutist and lyricist will perform at Wolf Trap’s open-air amphitheater Filene Center ($65.50+).

8. The R&B Tour with Usher and Chris Brown

From Usher’s show-stopping Super Bowl performance to Chris Brown’s sold-out Breezy Bowl, the two R&B and dance icons have been touring nearly nonstop over the past two years. Now fans of both Billboard-charting artists can see them perform together live at the Raymond and Brown tour coming to Northwest Stadium this summer for three nights; tickets are going fast ($138+).

9. Noah Kahan with Gigi Perez

Folk-pop vocalist Noah Kahan released his new project The Great Divide last month. Get tickets to his live concert with viral TikTok singer-songwriter Gigi Perez to hear their acoustics and banjo melodies echo through Nats Park ($356+).

10. Bob Dylan

Legendary songwriter Bob Dylan returns to Wolf Trap for two evenings to sing some of his greatest rock and roll poems from the ’60s. The music pioneer is accompanied by Lucinda Williams and Jimmie Vaughan and their respective bands ($65+).

11. Karol G

If you missed Colombian artist Karol G’s explosive Coachella performances, don’t fret. The reggaeton megastar is coming to the DC area this summer to sing songs from her latest tropical-infused record Tropicoqueta; be on the lookout for themed snacks and drinks at Northwest Stadium ($213+).

12. Ella Mai

The British singer’s most recent album Do You Still Love Me? is a grown and sexy R&B project that invites listeners to her inner world of falling in love and the journey that comes along with it. She’s performing intimate tracks from the record to a sold-out audience at The Anthem ($95+ from third-party sellers).

The post 12 Great Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Summer first appeared on Washingtonian.

FEATURES

Bringing Them Home

Working outside official diplomatic channels—and in delicate, sometimes dangerous circumstances—Mickey Bergman has made it his life’s work to free people, mostly Americans, who are wrongly held abroad. By Andrew Zaleski.

Joy Ride

To celebrate America’s 200th birthday in 1976, some 4,100 cyclists hit the road for the “Bikecentennial,” a cross-country journey that changed how they saw themselves—and the nation. By Ron Cassie.

We the Party People

From the biggest national events to overlooked local gems to—yes, really—mixed martial arts on the White House lawn, here’s our guide to celebrating America’s 250th birthday in and around Washington. By Ike Allen, Kate Corliss, Patrick Hruby, and Dara T. Mathis.

CAPITAL COMMENT

Goodbye, Mom N Pop: A beloved antiques shop closes after 40 years. By Alex Mack.

Lost World: A photo archive offers a fascinating glimpse of the past. By Dara T. Mathis.

DC Debuts: Compelling new DC books. By Tristan Espinoza.

Capitol Facts: A “biography” of the US Capitol explores its complex history. By L. Wayne Hicks.

THINGS TO DO

Our ten picks for the month in culture. By Pat Padua.

IQ

Examining Espionage: A former intelligence officer who helped investigate Guantánamo interrogations is now the International Spy Museum’s historian. By Andrew Beaujon.

Life After the Times: David Brooks was one of DC’s most prominent and controversial political columnists. Now he wants to contemplate deeper matters. By Drew Lindsay.

LIFE, TRAVEL & HEALTH

New Kids on the Block: Recently opened places to eat, stay, and play at the beach, from breezy seafood spots to a faux surfing lagoon. By Eric Wallace.

Out of the Blue: A biologist set out to treat a premature-aging disorder. Her discovery launched a beauty business. By Daniella Byck.

Prepare for Liftoff: Fewer frozen faces, more younger patients: Welcome to the new and improved facelift. Plus—our list of top plastic surgeons. By Olivia Konen and Samantha Skolnick.

TASTE

Fowl Play: Our take on two buzzy new chicken places. By Ann Limpert.

Hidden Eats: Iranian expats flock to this store for groceries—and great takeout. By Ike Allen,

The Waiting Game: Want to check out that hot new restaurant? Get in line! By Jessica Sidman.

Thrall of the Wild: Restaurants where diners can get a taste of foraged ingredients. By Nevin Martell.

New and Noteworthy: A dozen new restaurants we’re excited about this month. By Ike Allen.

HOME

Four Vacation Homes We Love: From lake-house compound to quiet bayside cottage, these summer homes are tailored for the rhythms of life by the water. By Charlotte Safavi.

Neighborhood Briefing: the Wharf and Southwest Waterfront: New places to eat, shop, and play in this thriving area of DC. By Kate Corliss and Dara T. Mathis.

Off The Market: Some of the region’s recent high-end residential transactions. By Washingtonian Staff.

FIRST PERSON

NGO head Kate Schecter on how a childhood experience in the USSR shaped her. By Dara T. Mathis.

FEATURES

Bringing Them Home

Working outside official diplomatic channels—and in delicate, sometimes dangerous circumstances—Mickey Bergman has made it his life’s work to free people, mostly Americans, who are wrongly held abroad. By Andrew Zaleski.

 

Joy Ride

To celebrate America’s 200th birthday in 1976, some 4,100 cyclists hit the road for the “Bikecentennial,” a cross-country journey that changed how they saw themselves—and the nation. By Ron Cassie.

 

We the Party People

From the biggest national events to overlooked local gems to—yes, really—mixed martial arts on the White House lawn, here’s our guide to celebrating America’s 250th birthday in and around Washington. By Ike Allen, Kate Corliss, Patrick Hruby, and Dara T. Mathis.

 

---

CAPITAL COMMENT

Goodbye, Mom N Pop: A beloved antiques shop closes after 40 years. By Alex Mack.

Lost World: A photo archive offers a fascinating glimpse of the past. By Dara T. Mathis.

DC Debuts: Compelling new DC books. By Tristan Espinoza.

Capitol Facts: A “biography” of the US Capitol explores its complex history. By L. Wayne Hicks.

 

---

THINGS TO DO

Our ten picks for the month in culture. By Pat Padua.

 

---

IQ

Examining Espionage: A former intelligence officer who helped investigate Guantánamo interrogations is now the International Spy Museum’s historian. By Andrew Beaujon.

Life After the Times: David Brooks was one of DC’s most prominent and controversial political columnists. Now he wants to contemplate deeper matters. By Drew Lindsay.

 

---

LIFE, TRAVEL & HEALTH

New Kids on the Block: Recently opened places to eat, stay, and play at the beach, from breezy seafood spots to a faux surfing lagoon. By Eric Wallace.

Out of the Blue: A biologist set out to treat a premature-aging disorder. Her discovery launched a beauty business. By Daniella Byck.

Prepare for Liftoff: Fewer frozen faces, more younger patients: Welcome to the new and improved facelift. Plus—our list of top plastic surgeons. By Olivia Konen and Samantha Skolnick.

 

---

TASTE

Fowl Play: Our take on two buzzy new chicken places. By Ann Limpert.

Hidden Eats: Iranian expats flock to this store for groceries—and great takeout. By Ike Allen,

The Waiting Game: Want to check out that hot new restaurant? Get in line! By Jessica Sidman.

Thrall of the Wild: Restaurants where diners can get a taste of foraged ingredients. By Nevin Martell.

New and Noteworthy: A dozen new restaurants we’re excited about this month. By Ike Allen.

 

---

HOME

Four Vacation Homes We Love: From lake-house compound to quiet bayside cottage, these summer homes are tailored for the rhythms of life by the water. By Charlotte Safavi.

Neighborhood Briefing: the Wharf and Southwest Waterfront: New places to eat, shop, and play in this thriving area of DC. By Kate Corliss and Dara T. Mathis.

Off The Market: Some of the region’s recent high-end residential transactions. By Washingtonian Staff.

 

---

FIRST PERSON

NGO head Kate Schecter on how a childhood experience in the USSR shaped her. By Dara T. Mathis.

The post June Issue: America at 250 first appeared on Washingtonian.

Thanks to Ike Allen for covering for me yesterday. You can find me on Bluesky, I’m @abeaujon.87 on Signal, and there’s a link to my email address below. This roundup is available as a morning email newsletter. Sign up here.

How well do you know DC? We launched a new game, Districted, that tests your geographical knowledge. Give it a try!

I can’t stop listening to:

Yaddiya and the Honest Politix, “Nah FR.” The DC bounce beat artist/activist/gallerist is also a great frontman—and he’ll bring his live band to Transmission tonight to play a “Go-Go Moshpit” show with Hue and Breezy Supreme.

Take Washingtonian Today with you! I keep ridiculously long playlists on Apple Music and on Spotify of this year’s music recommendations. Here are 2025’s songs (Apple, Spotify), too.

Here’s some administration news you might have blocked out:

The war: Three tankers—two Chinese, one Korean—transited the Strait of Hormuz yesterday as Iran flexed its de facto control of the waterway. The strait has been effectively closed since President Trump started a war against Iran that’s now in its 83rd day. (Reuters) US Marines boarded and redirected an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman that the US believes was trying to evade the United States’ parallel blockade of Iranian ports. (Navy Times) Iranian state media reported Thursday that Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, will visit Tehran to try to restart negotiations between the US and Iran. (DW) Speaking about the war, Trump once again threatened to “go and finish it up” unless Iran signs a deal during a speech to graduates at the US Coast Guard Academy. (NYT)

Meanwhile, at home: US Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana voted to advance a resolution to end the war. Trump engineered Cassidy’s recent primary loss. (NBC News) The House will take up a war-powers vote today. (Axios) A majority of voters disapproved of the war in a recent poll. (Quinnipiac University)

The next war? The US indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro yesterday in the 1996 downing of two US civilian planes. Asked how the US might bring Castro northward to face charges, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “this isn’t a show indictment.” (CBS News) The US aircraft carrier Nimitz moved into waters near Cuba yesterday. (NYT)

Chamber music: GOP senators will drop an attempt to fund security improvements at Trump’s planned White House ballroom to the tune of $1 billion. Some Republicans are also likely to support a Democratic amendment that targets Trump’s taxpayer-funded slush fund for people who say they were victims of “weaponization”—like the January 6 rioters Trump pardoned. (Politico) Former Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio called for “every J6er” to get payouts. (MMFA) Mike Lindell and OANN are also looking to receive money. (CNN) Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges, who as police officers helped defend the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, sued to block Trump’s slush fund. (NYT) Republicans in the House, who have a narrow majority, are worried that members may split early for the holiday weekend. (Punchbowl News) Trump’s pursuit of revenge against apostate Republicans in recent primary elections is “turning into a disaster” for him in Congress. (Axios)

Administration perambulation: Citing a report Congress approved in 1925 that called for columns on Columbia Island, the administration claimed it now doesn’t need Congress’s approval to build Trump’s planned triumphal arch on Memorial Circle. (Washington Post) As long as we’re going back in time, around the turn of the 20th century, the US dropped plans to install arch-like ceremonial towers on Memorial Bridge after landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. called them a “slap in the face to the Lincoln Memorial.” (Cultural Landscape Foundation) A federal judge in DC instructed White House aides to continue to abide by the 1978 Presidential Records Act, a previous act of Congress that the Justice Department now claims is unconstitutional. (Politico) DOJ charged indicted federal prosecutor Carmen Lineberger, who they say emailed herself a copy of former special counsel Jack Smith‘s report on Trump’s classified documents case. (NYT) Reynolds American, a tobacco company, donated $5 million to a Trump-backed super PAC before the administration decided to issue a policy that could make it easier for tobacco companies to sell flavored vapes. (NYT) Health Secretary RFK Jr. fired members of a panel that determines which medical practices are covered by Obamacare, a move that some experts fear means Kennedy “wants the task force to endorse his personal views about what’s preventive.” (Politico) Kari Lake, Trump’s ill-fated choice to head the US Agency for Global Media, earned money during her tenure from a 2023 book and a song released that same year called “81 Million Votes, My Ass.” (Notus)

Hidden Eats, by Ike Allen:

Hainanese chicken rice often doesn’t look like much—gently poached, slightly anemic-looking skin-on breast meat served alongside a mound of jasmine rice—but when cooked right, the aroma of ginger and richness of the rice’s cooking broth turn it into something revelatory, a favorite across southeast Asia. A great version of its Thai variant, khao man gai, can be found at Ah Leng Chicken & Rice, a hard-to-find stall inside Lotte Plaza Market in Chantilly. Ah Leng’s chicken is perfectly supple and goes well with a zippy sauce of fermented soybean paste and ginger. There’s also a great crispy chicken with basil and sweet chili sauce—or you can get half-poached, half-crispy over rice. While you wait for your order, wander the aisles of Lotte Plaza, which is worth a visit in its own right for its dizzying variety of Korean, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American products. (13955 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly)

Take Hidden Eats with you! Our new map will show you which out-of-the-way mom-and-pop eateries Ike has highlighted near you.

Recently on Washingtonian dot com:

• Fewer open floor plans, natural light, home gyms: Real estate agents tell us the trends in what they’re seeing buyers prioritize.

• A visit to the last Armand’s in the area was also a journey to our reporter’s youth.

• Architects and designers share some of their favorite outdoor-dining-space projects.

Local news links:

• DC Water boss David Gadis told Congress the Potomac Interceptor sewer pipe will require more repairs. (Axios D.C.) Members of Congress grilled Park Service official Edward Wenschhof about a report that his agency for years delayed issuing permits to repair the pipeline. (NBC4 Washington)

• DC Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee will leave his job to run a nonprofit. (Washington Post) Ferebee also said he hasn’t yet heard from federal prosecutors after US Attorney Jeanine Pirro vowed to seek truancy records for DC school kids as part of that whole Chipotle brawl thing. (WUSA9)

• Prince George’s County sheriff’s office spokesperson Taylor Thomas was suspended after an audit found she’d deposited county funds into personal accounts and used them in a wedding business she owns. (Baltimore Banner)

• Embattled DC police official Andre Wright officially retired. (WUSA9)

• Police in Alexandria say a 27-year-old man brandished a firearm at someone in a parking lot during a road rage incident in April. The suspect, Mikhail Wemmell, was apprehended in a nearby Wendy’s drive-through. (ALXnow)

• Bowie police officer Robert Warrington was found guilty of all charges—including second-degree murder and reckless endangerment—in a bizarre 2024 roadside shooting. (WTOP)

• A Tesla caught on fire on the Dulles Access Road, snarling traffic. One person was injured in the blaze. (WUSA9)

• Richard Gere dined at the Bombay Club. (Jessica Sidman/X)

Thursday’s event picks:

• Sting kicks off three nights of trio shows at Wolf Trap.

• Del Fest gets going in Cumberland, Maryland.

See more picks from Briana Thomas, who writes our Things to Do newsletter.

The post Did Congress Approve Trump’s Arch 100 Years Ago? Plus: Troubled Sewer Pipe Remains Troubled, and Richard Gere Was Spotted. first appeared on Washingtonian.

Allison Goodhart DuShuttle of Compass describes it as “a tale of two markets.” Driving the dichotomy is price. According to Davenport, single-family homes between $1.3 million and $1.6 million and townhouses around $600,000 to $800,000 are especially hot. Other factors? As always, location and condition.

Compass’s Erich Cabe says the market is a lot more buyer-friendly than it was a few years ago, despite a low inventory that can work in a seller’s favor. Buyers can be more selective than they’ve been, Davenport agrees, and many are more reluctant to waive contingencies or take part in bidding wars. “There’s a bigger focus on making smart, controlled decisions instead of rushing,” he explains.

The agents we spoke to reported clear trends. Here’s what house hunters are prioritizing.

1. Fully Renovated Homes

“Move-in ready” as a selling point is not enough—buyers in this market are looking for more, says Jennifer Knoll of Compass: “They want renovated homes—beyond needed renovations.” Goodhart DuShuttle says that at a minimum, they’re seeking updated kitchens and baths. “Deferred maintenance, dated systems, or homes that feel like a project are much bigger hurdles right now.” Accordingly, she’s seeing more buyers walk away from deals altogether after concerning inspection results.

2. In-Demand Neighborhoods

What makes some areas more desirable? For one thing, walkability. Access to trails, the waterfront, restaurants, parks, and city amenities—wherever people spend time—is important, says Goodhart DuShuttle, plus easy Metro access as more people return to the office. Some clients, says Cabe, value walkability above almost everything else.

Well-established neighborhoods perceived to be in desirable school districts are always popular, says Knoll, who points out that even families planning to enroll their kids in private schools are buying homes in specific school districts as a backup plan in the event of an economic downturn. Sought-after neighborhoods, she adds, “also tend to have farmers markets, great parks and playgrounds, community groups, local pools, nearby shopping, and high-end grocery stores.”

3. Home Offices and Gyms

It’s one of several holdovers from the pandemic: Buyers are looking for in-home gyms and workspaces. “A dedicated home office or flexible workspace has become a baseline expectation, even for buyers who are not working from home full-time,” says Goodhart DuShuttle. And though Pelotons may have seen their heyday, the desire for a space to work out at home is still strong.

4. Natural Light

Lighting—down to the color and kelvin of the “best” light bulbs—is a somewhat buzzy concept in the home-decor and design realms of social media right now. Especially trendy are soft light, mini lamps, and eschewing overhead sources. So it’s no surprise to hear that buyers are looking for homes in which natural light pours in.

5. The Great Outdoors

It’s yet another selling point that boomed during the pandemic: Agents we spoke to said buyers feel strongly about having an outdoor space—whether, says Coldwell Banker’s Marin Hagen, that’s a fenced yard for a single-family home, a patio off a townhouse, or a balcony on a condo.

6. A Not-So-Open Floor Plan

Fully open floor plans are hardly obsolete, but buyers are increasingly looking for more room-to-room distinction. “Separation but connectedness between rooms,” as Hagen puts it. This is particularly the case, adds John Mentis of Long & Foster, when it comes to dedicated dining areas.

7. Character and Charm

A result of the rise (and notable fall) of the viral greige aesthetic and the boom of the style known as cottagecore, current trends point to greater demand for homes that feel less cookie-cutter and more personal. “Over the last 23 years, I’ve had a few people mention this per year,” says RE/MAX Realty Centre’s Ellie Hitt. “But I’m hearing it increasingly now.” To find that, she says some clients are looking for older properties in older neighborhoods. Charming homes, Mentis says, might offer “anything from decorative molding to a fireplace mantel to curved arches, or quirky items like odd little windows, colored toilets, or interesting floor tiles.” Other examples, says Goodhart DuShuttle, are original wavy-pane windows and transoms; built-in cabinetry and drawers; and hidden nooks or rooms.

But as for staging, “neutral always has the most wide-ranging appeal,” she adds, though she points out there’s a little more flexibility now: “I see more people leaving wallpapers or window treatments up where [before] they would have been removed. Darker and moodier colors, high-gloss paint.” Often, Goodhart DuShuttle says, these design choices can be balanced out by being staged with neutral furniture or light fixtures.

“Successful listings are those that work the character into the story—unless the character is so overwhelming it becomes the story,” says Mentis. “Character or not, every house has a story to tell.”

This article appears in the May 2026 issue of Washingtonian.

The post 7 Features Buyers Are Prioritizing in This Housing Market first appeared on Washingtonian.

The all-you-can-eat buffet at Armand’s Chicago Pizzeria was super-popular, and also one of the worst deals in town: Could anyone manage to ingest more than three slices of those gut-bomb pies? But in reasonable quantities, the deep-dish pizza was irresistible, which is why fans used to line up outside the original Tenleytown location. The local chain was a longtime staple of Washingtonian readers’ polls, and it was my favorite as a kid, whether I was hitting that buffet on a half school day (okay, fine, I often managed four slices) or hungrily peering out the window of my house in anticipation of one of their ubiquitous white delivery trucks (it was one of the first local pizzerias to offer the service).

The original Armand’s closed in 2012, and plenty of fans think the brand—which once had 14 locations—is kaput. That’s not true, actually: There’s still one Armand’s going, in a strip mall in Rockville, and it’s worth the trip for anyone with fond memories and a big appetite. Visitors are greeted by a painting of the late founder Lew Newmyer, with “est. 1975” written underneath. Otherwise, there isn’t a lot that nods to its past, but the vibe is warm and the place remains popular. Does the deep-dish taste the same as I remember from the 1980s? Not exactly, though whether the food has changed or I have is hard to say. Still, it’s close enough, with that tangy tomato sauce, fat crust, and heavy blanket of cheese. The first bite always gives me a nostalgic jolt. It’s not the greatest pizza I’ve ever encountered—my adult preferences run more toward 2 Amys. But at the cost of a whole lot of calories and a trek out Rockville Pike, it offers a taste of my childhood. How many restaurants have that on the menu?

This article appears in the May 2026 issue of Washingtonian.

The post A DC Native Visits the Last Armand’s Pizzeria in the DC Area first appeared on Washingtonian.