Interested in finding out about the freshest food and drink establishments in Washington? From a bakery to a steakhouse, read on to see the newest spots to arrive near you.
St. Anselm
Stop by 1250 Fifth St. NE in Eckington and you'll find St. Anselm. Though the restaurant prefers the title "tavern," this steakhouse is sibling to the Brooklyn original of the same name.
The steaks are a draw here and include a New York strip with au poivre sauce and an ax handle ribeye. There are also lamb, pork, chicken and fish entrees. Or opt for one of the grilled small plates, from lamb merguez to king crab legs with garlic butter.
There are more than two dozen wines by the glass from all over the world, including eclectic choices like a pinot grigio from Long Island and red blends from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.
Magnolia Bakery
Now open in Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave. NE) is Magnolia Bakery. If you recognize the name, it may be because of the famed New York-based chain's appearances in movies and on the TV show "Sex in the City."
It's perhaps best known for cupcakes: peanut butter, s'mores, caramel, German chocolate, among others. Also popular is the bakery's banana pudding, made up of layers of vanilla wafers, bananas and vanilla pudding. Beyond these two favorites, the menu (found here) also includes cookies, brownies, cakes and other sweet treats.
Kintsugi
Kintsugi is a bakery and coffee shop that recently opened downtown on the ground floor of the Eaton DC Hotel at 1201 K St. NW.
Named for a Japanese technique of repairing cracks in pottery with gold, Kintsugi turns out baked goods like croissants, muffins and doughnuts, plus pastries, cakes and dessert bars. Its espressos, lattes and small-batch brews are made with coffee from Virginia-based Red Rooster.
The strong Wi-Fi and variety of seating options make it ideal for working.
The Ministry
Head downtown to 601 New Jersey Ave. NW and you'll find The Ministry, a new wine bar and bakery.
It's run by two sisters who have leveraged their extensive travels to create an eclectic food menu. Sample the traditional Brazilian cheese bread or the chicken pinchitos (Spanish kebabs) with tzatziki.
Drinks, from coffee and tea to wines and ciders, are also central to The Ministry's mission. Expect teas from Sri Lanka and China, and wines from Austria, South Africa and Oregon, in addition to Italy, France and California.
Zeke's Coffee of DC
Now open downtown at 731 15th St. NW is Zeke's Coffee of DC. The Baltimore-based coffee roastery specializes in organic, fair trade and sustainable beans.
The shop features both single-origin varietals and custom blends, like the dark-roasted Gunpowder Italian Roast made from Indonesian, Central and South American beans. They're available in espresso, cold brew, pour overs, French press and other in-house formats, or get a pound to go.
You'll find sandwiches, pastries and snacks as well.
