While it’s always the right time to honor the female chefs, restaurateurs, chocolatiers, bakers, and culinary forces who nourish our capital city, it seems even more fitting to do so on International Women’s Day. In this guest blog post, JoAnn Hill, author of the brand new book Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC, highlights five fabulous eateries owned and powered by women.
While your tastebuds will surely be awakened by their extraordinary talents, you’ll also be captivated by their remarkable stories. These stories are living testaments to the underlying commitment, determination, and sacrifices that often go unnoticed in DC’s dynamic dining scene. And because it’s impossible to limit the number of exceptional women who have impacted DC’s culinary landscape, this post is part one of two blog posts dedicated to the brilliant women who fill our bellies and feed our city.
In Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC, you’ll discover an extraordinary collection of food and drink experts exquisitely seasoned by dashes of passion, sprinkles of grit, and pinches of ingenuity as JoAnn leads you on a mouthwatering adventure throughout the Washington, DC area to explore eats and eateries that are both familiar and exotic. Here is a sampling of them.
Box of assorted bourbons (Photo courtesy of Anabella Berti)
Arcay Chocolates
Experience the Art of Chocolate
Venezuelan master chocolatier Anabella Arcay has been an entrepreneur ever since she was a child, long before she knew the word existed. From painting to designing belt buckles, Anabella has always loved working with her hands. Decades later, Anabella continues to create masterpieces by hand, one blissful bonbon at a time.
From the beginning, Anabella wanted her chocolates to be unique. She visited artisans throughout Caracas, methodically planning the confections she wanted to produce. Venezuela’s political unrest, however, brought numerous challenges, including a lack of available ingredients. As food became scarcer, Anabella became more resourceful. Years later, she attributes much of her success to her resoluteness and adaptability during those uncertain times.
Two years after immigrating to DC, Anabella was invited to open a space in La Cosecha. She began experimenting with flavors that appealed to American palates. Bestsellers include rosemary and sea salt, hazelnut, and Oreo bonbons. While her craft has evolved and her clientele has changed, her commitment to steer clear of artificial preservatives and additives has never wavered. By eschewing unnecessary sugars and butter, Anabella upholds the natural color, texture, and taste of her chocolates.
Read All About It: Read more about Anabella and Arcay Chocolates on pages 72-73 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Where To Dig In: Visit Arcay Chocolates at La Cosecha at 1280 4th Street NE and in Georgetown at 3211 O Street NW.
Owner and Baker-Extraordinaire Yael-Krigman (Photo courtesy of Joseph Gruber)
Baked by Yael
Yael Krigman Bakes Everyone Happy
What happens when a DC attorney embarks upon a failed bagel mission and decides to bake matters into her own hands? She whips up her own batch of baked beauties, follows her heart, and decides to change her career. And so, Yael Krigman, a self-proclaimed recovering attorney, entered DC’s bakery scene, and our carb-loving bellies have been rejoicing ever since.
Yael launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 to help open DC’s first cakepoppery. Six hundred sixty-nine backers pitched in to raise an astounding $75,000. Many were friends and former colleagues, while others were strangers. One of those generous strangers stood out, so much so that Yael decided to marry him.
The decision to designate Baked by Yael as nut-free has had a profound effect on many customers, some embracing her in tears as they emotionally share that this is the first time their children felt safe inside a bakery. She doesn’t want allergens or special diets to deprive anyone of life’s simple pleasures. Many confections are vegan and gluten-free, including the black-and-white cookies and hamantaschen, a three-cornered cookie filled with apricot or raspberry. The bakery also holds two kosher certifications.
Read All About It: Read more about Yael and Baked by Yael on pages 6-7 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Where To Dig In: Visit Baked by Yael on 3000 Connecticut Ave. NW.
Lox’d and Loaded (Photo courtesy of Buffalo & Bergen)
Buffalo & Bergen
A Family Love Letter
Walk into Buffalo and Bergen and owner GinaChersevani’s vision is clear: create a welcoming space where people can create memories and celebrate milestones, and where nostalgia and nourishment go hand in hand. As she emotionally shares, when someone chooses you, it’s your responsibility to honor that choice and provide them with something real.
Buffalo & Bergen is a love letter to Gina’s mom and close-knit family. Her mother grew up in Brooklyn spending hours hopping from one soda shop to the next in search of the perfect egg cream. None, however, seemed to rival the one at Norma’s, the one her mother cherished above all. Years later, Gina realized that it wasn’t so much the egg creams that her mother loved, but rather the memories created there. She named Buffalo & Bergen after the corner streets her mother grew up on and put her own spin on the traditional soda shop. Classics like homemade knishes, egg creams, and ice cream floats rule the roost, while New York bagel sandwiches and brunchy cocktails add a delightfully modern twist.
Read All About It: Read more about Gina and Buffalo & Bergen on pages 38-39 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Where To Dig In: Visit Buffalo & Bergen at Union Market at 1309 5th St. NE and 240 Massachusetts Ave. NE.
District Fishwife’s Plentiful Poke Bowl (Photo courtesy of Jessica Burdge)
District Fishwife
Gone Fishin’
Fishing and environmentalism have been a driving force in Fiona Lewis’s life since she was a kid. Lewis spent her childhood in Australia fishing and watching her father studying fish species and devoting his energy to fish conservation. It only seemed natural that she’d follow in her father’s footsteps and dive into the fish industry. In 2014 Fiona, along with her partner Ben Friedman, opened District Fishwife, drawing upon 30 years of experience in restaurants, aquaculture, and environmental conservationism around the world.
Ten years later, their mission remains unchanged: providing their customers with fresh and healthy fish and shellfish that have been sustainably sourced and fished regionally. The couple’s dedication to aquaculture and their passion for educating others is evident in the high quality of fish that they serve and their unyielding desire to ensure the health of our waterways. The couple also owns On Toast, a casual open- face sandwich stall, and Son of a Fish, a grab-and-go sushi spot.
Read All About It: Read more about Fiona and District Fishwife on pages 126-127 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Where To Dig In: Visit District Fishwife at Union Market at 1309 5th Street NE.
Something Delicious for Everyone at Fava Pot (Photo courtesy of Fava Pot)
Fava Pot
Eat Like an Egyptian
When in doubt, look for the beauty and hope around you; you never know where it may lead. Just ask Dina Daniel, chef and founder of Fava Pot, a DMV Egyptian food-truck-turned-restaurant sensation.
Dina moved to DC in 2004, and while she left her beloved birthplace, its rich customs and unyielding spirit remained in her heart. Noticing that Egyptian cuisine was sorely lacking in the area, she set out to bring her country’s food and culture to DC. At 44, Dina purchased a truck and opened Fava Pot food truck in Tysons Corner. While she had no formal cooking experience, her love for her home stoked a fire in her, inspiring her to do whatever it took to turn her dream into a reality.
Home cooking is the core of Egyptian cuisine; meals are cooked to order with only the freshest of ingredients. Fava Pot’s signature falafel are prepared from scratch, and their fava beans are slow cooked for 12 hours in exotic spices.
Today, Dina owns two award-winning restaurants and a food cart in Tysons Corner Mall. She honors her upbringing by preserving the authenticity of Egyptian food is imperative to Dina.
Read All About It: Read more about Dina and Fava Pot on pages 2-3 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Where To Dig In: Visit Fava Pot in Dupont Circle at 1817 M Street NW and at 7393-D Lee Hwy in Falls Church, VA.
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JoAnn Hill is the author of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC, Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, and DC Scavenger. JoAnn has spent more than 20 years exploring Washington, DC, and has written extensively about the region’s hidden histories and peculiarities, active pursuits, and vibrant food and drink scenes. Through her passion for food and adventure, she shares stories and tips that satiate the hungry enthusiast and inspire the curious traveler. When she’s not writing, you will find her teaching fitness classes, enjoying a night at the theater, and exploring as much of the world with her husband as she possibly can. JoAnn is also the co-founder of Capitol Teachers, a full-service tutoring company servicing students in the greater Washington, DC, area as well as across the country.
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