Insatiable

by Celeste McCall

in a former nail factory. Seated in the serene, cutting-edge dining area, we considered the Petite and Grand seafood towers: The “grand” was stacked with an entire Maine lobster, a dozen oysters, shrimp and more. Next time.

Instead, we settled for coquilles Saint Jacques— raw marinated Taylor Bay scallops presented in their shells, adorned with lemon, chives and even a tiny bottle of Tabasco (not that the yummy mollusks needed further embellishment). I went for the house-made pate campagne, served with tiny toast points and preserved prunes. Absolutely delicious, but we were still hungry. Therefore, we ordered dessert, choosing a trio of French cheeses escorted with jam, marmalade, and house-made preserves. From the French wine list, we sipped a dry rose and mellow Cote du Rhone. Lunch for two came to $90, including tax and tip. Our excellent server, Shavon, was friendly and knowledgeable.

Later, we were escorted to Stefanelli’s Upstairs dining area/bar and admired the view. For more information on Upstairs, visit www.themorrowhotel. com. For Le Clou, visit www.lecloudc.com.

Summer at the MVT Market

It’s official: The winter market season is finally over and spring/summer has arrived in Mount Vernon Triangle. That means FRESHFARM MVT (and Biergarten), located at the corner of Fifth and I Streets NW, has reinstituted its spring/summer hours: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spotlighting a rotation of local brewers, the Market’s popular Biergarten will operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every second Saturday from April through October.

The Market also welcomes a number of new vendors, including Boso Foods. After poppingup several times during the winter market, Boso Foods is hawking its specialty roasted nuts and vegetarian soups. New to the market this spring are Filipino specialties like Ube Donuts from Cocoi’s Sweets and Pastries. Taco Loco continues to dispense breakfast and brunch tacos, burritos and more.

Unfortunately, FRESHFARM MVT bids adieu to Call Your Mother, Sexy Veggie & Just AJ’s.

For a complete list of Market vendors and other information, visit www.freshfarm.org.

More good news from MVT: Congrats and best of luck to MVT establishments which have been named finalists for the 2023 RAMMY Awards:

Rising Culinary Star: Chef Elias Taddesse (Melange, now closed);

Favorite Best Bites: Rasa, Stellina Pizzeria; Pastry Chef of the Year: Teresa Velaquez (A Baked Joint).

See this month’s Shaw Streets column for 14 Shaw neighborhood RAMMYs nominees.

Winners will be announced July 9 at the RAMMY Awards Gala at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. For tickets and more information, visit www.therammys.org.

Wine About It

Here’s something fun in Shaw, ideal for early summer relaxing (and imbibing): Lulu’s Wine Garden, 1940 11th St. NW. is casual, communal, al fresco venue is like a beer garden, only it specializes in wine. Oenophiles will nd 50 a ordable bottles to choose from, plus wine by the glass. (Yes, you can also order a snazzy cocktail.)

Dreamt up by local husbandand-wife team Paul and Brittany Carlson, Lulu’s also dispenses winefriendly fare created by chef and partner Cable Smith.

Among crowd pleasers Smoked white sh, whipped feta, crab tostada, chili-mango wings, roasted beet salad, whole (or half) rotisserie chicken, sweet fry bread. Visit www.luluswinegarden.com for details.

More from MVT

Here’s something for a special occasion: dLeña by Chef Richard Sandoval, located at 476 K St. NW, is presenting his “Luxury Chef’s Table Experience,” a lavish eight-course repast. For the dinner, seasonal delicacies include charred avocado with green apple relish (how’s that for a culinary marriage); scallop ceviche with smoked trout caviar; wagyu tartare with preserved lemon and scallions; Chilean sea bass with chipotle miso; cordero a la leña (grilled rack of lamb); platano a la leña (crème fraiche ice cream with salted caramel sauce and other goodies). You get the idea. O ered Tuesday through Saturdays with two seatings per night, the dinner is $160 per person, with $75 optional beverage pairings. e tab is exclusive of tax and gratuity. Guests may also order a la carte from the regular menu. Reservations are available through Open Table. For more information, visit www.dlenadc.com.

Market Watch

While purchasing smoked white sh salad at Ivy City Smokehouse, 1356 Okie St. NE, manager Gator pointed out Smoked Salmon Jerky. Ideal for a snack or mixed with cream cheese, a 1.7-ounce packet is just $5.99. Visit www.ivycitysmokehouse.com.

Bon Anniversaire!

Le Diplomate, 1601 14th St. NW, is celebrating 10 years of dispensing fabulous French cuisine to Logan Circle diners and beyond. ◆

BUSINESS SPEED COACHING

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 • 9:00 am • R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center

2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington D.C. 20032

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60682

WEBINAR: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CBE)

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/58979

GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Thursday, May 4, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61581

GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Thursday, May 4, 2023 • 2:00 pm • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61746

LICENSING BASICS FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADES AND INDUSTRY

Monday, May 8, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61806

DLCP AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY –LEARN THE PROCESS OF STARTING A BUSINESS

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 • 6:00 pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Library • 901 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60824

THE LATEST ON SHORT-TERM RENTAL WORKSHOP

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61736

WEBINAR: MADE IN DC: BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR THE CREATIVE/MAKES BUSINESS

Thursday, May 11, 2023 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60795

2ND SESSION GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Tuesday, May 18, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61582

GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Thursday, May 18, 2023 • 2:00 pm • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61747

FIND FUNDING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 • 10:00 am • R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington D.C. 20032 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61543

SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE WORKSHOP

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61737

RECURSOS PARA SU NEGOCIO (RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS)

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 • 5:30 pm • Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) 1401 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61546

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

Monday – Friday by appointment between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: “TALK BUSINESS AFTER HOURS”

Wednesdays by appointment between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

LLAMADA TELEFONICA: 1:1 PASOS PARA OBTENER UNA LICENCIA COMERCIAL CON LA SRA. HERRERA

Miercoles con cita de 12:00pm a 1:00pm Registro: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61546

MEET IN PERSON MONDAY - 1.1 BUSINESS SESSION

Mondays by appointment between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

Small Business Resource Center (202) 442-4538 | dlcp@dc.gov

Serving a Side of Neighborliness Pizza D’Oro

Seeking a slice after a late show at the nearby 9:30 Club or a fresh seafood platter? Pizza D’Oro awaits.

Pizza D’Oro, 717 T St. NW, serves its authentic pizza, seafood and snacks with a side of neighborliness. “We know most of our customers personally by now because they come over all the time,” Owner Abdelilah Souada observed. “They come in, we know what they like, sometimes they don’t even have to order, we just know what they want.”

Souada’s path to the kitchen was not straight. While studying computer programming in Geneva, Switzerland, he worked in a restaurant to pay the bills. Working under the tutelage of the restaurant’s Italian chef piqued his interest in the culinary arts. In 2005, Souada moved to DC in pursuit of his love of cooking. In 2011, he opened his cozy neighborhood pizzeria, employing recipes and techniques learned in Geneva. Pizza D’Oro’s expansive menu is a diverse combination of authentic Italian dishes and American fare. It ranges from authentic pizza, pasta, calzones, veal and meatballs to wings, subs, salads, French fries, gar-