St. Patrick’s Day isn’t all corned beef and cabbage and Jameson and Guinness (though we are fully supportive of all of those things, too). You can get just as into the spirit of the Irish with some of DC’s most delicious dishes that just happen to be every Leprechaun’s favorite color. Here, in no particular order, are some of our favorite shamrock-hued eats that come with all the flavor and non of the gimmicks:
Grilled Avocado with Red Quinoa, Pickled Lentils, and a House Vinaigrette @ The Royal
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Green Papaya Salad @ Alfie’s
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Avocado Toast w/ Maryland Crab, Jalapeno, and Pickled Onion @ The Riggsby
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Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Cured Lemon, Bottarga, and Tonnato Sauce @ Blue Duck Tavern
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Pesto Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms @ Centrolina
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Palak Chaat @ Rasika/Rasika West End
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Hummus with Green Chili Sauce @ Duke’s Grocery
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Insalata Ghibellina @ Ghibellina
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Matcha Cake with Coconut Cashew Ice Cream, Streusel and Lychee @ Maketto
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Spring Thaw @ Minibar
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Chimichurri Sauce @ Voltaggio Brothers Steak House
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Pistacchio Souffle @ Fiola
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Beginning of the Journey – Baby Turnip, Ichimi Togarashi, Edible Soil, Kuro Edamame Puree, House Made Tofu, Black Seaweed Caviar, and Kombu Dashi @ Kobo
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Pizza Genovese @ Pizzeria Paradisio
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Key Lime Pie (and staff attire year round) @ Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
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Guacamole @ Tacos el Chilango
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Chorizo-Stuffed Shishito Peppers with Japanese Hot Mustard @ Daikaya Izakaya
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Pesto Gnocchi @ Maple
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Ohitashi (Steamed Greens in Dashi Soy) @ Sushi Taro
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Green beer is cool…but these green dishes come without the gimmicks and with much more flavor. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!