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
Green Papaya Salad @ Alfie’s
Avocado Toast w/ Maryland Crab, Jalapeno, and Pickled Onion @ The Riggsby
Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Cured Lemon, Bottarga, and Tonnato Sauce @ Blue Duck Tavern
Pesto Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms @ Centrolina
Palak Chaat @ Rasika/Rasika West End
Hummus with Green Chili Sauce @ Duke’s Grocery
Insalata Ghibellina @ Ghibellina
Matcha Cake with Coconut Cashew Ice Cream, Streusel and Lychee @ Maketto
Spring Thaw @ Minibar
Chimichurri Sauce @ Voltaggio Brothers Steak House
Pistacchio Souffle @ Fiola
Beginning of the Journey – Baby Turnip, Ichimi Togarashi, Edible Soil, Kuro Edamame Puree, House Made Tofu, Black Seaweed Caviar, and Kombu Dashi @ Kobo
Pizza Genovese @ Pizzeria Paradisio
Key Lime Pie (and staff attire year round) @ Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Guacamole @ Tacos el Chilango
Chorizo-Stuffed Shishito Peppers with Japanese Hot Mustard @ Daikaya Izakaya
Pesto Gnocchi @ Maple
Ohitashi (Steamed Greens in Dashi Soy) @ Sushi Taro
Green beer is cool…but these green dishes come without the gimmicks and with much more flavor. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!