DC Food Fad

Borrowing some chutzpah from Spike Mendelsohn and luckily having the cover of far fewer adoring fans, it’s time to diss the DC restaurant scene. This is not breaking my promise not to incessantly compare New York to DC, because in many aspects, especially given where I am in my life, DC is better. Yes, I said it. People are friendlier and less nuts; there is lots of very interesting job related stuff going on here and eventually one day rumor has it I’ll live in a house and still be in the city.

But, DC, you are not food people. And it’s driving me batty. Yesterday, while going to deposit my first paycheck in 5 months (woo hoo) I passed the Shake Shack, which was celebrating its opening day in DC. The queue was around the block. Around the block for burgers? I mean, I know Shake Shack is a big deal, but missing an hour or more of work for it? Ich don’t think so. Also, like many things food in DC, Shake Shack is sooo 2005. (Really, DC, cupcakes?!)

As I shook my head at the silly shakers, I think what annoyed me is that while there is some recognition of celebrity restaurant moments, such as this one, it’s not based on a passion for premium food. It’s a curiosity about headlines and a desire to stay in the know.

In the several months I’ve lived here, I’ve been led astray by almost everyone. People know popular food here, but not necessarily good food. Maybe it’s not a priority here. Maybe gathering around mediocre gastro-pubs for burgers and beers is all people in DC want after a long day of working hard on tough issues. Americans might be divided on debt, but everyone loves themselves some waffle fries.

Last night I reached Minneapolis for the first time. This is supposed to be one of the best places to live in the country and everyone I met here is definitely trying to let me know that. But one of the ways they are demanding attention for fabulousness is through food. Every single person I met defines Minneapolis’ success as a town based on the great restaurants (and theaters and lakes in cities, etc.) Minnesotans, as it turns out, have a passion for good restaurants. Granted I have only been to the Brit Pub (don’t tell the Irish), which IS a gastro pub and I WAS de-stressing after a long day, but they put stilton on their steak sandwich! I can tell you right now that at The Irish Times might have something as exotic as cheddar perhaps, but never, ever, stilton. Point Minneapolis.