Julekha Dash

As a 20-year resident of Maryland, I know one thing to be true: Our crabs are the best in the world. This simple fact was proven to me again on a recent outing in the Midwest, where a family member insisted on ordering a crab cake appetizer at a buzzy new restaurant. I dug into the thin-fried assortment that looked and tasted nothing like a Maryland crab cake, dense with chunky, jumbo lump crab browned on top from broiling.
Marylanders take much pride in the delicate, rich flavor and preparat...

Jinji Fraser wants you to rethink how you consume chocolate. In October, she and her father, Guy Fraser, opened Jinji Chocolate, a shop in Baltimore’s Waverly neighborhood that pays homage to Indigenous traditions in the Caribbean and Mesoamerica by serving seven types of drinking chocolate, both hot and cold.

One of the most surprisingly delightful bites at Ruse, a two-year-old restaurant on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, is the Galician anchovy toast. The raw bar menu item features a warm slice of baguette topped with Vermont Creamery butter, anchovy, and a piparra, a slightly spicy and tangy pepper hailing from the Basque country of Spain.

“It’s only four ingredients, so it has to be executed perfectly,” says executive chef Michael Correll. Topped with a pinch of sea salt and served with a side of le...

What do fish and chips, chili con carne, pulled pork, corn on the cob, and the half-smoke have in common? They’re all mouthwatering specialties made by Black-owned restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area. While some of these establishments are well-known institutions, others fly under the radar, only known to loyal regulars — until now.
PEPSI® Dig In, the brand’s platform designed to drive access, business growth, and awareness to Black-owned restaurants, is returning this August with Pepsi...

From the saffron-scented seafood rice to shrimp seared in sizzling garlic olive oil, dishes from Spain have won over many D.C. diners. As Spanish establishments proliferate in the nation’s capital, though, consumers are seeking restaurants that authentically highlight Spain’s diverse food and wine offerings.

So how do diners know which restaurants are the real deal? ICEX Foods and Wines From Spain has developed the Restaurants From Spain Certification program — a seal of approval that ens...

Tips + Trends

The excitement is palpable on Sundays during football season in Baltimore, a town where fans like to say they bleed the team colors of purple and black. Take the opportunity to enjoy Charm City’s restaurants, entertainment and attractions while in town for the football frenzy.

Planning to go to a Baltimore Ravens game? Try making a long weekend out of it and enjoying these activities that are practically tailor-made for the Ravens Flock.

As always, check for travel guidelines an...

Winter’s here—and with it, plenty of ways to make the most of the season.

If all you wanna do during winter is hunker down and wait for spring to come, you’re not alone. Traveling during the holidays is an Olympic sport in itself. But there are some places that are extra-special in the winter, like NYC around Christmastime or Aspen after a snowstorm. Then there’s the things you can’t do any other time of year, like dog-sledding in the Laplands or ice skating in New York City's Central Park. W...

Home to one of the world's largest museum complexes, the Smithsonian, our nation's capital is undoubtedly one of the world's best cities for art lovers. Washington, DC, is also home to a host of lesser-known gems, showcasing everything from classical art to edgy modern creations, housed in architecturally noteworthy buildings.
Staying at the Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center, conveniently located in the central Penn Quarter neighborhood, puts visitors within a short walk or Metro ride...

Michael Correll's use of local purveyors and Mediterranean flavors makes his Eastern Shore restaurant Ruse worth the drive.

Once summer (and all of its humidity) officially descends on DC, along with a beach day, what’s also very necessary is a total escape from the District. And luckily, our region is filled with underrated cities and sleepy hamlets that make for a perfect getaway.
The possibilities are endless when planning an easy excursion from DC, whether you’re an avid hiker or if your idea of the great outdoors is lifting a glass of cabernet in a vineyard. From Delaware and Pennsylvania to Virginia or Maryl...

Third grade last year was hard for my neurodivergent daughter, so the last thing I wanted to do was plan my usual city vacation with a packed itinerary. Instead, our group of four—which also included my husband and mom—settled on the laid-back ski town of Lake Placid, NY, where we balanced relaxation with a few short, driveable excursions.

Railroads and textile mills made West Greenville a prosperous neighborhood during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The area then underwent a post-industrial decline, but thanks in part to a master plan the South Carolina city drew up in 2014, it’s currently experiencing a renaissance, with artists and entrepreneurs flocking to what has become known as the Village of West Greenville.
Varsity Goods Ryan Mosley
Ryan Mosley says he opened this designer streetwear and collectible sneaker shop fo...

It was a family trip to pastoral Provence, France, in 2018 that prompted Raghni Naidu to launch her winery. In Provence, her two young kids, Sameera and Saveer, relished the open spaces. They climbed olive trees while she and husband Kaushick became enamored with the area’s vineyard-centric small towns.
“I just had this epiphany,” recalls Naidu. “I want to make this an intentional part of our life because it just brings us so much joy. I’m seeing my children have so much joy in nature.”
Naidu...

Here's a look at what to do on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Greenville, South Carolina, has established itself as one of the South’s most attractive cities, and now it has a stylish boutique luxury hotel to boot. Opened last summer, the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, a part of the upscale Kessler Collection and Marriott’s Autograph Collection, stands next to the serene 32-acre Falls Park on the Reedy, and the rushing sound of waterfalls echoes across the hotel’s balconies. If that’s not enough to entice, here are four more reasons to book a stay.

Dr...