Veteran Maryland lifestyle and business journalist and content writer published in NYT, WSJ, Food & Wine, Afar, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Hemispheres. Reach me at juledash@gmail.com.
Dig in to Barbecue, Fish and Chips, and Chili at These Black-Owned Restaurants in the DMV
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...
The Most Authentic Spanish Food in D.C. Gets This Certification
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...
A Football Fanatic’s Weekend Itinerary in Baltimore
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...
Exploring Oslo With Kids
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...
How to Spend a Weekend Museum-Hopping in DC
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...
A Mediterranean Maryland
Michael Correll's use of local purveyors and Mediterranean flavors makes his Eastern Shore restaurant Ruse worth the drive.
Escape DC on a Summer Road Trip to These Easy Nearby Destinations
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...
A week-long ski town respite — in summer.
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.
6 Creative Places to Visit in the Village of West Greenville, South Carolina
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...
Winemaker Raghni Naidu Finds Power in Her Immigrant Experience
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...
A Guide to Maryland's Eastern Shore: Where to Eat, Stay, and Play for Fresh Oysters, African-American Museums, and Historic Hotels
Here's a look at what to do on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
4 Reasons to Stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, the City’s New Luxury Hotel
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...
Restaurant Owners Share How They Landed the Cash to Start Their Businesses
When Jason Berry hit up investors to open his first restaurant, Succotash, the Wharton MBA graduate and former chief operating officer of Rosa Mexicano didn’t anticipate facing too many hurdles given his industry experience.
“I called friends and friends of friends,” Berry says. “It was an interesting and stressful time in my life.” Though the entrepreneur did receive a bank loan, he and his husband/business partner...
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The Grand Dame of Southern Food
VIRGINIA’S EDNA LEWIS MENU TRAIL RECOGNIZES A TRAILBLAZER IN SOUTHERN COOKING
Unless you’re an avid cook, you might not be familiar with the name Edna Lewis. But the late Chef Lewis is legendary in the culinary world. Known as the Grande Dame of Southern Cooking, she penned the groundbreaking Edna Lewis Cookbook, published in 1972 with co-author Evangeline Peterson, and was the first-ever recipient in 1999 of the James Beard Living Legend Award. Lewis died in 2006 at age 89.
To celebrate the ...
The Best Places to Travel in 2023
Start planning your 2023 travels to these 12 places—the most creative, delicious, and soul-reviving destinations of the year.
It’s our favorite time of year: the Where to Go season, when AFAR reveals our list of the ultimate places to travel in the coming year. How to choose? Our editorial team reached out to writers, reporters, and correspondents around the world and curated 12 global destinations for 2023 that feel poised for a “moment": creative cities, seaside villages, national parks, an...