The Final Countdown

Hello, D.C.! The modern journalist measures time in newsletters apparently: This will be the final Best of D.C. newsletter for 2023, which is my only indicator that we’re nearing the end of the year. But we’ve got some of the city’s best events and openings to close out 2023. And if you’re traveling out of D.C. in the next two weeks, don’t forget to account for Metro closures. —Camila Bailey

RAMMY Award-Winning Chef Brings a Celebration of Mexican Cuisine to Dupont

Chihuahua-born, El Paso-raised chef Christian Irabién has been working for seven years to open Amparo.

It began with a seed of an idea back in 2016, which materialized as a tostada-centric pop-up in 2017, followed by several appearances at different area food festivals.

When the pandemic hit, Irabién pivoted to open Muchas Gracias in upper Northwest, which helped him win a RAMMY Award for Rising Culinary Star of the Year in 2022.

Finally, Irabién found what he was looking for in a 2,400-square-foot space on 2002 P Street NW in Dupont Circle. The 50-seat railroad-style restaurant, which opened at the beginning of November, exudes cozy vibes with low ceilings and flashes of Mexican art throughout. Irabién wants it to feel like you’re in a friend’s home, and he succeeds.

Divided into small, medium, and large share-size entrees, the dinner menu weaves between rustic and refined. “You’re told you must decide if you’re super fine dining or super casual, but I don’t subscribe to that because I’m not just one thing,” Irabién tells City Paper’s Nevin Martell.

You can read Martell’s full review on our website.

News & Events

  • You only have so many days left to wear your ugly holiday sweater. Here’s one more excuse: Motorkat, the new Takoma Park restaurant from the Zinnia team, hosts its Ugly Sweater Party on Saturday, Dec. 23, with oyster and drink specials all night.
  • The new restaurant Bar Del Monte, from the people behind 2 Amys pizza, is in the works at 3054 Mount Pleasant Street NW. They plan to open “early next year.”
  • Still have some holiday shopping to do? Bold Fork Books will be open until 9 p.m. tonight, Dec. 19, with discounts and free gift wrapping.
  • Urban Dwell will also have extended hours this week, along with daily specials in store. Follow along on their Instagram to see what discount they’ll be offering for the day.
  • Karaoke and cookies is a D.C. punk dream: Come to DC9 Wednesday, Dec. 20, with a plate of cookies for their Khaos Karaoke and Cookie Exchange.
  • Another Van Leeuwen is coming to the DMV because five wasn’t enough: The latest will open in Union Station, timeline TBA. In other ice cream news, local favorites are embracing hot cocoa, hold the hot—so, chocolate milk?
  • Celebrate Soup Season every Wednesday through Sunday this winter at Union Market. A pop-up soup shop from the folks at Hi–Lawn will be open all winter long.
DC9; Credit: Darrow Montgomery
Bold Fork books; Courtesy of Sam Vasfi

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW D.C.’S BEST?

Congratulations to City Paper reader Sarah F. for getting last week’s trivia question correct.

Last year, Columbia Heights’ small but mighty tree, Tiny Timber, faced some ridicule for its small height, and even some bullying—it was knocked down briefly. But the tree ultimately became a beloved addition to the neighborhood. They even put it on a T-shirt.

Now, for this week’s trivia question:

There will soon be a new addition to NoMa’s Metropolitan Branch Trail. The brewery is already a D.C. favorite, and a 2023 Best of D.C. finalist.

What’s the name of the brewery?

Respond to this email with your guess and you could win some WCP swag!

Check back in two weeks to see if you won!

Sleigh on Sleigher

There’s an art to creating the perfect holiday playlist. It must be equal parts classic, cringey, and sing-along compatible. If you haven’t looked through City Paper’s Sleigher archives, we are obliged to recommend you take a peek at the song picks, reviews, and groan-inducing pubs from our contributors.

Highlights include: a Phoebe Bridgers cover you can cry to, the Dolly Parton/Jimmy Fallon mashup no one asked for, and the grooviest of holiday bops from the Linda Lindas.

What’s on your holiday playlist?

Credit: Austin Morgan

That’s it for this installment. Check out all of our Best of D.C. winners, runners-up, and finalists here. Best of D.C. 2024 begins Thursday, April 11!

This will be the final edition of the Best of D.C. newsletter for 2023. Before we see you in 2024, we want to hear what you think we did right, what might have been missing, and what you’re hoping to see in the new year!

Happy holidays from City Paper.