Since my friend Josh considers D.C. part of the “South,” we went on a quest to track down the best fried chicken. We found it at Maketto (1351 H Street, Tel: 202-838-9972. www.maketto1351.com), a modern Asian “marketplace” with record shop, sneaker store and a bi-level, indoor-outdoor dining space with courtyard and roof deck. Maketto is in the emerging and urban H street and NoMa (North of Massachusetts Ave) neighborhood, and it helped pioneer the area’s progressive dining scene. While I’m generally nostalgic for fried chicken in Southern rooted kitchens, ambitious, young chef Erik Yang Bruner (James Beard nominee and winner of Taste of Waldorf Astoria in 2020), brought magic to his dish, which has made an impression on young foodies (Maketto’s fried chicken was the most recommended when we asked locals for suggestions). The Taiwanese-inspired chicken, with rich spices and house made breading, is crisp with an addictive crunch, and there’s sweetness from honey, with the perfect juicy bites you’d expect from an expertly cooked bird.
I didn’t have time to explore all the restaurants on my list (I’m looking at you, No Goodbyes and Supra), but I now have reason to return, and 2022 couldn’t be a better time to book a trip. This is a big year for D.C., especially since the destination is celebrating many milestones, including the upcoming 160th anniversary of Emancipation Day, which honors the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act of April 16, 1862 that abolished slavery in the District of Columbia.
Lincoln Memorial (Photo by: Zack Frank)
Washington, DC is an exciting city in the midst of a renaissance, as Joshua and I discovered on our recent trip, and that’s what makes D.C. a compelling destination worth visiting any time of year
2022 is also the much-anticipated 100-year anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial (1922-2022), with three major events planned throughout the year. Guests can expect a new 15,000-square-foot public space in the undercroft beneath the memorial that will be equipped with educational exhibits and classrooms.
Washington, DC is an exciting city in the midst of a renaissance, as Joshua and I discovered on our recent trip, and that’s what makes D.C. a compelling destination worth visiting any time of year.
