Jessica Sidman
@jessicasidman.bsky.social
Food editor, Washingtonian magazine
🚨 Chef Michael Mina's Acqua Bistecca has closed after less than a year in DC. The glam Italian steakhouse received a zero-star from the Washington Post earlier this year. washingtonian.com/2026/08/11/c...
Chef Michael Mina Closes Acqua Bistecca After Less Than a Year
The glam Italian steakhouse received a zero-star review from the Washington Post.
washingtonian.com
Her world imploded. So this standup comedian turned soup entrepreneur wrote a one-woman show: washingtonian.com/2026/08/07/h...
Her World Imploded. So This Standup Comedian Turned Soup Entrepreneur Wrote a One-Woman Show.
Soupergirl founder Sara Polon debuts "I Regret Nothing."
washingtonian.com
A foie gras ban will officially be on DC's ballot this November. I spoke to two chefs who said they'd continue to serve it even with a ban... washingtonian.com/2026/08/05/f...
Foie Gras Ban Will Be on DC's Ballot This November
A couple chefs say they will serve the fatty liver regardless.
washingtonian.com
New York hand-pulled noodle destination Xi'an Famous Foods will open a storefront in Arlington on Aug. 7. It's the largest location yet. washingtonian.com/2026/07/29/x...
Xi’an Famous Foods Is Bringing Its Hand-Pulled Noodles to Arlington Very Soon
The New York chain will open its largest storefront yet on Aug. 7.
washingtonian.com
What's more controversial than pineapple on pizza? This cocktail: washingtonian.com/2026/07/28/h...
How Barmini Turned Pineapple Pizza Into a Cocktail - Washingtonian
Turns out there is something more controversial than pineapple as a pizza topping. Barmini—José Andrés's avant-garde cocktail bar in Penn Quarter—has taken all the flavors of the divisive pie and tran...
washingtonian.com
A former owner of Logan Tavern is behind this homey new coffee shop in Shaw: washingtonian.com/2026/07/23/s...
Shaw's Homey New Cafe Serves Ethiopian Coffee and Chai-Matcha Lattes
Prim's Cafe comes from a former owner of Logan Tavern.
washingtonian.com
Our Cheap Eats issue is back and on newsstands now! (Not online yet, but soon.) washingtonian.com/2026/07/23/a...
Peek Inside the August Issue
On newsstands now!
washingtonian.com
Pizzeria Paradiso is closing its Georgetown location after 23 years. It plans to focus on expanding its takeout-focused spinoff, Paradiso Pronto. washingtonian.com/2026/07/20/p...
Pizzeria Paradiso Is Closing Its Georgetown Location After 23 Years
The restaurant will focus on expanding its takeout-focused spinoff.
washingtonian.com
If you're not sick of hearing me talk about rogue food trucks around the National Mall yet, listen to my interview with WAMU.... wamu.org/story/26/07/...
Unlicensed food trucks have taken over the National Mall
Washingtonian magazine's food editor Jessica Sidman speaks with WAMU about her investigation into a "mafia" of unlicensed food trucks spreading high prices, food borne illness and confusion for touris...
wamu.org
Brilliant! The long-read you didn't know you wanted. The Washingtonian's Jessica Sidman reveals that most of those janky and sketchy food trucks on the National Mall are illegal and run by the mob. washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/d...
Inside the Food Truck Mafia Wreaking Havoc Around the National Mall
Turf wars. Food and fire hazards. $15 ice-cream cones. How an organized network of unlicensed food trucks took over America's Front Lawn.
washingtonian.com
Big news! The team behind Anju and Chiko is taking over food & beverage at the Line DC hotel and will eventually open their own restaurant on the ground floor. washingtonian.com/2026/07/10/a...
Anju and Chiko Team Is Taking Over Food and Beverage at the Line Hotel
Fried Rice Collective will open its own restaurant on the ground-floor of the Adams Morgan boutique hotel.
washingtonian.com
As early as today, the Trump admin could move to terminate TPS for El Salvador after 25 years. Without Congress acting, around 170,000 people who've been living and working legally here since 2001 might be forced to leave. The economic disruption to DC metro area could be huge.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Policy Brief
TPS provides humanitarian relief for hundreds of thousands of people whose home countries are very unsafe. Many have lived and worked in the U.S. for decades, contributing significantly.
fwd.us
This is cinematic-level reporting on a food truck saga in Washington, DC.
Inside the Food Truck Mafia Wreaking Havoc Around the National Mall
Turf wars. Food and fire hazards. $15 ice-cream cones. How an organized network of unlicensed food trucks took over America's Front Lawn.
washingtonian.com
A modern American "saloon" with cheffy pub food and “female forward” design replaces the Passenger: washingtonian.com/2026/07/06/t...
The Grace Transforms The Passenger Into a Modern American "Saloon"
Shaw's new bar will serve black truffle "grilled cheese" fritters, bone-in pork schnitzel, and plenty of daiquiris.
washingtonian.com
Newly obtained video (from 2024) shows two food truck vendors at the National Mall trying to empty the gas from their generator into a plastic bag for some unknown reason. washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/d...
This is not a drill. @jessicasidman.bsky.social — the Food Editor at @washingtonian.com and the BEST journalist in the US who writes features food feature stories — has a new long-form feature out. Be like me and bookmark to devour! (Pun intended.) washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/d...
Inside the Food Truck Mafia Wreaking Havoc Around the National Mall
Turf wars. Food and fire hazards. $15 ice-cream cones. How an organized network of unlicensed food trucks took over America's Front Lawn.
washingtonian.com
The Park at 14th will pay $243,350 following an investigation by DC’s Office of the Attorney General into alleged labor law violations. Workers allege they did not receive paid sick leave and were misclassified as independent contractors. washingtonian.com/2026/07/01/t...
The Park at 14th Will Pay $243K Amid DC Investigation Into Labor Law Violations
Workers allege they did not receive paid sick leave and were misclassified as independent contractors.
washingtonian.com
Here are the winners of tonight's RAMMY Awards for the best in DC food and drink washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/h...
Here Are the Restaurant and Bar Industry Winners for DC’s 2026 RAMMY Awards
2Fifty, the Occidental, and Albi were among the night's winners.
washingtonian.com
"They look out for each other. They’re a clique. They don’t like outsiders, they really don’t. They’re cutthroat. They’re ruthless.” Inside the food truck mafia that's become a fixture of the National Mall ⤵️ washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/d...
Inside the Food Truck Mafia Wreaking Havoc Around the National Mall
Turf wars. Food and fire hazards. $15 ice-cream cones. How an organized network of unlicensed food trucks took over America's Front Lawn.
washingtonian.com
Wild story! Not only are the food trucks not displaying prices (you get charged by how affluent you look), but they’re charging fake DC taxes to line their own pockets. And then there are the violence, health, and safety nightmares. cc: @brianschwalbfordc.bsky.social
Jessica Sidman@jessicasidman.bsky.social · last mo.Forget the Reflecting Pool. US Park Police say organized crime is operating on the National Mall, and no one's talking about it. My deep-dive into the pirate food trucks wreaking havoc around America's Front Lawn. washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/d...
Forget the Reflecting Pool. US Park Police say organized crime is operating on the National Mall, and no one's talking about it. My deep-dive into the pirate food trucks wreaking havoc around America's Front Lawn. washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/d...
Inside the Food Truck Mafia Wreaking Havoc Around the National Mall
Turf wars. Food and fire hazards. $15 ice-cream cones. How an organized network of unlicensed food trucks took over America's Front Lawn.
washingtonian.com
This bagel shop used ChatGPT for a Father's Day promotion. Then it got roasted online. How DC restaurants are getting caught up in the AI wars: washingtonian.com/2026/06/26/t...
This Bagel Shop Used ChatGPT For a Father's Day Promotion. Then It Got Roasted Online.
Even small restaurants are getting caught up in the greater AI debate.
washingtonian.com
The National Mall fiasco no one’s talking about… On newsstands now, online next week!
When's the last time you ate at the Tabard Inn? It's got a totally new Mid-Atlantic menu from former Cranes chef Pepe Moncayo. washingtonian.com/2026/06/23/t...
The Tabard Inn Is Getting a Reboot From Former Cranes Chef Pepe Moncayo
The Spanish chef wants to refine the restaurant's Mid-Atlantic identity.
washingtonian.com
Restaurant walk-ins are making a comeback—and so are lines washingtonian.com/2026/06/16/d...
Restaurant Walk-Ins Are Making a Comeback
Want to check out that hot new restaurant? Get in line!
washingtonian.com
Chaia has served veg-only tacos for the past decade. Here’s why they recently added chicken to the menu: washingtonian.com/2026/06/15/w...
Why a Vegetarian Taco Shop Is Now Adding Chicken
Chaia is introducing animal protein for the first time ever.
washingtonian.com
Snow Crane is bringing its luxe Japanese ice creams—in flavors like kinako or crown melon—to Little Pearl in Capitol Hill this summer. washingtonian.com/2026/06/11/j...
Japanese Ice Cream Is Coming to Capitol Hill This Summer
Snow Crane will host a six-week residency at Little Pearl.
washingtonian.com
