did you read the Washingtonian food In and Out trends for 2023 and also get slightly angry? well, I invite you then to react to yet another In and Out list for 2023 (are you sick of them yet?) by me, aditieats! while I do consider myself a Jessica Sidman fan, I have some….thoughts on food trends in DC for this upcoming year to share with you all. get in girlies, let’s go!

DISCLAIMER: these are just my opinions! if you don’t like my opinions that’s totally chill, or you are welcome to fight me! either way! ❤

OUT: accepting QR code menus
IN: complaining about QR code menus

look – either you do your entire payment system online, or just give us a paper menu! a link to your website solely to see the menu is just silly and leaves us all squinting at zoomed in website pages in strain at the table. I simply will not have it anymore!

OUT: all-day brunch
IN: pastry walks

a pastry walk is just a long walk and to procure a pastry and a coffee and more walking and perhaps another pastry. why do a 2-hour bottomless brunch with mediocre food and a $50 bill when you can have a lovely little chocolate croissant, a latte, some steps in, and a beer in the afternoon. mimosas and a medicore eggs benedict is a little 2010 to me. anyways. big pastry girl!

OUT: boring non-alc options at a bar (soda only)
IN: EANAB (equally attractive non alcoholic beverage)

I know this issue gets more attention during Dry January, but sometimes you just want a ‘lil beveragino and no alcohol! I really believe you can apply the complexity of a cocktail in a mocktail and have it still be exciting. while I disagree that mocktails and cocktails should be priced equally (alcohol is expensive! it should be reflected in the cost) mixologists know what they’re doing and have the expertise to make tasty beverages regardless of alc content. bring back the concept of Disco Marys by Columbia room! the EANAB must rise!!! (ty to my friend Miles for introducing me to this term. its brilliant.)

OUT: espresso martinis
IN: dirty martinis

while I quite enjoy one, espresso martinis are on their way out, let’s face it. every bar makes it differently which is cool for creativity and a crapshoot for consistency. it is time appreciate the simplicity of a dirty ‘lil martini pls. a little blue cheese olive martini? stunning.

OUT: fast casual
IN: fine dining

this is my boomer opinion – saving a little $ skipping the fast casual lunches means more money fine dining dinners. we deserve nice food and done are the days of subway-induced stomachaches.

OUT: IPAs
IN: sour beers

I am simply over the days were I know so many of y’all were pretending to like IPAs to seem cool and impress your beer snob friends. what in the world does a milkshake triple IPA even MEAN anyways?!?! sour beers are creative and weird and I love them. if you like kombucha, you will like a sour beer. don’t be scared, babes!

OUT: iced coffee
IN: hot coffee

its cold. hot coffee is in. get a milk frother, it’ll add joy to your life!

OUT: cauliflower
IN: eggs

eggs are a very important food and actually can be used in a million things. cauliflower is bland and has been overdone being used in too many things. cauliflower pizza crust is silly. eggs give you protein. did you know that the smallest size of egg is called a pee-wee egg? didn’t that put a smile on your face?

OUT: calorie counting
IN: eating joyfully

no more eating disorder/disordered eating bullshit! eat good food that makes you happy, and move your body in ways that make you happy. that’s it.

OUT: eating alone
IN: dinner parties

cooking for friends, cooking with friends, setting a big table, passing food around with some beveraginos. literally what could be better!

OUT: food porn instagram accounts
IN: messy food pictures

yes I know I literally post food pictures on insta every day – but there’s so much food content from overpriced photo-friendly restaurants, neon signs and monstera wallpaper that have food that photographs well but simply doesn’t taste good! enough! i want to know if you finished your plate, actually took a bit of your food, messy table settings, your dinner table at home that actually looks lived-in.

OUT: buying new kitchen appliances
IN: using the kitchen appliances you already have!

no, you probably don’t need an air fryer if you already have an oven or a convection oven! I am pledging to use the instant pot I already own more than once a month before buying anything else! (i do not need a juicer…i do not need a juicer…..)

OUT: freezer-burned ice cream
IN: ice cream sandwiches

ice cream sandwiches can be made more fun! I love what locally-owned nightingale ice cream from has been doing, their flavors are so much fun and the ratio of cookie to ice cream is simply, chef’s kiss.

IN: pickles

that’s it. I just love pickles! 🙂

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that’s it folks! does this list also make you angry? do you agree with my expert opinions? let me know! send this to your friends!