And just like that, 2018 is in the books. I seem to say this every year, but I can't believe just how fast (and at times how slow) this year has gone.
As years go, this one was marked by change, as I started a new job and completed a full year as a resident of Washington, DC. I didn't think it was possible to fall deeper in love with this town, but nevertheless I end the year far more enamored with it than I began.
Between the restaurants I've discovered and the new recipes I have put to test in my (new) kitchen, 2018 has been a year of experimentation and widening my horizons. Speaking of horizons, opportunities to travel have brought me to the Midwest, South, and NYC, which have allowed me to explore beyond my beloved neck of the woods.
As I look back on the year that was, I wanted to share my top five restaurant discoveries from 2018 to celebrate great food and great teams that care about serving gluten and dairy-free diners safely. Year after year it is precisely experiences like the ones I share in this post that making blogging a true joy, and keep me engaged and excited to share them with you.
Although I am celebrating my one year anniversary of becoming an official Washingtonian, I'm ashamed to admit I haven't been as adventurous lately with exploring my city's food scene. Wanting to break out of my usual routine and comfort zone, I was excited when my mom came to visit recently, because it provided an opportunity to get out and explore.
For a year now, I've heard absolutely glowing reviews for Ambar, a Balkan restaurant in the cozy Capitol Hill neighborhood. Because exploring the nearby Eastern Market flea market on the weekends is one of my favorite DC pastimes, I knew Ambar would be a perfect choice so that my mom and I could visit both without moving our car (a critical consideration in that area as parking is at a premium).
As my first time visiting Ambar and my first time enjoying Balkan food, I was excited to see what this experience would have in store.
