This was, perhaps, predictable, though it seems many restaurants are reconsidering the service charge option after learning about the tax and payroll implications. Gift link: wapo.st/43t6eyF

I had this brief, exquisite moment at Huong Viet recently. I was compelled to write about it: to figure out how it happened and why it’s important. Gift link: wapo.st/4fv98Kz

Curious if those in the business of feeding people agree with Dina Daniel from Fava Pot: Will Sysco’s planned purchase of Restaurant Depot lead to higher prices at the discount wholesaler? Gift link: wapo.st/43tINp3

The owner of Martin's Tavern had no idea his historic pub would be featured on SNL this weekend. He was sound asleep by the time the skit aired. Gift link: wapo.st/4eFy0ij

"It’s been a time of change and loss at The [Washington] Post. Some losses hurt the most because they can never be reversed." dandiamond.substack.com/p/dan-eggen-... RIP to the great Dan Eggen, who pulled no punches. He was laid off in February. www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...

The original Ben’s Chili Bowl returns to action in less than two weeks, but the Ali family is keeping many of the details under wraps. They have a good reason. Gift link: wapo.st/4tWlyPg

The late Tanios “Tony” Abi-Najm fled a civil war in Lebanon at age 44. He made a new life for himself and his family in the DC area, where he spread Lebanese food and culture far beyond his native land. This is his story and the story of Lebanese Taverna. wapo.st/3QmPQwc

I spent a lovely afternoon going through the late food writer Marian Burros's home office. I read through her papers, sifted through her cookbooks, and examined her photos, all of which gave me an even deeper appreciation of this legend. Gift link: wapo.st/47THXEt

Because I have no chill, believe deeply in AP’s mission, and think covering the Middle East is more important than ever… some personal news! www.ap.org/the-definiti...

For those looking for metaphors about the future of AI and government's ability to regulate it, well, here it is...

SCOOP: The Pentagon asked the White House today for more than *$200 billion* for Iran war supplemental, sources say Some in WH think Congress won't support b/c it's so big Will tee up giant battle in Congress My last story for WaPo: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

You can't see listeria. I ran a farm for 15 years, and no matter how well you know me or how many times you've been to my farm you have NO IDEA about my farm practices. Knowing your farmer does not protect you against food-borne diseases. Don't drink raw milk.

This is a first: I flew to an airport to eat burgers from a vending machine. I lived to tell the tale. Gift link: wapo.st/47CF1fh

Whether or not you plan to try the new McDonald's Big Arch, you gotta read the review by @timcarman.bsky.social. Nobody's better at not-so-fine dining. Gift link. wapo.st/4rRd23J

The review nobody asked for, but everyone is writing. I’d love to hear your thoughts too, if you’ve tried the Big Arch. Gift link: wapo.st/4rRd23J

As the laid off Middle East News Editor, I concur. Management eliminated the positions of every single staff correspondent and bureau chief in the Middle East.

The Post identified seven restaurants that received "notice of suspect documents" letters from DHS. Immigration attorneys tell me that many more letters are likely on the way. The DHS enforcement could lead to hundreds of workers leaving the local industry. Gift link: wapo.st/4aK22z1

Despite an objection from Harrison Suarez, one of the two co-founders of Compass Coffee, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia today approved the sale of many of Compass’s assets to Caffe Nero.

Compass Coffee is expected to have a new owner following Thursday’s bankruptcy auction. Gift link: wapo.st/3OBaF69

Papa Johns has introduced a new pan pizza. Emily Heil and I did a taste test to see how it compares to the pan offerings at two other chains, including the ur-pie at Pizza Hut. Gift link: wapo.st/4aAJBLT

When it opened more than a decade ago, Compass Coffee was one of DC’s feel-good business stories. Now the company’s in bankruptcy. I plotted out how it went from one to the other. Gift link: wapo.st/3MihGbs

As @postguild.bsky.social assesses the damage from last week’s layoffs, it turns out between 44% and 47.5% of the newsroom has been axed. It “may have been the biggest one-day wipeout of journalists in a generation.” washingtonian.com/2026/02/09/a...

My sweet dog doesn’t believe in reading, just snuggles.

Our food environment is making us fat and sick. But RFK Jr.'s ideas about fixing it are mostly either bad (more beef tallow!) or ineffective (eliminate food dyes!). But it doesn't matter. Ozempic can do what regulations can't: change our food supply. (gift link) wapo.st/4qHLzAR

Oh look. This package near the top of The Washington Post homepage is a collaboration between International and Sports (and ties directly to the U.S. political moment), two desks we hear are about to be obliterated by what could be some of the worst layoffs in the history of the paper.

Homeland Security’s sweeping deportation campaign marks a sharp break from the agency’s post-9/11 mission. “DHS has now become an immigration department, and that’s not what it was founded for,” said a former senior DHS official.

Trump threatens Insurrection Act >>

The Washington Post Guild is alarmed and appalled by federal law enforcement’s search and seizure of reporter Hannah Natanson’s property and personal devices. Hannah is a valued member of our union whose work covering the federal workforce has been essential (1/3)

Yesterday I documented how DHS lies all the time and suggested you not trust their claims, in case you did.

This news had been expected for a few weeks now. The future of Compass is quite uncertain after its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Gift link: wapo.st/3YnvZxQ

“RNC Chairman Joe Gruters described being shocked by Trump’s eating habits when they traveled together during the campaign. While flying to a campaign event, according to Gruters, Trump consumed french fries, a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger, a Big Mac and a Filet-O-Fish.”

Good read on the existential challenges facing local restaurants. The danger with enacting a pileup of rules on our local businesses is that while each requirement may be well-intentioned, the cumulative effect suffocates the business.

And next year is not looking so good either. wapo.st/4924PTn

For the holidays, I gave myself the gift of boredom. And Tony Bourdain’s stew. Gift link: wapo.st/3L7Srrx

Labor advocates are pushing for a $25 minimum wage in DC, as an antidote to the affordability crisis. It comes after D.C. Council twice overturned the will of voters over tipped minimum wage. The restaurant industry is expected to present fierce opposition to the new initiative. wapo.st/4aBXwmk

Some news today on the D.C. streateries front. wapo.st/44xvDrO

Great culture can save lives. Literally. Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

A remarkable story about a Hiroshima survivor www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Make it stop! Endless papers pitting low-carb, low-fat, keto, Mediterranean, whatever diets against each other when ALL the differences are just a few pounds. It doesn't matter. No diet ever tested works for long-term, substantial weight loss. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

My colleague @timcarman.bsky.social has a beautiful essay on the music of Chris Whitley, who died 20 years ago www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

Should a Big Mac knockoff taste like the real thing? Or just steal the architecture of the famous burger? Emily Heil and I have a fun back and forth on the topic. wapo.st/3JOGab2

Numerous restaurant owners say the District’s new guidelines and fee structure will force them to close their streateries. Some Washingtonians won’t miss them. wapo.st/3LXgc5F

I've known Elazar for a couple of years now. He's an exceptional human being and a wonderful food critic. You're in good hands, D.C. www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/11...

Three restaurateurs, three memoirs, three very different perspectives on what makes a successful life, in and out of dining rooms. wapo.st/47wCPX5

"Tim Carman ALMOST makes me want to go to Arby's," my husband says to me this morning. This is why. Terrific piece. @timcarman.bsky.social writes so well about food.. www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/10...

We interrupt your regularly scheduled scrolling for this lark of a review on Arby's new steak nuggets. wapo.st/3WPNbLL

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mike and Ian from NPR's How to Do Everything. We chatted about whether the Pentagon Pizza Report can actually predict major military actions. www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...

We didn’t realize how good we had it in 2015. A look at a group of restaurants that helped reshape DC dining. Gift link: wapo.st/3WdFRsH

Some thoughts on last night’s dinner in DC. Gift link: wapo.st/3KezhPU

More than 20 workers have been detained. Countless more have quit, called out of their shifts or scrambled to find alternative ways to get to work. The immigration crackdown in DC has the restaurant industry reeling. Gift link: wapo.st/3VIggIc