WASHINGTON — In the new season of "Somebody Feed Phil," host Phil Rosenthal comes to the District.
The show, which is going into its seventh season and premiered on Netflix Friday, explores different food scenes in different cities across the globe. Its fifth episode explored D.C. culinary gems, including Ben's Chili Bowl, Anju and Mozzeria.
The episode opens with Rosenthal enjoying a D.C. staple: the power breakfast. He treats his crew, a.k.a. "the most powerful people in my world," to breakfast at The Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, where he playfully serves his team.
"Historically, D.C. hasn’t really been known as a foodie destination, but that’s all changed in recent years," Rosenthal said. "I’m telling you it’s shedding its steak-and-potatoes reputation with an explosion of new cuisines. So I’m excited to dig in.”
Throughout the episode, Rosenthal is guided around town by experts, including food writer Nevin Martell and former D.C. chef Kwame Onwuachi (now based in New York City), and joined for meals by friends such as CNN journalist Jake Tapper, comedian Alex Edelman, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Here are the other restaurants featured in the episode.
Yellow
Rosenthal visited the Levantine-inspired cafe in Georgetown and tried pastries, chicken shawarma and lamb shoulder pitas. Yellow blends French and Middle Eastern flavors and techniques to create sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches and pitas. There are also has locations in Navy Yard and Union Market.
Stachowski’s Market
The butcher shop, deli and grocery store in Georgetown offers classic sandwiches including hot pastrami, roast beef and meatball subs. Rosenthal went for the pastrami sandwich.
Baked & Wired
Rosenthal continued his Georgetown food tour at Baked & Wired. The bakery has more than a dozen different cupcakes to choose from, including vegan and gluten-free options. They also offer other baked goods, including cookies, brownies and specialty creations.
Rasika
The modern Indian cuisine restaurant offers several curry dishes, different house-made chutneys and small plates to share.
Ben's Chili Bowl
The landmark eatery, with its original location on U Street and others on H Street, Nats Park and elsewhere, the restaurant is arguably most known for its half smokes topped with chili and cheese. His son, Ben, joins him for this meal.
Bread Furst
This bakery and market has delicious loaves of bread, pastries and hot coffee. Rosenthal tried croissants and a classic breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheese and bacon.
Mozzeria
This deaf-owned Neapolitan pizzeria on H Street in Northeast crafts each pizza from scratch. Their menu includes a classic Margherita and the "Fichi" with fig spread, arugula, chili flakes and mozzarella. They also have other staples such as bread sticks, meatballs and eggplant parmesan.
Anju
The contemporary Korean restaurant in Dupont Circle serves up brunch, dinner and refreshing drinks including Soju and Korean Wine. Rosenthal tried the Korean-style fried chicken and kimchi pork dumplings.
Thip Khao
Thip Khao in Columbia Heights has served Laotian food since 2014. Highlights of the menu minclude kua mee, which is wok-tossed thin rice noodles, fish sauce caramel, egg, beansprouts, scallions and Cilantro. Another favorite is muu som, braised pork belly with lime leaves, ginger, toasted chili and more.
Maketto
This was Rosenthal's last stop on his food tour of D.C. Maketto is a Taiwanese-Cambodian fusion restaurant on H Street in Northeast, serving up dumplings, spring rolls, fried rice and lo mein. And don't forget dessert: They also have egg custard tarts and mochi beignets.
While we won't see Rosenthal visit the fan-favorite Call Your Mother in person in this episode, we do see him eat a take-out bagel and lox order in his hotel room as he chats virtually with Norman Lear.
"There's a special place in my heart for this town," Rosenthal says after his whirlwind tour of our fair city. "This is a vibrant, wonderful, gorgeous part of the world. And the people I've met here, from all over the world, they all speak to what's great about America. No matter what side you're on, a lot of people come to this city, and they come wanting to do good ... most people come to try to help."
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