I’ve lived in four amazing cities in the Mid-Atlantic in the past five years, and I love sharing some of the gems I’ve found while living in these places. Here, I’m showing off some of my favorite places to eat, shop and go out in in my four favorite towns: Philly, New York, D.C. and Richmond. Enjoy!
Need any more recommendations? Shoot me an email at hello@aliciatenise.com. I’d be happy to help! I’m in love with all of my home away from homes.
DINE:
DC: Fuego | Clarendon — Favorite Mexican food spot in the District. Maybe my favorite restaurant ever.
DC: Bistro La Bonne | U Street — Two words: cheap brunch.
DC: Bearnaise | Capitol Hill — Pricey, but you need to treat yo’ self sometimes.
DC: Ted’s Bulletin | Capitol Hill — You can get pop tarts here. I repeat, YOU CAN GET POP TARTS.
NYC: Blockhead’s | Various — I was avoiding chains, but Blockheads is amazing. Tex-Mex fans, rejoice.
NYC: Cafeteria | Chelsea — Get the mac & cheese. Trust me.
NYC: Via Della Pace | Greenwich Village — Probably my favorite Italian spot in NYC.
NYC: Walter Foods | Williamsburg — I ventured out to Brooklyn, and it was worth it. Brunch here.
PHILLY: Buddakan | Old City — Asian fusion cuisine. Another treat yo’ self spot.
PHILLY: Bistro La Baia | Rittenhouse — Cutest little Italian BYOB on the planet.
PHILLY: The Dandelion | Rittenhouse — Another Starr Restaurant, sue me. British cuisine with a twist.
PHILLY: Cantina Dos Segundos | Northern Liberties — Mexican cuisine. Brunch here, it will be great.
RVA: Kuba Kuba | The Fan — Cuban cuisine. I used to live 3 blocks away, and I’m missing it A LOT.
RVA: Can Can Brasserie | Carytown — $$$, but so amazing. Quality French cuisine.
RVA: Little Mexico | The Fan — My go-to spot as a college kid. Get the queso and go on $1 Taco Night.
RVA: Comfort | Jackson Ward — The name says it all: amazing comfort food.
SHOP:
DC: Anthom | Merrifield — The best place to shop for unique pieces and under-the-radar designers.
DC: Current Boutique | Multiple Locations —
DC:
DC:
NYC: LF Stores | SoHo — LF is one of the only reasons why I ventured to SoHo. Ultimate cool-girl shop.
PHILLY: Arcadia Boutique | Northern Liberties — An adorable, eco-friendly boutique.
PHILLY: Aoki Boutique | Rittenhouse — Affordable boutique with some eccentric finds.
RVA: Clementine | Carytown — an awesome consignment shop with higher end brands.
RVA: Need Supply | Carytown — You’ve seen them online, so don’t miss their brick and mortar location.
RVA: Monkee’s | Short Pump — Super southern, super classy, super fabulous.
RVA: Bevello | Short Pump — Another chain, but it’s more southern based. Obsessed.
