First Taste: Karma Modern Indian

Karma, a new spot in Chinatown, is showing off in D.C. with their non-traditional Indian flavors, beautiful open-kitchen atmosphere, and extremely detail-oriented presentations. 

First Taste: Sam '76

Source: Sam Adams website

By: Ian McGinnity

I recently returned from a year living in Russia, where the craft beer scene has exploded. Every town from Moscow to Smolensk, from Kazan to Irkutsk is dotted with bustling watering holes stocked with draught craft beer brewed in and sourced from the former Soviet Union. While this is a titillating development for Russians (and those of us popping in and out occasionally), the retail beer scene lags far behind. Humble corner bodegas and lavish high-end grocery stores alike tend to sell the same humdrum selection of light lagers and dark ales, with the occasional German pilsner thrown in for good measure. If you're looking for variety there, well, then, bad luck, chum.

First Taste: City Tap House

City Tap House opened just two months ago, but it is already establishing itself as one of the premier beer hot-spots in downtown DC. Located at 901 9th Street N.W., a few blocks north of the Verizon Center on Eye Street, City Tap House serves sophisticated American pub fare for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches, and features over 40 local, domestic, and imported beers on draft.