The Dish: Mussel Burger ($15.95)
Where to Get It: Et Voila, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW; 202.237.2300
What It Is: A mussel patty with aioli and fried onions on a seedless brioche bun. Served with sweet potato fries.
What It Tastes Like: A departure from your average yawn-inducing burger. Steamed and coarsely chopped mussels are formed into a patty with scallop mousse, then topped with an aioli made of lobster bisque and saffron. This light, airy burger has the spring of a veggie burger but with way more flavor and personality than tofu.
The Story: “Everyone was doing lamb burgers, lobster burgers, shrimp burgers,” says owner/chef Claudio Pirollo. “I said, ‘I need to come up with something more Belgian style.’” read more
Mary was born and raised in New York City where her family owned restaurants. Instead of eating dirt on the playground, she ate duck blood, beef tripe and pork belly. She cut her teeth at The Mandarin Oriental and The Ritz-Carlton hotels, working with Barbra Streisand, Vanessa Williams, Michael Stipe, LeVar Burton, Jane Krakowski and others. Mary founded Girl Meets Food in 2009 as a cover for her debilitating addiction to fried chicken and was named Washington Post’s “Favorite Local Foodie.” After 13 years in hospitality, she started freelance writing for USA Today, The Washington Post, Eater, Washington City Paper, and more. Today, she provides digital marketing for hospitality clients as a content creator who’s contently creating content.