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A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide

A new site lets diners search thousands of dishes, compare deals and discover hundreds of Restaurant Week menus.

Food and Drink

We food writers have plenty of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" target="_self">Restaurant Week</a> hacks, but it took a software engineer to truly crack the code on D.C.’s event.Why it matters: Like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. tech wonks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/31/311-app-alternatives-josh-jacobson-civic-tech-government-tools" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/31/311-app-alternatives-josh-jacobson-civic-tech-government-tools" target="_self">D.C. tech wonks</a> building better versions of the city&#x27;s apps, Adam Stambouli tackled one of Restaurant Week&#x27;s biggest headaches: searching hundreds of menus scattered across the internet.<ul><li>His free new site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Let&#x27;s Eat, DC" data-vars-click-url="https://letseatdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://letseatdc.com/" target="_blank">Let&#x27;s Eat, DC</a> lets diners hunt for specific dishes, new restaurants, highly rated spots, dietary options and good deals.</li></ul>

IndyCar, not F1, is taking over D.C. Here's the difference.

D.C.'s first downtown race could help IndyCar gain ground with viewers.

Sports

Raise your hand if you know the difference between Formula One and IndyCar. Why it matters: One racing league is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taking over D.C." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/10/dc-indycar-race-bud-denker-freedom-250-grand-prix" data-vars-content-id="f194ee9e-b312-4b00-857a-d33a96063f2d" data-vars-headline="IndyCar, not F1, is taking over D.C. Here&#x27;s the difference." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/10/dc-indycar-race-bud-denker-freedom-250-grand-prix" target="_self">taking over D.C.</a> this weekend — and it&#x27;s not the one with a movie starring Brad Pitt.

Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries

Things to Do

A new art-centric dinner series is bringing young Washingtonians together while also introducing them to the local gallery scene.The big picture: This comes as more people are looking for ways to beat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" data-vars-content-id="364e5f45-cd01-40c8-8e41-36e8967da608" data-vars-headline="Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" target="_self">loneliness</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="connect IRL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" data-vars-content-id="364e5f45-cd01-40c8-8e41-36e8967da608" data-vars-headline="Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" target="_self">connect IRL</a>.

Pay what you can at these D.C. Michelin-starred restaurants

Albi and Oyster Oyster are joining a global experiment that lets diners pay what they can at some of the world's top restaurants.

Can you spend $20 or $200 on a Michelin-starred meal? On Aug. 26, it doesn’t matter — some of the world’s best restaurants will let diners pay what they can.Why it matters: What began as a community-minded experiment among Mexico City chefs is going global this year — and two of D.C.’s best restaurants, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Albi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.albidc.com/" data-vars-content-id="a1619d21-a68a-47ff-9c72-8e1ad3777934" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at these D.C. Michelin-starred restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.albidc.com/" target="_blank">Albi</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oyster Oyster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oysteroysterdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="a1619d21-a68a-47ff-9c72-8e1ad3777934" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at these D.C. Michelin-starred restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oysteroysterdc.com/" target="_blank">Oyster Oyster</a>, are joining in.

National Mall poised to see a wave of new memorials

What to expect at each one — plus when they'll be finished.

Development

A slew of new memorials is reshaping Washington.Why it matters: Several long-planned memorials are finally reaching the construction phase, while President Trump pushes his own additions to Washington&#x27;s landscape, including the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/21/trump-historic-preservation-changes-arch" data-vars-content-id="4bc886d2-e3a4-448b-b5a7-ae2f14e2bc58" data-vars-headline="National Mall poised to see a wave of new memorials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/21/trump-historic-preservation-changes-arch" target="_self">Arch</a> and his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Garden of American Heroes" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/trump-heroes-garden-national-mall-washington-e57a3f6f2090802d28c3833ca66034c0" data-vars-content-id="4bc886d2-e3a4-448b-b5a7-ae2f14e2bc58" data-vars-headline="National Mall poised to see a wave of new memorials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-heroes-garden-national-mall-washington-e57a3f6f2090802d28c3833ca66034c0" target="_blank">National Garden of American Heroes</a>.

How Southwest D.C. could become three new neighborhoods

City leaders are sketching a long-term vision to remake the sprawling federal district.

Big discussions are happening throughout D.C. regarding a once-in-a-century opportunity: redeveloping the massive federal enclave that is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southwest D.C." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/02/03/federal-offices-national-mall-wharf-residential" data-vars-content-id="7c21442f-7274-4aa9-b0de-c234719dad14" data-vars-headline="How Southwest D.C. could become three new neighborhoods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/02/03/federal-offices-national-mall-wharf-residential" target="_self">Southwest D.C.</a>Why it matters: It&#x27;s a chance to reimagine a 230-acre chunk of the city between the Mall and the Southwest waterfront that people have long bemoaned as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="desolate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/1fy6y88/why_is_lenfant_plaza_shopping_center_dead/" data-vars-content-id="7c21442f-7274-4aa9-b0de-c234719dad14" data-vars-headline="How Southwest D.C. could become three new neighborhoods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/1fy6y88/why_is_lenfant_plaza_shopping_center_dead/" target="_blank">desolate</a>, imposing and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="confusing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lostinlenfant" data-vars-content-id="7c21442f-7274-4aa9-b0de-c234719dad14" data-vars-headline="How Southwest D.C. could become three new neighborhoods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lostinlenfant" target="_blank">confusing</a>.<ul><li>For comparison: The nearby <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wharf" data-vars-click-url="https://dmped.dc.gov/page/wharf-southwest-waterfront" data-vars-content-id="7c21442f-7274-4aa9-b0de-c234719dad14" data-vars-headline="How Southwest D.C. could become three new neighborhoods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dmped.dc.gov/page/wharf-southwest-waterfront" target="_blank">Wharf</a> is 27 acres.</li></ul>

Long-awaited Connecticut Avenue deckover enters next phase

Expect traffic closures for several months.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Connecticut Avenue deckover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/06/27/dupont-circle-deckover-plaza" data-vars-content-id="67a3efa9-5e86-4f4a-a180-bb5f335a70db" data-vars-headline="Long-awaited Connecticut Avenue deckover enters next phase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/06/27/dupont-circle-deckover-plaza" target="_self">Connecticut Avenue deckover</a> is at long last being … decked over.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the namesake element of a huge, roughly $38 million project to refresh the main thoroughfare of Dupont Circle — one that&#x27;s been in the works for decades and which locals have long <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anticipated" data-vars-click-url="https://ggwash.org/view/34930/dupont-will-get-a-new-park-over-connecticut-avenue" data-vars-content-id="67a3efa9-5e86-4f4a-a180-bb5f335a70db" data-vars-headline="Long-awaited Connecticut Avenue deckover enters next phase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ggwash.org/view/34930/dupont-will-get-a-new-park-over-connecticut-avenue" target="_blank">anticipated</a>.

New details drop about National Harbor's forthcoming Sphere

It will be only the second Sphere in the country.

New details are emerging about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sphere" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/04/sphere-entertainment-possible-nashville-expansion" data-vars-content-id="e3b434a2-9a96-44e6-a9bd-19cc012b14b3" data-vars-headline="New details drop about National Harbor&#x27;s forthcoming Sphere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/04/sphere-entertainment-possible-nashville-expansion" target="_self">Sphere</a> that&#x27;s coming to National Harbor.Why it matters: The project near the MGM National Harbor Casino would be the country&#x27;s second <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sphere" data-vars-click-url="https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/sphere-entertainment-state-maryland-prince-georges-county-and-peterson-companies-announce-intent" data-vars-content-id="e3b434a2-9a96-44e6-a9bd-19cc012b14b3" data-vars-headline="New details drop about National Harbor&#x27;s forthcoming Sphere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/sphere-entertainment-state-maryland-prince-georges-county-and-peterson-companies-announce-intent" target="_blank">Sphere</a> — a flashy new attraction Maryland says could generate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.5 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/news-events/news/sphere-national-harbor-bring-significant-economic-benefits-prince-georges-county-and-maryland" data-vars-content-id="e3b434a2-9a96-44e6-a9bd-19cc012b14b3" data-vars-headline="New details drop about National Harbor&#x27;s forthcoming Sphere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/news-events/news/sphere-national-harbor-bring-significant-economic-benefits-prince-georges-county-and-maryland" target="_blank">$1.5 billion</a> in annual economic impact.

Alexandria's former power plant site set for waterfront transformation

Expect housing, retail, dining and green space.

A major stretch of Alexandria&#x27;s riverfront could look very different in the near future, thanks to a recently approved development.Why it matters: The project would transform a long underutilized waterfront site into a neighborhood with new parks, housing and public access to the Potomac.

As "Arc de Trump" advances, this D.C. official wants more arches

A federal panel gave concept approval for the 250-foot arch.

News

A federal arts commission gave a thumbs up to President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250-foot arch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/03/trump-ballroom-plans-miami-library" data-vars-content-id="49f04916-cb42-435e-9c32-9f9a58172937" data-vars-headline="As &quot;Arc de Trump&quot; advances, this D.C. official wants more arches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/03/trump-ballroom-plans-miami-library" target="_self">250-foot arch</a> on Thursday, despite receiving about 1,000 public comments opposing the project.Why it matters: One might not be enough. The head of the commission, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., is wondering: Why not three arches?

New Pennsylvania Ave. could include redoing Freedom Plaza and more flags

Designers also propose fewer lanes and more greenery.

Federal planners advanced plans to revitalize <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania Avenue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/11/trump-stacked-commission-eyes-pennsylvania-avenue-overhaul" data-vars-content-id="4a585279-c84e-4dfd-8946-adadf3057c86" data-vars-headline="New Pennsylvania Ave. could include redoing Freedom Plaza and more flags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/11/trump-stacked-commission-eyes-pennsylvania-avenue-overhaul" target="_self">Pennsylvania Avenue</a> between the White House and the Capitol.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once-in-a-generation project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncpc.gov/initiatives/pennave/" data-vars-content-id="4a585279-c84e-4dfd-8946-adadf3057c86" data-vars-headline="New Pennsylvania Ave. could include redoing Freedom Plaza and more flags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncpc.gov/initiatives/pennave/" target="_blank">once-in-a-generation project</a> aims to make it a &quot;people&#x27;s promenade&quot; — shrinking the eight-lane roadway, upgrading its aging infrastructure and adding more greenery to welcome everyday visitors and tourists.

Massive parking garages loom in Commanders plans

You don't see many parking decks in D.C., and these approach the Height Act limits.

You don&#x27;t see many parking decks in D.C., but the ones at the new Commanders stadium could be up to 110 feet tall.Why it matters: At more than half the height of the stadium itself, the latest designs show the 11-story garages swallowing the skyline.

Pro-Trump social media campaign wants to legalize skyscrapers in D.C.

Politics

There&#x27;s a new anonymous push to overturn the Height Act: A Trump-aligned X account that wants skyscrapers in D.C.Why it matters: For a pro-height group, they keep a low profile.

9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan

A 30-year member of the capital's planning commission has never seen such an outcry over a project.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Capital Planning Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/11/trump-deputies-take-over-powerful-dc-planning-commission" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/11/trump-deputies-take-over-powerful-dc-planning-commission" target="_self">National Capital Planning Commission</a> has released over 9,000 pages of public comments denouncing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s ballroom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/08/white-house-east-wing-expansion-ballroom-design-plans" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/08/white-house-east-wing-expansion-ballroom-design-plans" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s ballroom</a> project, ahead of a meeting on Thursday when the public is expected to again sound off. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Wing&#x27;s demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" target="_self">East Wing&#x27;s demolition</a> roiled D.C. and raised existential questions about the future of the White House, in the face of Trump&#x27;s relentless drive to leave his imprint on Washington.

Development 🏗️

National Mall poised to see a wave of new memorials

How Southwest D.C. could become three new neighborhoods

Long-awaited Connecticut Avenue deckover enters next phase

New details drop about National Harbor's forthcoming Sphere

Alexandria's former power plant site set for waterfront transformation