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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>

Fireworks, sharks, cage fights: It's 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C.

Fireworks, sharks, cage fighting, and so many planes.

News

Summer 2026 is almost over — and it wasn&#x27;t Hot Girl Summer or Brat Summer or even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rabid Beaver Summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/07/beaver-attack-rabies-cunningham-park" data-vars-content-id="d4315706-3aa8-411d-aa2c-b9729c9af4c1" data-vars-headline="Fireworks, sharks, cage fights: It&#x27;s 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/07/beaver-attack-rabies-cunningham-park" target="_self">Rabid Beaver Summer</a>.<ul><li>Nope, we&#x27;re calling it now: This was 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C.</li></ul>

IndyCar's greatest active driver is an underdog in D.C.

Scott Dixon has won most everything there is to win in IndyCar, but there's never been a D.C. Grand Prix.

Sports

Scott Dixon has won most everything there is to win in America&#x27;s open-wheel racing series — but there&#x27;s never been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. Grand Prix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/09/indycar-national-mall-race-course-map-trump" data-vars-content-id="e3ec250f-e8a6-410c-b03a-581b9d724109" data-vars-headline="IndyCar&#x27;s greatest active driver is an underdog in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/09/indycar-national-mall-race-course-map-trump" target="_self">D.C. Grand Prix</a>. Why it matters: Already a Motorsports Hall of Famer and, as of last year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a knight" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/scott-dixon-indycar-knighthood-new-zealand-0bef4246df62437ae0d47bcfa1b9acc3" data-vars-content-id="e3ec250f-e8a6-410c-b03a-581b9d724109" data-vars-headline="IndyCar&#x27;s greatest active driver is an underdog in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/scott-dixon-indycar-knighthood-new-zealand-0bef4246df62437ae0d47bcfa1b9acc3" target="_blank">a knight</a>, the New Zealander is looking for a new accolade in his No. 9 Honda.<ul><li>&quot;Alongside the Indy 500, this is the one you&#x27;re going to want to win,&quot; Dixon tells Axios.</li></ul>

More D.C. kindergarteners have vaccine exemptions

Meanwhile, vaccination rates among D.C. kindergartners decreased last school year.

Health

Vaccination rates among D.C. kindergartners decreased during the 2025–2026 school year, according to new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="40bd5683-55d3-4497-84ce-c279761a47a2" data-vars-headline="More D.C. kindergarteners have vaccine exemptions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">data</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CDC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="40bd5683-55d3-4497-84ce-c279761a47a2" data-vars-headline="More D.C. kindergarteners have vaccine exemptions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>.The big picture: It&#x27;s part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" data-vars-content-id="40bd5683-55d3-4497-84ce-c279761a47a2" data-vars-headline="More D.C. kindergarteners have vaccine exemptions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" target="_self">national trend</a>. Exemptions from getting one or more vaccines increased in 41 states and D.C., with the U.S. average growing to 4.2% from 3.6% the year before.<ul><li>The change coincided with continued efforts by the Trump administration to make controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine policy changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" data-vars-content-id="40bd5683-55d3-4497-84ce-c279761a47a2" data-vars-headline="More D.C. kindergarteners have vaccine exemptions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" target="_self">vaccine policy changes</a> and with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/measles-cases-surge-past-last-year" data-vars-content-id="40bd5683-55d3-4497-84ce-c279761a47a2" data-vars-headline="More D.C. kindergarteners have vaccine exemptions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/measles-cases-surge-past-last-year" target="_self">measles cases</a> hitting levels not seen in more than three decades.</li></ul>

New White House East Wing renderings reveal gold additions

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to overturn rulings blocking the project's construction.

Politics & Policy

Newly released renderings of President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="White House East Wing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/trumps-ballroom-costs-are-rising-what-we-know-about-the-secret-underground-bunker" data-vars-content-id="d7907a65-cb36-45d4-b5e2-473929a0f2f1" data-vars-headline="New White House East Wing renderings reveal gold additions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/trumps-ballroom-costs-are-rising-what-we-know-about-the-secret-underground-bunker" target="_self">White House East Wing</a> project include a shiny gold addition to the facade.Why it matters: The images were revealed in the Trump administration&#x27;s appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn rulings blocking its construction.

The Reflecting Pool haunts Doug Burgum

No one&#x27;s more involved in President Trump&#x27;s D.C. fix-it spree than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Doug Burgum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/15/doug-burgum-trump-interior-department-secretary" data-vars-content-id="57d89ec2-3065-496a-b458-131221822d85" data-vars-headline="The Reflecting Pool haunts Doug Burgum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/15/doug-burgum-trump-interior-department-secretary" target="_self">Doug Burgum</a>, the Interior secretary overseeing everything from fountain repairs to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Potomac golf course" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-east-potomac-golf-course" data-vars-content-id="57d89ec2-3065-496a-b458-131221822d85" data-vars-headline="The Reflecting Pool haunts Doug Burgum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-east-potomac-golf-course" target="_self">East Potomac golf course</a>.Why it matters: But it&#x27;s the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reflecting Pool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/02/olympian-indicted-for-allegedly-vandalizing-reflecting-pool" data-vars-content-id="57d89ec2-3065-496a-b458-131221822d85" data-vars-headline="The Reflecting Pool haunts Doug Burgum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/02/olympian-indicted-for-allegedly-vandalizing-reflecting-pool" target="_self">Reflecting Pool</a> situation — what started as a simple-enough paint job — that&#x27;s putting Burgum in a weird spot, catching fire from D.C.&#x27;s top prosecutor (and Trump&#x27;s old New York pal) <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeanine Pirro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/31/reflecting-pool-olympian-indicted-trump" data-vars-content-id="57d89ec2-3065-496a-b458-131221822d85" data-vars-headline="The Reflecting Pool haunts Doug Burgum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/31/reflecting-pool-olympian-indicted-trump" target="_self">Jeanine Pirro</a> and fresh scrutiny from the media.

The two New Yorkers behind Washington's Dulles megaproject

The quiet power player behind Dulles has mostly stayed out of the limelight — until now.

President Trump seemed unusually chummy with the head of Washington&#x27;s airports authority this week.<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;ll make this a world-class airpawt,&quot; Jack Potter said <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="of Dulles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-dulles-airport-plan" data-vars-content-id="9f8dea28-1511-466f-87dc-ae193809b115" data-vars-headline="The two New Yorkers behind Washington&#x27;s Dulles megaproject" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-dulles-airport-plan" target="_self">of Dulles</a>, with a New Yorker&#x27;s lilt. </li><li>Trump shook his hand. &quot;Great job.&quot;</li></ul>Turns out, Potter&#x27;s a Bronx native, the son of a Manhattan mailman, and even went to Fordham to study economics just like Trump did seven years before him.Why it matters: Two New Yorkers now hold in their hands the Washington area&#x27;s biggest public works project in decades — a $22.5 billion undertaking that&#x27;ll define their local legacies.

Exclusive: Congress presses Trump on D.C. golf course plans

After senators' demands for details went unanswered, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin is taking another swing.

Congress keeps asking questions about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Potomac golf course" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/09/east-potomac-park-golf-course-letter-maryland-virginia-senators" data-vars-content-id="8f7affc9-e9f1-4253-8dcb-3b7c19b77be7" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Congress presses Trump on D.C. golf course plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/09/east-potomac-park-golf-course-letter-maryland-virginia-senators" target="_self">East Potomac golf course</a>, but the Trump admin is staying mum. Why it matters: President Trump wants his championship-style reno to begin Sept. 1, but the administration still hasn&#x27;t released final plans or its price tag. And it&#x27;s unclear whether a judge will stand in the way.

Bowser declines to sign D.C. Council's budget

The council had reversed the mayor's cuts.

Mayor Muriel Bowser is declining to sign the budget passed by the D.C. Council, saying it spends too much on social programs the city can&#x27;t afford.Why it matters: Bowser&#x27;s decision doesn&#x27;t veto the budget plan, but it&#x27;s a show of protest for what she predicts will create an &quot;$837 million fiscal cliff&quot; for the likely next mayor, Janeese Lewis George.

House GOP cites "socialist takeover" in bid to stop D.C. from raising taxes

A bill limiting D.C.'s taxing authority advanced out of the Oversight Committee on Wednesday.

Raising the specter of a socialist mayor, House Republicans want to limit D.C.&#x27;s power to set its own taxes, advancing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bill" data-vars-click-url="https://oversight.house.gov/release/chairman-comer-introduces-legislation-to-stop-d-c-tax-increases/" data-vars-content-id="95a4c8b9-bba5-4894-a99b-7b78ecfbd511" data-vars-headline="House GOP cites &quot;socialist takeover&quot; in bid to stop D.C. from raising taxes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oversight.house.gov/release/chairman-comer-introduces-legislation-to-stop-d-c-tax-increases/" target="_blank">bill</a> on Wednesday out of the Oversight Committee.Why it matters: If successful, the move could amount to the biggest rollback of home rule since Congress seized control of the District&#x27;s finances in the 1990s.

Exclusive: Waymo expects D.C. robotaxi talks to continue this summer

A big sticking point: The proposed 200-vehicle cap on robotaxi operators.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/13/waymo-robotaxis-dc-jobs-council-vote" data-vars-content-id="78d43814-ac10-4fe8-adc5-be7b8be0e612" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Waymo expects D.C. robotaxi talks to continue this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/13/waymo-robotaxis-dc-jobs-council-vote" target="_self">Waymo</a> sees a path forward to winning robotaxi approval in D.C., but under a pending council bill, you wouldn&#x27;t be able to board one until at least 2028.Why it matters: As labor unions push to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="block the bill" data-vars-click-url="https://teamster.org/2026/07/dc-teamsters-labor-coalition-demand-city-council-reject-anti-worker-waymo-bill/" data-vars-content-id="78d43814-ac10-4fe8-adc5-be7b8be0e612" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Waymo expects D.C. robotaxi talks to continue this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://teamster.org/2026/07/dc-teamsters-labor-coalition-demand-city-council-reject-anti-worker-waymo-bill/" target="_blank">block the bill</a>, Waymo tells me it expects negotiations with council members to continue this summer.

Exclusive: Waymo says it'll hire hundreds in D.C. if robotaxis are approved

The driverless ride-hailing debate will heat up at a D.C. Council hearing on Monday.

Waymo is building out two D.C. service centers as it pushes to bring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="robotaxis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/24/dc-bill-robotaxis-waymo-charles-allen" data-vars-content-id="7e04f5f9-c863-49e9-9ab9-64a9cbaed027" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Waymo says it&#x27;ll hire hundreds in D.C. if robotaxis are approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/24/dc-bill-robotaxis-waymo-charles-allen" target="_self">robotaxis</a> to the city — and says it would hire hundreds of workers if the District allows the service, the company tells Axios. Why it matters: One of the biggest tech fights since Uber is coming to the Wilson Building on Monday, when D.C. Council members will hold a marathon hearing about the future of driverless cars.

Middleburg's next resident: JD Vance

The vice president is eyeing a grand Virginia farmhouse as a getaway from Washington, sources tell Axios.

Vice President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="JD Vance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/vance-summer-trump-heir" data-vars-content-id="df4aebe3-9dd5-448c-982e-b0d8297c0780" data-vars-headline="Middleburg&#x27;s next resident: JD Vance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/vance-summer-trump-heir" target="_self">JD Vance</a> is eyeing a grand farmhouse in Middleburg as a getaway from Washington, sources tell Axios.Why it matters: With three kids and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one more on the way," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/20/jd-vance-baby-vice-president-history" data-vars-content-id="df4aebe3-9dd5-448c-982e-b0d8297c0780" data-vars-headline="Middleburg&#x27;s next resident: JD Vance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/20/jd-vance-baby-vice-president-history" target="_self">one more on the way,</a> the Vances would have more space to unwind in a private enclave.

D.C.'s socialist era is coming

D.C.'s new socialist bloc is a force to be reckoned with

Politics

Barring major surprises, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Janeese Lewis George" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/19/janeese-lewis-george-trump-dc" data-vars-content-id="273055ee-e0c5-457f-a0dd-d8a661ea2f56" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s socialist era is coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/19/janeese-lewis-george-trump-dc" target="_self">Janeese Lewis George</a> will walk into the mayoral suite in January with a powerful hand, thanks to new democratic socialist allies joining the D.C. Council.Why it matters: The leftist surge reshapes D.C. politics, and shores up JLG&#x27;s wish list of affordable child care, confronting utility companies and ending cooperation with federal law enforcement.

Politics 🇺🇸

New White House East Wing renderings reveal gold additions

The Reflecting Pool haunts Doug Burgum

The two New Yorkers behind Washington's Dulles megaproject

Exclusive: Congress presses Trump on D.C. golf course plans

Bowser declines to sign D.C. Council's budget