By Deborah Bailey,
AFRO D.C. Editor
Looking for that next high-quality eatery to add to your “favorites” list. Then of course, it’s time to get out and try one of the Black-owned restaurants in the DMV or Baltimore.
Black Restaurant Week is happening now through July 31st. Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell, and Derek Robinson established the concept in 2016, celebrating the rich tastes and aromas of African-American, African, and Caribbean cuisines nationwide.
Luckett, Ferrell, and Robinson have put their brand on the map, with events running across the country and Canada after just six short years. In 2021, Black Restaurant Week events garnered support for 1200 Black-owned culinary establishments throughout the U.S. and Canada, boosting sales at these establishments by 15%.
The organization also sponsors culinary showcases, development grants from their nonprofit, Feed the Soul and an on-line platform featuring Black-owned foods and houseware brands.
“More than 90,000 restaurants and bars closed nationwide since 2020, said Ferrell, Black Restaurant Week Managing Partner for Operations.
“It is essential that we create a platform that drives awareness to black-owned culinary platforms in addition to our culinary tour,” Ferrell said.
This summer represents their third annual event in the DMV region. Black Restaurant Week has expanded way down I-95 into Virginia, where this year, a dozen participating establishments are on board from right across the Potomac River in Alexandria and all the way to Richmond.
Here in the DMV area, participating restaurants include the upscale yet approachable All Set Restaurant & Bar or the pit smoked taste of Money Muscle Bar-be-que in Silver Spring. In the mood for fish? Head to FishScale on Florida Ave. NW or for that gourmet burger of a lifetime, drive or take metro to K Street NW to Melange. The place to go Jamaican anytime is the classic Caribbean favorite, Negril, in D.C. Silver Spring, and throughout Prince Georges County, Maryland. In the mood for a taste of the Motherland? Spice Kitchen West African Grill in Brentwood is your destination.
Willing to drive for a good meal? Rev up the engine or take the Marc Train to Baltimore where you can start the morning with Vegan donuts at Cloudy Donut on Federal Hill. Get your fill of more than 40 different varieties of delicious and good for you (yes, these two words are intentionally paired) donuts. Applesauce is the secret that makes the donuts yummy and rich, side stepping the normal fattening fillers.
Staying for lunch before you head back on I-95? Get over to Mt. Vernon and stop at Fishnet Baltimore. Everything is good from the Grilled Salmon to the Baltimore Bomber. But if it’s your first visit, you gotta’ try the Real MVP – you’ll walk away like a champ.
This is just a quick small sampling of more than 100 eateries participating throughout the DMV and Baltimore. So, start your tasting party this weekend, wherever you are in the expanded Metro area.
And if you’re ready to make a great eating experience part of your late July road show, check out the list in the graphic above, turn on Google Maps and have a great time on your Richmond to D.C. to Baltimore foodie adventure.
Happy Black Restaurant Week, everybody!
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