Shaw Bites

by Sarah Payne

lic bread, onion rings and desserts.

The variety provides something for everyone. It is a perfect spot for late-night munchies. The kitchen also caters to virtually any dietary restriction or preference. Local sourcing and fresh ingredients are pillars of the Pizza D’Oro menu. Diners can enjoy Maryland crabcakes and house made pasta sauces.

There are also sister locations in Petworth at 3618 14th St. NW and in Mount Rainier, MD. For more information about Pizza D’Oro, visit pizzadorodc.com.

Music, Dining and Cocktails MK Lounge

Multicolored lights, hip hop and Afrobeat music and “really good vibes” greet visitors to MK Lounge, 1930 Ninth St. NW. Located in the heart of Little Ethiopia, the lounge offers patrons a premium selection of liquor, food, and music. The lounge is the brainchild of owner Dereje “DJ” Zewdie.

Zewdie is the co-owner of Habesha Market and Carryout, a casual Ethiopian restaurant across the street from MK Lounge. A former photographer, he now indulges his creativity by creating the lounge’s beverage and cuisine menus. He attends bartending exhibitions and conventions to discover the latest cocktail trends.

The food menu features Zewdie’s own recipes. Sample his unique take on baked wings, kebabs and seafood. Zewdie constantly tweaks the food selection, incorporating new ingredients discovered in his culinary ramblings. Cheese quesadillas, a recent addition, are the restaurant’s new bestseller.

Seeking a late-night bite? MK Lounge’s kitchen closes just thirty minutes before the bar. Zewdie noted the importance of customer experience and serving food to customers throughout the night. The lounge is the perfect place to “just sit down and chill.” All patrons must be 21 years or older. For more information, visit mkloungedc.com.

Carryout with an Ethiopian Twist

Doro Soul Food

“I wanted to bring some of my story and background and incorporate all of the techniques and training that I’ve learned over the years and introduce some Ethiopian flavors in a different way,” Elias Taddesse said of his newest creation, Doro Soul Food, 1819 Seventh St. NW.

A veteran of Michelin-starred kitchens in New York and named Eater DC’s Chef of the Year in 2021, Taddesse is best known locally for Mélange, a now closed Mount Vernon Triangle fast-casual restaurant that o ered his take on burgers and chicken sandwiches. At Doro, which opened in 2022, he prepares classic American soul food dishes with a unique East African twist, using spices and avors drawn from his Ethiopian heritage and French techniques.

A lover of Popeyes since age nine, he o ers ri s on fried chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, collard greens and more. ere is even a vegan tender option.

“My ultimate goal is really to highlight Ethiopian food, not just in what we traditionally know like at bread,” Taddesse said. “I’m trying to see how far I can push the avor pro les.”

Doro Soul Food’s menu is only available for takeout and delivery.

For more about Doro Soul Food, visit dorosoulfood.com.

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. ◆