Moreover , the elegant and beautifully maintained 18th and 19th century row houses and Federal-style mansions that dot Georgetown ’ s quaint , tree-lined streets in tandem with the fact that this swanky corner of the District is also home to Georgetown University , the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States , go a long way toward explaining why Georgetown was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967 and is now included in the inventory of Historic Places , as well as the National Register of Historic Places .
But that was then , and this is now , and Georgetown has not become the bustling hub of power , privilege and prestige that it is today by looking backward . Georgetown has emerged as one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in America because it has evolved , ever escalating its appeal in every way imaginable over the years . Hence the reason that there is a crop of new and exciting offerings in the neighborhood and even more on tap for the year ahead .
Among the more exciting activities is a new range of Chesapeake and Ohio ( C & O ) Canal boat tours which began operation last spring . For context , Georgetown is an origination point for the historic C & O Canal , a National Park which runs 184.5 miles into Cumberland , MD . When ground broke in 1828 , the Canal brought to life George Washington ’ s vision to open the country to the West — connecting the port town to goods and materials that supported a local industrial economy unique to the region .
Now , for the first time in a decade , several public boat rides are available throughout the day , Wednesday – Sunday , offering one-hour guided historical tours along the first mile of the C & O Canal National Historical Park ( NHP ). Over the course of the tour , visitors learn about the fascinating history , technology and culture of the Canal , and the surprising stories of the people who have lived , worked and played there over the past two centuries .
Speaking of playing , with over 470 restaurants , shops and institutions , Georgetown has long been a mecca for good times in our nation ’ s capital , particularly for foodies . However , after experiencing a somewhat stagnant ( if laudable ) food scene for years , one might argue that Georgetown is experiencing a renaissance of sorts these days .
Recent additions to the neighborhood include : Michelin-starred chef Michael Rafidi ’ s Levantine cafe Yellow ; French brasserie L ’ Avant- Garde from renowned French chef Gilles Epié , the youngest chef ever to receive a Michelin star at age 22 ; the buzzy French bistro Lutèce helmed by Chef Matt Conroy , which was named one of the 50 most exciting restaurants in America by the New York Times in 2022 ; the über-glamorous Champagne and caviar bar , Apéro ; Mediterranean lunch counter Green Almond Pantry from Turkish chef Cagla Onal-Urel ; and the Southern France-influenced , New York City import Maman .
This spring saw the opening of not one , but two highly anticipated new Japanese restaurants in Georgetown . The first is a Japanese cafe and omakase counter called Two Nine from Zach Ramos and Amy Phan of the wildly popular Ama Ami , a pop-up offering takeout chirashi bowls and private homakase feasts which took off during the pandemic . The second is Kyojin , an offshoot of the Arlington , Virginia-based Yume Sushi .
Also coming to Georgetown is the anxiously awaited 2023 debut of a new M Street mega Italian restaurant and market from restauranteur Stephen Starr and Michelin-starred chef Nancy Silverton of Osteria Mozza fame . At a reported cost of $ 10 million , the new eatery is
Georgetown
Credit : Sam Kittner / Georgetown BID
Raspberry Macaron from L ’ Avant-Garde
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 48 SUMMER 2023