Michelle Goldchain

a cartoon cat singing into a microphone on a stage ALT: a cartoon cat singing into a microphone on a stage

Anyone know of D.C.-area karaoke places that have private rooms?

Comment with your recommendations for @wtopnews.bsky.social and why they're your favorite.

You can also email me at michelle.goldchain@wtop.com.

Tom Sietsema’s impact on the DC dining culture, according to the chefs, owners he reviewed - WTOP News For 26 years now, Tom Sietsema has been a faceless name that struck a chord throughout the entirety of the D.C. area’s food and beverage industry.

As a follow-up to yesterday's interview with Tom Sietsema, I interviewed six chefs and restaurant owners about how his reviews impacted them.

Find out what they had to say in my latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/food-restaur...

Q&A: Tom Sietsema on his 26-year career as a food critic and what’s next - WTOP News Tom Sietsema’s surprise announcement that he’s stepping down as The Washington Post’s longtime food critic and revealing his identity landed like a thunderclap across D.C.’s dining scene.

I got to interview The Washington Post's food critic Tom Sietsema on the challenges of being a critic, how he got the job, and what's next. Tom announced earlier this week that he is stepping down, but he's not retiring. Read my Q&A for @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/food-restaur...

Michelin-star DC restaurant wants you to eat your veggies - WTOP News A Michelin-star restaurant based in D.C. is plant-based and rooted in Latin American culture.

Excited to share my feature on Mita, a plant-forward Latin American restaurant in D.C. that’s reimagining what vegetables can do. I had the pleasure of interviewing owners Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora.

Watch my video and read more in my latest on @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/food-restaur...

Worth it!

A before and after of me at the top vantage point and later the bottom vantage point of the Snoqualmie Falls, as seen in "Twin Peaks."

(Hiking is not for me ...)

Things to do in the DC area: Art on the Rocks, Craft2Wear … and more! - WTOP News Art and culinary delights collide at Art on the Rocks, which will have 10 local mixologists and chefs create cocktails and appetizer pairings inspired by art.

My "Things to do in the D.C. area" guide is here! Expect festivals, family-friendly fun, and much more in @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/things-to-do...

We’re just 7 days away from the big launch of Ghoul Appétit!

My webcomic, Ghoul Appétit!, is perfect for lovers of food, magic, and young adult literature. It’s a silly, angsty, and delicious coming-of-age story.

Subscribe to the Substack for updates: ghoulappetit.substack.com/subscribe

Whisk Takers Zine Whisk Takers is a zine and newsletter that shares the stories of women in the food and beverage industry.

Jeanine Prime offers her words of wisdom in the latest Q&A on Whisk Takers Zine.

Prime has carved out her place in D.C.’s dining landscape with her two restaurants, Cane and St. James, which have both gained national recognition.

Learn more here:
www.whisktakerszine.com/blog/jeanine...

The DC-area foodie forecast: 20+ must-try restaurants that are new or opening this fall - WTOP News WTOP has rounded up over 20 recently opened and soon-to-open eateries in the D.C. area that range in price and style.

D.C.-area restaurants opening soon:
• PubKey Bar and Media Haus (Bitcoin-preferred bar in former Hill Country space)
• Taki Taki & Rumba Rumba (Southeast Asian tapas)
• Taqueria Xochi (Navy Yard)
• JINYA Ramen (Georgetown)

More in my latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/food-restaur...

Things to do in the DC area: Hot Air Balloon Festival, H Street Festival … and more! - WTOP News The Flying Circus Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Bealeton, Virginia, is inviting the public to soar near the clouds with hot air balloon rides.

From a hot air balloon festival to the H Street Festival, here are a few of this week's most notable D.C.-area events. More in my latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/things-to-do...

Things to do in the DC area: WalkingTown, Art All Night … and more! - WTOP News Get your walking shoes laced up and ready to go because Events D.C.’s WalkingTown free event returns this weekend with guided walking tours across D.C.

In my latest "Things to do in the D.C. area" guide, find out what local events are coming up this weekend and beyond.

Here are some hints: Art All Night, Adams Morgan Day, Small Press Expo, Cirque du Soleil ... and more! Learn more on @wtopnews.bsky.social:
wtop.com/things-to-do...

I first saw System of a Down a little over 20 years ago at Ozzfest. I'm so happy to have seen them together again, this time at MetLife Stadium with one of the best spots in the house. Such an amazing experience! #SOAD

Seen at the Wisp concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey #fuckice

For the first post on Whisk Takers Zine, read a Q&A interview with Masako Morishita of Perry's — a powerhouse in the food and beverage industry whose talent and leadership have earned her some of the most prestigious accolades in the culinary world.
www.whisktakerszine.com/blog/masako-...

Things to do in the DC area: Frozen cocktail competition, Maker Summit … and more! - WTOP News In D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, the outdoor frozen cocktail garden known as Electric Cool-Aid is hosting its fifth annual frozen cocktail competition Sunday.

Enjoy a flight of frozen cocktails at Electric Cool-Aid's annual cocktail battle this Sunday.

For more events to consider this weekend and beyond, check out my latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social. wtop.com/things-to-do...

The DC area’s most exciting restaurant openings in 2025 (so far) - WTOP News WTOP has rounded up over 20 bars and restaurants that have opened so far in 2025, which have caused a stir in the D.C. region’s food scene in one way or another.

For my latest article on @wtopnews.bsky.social, I compiled this year's newest and most notable bars and restaurants in the D.C. area.

Find more details (and a map!) here: wtop.com/food-restaur...

Let them eat 300 cakes: DC museum hosts sold-out potluck for baking enthusiasts - WTOP News The National Museum of Women in the Arts hosted what may be the biggest, sweetest potluck in the D.C. region.

With approximately 300 cakes in attendance made by local home cooks and professional bakers, the National Museum of Women in the Arts hosted what may be the biggest, sweetest potluck in the region.

Learn more in my reporting for @wtopnews.bsky.social (video included!): wtop.com/food-restaur...

I got to experience cake heaven! Expect an inside look at "The Big Cake Exchange" event on @wtopnews.bsky.social this Monday.

My photos of Philly-based band Moon by Moon at Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring, Md., on July 17, 2025. They've got a super amazing debut album that just released and was featured in Pitchfork. Give it a listen!

Things to do in the DC area: Lotus and Water Lily Festival, National Cannabis Festival … and more! - WTOP News The Lotus and Water Lily Festival is back and ready for nature lovers to enjoy the sight of blooming lotuses and water lilies at the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in Northeast D.C.

Wow, it's hot outside ... but that doesn't mean you should stop having fun! Here are some events to look forward to this weekend:
• The Lotus & Water Lily Festival
• Black Restaurant Week
• National Cannabis Festival
• And more!

My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/things-to-do...

Love this format!

Things to do in the DC area: Embassy Chef Challenge, District Fringe … and more! - WTOP News Taste dishes from over 30 embassies at the Embassy Chef Challenge on July 10 in D.C., or explore many other events including food festivals, live performances and cultural celebrations across the regi...

In my latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social, here are some worthwhile events happening this weekend in the D.C. area:
• Romanian Weekend at The Wharf
• Maryland German Festival
• NVA Thai Street Food & Culture Festival
• District Fringe (through July 27)
• And more!

wtop.com/things-to-do...

I'm starting a zine + newsletter, called Whisk Takers. It's about the women shaking up the food and drink scene, from chefs and bartenders to bakers and boundary-breakers. Through their stories, Whisk Takers celebrates those behind the most powerful kitchens in the DC area and beyond. More below ...

Things to do in the DC area: Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Pride Fair … and more! - WTOP News The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival returns next week to D.C., running from July 2 through 7 with a theme focused on youth from around the globe.

In today's "Things to Do in the D.C. area" guide on @wtopnews.bsky.social, find out what to expect from this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival. I also write about several other D.C.-area events, too! Find the full list here: wtop.com/things-to-do...

Things to do in the DC area: Barbecue Battle, Fête de la Musique … and more! - WTOP News For its 33rd year, the annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle is back with live musical performances, live art, dance battles, family-friendly events and more.

Love food? Head to the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle.

Love music? Check out Georgetown's Fête de la Musique.

Love culture? There are several Juneteenth celebrations to consider.

Check out my list of things to do in the D.C. area for @wtopnews.bsky.social:
wtop.com/things-to-do...

Things to do in the DC area: Hypefoodies Festival, live opera … and more! - WTOP News Making a Labubu-themed festival was a happy accident for Diana Keat and C.K. Keat, the co-founders and food content creators of Hypefoodies.

This Saturday's Hypefoodies Festival in Northeast D.C. is perfect for lovers of food, music, art ... and Labubu! Learn more about this and other local events in my "Things to Do" article on @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/things-to-do...

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson opens new DC restaurant, blending local and ‘Swediopian’ flavors - WTOP News Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s D.C. restaurant combines international flavors with influences from the executive chef, a Maryland native.

Ever heard of "Swediopian" flavors?

I got an inside look at the menu at chef Marcus Samuelsson's new D.C. restaurant — with an interview with the celebrity chef, himself!

Check out my article and video on @wtopnews.bsky.social:
wtop.com/food-restaur...

Chef Edward Lee reimagines Korean cuisine through SHIA’s bold menu - WTOP News Chef Edward Lee brings modern and forward-thinking Korean food to his D.C. restaurant, SHIA.

Chef Edward Lee is known for many things — his appearances on TV shows like “Top Chef" and “Culinary Class Wars," and he is also known for his D.C. restaurant, SHIA.

For @wtopnews.bsky.social, I learned how Lee reimagines Korean cuisine through SHIA’s bold menu. wtop.com/food-restaur...

Things to do in the DC area: Trolley Trail Day, Dragon Boat Festival … and more! - WTOP News For a full-day, family-friendly celebration in Maryland, head to the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail on June 14.

It's finally here! My "Things to do in the D.C. area" guide covers a variety of Pride events, plus Trolley Trail Day, the Dragon Boat Festival ... and more! Find the full list in my article for @wtopnews.bsky.social: wtop.com/things-to-do...