The DC Traveler

If you need a great picnic while in Washington, DC, your first stop should be Dean & Deluca, in the heart of Georgetown. It’s one of my favorite gourmet food shops in Washington, DC. And perfect for creating a memorable picnic.

Artisan breads, gourmet cheeses, high-quality produce and case after case prepared foods, desserts, and other gourmet items, make this small grocery store with a neighborhood feel seem much larger.

The well-stocked wine hall in the rear of the store, has a wine expert on staff to help you with your selection or with suggested pairings with your meal. They also offer free wine tastings (four to five wines) every Friday evening.

A large number of their prepared item are available in small quantities. From beef tenderloin to crab cakes, you can plan a gourmet meal, a romantic dinner or a casual picnic from the dozens of entrée options.

One of my favorite sections is the cheese counter, that offers a wide variety of cheeses from around the world, many that you don’t normally see at your neighborhood grocery store.

Another personal favorite is that they offer three types of anchovies - Mediterranean, salt-packed, and my personal favorite - the white anchovy. All I need is a loaf of crusty French bread, a chuck of cheese, and a glass of wine and I’ve got the perfect dinner.

Their selection of individual pastries is huge, I counted over 20, allowing everyone to get their own decadent dessert. Their bakery’s quality allows them to easily compete with just about any classic European pastry shop.

If you love to cook, don’t miss their 400+ online recipes. Their cookbook, The Dean & Deluca Cookbook, is also a classic and one I often reach for when cooking classic dishes at home. And at under $20, it’s well worth it.

Dean & Deluca
3276 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007 (map it)
202-342-2500

Hours - Daily - 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Nearest Metro Subway Station - Foggy Bottom - Orange and Blue lines, then a 1¼ mile walk or cab ride or use the DC Georgetown Circulator which stops just a couple blocks away.

Parking - Free and metered street parking and paid lot parking is available in the area. If you park on M Street, look up and down the block for one of the green parking meters.

Images - from personal collection © 2008 - Jon Rochetti

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