H Street NE newcomer Irregardless just dropped its original identity as an $85-per-person seasonal tasting room and goes all a la carte starting this weekend. Leading the menu makeover is newly named executive chef Laetitia Chrapchynski, who replaces Mintwood Place alum Ben Browning at the bistro that debuted in September in a two-story rowhome (502 H Street NE).

Chrapchynski moved from her native Calgary to D.C. in 2021 to be the head chef at the prominent Canadian Embassy off Pennsylvania Avenue NW and just left the post last week to take the new job. Irregardless reopens on Friday, March 24 after a week-long closure to implement the retooled menu and chef change, says co-owner Mika Carlin, noting Browning’s departure was “amicable.”

Irregardless

Irregardless predominantly opened as a prix-fixe place to try six American courses in one sitting, plus individual dishes offered at the bar, and now the whole 51-seat restaurant is going the a la carte route. Ambitious tasting-only models can be tough to monetize, as seen in Newland’s brief lifespan on Capitol Hill last year.

“The idea is to make it more approachable,” Carlin tells Eater. “Tasting menus are nice but sometimes it shuts off pieces of the market who may want [just] a night cap and croquettes at 10 p.m.”

Chrapchynski did her culinary training in Montreal, where she fell in love with “more off-the-line” bistros and cafes that encourage chatty interaction between chefs and customers. “It’s a nicer way to eat,” she says. A curated chef’s tasting option—similar to what Georgetown’s Lutece offers in tandem to a la carte—will enter the fold in the future.

Irregardless comes from first-time restaurant owners and couple Mika and Ian Carlin, who double as its resident sommeliers. Wine is still very much a focus at Irregardless 2.0, with a continued spotlight on Virginia vineyards along with Old World labels from smaller and independent producers. The menu also maintains a devotion to peak Mid-Atlantic produce, now joined by cuisine influences from Chrapchynski’s French-Canadian and Ukrainian backgrounds.

“Part of my goal is to change the narrative about what Canadian food is. Like here, it’s ever evolving and showcases evolutions of our immigration,” says Chrapchynski.

One new dish under her watch is a bison tartare (“bison is so integral in indigenous Canadian communities,” she notes). She adds a bright-yellow Canadian canola oil as a “stunning and vibrant” alternative to egg yolk traditionally found in tartare.

Her recent stint at the Canadian Embassy shed a light on the importance of its bilateral relationship with the U.S. and “how interconnected supply chains are” between the bordering countries.

Chrapchynski’s able to stay in the states—and take on the new restaurant role—because she was able to secure a special category “O” visa designated for individuals with “Extraordinary Ability or Achievement.” The tricky government process was streamlined with help from her new boss Mika Carlin, who happens to be a former immigration attorney before getting into restaurants.

D.C. is home to a stellar cast of Japanese and sushi spots. But several restaurants that aren’t typically associated with raw fish happen to have surprise side menus and hidden counters centered around sushi.

Here are seven unlikely destinations for terrific rolls, sashimi, temaki, and omakase menus around D.C.

Ginza BBQ Lounge and Karaoke

526 8th Street SE

Ginza BBQ Lounge and Karaoke

Barracks Row’s new-ish karaoke lounge is now home to an omakase pop-up every Monday and Tuesday through May. The 18-course tasting menu is the brainchild of seasoned sushi chef Ricky Wang, who opened D.C.’s Michelin-rated Sushi Nakazawa. Omakase menus full of sushi, hand rolls, and other specialties preview what’s in store at his own forthcoming restaurant, Omakase @ Barracks Row, opening soon a few doors down. Seatings are at 5:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Pisco y Nazca Gastrobar

1823 L Street NW

Dupont’s popular Peruvian destination for ceviche and pisco sours unleashed a sushi menu for the first time in March. Rolls honor Japanese influences on the South American country and favorites from Peru, as seen in a lomo saltado roll (wok-seared tenderloin, soy and oyster sauce, queso fresco, panko breadcrumbs, shoestring potatoes, ají amarillo aioli). The debut sushi menu, available for dinner only, also includes a “Crocante De Camarón” roll (panko shrimp, quinoa, avocado, sweet chili-rocoto mayo) and “Furai” roll (salmon, avocado, cream cheese, panko breadcrumbs, lomo glaze).

Gerrard Street Kitchen

Gerrard Street Kitchen

1515 Rhode Island Avenue NW

The glamorous Darcy hotel restaurant that’s normally known for paratha tacos and Korean chicken wings just built out a new eight-seat sushi counter next to its cocktail bar. Here chef Kelly Suarez artfully prepares nine-course omakase dinners on Friday and Saturday nights ($90 per person). Reservations are on a first come, first served basis. The glassy raw bar also sends out a la carte sashimi and rolls like “What a Match” (shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, avocado, and unagi sauce). The surprise seafood upgrade harkens back to the Logan Circle space’s days as Michelin-rated Siren.

The Point

2100 2nd Street SW

The huge grill in Buzzard Point opened in spring 2021 with lots of seafood, smoked ribs, and crab dip doughnuts. A few months later, the Southwest waterfront attraction introduced a sushi bar where fresh catches go under the knife a few nights a week. Its partnership with wholesale seafood distributor ProFish means prices stay relatively low (around $12 for rolls and $7 for salmon sashimi). The spicy tuna and spicy shrimp rolls have proven to be the most popular so far and bring the heat with fresh serrano peppers on top. Sushi is available on Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Leading DC for The Point

Cut Above

1050 31st Street NW

Wolfgang Puck protege Andrew Skala plates fancy steaks and local vegetables at Rosewood hotel’s lobby-level Cut. But it’s not widely known that he also shows off his unsuspecting sushi skills at its chic rooftop lounge. Cut Above’s menu centers around temaki (hand rolls) starring luxe ingredients like wagyu beef tartare, scallops, Maine lobster, and caviar add-ons.

Hamilton

600 14th Street NW

Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s perennially-packed downtown staple is all about American fare, but wander to the middle to find a standalone sushi bar that seats around 10. In Clyde’s fashion, the menu is huge with dozens of raw and cooked rolls to choose from. That leaves room for experimental orders like the District (tempura chicken, spicy kimchi, zucchini, and mumbo sauce). There’s also bento boxes and sushi platters to go along with a strong showing of Japanese whiskeys and sake. Rolls are pretty pricey here — some as high as $20 — so come during daily happy hour for $5 discounts (2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.).

Le DeSales

1725 Desales Street NW

Le DeSales

During its 12-year run in the heart of Chinatown, Sei was widely considered one of the top sushi and sashimi spots in town. The beloved brand now lives on inside French-themed Le DeSales, where Japanese sushi master “Noriaki” Yasutake sends out his greatest raw fish hits to go along with a solid list of sakes and Japanese whiskeys. Sei’s sushi also popped up alongside a French menu at U Street NW’s new Baby Shank.

Planta

Planta

The Toronto-born brand touched down in Bethesda last year and figured out a way to squeeze sushi into its plant-based menu. Ahi watermelon is a fine stand-in for tuna for nigiri, while hearts of palm is disguised as crab. Tempura broccoli over shrimp works well in another roll, too. Order a sushi set to try a bunch at once.

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center

5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Va.

Previously located in the hotel’s Finn & Porter restaurant, this retooled sushi counter now sits in the lobby next to the bar. The more visible setup continues to send out sashimi and sushi from its longtime chef Kim, along with a newly added ramen counter where guests can customize their own bowls.

People love to complain that DC’s dating scene is terrible, but that doesn’t mean your date destination needs to be. Here are some great options for seeking out a spark—and a great drink.

All Souls
725 T St., NW
In many ways, this is the platonic ideal of a neighborhood bar, though hopefully one where you can move beyond a platonic relationship. The low-key Shaw corner spot with shaded patio is the kind of place where you can get a simple, well-made cocktail or a solid beer and wine. Thanks to the effortlessly comfortable vibe, all you really need to worry about is conversation.

Astoria and CopyCat Co.
1521 17th St. NW; 1110 H St. NE
A great date is no guarantee, but at least a great cocktail is a given at these sister bars. The menus are designed to let you customize the classics—with variations on old fashioneds, Moscow mules, and bourbon smashes—plus, there are some fun tiki options. The tight quarters lend themselves to leaning in close and swapping secrets. You’ll know things are going well if you stick around for the Sichuan menus with chili wontons and mapo tofu, though things may have gone too far if you end up with an order of the “sober soup.”

Bar à Vin 
1035 31st St., NW
Is your date charming or is it just this dark and handsome wine bar? Located next to Georgetown’s Chez Billy Sud, this is your place if you’re going for classy and intimate with a glass of something French. The snug, wood-and-brick-paneled hideaway features tall ceilings and a fireplace for cozying up on cold nights.

Board Room
1737 Connecticut Ave., NW; 925 N. Garfield St., Arlington
If you need a little help to break the ice, may we suggest a round oft Don’t Break the Ice? Grab a beer and a board game at these Dupont and Clarendon bars, which let you rent out more than 30 games for a $2 fee. Options include Mouse Trap, Scattergories, Battleship, or Scrabble (the most DC choice of all?). The larger Arlington location also doubles as a brewery. Just be careful: If you’re feeling iffy about your date from the get-go, you don’t want to get stuck in an endless game of Life.

Calico
50 Blagden Alley, NW
This tucked-away Blagden Alley hangout has all the casualness of a friend’s backyard party. The airy bar opens to an ample garden patio where you can channel your inner kid with adult juice boxes (like a gin-spiked lavender lemonade) or get a buzz going with draft espresso martinis. Feeling it? Split a tomato pie. Not feeling it? Just split.

ChurchKey
1337 14th St., NW
Keep your options open—for drinks, we mean!—at this beer haven boasting 50 drafts and nearly 500 bottles and cans. Whether you’re looking for something funky or smooth, there’s something for all proclivities (again, talking about the drinks!). Lesser known is that this moodily lit Logan Circle bar also has a respectable cocktail and wine menu, so it’s all good if your date turns out to be more of a negroni or a pinot person. More importantly: are they a truffle cheese fries person?

Colada Shop
Multiple locations include 14th Street, Dupont Circle, the Wharf, Potomac, and Mosaic District
If you like pina coladas… these Cuban-inspired cafes have some of the best. The colorful day-t0-night outposts offer the flexibility of a casual coffee meetup or a lingering evening of empanadas and guava negronis (the rooftop on 14th Street would be our preferred perch for the latter). It’s also hard to beat all-day $8 mojitos.

The Eastern
360 Seventh St., SE
Wine nerds and novices will both appreciate this Capitol Hill wine bar with mid-century style. The easy-to-navigate menu is broken down into categories such as “If you like… Sauvignon Blanc” or “If you like… rosé,” from which you can choose good representations of the staples or lesser-known grapes with similar taste profiles. If you like cocktails, spritzes, or draft beer, you’re covered too. All you need to worry about is if you like… your date.

Hill Prince
1337 H St., NE
Nothing fancy, just good vibes at this H Street haunt—and not just because the neon sign says “good vibes only.” The bar focuses on classic cocktails, including many in the relatively affordable $12 range, alongside a no-frills beer and wine list. The front bar in the historic rowhouse has a cozier feel, but check out the garden and carriage house out back for a casual oasis.

Last Call
1301-A Fourth St., NE
This high-brow dive is the kind of place where you can get a solid Sazerac or a PBR-and-whiskey combo. Drinks are always affordable, but cheap dates will particularly appreciate the 4 to 7 PM happy hour with $5 draft old fashioneds and $3 pints. Bonus: you can both embarrass yourselves over a round of darts. Being in the Union Market area also gives you the option to add on a quick food-hall bite or stroll around the nearby shops.

McClellan’s Retreat
2031 Florida Ave., NW
Low ceilings, dim lights, and a rustic wood-and-brick interior set an intimate tone at this whiskey and cocktail retreat. The drinks are serious but fun, with rotating conversation-sparking themes. (One recent menu included cocktails named after “red flags” like “Doesn’t Have Any Books” or “Hates Tiki.”) Plus, you know you’re in good hands when the bar’s number one rule is “Don’t be a dick.”

No Kisses
3120 Georgia Ave., NW
Despite the name, no one is saying first date kisses are off-limits! The Park View bar, attached to Sonny’s Pizza, has a groovy retro feel with an illuminated color-changing ceiling and velvety green banquettes. Alternately, head out back to the spacious patio with picnic tables and a vintage milk truck converted into a bar serving natural wines and lively cocktails.

Other Half Brewing
1401 Okie St., NE
Any brewery would be a great option for a daytime date, but the roomy covered patio and bright taproom at this Ivy City destination give you the brewery experience without the meeting-a-stranger-in-a-warehouse feel. (Plus, how cute would it be if you found your other half at a place called Other Half?!) The Brooklyn-based transplant is known for its IPAs, but appeal to a wide range of tastes with smoothie sours, lagers, stouts, and even a non-alcoholic draft option.

Player’s Club
1400 14th St., NW
This high-energy Logan Circle basement bar is styled after a 1970s rumpus room with tons of games to unleash your date’s playful (or competitive) side. Go for a round of pool or foosball, then move on to some Skee-Ball and vintage PacMan. If you’re really hitting it off, you might want to take a turn at the sex-toy-filled claw machine.

Tiki TNT
1130 Maine Ave., SW
This three-story rum distillery and tiki bar is one of the more fun places to drink at the Wharf. It’s got Painkillers for bad dates and “big ass bowls” that two can share if you’re ready to inch in closer.  If sparks are flying beyond the flaming limes, extend the date with a walk along the waterfront boardwalk.

Food Editor

Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.

In a market as saturated with luxury apartment buildings as the Washington area, it can be hard to build a complex that stands out. Especially when high-end amenities in said buildings are ubiquitous. It’s now the norm for a spot to have both a pet spa and a yoga studio, a rooftop pool and a coworking area. And sending out your own dry cleaning? Forget it—there’s an in-house service for that.

Which is why Gallery 64 decided to differentiate itself by taking a unique approach: Being associated with an art museum.

The 492-unit building in Southwest, which began leasing in January, is connected via an outdoor courtyard to the new Rubell Museum, which houses contemporary art from names like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, and Jeff Koons in a historic former school. Gallery 64 is designed with artists in mind—it has podcast and music studios and a maker space, and all residents get a complimentary one-year membership to the museum (though the museum is free for DC residents, membership has additional perks) and discounted tickets at nearby Arena Stage. And, yes, it also has the requisite rooftop pool, pet spa, and fitness space.

Its interiors are meant to evoke an art gallery, says Mark Rivers, an executive vice president at Lowe, the group that developed the space alongside Mitsui Fudosan America. That means a blank slate—concrete floors, white walls—with color brought in via bright furniture, funky decor, original art commissioned for the space, and a series of rainbow doorways leading to units. (The name—Gallery 64—is a nod to this vibe, as well as the space’s address at 64 H St., SW.)

“It’s not for everyone,” Rivers says of the eye-catching decor. “But that’s like art, right?” 

Currently, 52 of the building’s units are leased. The building has studios (starting at $1,927 a month), and one-, two-, and three-bedroom spots, as well as 19 two-story, townhouse-style homes. Twenty percent of the units are designated as affordable. Take a look:

Gallery 64; 64 H St., SW

Home & Features Editor

Mimi Montgomery joined Washingtonian in 2018. She’s written for The Washington Post, Garden & Gun, Outside Magazine, Washington City Paper, DCist, and PoPVille. Originally from North Carolina, she now lives in Del Ray.

Finding excellent vegan food used to be much more complicated.

Although vegan food has entered the mainstream over the last decade, finding vegan food still poses a challenge for many—and good vegan cheese is top of the list.

Many companies provide vegan cheese, but finding the right option takes time and money.

Thankfully, I’ve tried nearly every vegan cheese available and assembled my top picks for the best vegan cheese for pizza in this comprehensive guide.

Best Vegan Cheese for Making Pizza

From Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds to Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Shreds, I’ve covered all your cheesy needs. 

Miyoko’s Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella 

Miyoko’s liquid vegan pizza mozzarella is my all-time top choice—for several reasons.

This delicious product was designed to be meltable and fulfills its intended goal.

Miyoko has stripped this cheese of everything that might hinder its ability to melt fully—a problem that most vegans have with the vast majority of vegan cheeses.

Additionally, this cashew-based cheese is made with sustainable practices and whole foods like plant milk, sunflower oil, and mushroom extracts. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals.

Most importantly, it’s so good that you’ll want to drink it straight from the bottle. 

Miyoko’s liquid vegan mozzarella is affordable, so share this with your vegan-doubting friends!

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365 Whole Foods Plant-Based Mozzarella-Style Shreds 

Whole Foods is known for providing high-quality vegan alternatives to traditional foods.

The company’s plant-based mozzarella cheese offers yet another delicious, affordable, and sustainable vegan solution.

The mozzarella shreds taste eerily close to real mozzarella, and they are fully meltable (I tested them several times—and then a couple more). 

Because this product is made with coconut oil and tapioca, it boasts mozzarella’s creamy, buttery flavor. 

Although it’s excellent for pizza, I’ve used it with Caprese salads, burrito bowls, and more.

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Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds

Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds are the award-winning vegan cheese alternative perfect for pizza. 

This vegan cheese alternative provides a tasty and textural experience without using dairy, gluten, soy, or nuts.

Its ingredients include tapioca starch, coconut oil, and pea protein isolate, so you can count on a smooth and delectable taste that perfectly complements fresh, organic tomatoes.

Regarding taste and texture, Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds deliver the same stretchy goodness of traditional mozzarella but without any animal products or allergens.

The shreds melt quickly, making them ideal for topping pizzas and adding to pasta or casseroles.

The flavor is slightly sweet yet savory with hints of umami throughout—like real mozzarella.

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Moochoo Dairy-Free Mozzarella Style Shreds 

Moochoo Dairy-Free Mozzarella shreds are the perfect topping for nearly any food. 

They are by far the most versatile product on this list, with a nutty, creamy flavor profile that complements nearly anything. 

I’ve used my Moochoo cheese on pizzas and soups, salads, and sandwiches. They’re incredibly versatile and offer an unparalleled, robust flavor profile.

Moochoo products are slightly more challenging to find than others on this list, so you’ll have to purchase them online—but it’s well worth the wait!

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Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds 

I adore Violife foods—I place an order with them nearly every week.

This company not only provides high-quality vegan products but also offers diet recommendations and recipes to help guide you on your vegan journey!

The Just Like Mozzarella Shreds are firm and delicious, and they contain coconut oil and potato and corn protein for added buttery goodness.

They melt seamlessly into your pizza, delivering a gooey, delectable taste that is to die for! 

Best of all, Violife products cater to those on a diet, and these cheese shreds have fewer calories than most.

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Parmela Creamery Plant-Based Mozzarella 

Parmela Creamery is a pioneer in the plant-based cheese industry, and its dedication to creating delicious, high-quality vegan cheese is evident in every bite. 

Unlike many other vegan cheeses on the market, Parmela Creamery’s mozzarella shreds are made from fresh cashews, which give them a rich, nutty flavor and a creamy texture that’s sure to please any cheese lover.

What sets Parmela Creamery’s vegan cheese apart is its unique aging and culturing process.

By mimicking the traditional aging process used in dairy-based cheese, Parmela Creamery is able to create vegan cheese that is more complex, nuanced, and flavorful than most other plant-based cheeses. 

The result is a mozzarella that’s perfect for topping pizzas, layering in lasagnas, or simply snacking on straight out of the bag.

If you’re looking for a high-quality, vegan-friendly cheese that’s bursting with flavor and texture, look no further than Parmela Creamery’s Plant-Based Mozzarella. You can order it online or find it at select Whole Foods locations. With Parmela Creamery’s commitment to quality and flavor, you won’t be disappointed.

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Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Shreds

Follow Your Heart has been making excellent, sustainable, vegan foods since 1970—and the companies Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Shreds are unbeatable.

This cheese is made with non-GMO ingredients and is free of common allergens, including dairy, gluten, soy, and nuts, making it an excellent choice for sensitive palates and allergy-prone individuals.

I love the unique, nutty flavor of this product. It has additional ingredients like sea salt and cane sugar to enhance the natural flavor but complements other tastes well too.

I prefer this product on vegetable pizzas since the salty, nutty flavor brings out the earthy tones in zucchini, mushrooms, and onions.

Best of all, this product is kid-approved—mine love it!

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Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella 

As I mentioned, Miyoko’s Creamery is my all-time favorite.

I love their products, the customer service is excellent, and their vegan cheeses are affordable and delicious. 

Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella offers another incredible lactose-free option for pizza lovers. 

This mozzarella is soft and melty, like the real thing. It has the rich, creamy, moist texture and feels of burrata—without the guilt.

I use this cheese with a margarita or caprese-style pizza.

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So Delicious Mozzarella Style Shreds 

From leading vegan brand So Delicious comes a product that will revolutionize your pizza.

So Delicious Vegan Mozzarella Style Shreds are the perfect addition to a Margherita pizza—and they even come with a recipe for just that! 

With fewer added sugars and salt than other products, these are the healthiest option on this list.

They contain potato protein and coconut oil for a smooth texture, and they have cellulose to prevent caking—perfect for that melty feeling.

So Delicious offers a wide variety of additional milk and cheeses—all of which are just as good!

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Best Vegan Cheese for Pizza

1. Miyoko’s Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella
2. 365 Whole Foods Plant-Based Mozzarella-Style Shreds 
3. Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds
4. Moocho Dairy-Free Mozzarella Style Shreds
5. Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds
6. Parmela Creamery Plant-Based Mozzarella 
7. Follow Your Heart Vegan Shredded Mozzarella
8. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella 
9. So Delicious Mozzarella Style Shreds

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Final Thoughts

Vegan cheese is far healthier and more sustainable than cheese made from milk—but it can be hard to find. 

I assembled this guide to help you locate the best vegan cheeses for your pizza recipes. Let me know what you think, and share these cheeses with your friends—you never know, you might convert someone!

If you don’t like how vegan cheese tastes, check out cheeseless pizza recipes or other vegan pizza ideas instead!

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