Washington, D.C. to me is all about history, monuments, lots of walking and hanging with friends.  It has rarely been about food.

Typically when I visit, we are grabbing food on-the-go or stumbling to the next bar.  But this time, I was determined to dig deeper into the DC food scene.

While I wanted to hit up some of the many Top Chef-related restaurants, we settled on Founding Farmers…and we made the right decision.

Two words: Bacon Lollipops.

Bacon Lollipops from Founding Farmers, Washington, DC.

I can’t even describe them.  They were bacon – but almost candied bacon.  They had a bit of a non-bacon texture, chewy and oh-so delicious.  I think there were 8 on the plate – and I’m pretty sure I ate about 5 of them.

The DC restaurant is just a few blocks from the White House.  Inside the restaurant feels like a big old farmhouse with lots of comfortable furniture and fun animals everywhere.

According to the website, “a collective of American family farmers owns our restaurant.”   I love this whole farm to table concept spreading across the country.  Especially if it leads to more food like BACON LOLLIPOPS!

We also got the cornbread skillet.  I love cornbread, and this was a great version.

Skillet cornbread from Founding Farmers.

Ordering an entree was a tough decision.  I really wanted to try their chicken/waffles.  But I knew that if I ordered that, I would be too full for dessert.  And I REALLY wanted dessert.  After much debate, I settled on the scallops -and again…GREAT DECISION.

Lemon Meunière Diver Scallops with Lemon Brown Butter and Butternut Squash Risotto.

I mean, really…doesn’t that look amazing?!?  It tasted even better.

My sister, Katie, ordered the Salmon.

Plank Salmon. Cedar Plank Smoked, Maple Syrup-Apricot Glaze from Founding Farmers.

And my friend, Jackie, ordered the Crab Cakes.

Crab Cakes from Founding Farmers.

All of the meals were delicious.  The staff was really friendly and knowledgeable.  They put up with my 800 questions about the menu and different options.  And for dessert, we all shared:

Triple Layer Chocolate Mousse Cake from Founding Farmers.

Overall, I would go back in a heartbeat.  Everything was well made, great execution on the plates.