D.C. 2010 Food Trends

Dominated by high-profile chefs, excellent local goods and a dynamic ethnic scene, 2010 was a great year for Tasting Table to land in D.C. Here are a few favorite ideas that kept us wanting more:

All Seoul With Annandale having one of the largest Korean populations in the country, it's no wonder that spicy, kimchi-rich cuisine has been a 2010 highlight. Beyond barbecue, we've loved creative fusion, noodle soups and sizzling fried chicken.

Tap Dance Where wine bars and three-martini lunches once ruled, beer has emerged as the Washingtonian's drink of choice. Area gurus like Greg Engert have led the movement, curating lists of quirky craft brews. In 2011, we'll all be drinking al fresco at a local beer garden, slurping boozy ice cream floats and experimenting with a tableside tap.

Cure All Chefs and purveyors have elevated charcuterie with local and heritage meats. Restaurants have also brought their programs to the forefront, including at newcomer Ripple, where hunks of cured meat and gleaming slicers are the first things diners see when they walk in the door.

H Is for Hungry This year, H Street NE made the leap from up-and-coming hipster 'hood to full-out dining destination. Upscale Ethiopian, cozy cocktail destinations and homey pie shops are just three reasons to arrive with a big appetite.

Motor Mouth Though there are battles brewing over possible moratoriums, food trucks seem here to stay. This year has given us movable lobster rolls, comfort food, indulgences and nearly every other dining trend imaginable.