Some of the best dates are those that bring you to places you’ve never been — or experience familiar places in a new way. So, for our Break the Dating Rules Contest, we asked Jay of DCFud, a self-proclaimed lover of food who has a cocktail named after him (the “flaming foodgeek” – habaneros, honey, triple sec, orange juice, vodka…and a prayer), to share some of his favorite eat-with-your-hands dates.

 

How about we… spring for the $3.45 a plate deal and eat shrimp, or 1/2 a dozen cooked clams or mussels, or half dozen raw oysters Tuesday evenings (4pm to close) at Ragtime in Courthouse.


Pro tip: They also have two snow crab clusters for $7. You’ll definitely get a manual workout, and you’ll have a spice mix all over your fingers from the peel-and-eat shrimp (Sidenote: ask for the spice mix on the side, but not on a date!)
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How about we… hit up wing night at Rock Bottom (Mondays) or Hard Times Cafe (Wednesdays).


Pro tip: Use your hands, and lick your fingers.
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How about we… rip herbs off of various potted plants at Vapiano to add to our food.


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How about we… eat with our hands/bread at Etete, an Ethiopian restaurant at 9th and U. Very good food…and Marcus Sammuelsson (Top Chef Masters and Ethiopian-born) had them cater an event of his.


Pro tip: Order the fish or chicken leg and rip chunks off. The meat dishes and veggie dishes are good as well. In Ethiopian culture…feeding each other is intimate and acceptable but licking your fingers is not. You may leave with spicy-sauce-coated shoes…don’t eat them!
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How about we… head to Jumbo Slice or Pizza Mart, and take pictures of each other scarfing slices.


Pro tip: Get a good grip, hold your head back…and shovel the slice down with your hands.
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How about we… dip various items into cheese or chocolate fondue options at Melting Pot.


Pro tip: Dip something and feed each other.
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Head over to DCFud for more amazing places to eat around DC.You can also check out the finalists for our “Break the Dating Rules” contest & vote on your favorites, or propose a date here!

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