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Hear Dining Headline Predictions for 2015 from D.C.'s Experts

The cat cafes are coming.

Pop-up cat cafe on H Street.
Pop-up cat cafe on H Street.
R. Lopez

As per tradition, we've asked a group of journalists, bloggers and friends of Eater to weigh in on the year in food. Here's what they've said so far. Finally, experts share their dining headline predictions for 2015.

Michael Birchenall, editor of Food Service Monthly: 1. More!

2. Eric Ziebold's New Restaurant [insert name when announced] Unabashedly Celebrates Fine Dining

Svetlana Legetic, Brightest Young Things founder: David Chang 24/7! Everyone is at the airports! Everyone is doing fast casual! Are there TOO MANY high priced food events for this town to handle!

Nevin Martell, freelance food writer: Sadly, I believe the new year will bring more closures. Not just of lesser known -- and perhaps lesser quality -- restaurants, but some well-loved institutions may join the choir invisible alongside Palena. On a much brighter note, you are going to be hearing more about D.C. area chefs and restaurant concepts making a big impact on a national and international scale. Whether it's fast casual stars like Sweetgreen, Cava Grill or Taylor Gourmet expanding or the likes of Mike Isabella and Spike Mendelsohn opening up eateries across the country and the world, expect the D.C. food scene to start getting more widespread recognition.

Holley Simmons, Washington Post Express Dining Editor: "D.C.: A city where, apparently, people like to eat," by The New York Times

Jeff Dufour, editor of UrbanDaddy: "Foodies Wear a Path Through the Convention Center Between Eric Ziebold's Place and Jeremiah Langhorne's Place."

Alicia Mazzara, DCist dining editor: D.C. Gets It's First Mobile Speakeasy As Spike Mendelsohn Launches The Sheppard Bar Truck: Patrons sign up to receive text alerts with the truck's secret coordinates, photos still forbidden.

Stefanie Gans, food critic for Northern Virginia Magazine: [Insert any cuisine in the world] Chipotle-style restaurant opens.

Maura Judkis, Going Out Guide: "5 new cat cafes you need to try now." (Sorry Missy, I know they're your faaaaavorite.)

Rina Rapuano, Zagat DC: 1. The Death of the White-Tablecloth Restaurants Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
2. Filipino is the New Thai

Carole Sugarman, food critic for Bethesda Magazine: More Independently-Owned Restaurants in Bethesda Bite the Dust

Barns Now Being Built with Re-Reclaimed Restaurant Wood (joke via Brian Miller, architect with Streetsense)

David Nellis, "Foodie & the Beast": For Foodies, DC HAS ARRIVED! It  has completed its metamorphosis from a sleepy, southern town with two or three decent  restaurants, into a true, dining-out Mecca -  for real, the food in DC rivals any city, anywhere (Yes, even you, New York!)

Rebecca Cooper, hospitality reporter for The Washington Business Journal: Startups, startups, startups! With all the incubating and crowdfunding we've got going on in D.C. right now, there's going to be a lot more local, artisan food businesses coming down the pike. Another would probably be bakeries. Bring on the sweets!

Michael Martinez, producer, The Kojo Nnamdi Show: "Congress to consider moratorium on pumpkin spice menu options."

Kate Gibbs, Destination DC: Paleo cat cafe coming to H Street delayed.

Laura Hayes, Thrillist and Dining Bisnow: Momofuku Runs Out of Pork Buns on Opening Night

New App Lets You Hire A Rose's Luxury Line Waiter

Overzealous Construction Knocks Power Out on 14th Street; Le Dip Breadbaskets Running Low

Zero Patrons Visit Post CityCenterDC Stores While Waiting for Their Table

Jessica Sidman, food editor, Washington City Paper: Culinary collaborations will go to the next level, and more people from totally different types of restaurants will go into business together.

Tim Carman, Washington Post food writer and The $20 Diner columnist: Adams Morgan ditches the interns and cheap booze, becomes dining destination again

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