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Signs of Spring: Finding Fiddleheads on D.C. Menus

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There are certain menu items that just scream "spring." Morels. Shad roe. The ubiquitous ramps. Fiddlehead ferns are another example. These curly plants add an interesting texture and visual accent to spring dishes. It's a little early for them to be widespread (many chefs reported receiving their first batch today), but Eater's already starting to spy them on area menus. Here are some dishes around town incorporating the fern. Like most seasonal ingredient, supplies of fiddleheads tend to be limited, so it pays to call ahead before seeking out this menu item at a restaurant.

Seen fiddleheads on any other menu? Share in the comments.

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1789 Restaurant

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Fiddleheads can be found at 1789, where chef Anthony Lombardo is pairing them with North Carolina monkfish, Iberico de Bellota ham, fregula sarda, scallions, Manila clams and olive aioli. The dish is $34.

2941 Restaurant

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Fiddleheads recently made an appearance on a special, spice-themed dinner at 2941. Now, chef Bertrand Chemel has them on the regular menu with Alaskan halibut, pomme puree, fava beans, braised morels and thyme jus. The dish is $38.

Sushi Taro

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Fiddleheads have been spotted on the omakase menu of Sushi Taro.

The Curious Grape

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The Curious Grape is serving a spring salad with fiddleheads, asparagus and black olive vinaigrette.

Mitsitam Cafe

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Fiddleheads are a specialty of this cafe within the Museum of the American Indian. Find them combined with a hominy salad, aged sherry vinaigrette and caramelized pearl onions ($3.55).

Ceiba's Achiote Spiced Gnocchi dish features fiddleheads right now, along with goat cheese, pepitas, sage butter and other seasonal vegetables.

701 Restaurant

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Diners will have to wait until April to try fiddleheads at 701. But after that, chef Benjamin Lambert plans to serve a roasted wild loup de mer with pea mint puree, fiddleheads, snap peas and a lemon emulsion.

City Tap House

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Chef Brian Cooke will offer a fiddlehead special at City Tap House starting on Friday. It will be a sauteed striped bass with fiddleheads, prosciutto and brown butter served over black truffle risotto with preserved lemon.

Cedar received its first shipment of fiddleheads today. Chef Aaron McCloud was still deciding how exactly he'd feature them at press time, but they will appear on the menu beginning Thursday.

Vermilion

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Chef Will Morris received his first shipment of fiddleheads today. He's still finalizing menu items, though upcoming possibilities include a soup with a fiddlehead chow chow. Stay tuned.

Trummer's on Main

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Chef Austin Fausett uses fiddleheads in his Honey Mussels and Potato Gnocchi entree, which also includes braised leeks, macadamia nuts and a bacon and espelette broth ($30).

BLT Steak

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Chef Jeremy Shelton is serving lardo-wrapped halibut with a potato/ramp puree, fiddleheads, black trumpet mushrooms and lemon verbena jus. It's a special for $39.

Rogue 24

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One of Rogue 24's courses right now combines smoked sunchokes with fiddleheads, weeds and spruce. Guests have an extra day each week to sample the dish: Rogue recently opened Sunday evenings.

1789 Restaurant

Fiddleheads can be found at 1789, where chef Anthony Lombardo is pairing them with North Carolina monkfish, Iberico de Bellota ham, fregula sarda, scallions, Manila clams and olive aioli. The dish is $34.

2941 Restaurant

Fiddleheads recently made an appearance on a special, spice-themed dinner at 2941. Now, chef Bertrand Chemel has them on the regular menu with Alaskan halibut, pomme puree, fava beans, braised morels and thyme jus. The dish is $38.

Sushi Taro

Fiddleheads have been spotted on the omakase menu of Sushi Taro.

The Curious Grape

The Curious Grape is serving a spring salad with fiddleheads, asparagus and black olive vinaigrette.

Mitsitam Cafe

Fiddleheads are a specialty of this cafe within the Museum of the American Indian. Find them combined with a hominy salad, aged sherry vinaigrette and caramelized pearl onions ($3.55).

Ceiba

Ceiba's Achiote Spiced Gnocchi dish features fiddleheads right now, along with goat cheese, pepitas, sage butter and other seasonal vegetables.

701 Restaurant

Diners will have to wait until April to try fiddleheads at 701. But after that, chef Benjamin Lambert plans to serve a roasted wild loup de mer with pea mint puree, fiddleheads, snap peas and a lemon emulsion.

City Tap House

Chef Brian Cooke will offer a fiddlehead special at City Tap House starting on Friday. It will be a sauteed striped bass with fiddleheads, prosciutto and brown butter served over black truffle risotto with preserved lemon.

Cedar

Cedar received its first shipment of fiddleheads today. Chef Aaron McCloud was still deciding how exactly he'd feature them at press time, but they will appear on the menu beginning Thursday.

Vermilion

Chef Will Morris received his first shipment of fiddleheads today. He's still finalizing menu items, though upcoming possibilities include a soup with a fiddlehead chow chow. Stay tuned.

Trummer's on Main

Chef Austin Fausett uses fiddleheads in his Honey Mussels and Potato Gnocchi entree, which also includes braised leeks, macadamia nuts and a bacon and espelette broth ($30).

BLT Steak

Chef Jeremy Shelton is serving lardo-wrapped halibut with a potato/ramp puree, fiddleheads, black trumpet mushrooms and lemon verbena jus. It's a special for $39.

Rogue 24

One of Rogue 24's courses right now combines smoked sunchokes with fiddleheads, weeds and spruce. Guests have an extra day each week to sample the dish: Rogue recently opened Sunday evenings.

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