Flavors & Friends: The Dōgon Experience
This is a long one—for good reason. We ate a lot!
For a friend’s birthday dinner, I recommended Dōgon, another Black-owned restaurant. So, four friends and I ventured back into the city on a Sunday night to celebrate. Shout out to my friends for all being on time. The night was already off to a great start! I had visited Dōgon once before, back in November, and thought it would be a great spot for a birthday dinner. Plus, the birthday girl had mentioned wanting to try it, so it felt like the perfect choice.
The Location… Dōgon is located at 1330 Maryland Ave SW, inside the Salamander Hotel, a stunning property that perfectly complements the restaurant’s aesthetic. The hotel offers valet parking, though I had a frustrating experience with it (just check your keys before leaving, that’s all I’ll say). There’s a parking garage nearby, but be mindful that it closes at a certain time—two of my friends had to wait for someone to reopen it after dinner. If you’re lucky, you might find street parking.
The Vibes… Dōgon exudes an intimate, moody, and sophisticated ambiance—perfect for a date night or a girls' night out. The playlist was a topic of conversation at our table multiple times; we loved the music selection, and the volume was just right. It set the mood without overpowering our conversation.
The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, from the hostess and servers to the managers and even the chefs we spotted while making our way to the restroom. They also offered coat check, which I appreciated because I hate worrying about my coat—plus, I needed everyone to see the outfit that took me two hours to put together!
I really enjoyed the open-kitchen concept. We sat close enough to get a glimpse of the chefs in action, which added to the overall experience.
The Drinks… My friends stuck with their usual favorites: Espresso Martinis, Lemon Drops, and wine. I ordered my go-to as well. We didn’t venture into the signature cocktails this time. Also, Dōgon has a small bar area, so if you can’t get a reservation, it may be worth trying to grab a seat at the bar.
The Food… One thing to note: Dōgon is not normally open on Sundays. Did they open just for my friend’s birthday? Maybe! But I assume it was due to Valentine's Day weekend or the Presidents' Day holiday. Because of this, the menu was very limited. We decided to order a little bit of this and that and share, family-style.
We started with:
Coco Bread – Soft, pillowy, buttery, and delicious. It was reminiscent of the Jamaican coco bread of my dreams. The whipped Malted Sorghum Butter that accompanied it was chef’s kiss perfection.
Cornbread – A classic cornbread reminiscent of what your granny would make, but the Spiced Shiro Butter elevated it to another level.
For sides and appetizers, we ordered:
BBQ Greens – One of my favorite collard green dishes in the DMV. Slightly sweet from the BBQ, with just the right amount of vinegar—which I love in my greens. Everything in this dish meshed so well. Highly recommend.
Sweet & Sour Cabbage – As a roasted cabbage lover, this was a hit for me. The toasted coconut vin gave it a great kick. Be sure to get some of that sauce on your cabbage—it makes all the difference.
Charbroiled Oysters – These were just okay. The portion came with three per order, and we got two orders, but I felt like there was more cheese than oyster. I wouldn’t order them again.
Piri Piri Salad – My friends joked about this dish because they expected a more traditional salad, but nothing about Dogōn is traditional! The menu listed cucumber, toasted almonds, and avocado, but it had much more than that—I spotted tomatoes and fruit in the mix too. The dressing was delicious, though, so I enjoyed it despite not knowing exactly what was in it. LOL
And then we had even more food…
Mom Dukes Shrimp – Holy Trinity, Frenchman Butter, and Lemon. This dish wasn’t even on the limited menu, but we asked if they had any shrimp options. Our server checked with the chef, and they put this together for us. The sauce was incredible, and the flavors blended beautifully.
Flash-Fried Branzino in a Brown Stew Sauce – Another off-menu creation by the chef, and my absolute favorite dish of the night! It came with a side of rice and beans, which were just as flavorful.
Jollof Rice – Also not on the menu, but somehow, we worked some magic and got them to make it for us. This was my third time having jollof rice, and this was the most flavorful version I’ve tried.
To top off the night, we ordered the Rum Cake to share. I’m not a cake or sweets person, but this was well worth the carbs and calories. It was warm, topped with fruit and vanilla whipped cream—absolutely delicious. Next time I break my diet, it will be for this cake!
Final Thoughts… The Dōgon experience truly is an experience. A few things to note: While our server was amazing, it did take a while to receive our food. Given that they aren’t typically open on Sundays, we gave them some grace. Also, as you can see from the images, the portions are on the smaller side. However, after everything we ordered, we left feeling full and satisfied.
Dōgon was one of the most highly anticipated restaurant openings in DC, and while they’re still working out some things, I highly recommend giving it a try. Let me know what you think if you go!
Cheers!
