When the President or Vice President heads out to a DC restaurant, there’s no question they’re going to be spotted. But these days, three less obvious administration names generate almost as much excitement: Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, his husband, Chasten, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Here’s a look at where they’ve been hanging out.
Doug Emhoff
Lincoln Memorial: Who needs a gym? Emhoff and his wife worked up a sweat jogging on the Lincoln Memorial steps.
Floriana: This Dupont Circle Italian restaurant erected a Biden/Harris–inspired Christmas tree, so the Second Couple went by to check it out (and pick up some takeout).
Shop Made in DC: Emhoff made a solo visit to this makers’ space at the Wharf, also stopping to admire a nearby crochet mural of Harris.
National Arboretum: The duo spent a spring Sunday at the plant-centric destination.
Centrolina: After attending the Pride parade, he and Harris had brunch at the downtown osteria.
The Cakeroom: Emhoff toured the Adams Morgan bakery and left with some German chocolate cake for his wife.
Immigrant Food: The fast-casual restaurant offers a dish called Madam VP’s Heritage Bowl—so obviously, that’s what Emhoff ordered.
Nationals Park: While Harris hosted a dinner for women senators at their residence, her husband headed to a Nats/Pirates face-off.
Atlas Brew Works: He also popped by this brewery when in the neighborhood for the game.
Le Diplomate: Emhoff and Harris joined the Bidens for bistro food and quality time after they all visited Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.
Doug Emhoff and Chasten Buttigieg
Wine & Butter: The Second Gentleman met up with Chasten for a coffee outside the Capitol Hill cafe. The spouses had gotten to know each other on the campaign trail.
Kramers: The pals ate lunch at the bookstore’s cafe. Emhoff bought a copy of Seth Rogen’s memoir.
Pete Buttigieg
Eastern Market: The Secretary of Transportation was spotted with Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Mission Navy Yard: Buttigieg and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez grabbed tacos and beer at the Navy Yard cantina.
Pacers Running: He was seen snagging a pair of running socks at the Navy Yard store.
Fight Club: The sandwich shop sent out a press release touting Buttigieg’s visit. His order: a fried-chicken sandwich, mezcal punch, and churros.
William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center: Buttigieg swam some morning laps at the public pool in Eastern Market.
Bethesda Bagels: The schmear shop is just a block from DoT HQ.
Bluejacket: He dropped by the brewery with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh.
Chasten Buttigieg
Capitol Hill Books: Chasten checked out the indie bookstore days after his husband’s confirmation.
Pete and Chasten Buttigieg
Virginia Avenue Park: The couple took their rescue pups, Truman and Buddy, to play in the Southeast dog park.
The Duck & the Peach: Pete’s mother joined them for dinner at the New American restaurant.
Float DC: The pair celebrated their third anniversary on a picnic boat riding down the Potomac.
This article appears in the August 2021 issue of Washingtonian.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.
