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Join the Table: Grill Washington Post Food Critic Elazar Sontag in His Live Dining Chat

February 2, 2026 at 02:44 PM UTC

Join the Table: Grill Washington Post Food Critic Elazar Sontag in His Live Dining Chat

Food lovers in Washington, D.C., have a rare chance to pick the brain of Elazar Sontag, the Washington Post's bold new food critic who's shaking up the scene by ditching anonymity and reviving star ratings.[1][2] This live chat invites you to fire away with your toughest questions on the city's eats, from hidden gems to overhyped spots. Happening soon, it's your shot to influence DC dining coverage at a pivotal moment for the industry.[1]

Background/Context

Tom Sietsema dominated DC food criticism for over 25 years at the Washington Post, shaping tastes with his influential reviews.[1][2] He left in late 2025, creating a vacuum that Sontag filled in November after stints as restaurant editor at Bon Appétit and writer at Eater.[1][3]

Sontag, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and James Beard nominee, brings fresh energy from New York, Oakland, and San Francisco.[1][3] The Post announced his hiring amid broader shifts in food media, where critics increasingly embrace public personas over secrecy.[2]

This chat builds on his early moves, like hosting public tastings and spotlighting overlooked spots, signaling a more inclusive era for reviews.[1][2]

Main Analysis

Sontag's first big call: no more anonymity. Unlike predecessors, he reviews openly, leveraging his social media presence and YouTube experience.[1][2] "I was not an anonymous presence... it's really hard to do that if you can't show your face," he told Washingtonian.[1]

He's also resurrecting the star rating system, paused during the pandemic, to make critiques snappier and more accessible.[1][2] Early impressions? He's obsessed with Eden Center's noodle soups, Ethiopian and Eritrean fare, and soul food havens like Saint's Paradise Cafeteria.[1][2]

There, amid church cafeteria trays of fried fish and mac 'n' cheese, Sontag declared it "a living piece of history" on par with fine-dining temples.[2] His approach elevates community spots, not just white-tablecloth venues, reflecting his Bon Appétit days profiling diverse cuisines.[3]

The chat itself - titled "Dining chat: Ask Post food critic Elazar Sontag your questions" - is a Washington Post tradition, now supercharged by his vision.[1] Expect topics like DC's evolving scene, from Vietnamese pho havens to Eritrean injera feasts he's already raving about.[1]

Sontag admits limited prior DC knowledge but dives in wide-open: "I'm trying to eat it all. I’m not closing myself off to anything."[1] As America's youngest full-time print critic, he's blending old-school journalism with modern platforms.[1]

Real-World Impact

Diners win big: star ratings simplify choices in a city bursting with 10,000-plus eateries, helping navigate trends like fusion pop-ups and immigrant-led gems.[1][2] Restaurants feel it too - Sontag's public style means chefs spot him early, but his focus on substance over stealth could spotlight underdogs.[1]

For DC's scene, this matters now as post-pandemic recovery lags; clear, approachable reviews drive foot traffic to places like Eden Center, boosting local economies.[1] Broader implications? It democratizes criticism, making it "something that everyone needs," per Sontag, amid rising food costs and chef burnout.[2]

Small operators, like Saint's Paradise's soul food crew, gain visibility they rarely get, preserving cultural history in a gentrifying city.[2] Readers shape coverage directly via chat questions, turning passive consumers into active voices.[1]

Different Perspectives

Not everyone's on board with ditching anonymity. Traditionalists argue it biases service - servers might comp dishes or amp up performance for a known face.[1] Sontag counters that true feasibility died with social media; he's public anyway.[1]

Sietsema's fans miss his stealth precision, but Sontag frames changes as "generational," prioritizing reach over invisibility.[2] Bon Appétit colleagues praise his editor-eye for stories beyond stars, like community layers at cafeterias.[3]

Some see it as Post innovation matching rivals like the New York Times' evolving critic model.[1] Overall, sources agree: Sontag's chat could bridge divides, letting users probe these tensions live.[2]

Key Takeaways

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