Kirsten Koch
Guide
Kirsten was born and grew up in Yorktown Virginia, approximately ten minutes away from the site of the last major battle of the American Revolution. Overly easy access to Colonial Williamsburg and the battlefield led the impressionable young girl to a lifelong, downward spiral into studying history. To her further detriment, she became a theatre kid. After many childhood misadventures with wolf spiders and small, invasive cactuses on the Yorktown Battlefield, Kirsten attended The College of William & Mary, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre (specialization in historical costuming) and eventually went on to a Masters in history from Norwich University (specializing in women in medieval and early modern military history).
Professionally, Kirsten has haunted several historic sites and museums in the DC area, including Ford’s theatre, the Manassas Museum, the National Colonial Farm, and the United States Capitol. She can usually be found somewhere around town yelling about the Civil War or relaxing at home with her cats reading romatasy novels. But if she isn’t doing either of those things, you can probably find her in one of these favorite spots:
RECOMMENDATIONS
If I was dying and only had time for one more meal, it would be my mom’s pumpkin-chocolate swirl cheesecake. Like, the whole thing. But the black miso cheese ramen from Kaiju would be a close contender. Try it with the Mio Sparkling Sake or a Hokkaido fruit beer.
Get the Akeno roll, thank me later.
There’s one on Connecticut Avenue, there’s one next to the Virginia Square metro stop. This is not the most upscale steak house, but impossible to beat for value.
This is a strip mall at the heart of the DC area’s V-town. Getting here will require a car because it is in the suburbs, but the immediate area includes many great options for authentic Asian cuisine, including Yechon (Korean barbecue), Gom Shabu (hot pot), Tea-Do (bubble tea and snacks), and Hong Kong Pearl (dim sum). Stock up on anime and K-pop merch while you’re in the area.
Also near the Virginia square metro. They give you complimentary prosciutto and mix some of the pastas in a giant cheese wheel. Make reservations.
“Everywhere you go around the world, you’ll find an Irish pub.” This is my preferred one in downtown DC.
Daniel O’Connel’s Irish Restaurant and Bar
My favorite Irish pub, in Old Town Alexandria. Features multiple fireplaces, full Irish breakfast served all night, pretty sure there’s a portrait of Bram Stoker on one of the walls.
Excellent choice for happy hour. They have a massive menu. Something for everyone.
Find me on Venmo if you'd like to add gratuity