Hello! Welcome to Dontmissmyplate.

Thank you for visiting my website! I'm Maxine, a food blogger, home cook, travel enthusiast, and lover of food and culture. I’m passionate about fusion cuisine, a style of cooking that blends ingredients and techniques from different countries, regions, and traditions.

My approach is influenced by both Southern African and American cooking, shaped by my life experiences and reflected in the diversity of my recipes. I also focus on farm-to-table cooking, using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally whenever possible. I believe food tastes best when it’s in season and close to its origin.

Travel plays a big role in how I cook and create. I love sharing my food adventures, from what I’ve eaten to where to eat, while discovering new flavors, cultures, and techniques that continue to inspire me.

I hope this space feels helpful and inspiring. Whether you're in the mood for something familiar or ready to try something new, you’ll find plenty to explore here. Happy cooking!

Proper 21 - Downtown, DC

Proper 21 - Downtown, DC

dontmissmyplate

Proper 21 exudes class. The atmosphere is fancy but not in a pretentious way. The food, cocktails, and happy hour specials? All worth it.

Rating: 5 star plates 🍽️ 🍽️ 🍽️ 🍽️ 🍽️

They offer half off wine bottles on Wednesdays which is a great deal, I mean a $50 bottle for $25? They have great options for appetizers and happy hour snacks including a meatball flatbread and well-known mac and cheese.

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Proper 21 flatbreads are a great way to start.

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For the more healthy oriented folks, try the "B4" salad super nutritious and tasty (bacon, blood orange, blue cheese and beets).

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One of their star dishes is the cracked pepper lamb chops, presented so beautifully with a blood orange sauce and mashed potato with bacon.

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Finally, dessert! They have a number of options including churros waffles topped with ice cream, but they offer something that's a lot more interactive. Straight out of their sundae lab Proper 21 has gamified a menu specifically for you to get your ice cream on.

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The credit-based sheet menu allows you to select your base, ice cream, sauce, toppings, and a boozy addition if you wish. I had to try the bacon cookies topped with salted caramel ice cream, caramel sauce, Oreos, with a little jug of Bailey's on the side.


Purple Patch - Mt Pleasant, DC

Purple Patch - Mt Pleasant, DC
Cucina Al Volo Pizzeria - Downtown, DC

Cucina Al Volo Pizzeria - Downtown, DC
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