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!

Urban Plates - Tysons, VA

Urban Plates - Tysons, VA

dontmissmyplate

Urban Plates’ food is fresh and all made in-house including the pastries. The market-style means you get your food asap and can see everything that goes into your plate. I suggest the following dishes: the barbeque pork ribs, the bahn mi sandwich, the antioxidant salad, and their signature mango tart.

Rating: 3 star plates 🍽️ 🍽️ 🍽️

This is a West Coast company originally but they have locations in both Maryland and Virginia now. They are as sustainable and organic as possible, sourcing most of their ingredients locally. Their food is fresh and all made in house including the pastries. The market style means you get your food asap and can see all the elements that go on your plate in front of you. Best part is as you are doing this you are interacting with the chefs and so the middleman is cut out.

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A conveyor belt of fresh and healthy farm-to-table ingredients prepared that say you can select as you watch.

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When people say a salad is good for your health they must have been talking about Urban Plates’ heap of antioxidants that is both filling and refreshing at the same time.

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Probably one of the best bahn mi sandwiches I have ever had. Juicy and packed with pickled vegetables and slow cooked pork.

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This set of ribs are so juicy topped with a mango relish I could take home and eat repeatedly.

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The pastries are made fresh and the mango tart is one of Urban Plates signature desserts which is elegant and tasty!

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Baronessa Italian Restaurant - Rockville, MD

Baronessa Italian Restaurant - Rockville, MD
Joselito - Capitol Hill, DC

Joselito - Capitol Hill, DC
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