Pop Stars

With the Oscars ceremony airing on February 22, we have movies on our minds, which, in turn, makes us crave popcorn. Thankfully, tubs of the movie-house salty snack drenched in fake butter aren’t the only options out there in 2015. In fact, every restaurant in town seems to be getting clever with the kernel these days—both as a snack and a surprising ingredient that plays well with others. "Popcorn can elevate anything and takes on different seasonings and spices really well," explains Zack Mills, executive chef at Wit & Wisdom. "Whether you’re 12, 20, or 40, it’s one of those universal foods that people love—that’s the beauty of it."

Pictured: The Popcorn Carbonara with bacon and a fried egg at Sascha's.

oh, the pop-abilities!

pen & quill

Soda + Pop: Candied bacon, brown sugar, and popcorn with a side of soda are ones to watch in 2015.

Farmstead Grill

Virginia peanuts, bacon bits, and caramel corn enjoy top billing.

Bookmaker’s Cocktail Club

Popcorn, brown butter, and Parmesan are well-cast co-stars.

Lib’s Grill

Black pepper, butter, basil, Parmesan, pesto, and truffle oil make a culinary blockbuster.

Cunningham’s

This portrayal—coated in brown butter with chunks of honey hazelnuts and espelette chili pepper—is simple and sweet.

“Not only does the popcorn add crunch and flavor, but it plays with a lot of different things and has the whimsy and nostalgic feeling of a comfort food.”

—Wit & Wisdom’s executive chef Zack Mills, who has used popcorn in his preparations for Maine lobster rolls and barbecued beef brisket.