The third and final contender in our special Washington D.C. edition of Grub Match is international attorney and chicken and waffles aficionado Margaret Dennis. Her pick is Crème, a brunch favorite in the northwest quadrant of the city that serves up Southern specialties. Here’s more from Margaret on why she loves both comfort food from home and surprises from abroad:

Do you have any food pet peeves?
“Artistic” (i.e., tiny) portions.  I’m all for savoring my food and not wolfing it down like I’m starving, but if I’m paying to eat out I’d like to leave full.

You’re headed to a deserted island to live on grass and coconut milk–what’s your last meal before you go?
A deliciously prepared cassoulet.  You really can’t beat it on a cold winter’s night.

You’ve come into uncountable gobs of money—who do you hire as your personal chef?
Deb Perelman of the Smitten Kitchen food blog.  Not only are all of her recipes outstandingly delicious, she always has amusing commentary, and I feel that would be a useful trait if someone were standing in your kitchen all day making food.

What’s the single most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
That’s pretty hard to pick.  I’ll go with one key memorable one.  When I was 15, I spent the summer with a family in a tiny village in Alsace, France.  At one point we went over to the grandmother’s house for homemade tarte flambé cooked in her grandmother’s clay oven.  It was one of the first time’s I’d been abroad and I’d never realized food could taste that different from what I was used to in the U.S….and that fabulous.

Alright, so tell us about your Grub Match pick.
Crème is my go-to brunch spot. I’m from South Carolina and need the occasional dose of southern cooking to keep me happy.

What are three words that describe this place?
Satisfying, relaxed, delicious.

What’s your favorite item on the menu?
The chicken and waffles, hands down – it’s a most perfect brunch experience. You have the sweet, you have the salty.  It’s everyone’s favorite surprise combination breakfast, and allows me to lump multiple delicious foods under the heading “one thing.”

Why will your restaurant be crowned Grub Match champion?
The food is excellent, particularly for the price.  I think once the full dining experience of the options is weighed, Crème will come out on top – especially if the others went there for brunch.

Sounds like it’s time for the showdown. Will the chicken and waffles at Crème be enough to best Mignon and Martha’s picks? Check back soon to find out!

Want to take part in a future Grub Match? Tell us about your favorite restaurant at submissions@pitchknives.com.