I’m at all times grateful when individuals ask me the place they need to eat. But in addition panicked. My psychological rolodex goes bonkers — flipping by way of longtime favorites, updating with latest finds, after which cross-tabulating by no matter schlepping, dietary, or different restrictions I used to be given. I freeze in place for what seems like endlessly — possibly half-a-McConnell, however with out the Remaining Jeopardy tune to fill the silence.
I’d wish to spare myself additional trauma. This web page is a one-stop store for my favourite eating places within the DC space. It’ll be a residing doc that I’ll replace as usually as I can. The Prime 25 is my present record of favorites, no matter delicacies or value. The focused lists beneath the top-25 are further choices inside explicit cuisines or classes.
Rick’s Prime 25 — Launched June 9, 2024; Replace 6/10/24: departure of Maiz64 chef; James Beard award to Chef Morishita of Perry’s
1. Moon Rabbit, 927 F Road NW, Washington DC (Penn Quarter)
I’d comply with chef Kevin Tien wherever — and I’ve, from Himitsu, to Emilie’s, to Moon Rabbit #1, and now to the recently-opened Moon Rabbit #2. And that’s simply prior to now 5 years. The most recent incarnation of Moon Rabbit occupies a beautiful Penn Quarter area that when housed CoCo Sala, DC’s first — and hopefully solely — chocolate-themed restaurant. Tien’s cooking at MR2 is grounded in his Vietnamese heritage punctuated with riffs from his Louisiana childhood and different influences. As at all times, Tien’s meals is advanced and inventive — there’s at all times so much happening — however unfailingly scrumptious. If I needed to choose one DC chef to make my final meal, I’m going with Tien. However earlier than I get overly fan-boy — too late, I do know — don’t miss Beard-nominated pastry chef Susan Bae’s choices. They’re the proper complement to Tien’s savory dishes and replicate the identical creative-without-sacrificing-deliciousness sensibility.
Shrimp Thermidor with shellfish sabayon, effective herbs, Meyer lemon (somebody prompt getting an order of Bae’s annatto bread to sop us the elegant sauce and I’m all for it)
Squid Boudin with charred eggplant puree, crispy chickpeas, herbs
Inexperienced Curry Sponge Cake with avocado sorbet, soursop mousse, fish sauce caramel, finger lime
2. Queen’s English, 3410 eleventh Road NW, Washington DC (Columbia Heights)
Like Moon Rabbit, Queen’s English is a extremely private restaurant delivering one-of-a-kind Asian flavors reflecting the chef’s roots. My common reader (hello, mother!) gained’t be stunned to see them each main the pack. Queen’s English is run by husband-and-wife staff of Henji Cheung and Sarah Thompson. Henji’s cooking is predicated on the Cantonese and Hakkanese flavors he grew up on, whereas Sarah runs the entrance of the home and the top-flight wine program (Sarah was named Michelin’s DC Sommelier of the 12 months for 2023). That is the place to strive substances that could be much less acquainted or that some could also be squeamish about (strive the pig-ear salad). Veggie dishes just like the Mushroom Mushroom and the Truffle Dumpling are so good you gained’t miss the meat (which is a trope I hate as a result of it’s not often true; so you’ll be able to belief me on this).
Crispy Pig Ear w watercress, lychee, goji French dressing
Mushroom Mushroom w royal trumpet, pickled shimeji, tofu ranch, dill
Truffle Dumpling w edamame, shallot, corn espuma
3. Albi/Yellow, Albi 1346 4th Road SE, Washington DC (Navy Yard); Yellow 1524 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC (Georgetown)
Chef Michael Rafidi is one other native treasure who hit his stride by channeling his roots. Rafidi grew up in Maryland however the cooking on the upscale Albi and the extra informal Yellow is impressed by his household in Ramallah and what his grandparents cooked at house. Albi showcases a wood-fired open fireside, which not solely imbues most of the dishes with smoke and char however elevates the entire vibe of the place. Like Maydan — and to a lesser extent The Dabney and Centrolina — Albi’s open hearth creates a primal feeling of security and neighborhood in gathering round a hearth to eat. Yellow is a superb spot for breakfast or lunch (test it out within the DC episode of Someone Feed Phil on Netflix). Each spots have wonderful hummus, baba ganoush, and felafel to fill out your order. And don’t miss Yellow’s Batata Tots (stacked potato squares) or the stacked potato column known as Batata Harra at Albi. They’re culinary and architectural marvels.
Hummus (Yellow Cafe)
Felafel w pickled onion (Yellow Cafe)
Wooden-Grilled Branzino w Batata Harra (Albi)
4. Lutece, 1522 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC (Georgetown)
There’s a lot to like at this jewel-box French spot that helped cement the re-foodie-fication of Georgetown. Signatures just like the charred Napa cabbage, duck breast, Parisian gnocchi, and honey semifreddo are constants, though the particular preparations differ and many of the menu modifications with the seasons. Seize a seat inside in the event you’re into close-quarter conviviality. I normally go for a desk on the sidewalk, which tends to be extra peaceable aside from the periodic Metrobus or when Yellow subsequent door is operating a wait.
La belle farm duck w beets, kumquats, sauce bigarde
Parisian Gnocchi w inexperienced garlic, tomato
5. Bar Spero, 250 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC (Capitol Crossing, between Union Station and Chinatown)
Bon Appetit named Bar Spero one of many nation’s greatest new eating places of 2023 and also you gained’t get any pushback from me (though BA misplaced me when it described Bar Spero as an “ode to Basque nightlife”). What I’m positive of is that there are numerous good issues popping out of the kitchen, usually seafood- and veggie-forward and cooked over an open hearth. I’ve solely been as soon as however every little thing was a success — the hearth-grilled bread from Manifest Bakery (with the hen liver mousse), grilled oysters, beef tartare, the burger (which Spero initially made well-known at Reverie), baked potato with smoked egg, Jonah Crab Rice, Beef Rib, and Burnt Cheesecake ice cream. If that is what I’m lacking late at evening in Basque Nation, I’ll should guide a visit to San Sebastian and keep up previous my bedtime.
Jonah Crab Rice with Carolina gold rice and crab fats custard
Russet potato dusted with smoked egg
Burnt Cheesecake Ice Cream
6. L’Ardente, 200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC (Capitol Crossing, between Union Station and Chinatown)
Chef David Deshaies (additionally of Unconventional Diner) educated below the late-great Michel Richard at Citronelle, so it’s no shock that the dishes he places out might be beautifully-executed and infrequently comprise a contact of caprice. However don’t let the whimsy idiot you. These are critical dishes which have the arrogance to not take themselves too severely. A few of them you might know from social media — the 40-layer lasagna could also be DC’s most Instagrammed dish ever — however they style nearly as good as they give the impression of being. By the best way, in contrast to many prime eating places, L’Ardente can be nice lunch spot. My go-to is among the wonderful salads or possibly a pasta, after which casually ask my table-mates if we must always order a funghi pizza for the desk. I don’t expressly say that my day might be ruined if they are saying no, however possibly they’ll sense it. Up to now nobody’s stated no.
Lunchtime Salad Verde with Prawns
Funghi Pizza w morel mornay and wild mushrooms
The 40-layer lasagna with short-rib sugo, truffle mornay
7. St. Anselm, 1250 fifth Road NE, Washington DC (Union Market)
St. Anselm is my favourite steakhouse in DC and the closest factor now we have to a positive factor. Nobody doesn’t take pleasure in consuming there. The menu is filled with crowd-pleasers like the enduring biscuits with pimento cheese, blue-crab deviled eggs, salads that don’t attempt to reinvent the wheel, the sleeper salmon collar, and properly-cooked steaks starting from the butcher’s reduce to the ax-handle ribeye. It seems like a contemporary, bumped-up tackle what’s comforting and acquainted with out shedding what made them comforting and acquainted within the first place. See Caruso’s Grocery, beneath, for an additional profitable instance of updating the classics.
Biscuits with Pimento Cheese
Salmon Collar
Ax-Deal with Ribeye
8. Thip Khao, 3462 14th Road NW, Washington DC (Columbia Heights); Baan Mae, 1604 seventh Road NW, Washington DC (Shaw), Padaek, 6395 Seven Corners Middle, Falls Church, VA
There are such a lot of nice dishes within the DC space. But when I needed to choose my absolute favourite, it’d should be Chef Seng Luangrath’s Naem Khoa (Laotian crispy rice salad). It’s at all times on the menu at her flagship Thip Khao and Padaek in Falls Church (though it’s not on the latest opening menu at Baan Mae, I hope it’s only a matter of time). The salad begins with coconut rice, frivolously crisped and a bit heat (take-out sadly loses the crisp) after which tosses it with peanut, lime, scallion, cilantro, bitter pork, mint, banana blossom, pink onion, and a sprinkling of pixie mud. It comes with lettuce leaves for wrapping. It’s crunchy, nutty, candy, bitter, porky, salty, spicy, herbaceous, heat, cool, and funky. When you’re somebody who hates it when totally different meals contact in your plate, it is probably not for you. However in the event you’re like me and also you’re continuously forking dibs and dabs from totally different sections of your plate in search of that good chunk, that is your holy grail.
ps – There are many different nice selections to fill out your order. Simply know that a lot of it’s spicy, and after they say spicy, don’t be like me — consider them:
However it’s a superb type of ache
Naem Khao — Crispy coconut rice salad, preserved pork sausage, banana blossom, mint, scallion, cilantro, onion
Tapioca dumplings, preserved radish & peanut caramel, cilantro
Crab Curry with lychee and snap pea
9. Anju, 1805 18th Road NW, Washington DC (Dupont Circle)
Anju, with its mixture of conventional and up to date takes on Korean homestyle dishes, stays a tricky reservation virtually 5 years after its opening. And it’s a favourite of the meals cognoscenti as nicely — Washingtonian named it the #1 restaurant within the DC space for 2020. Anju’s starters are all wonderful, particularly the craveable fried hen with gochujang glaze and white bbq drizzle and the meat tartare (I do discover myself wanting a greater conveyance for the tartare than pretty-but-fragile lotus chips). For the primary course, I beeline for no matter variations of fried rice and/or rice muffins are on the menu after which decide on a protein (or two). At brunch, it’s arduous to withstand the consolation of the Shrimp Juk. Until it’s the decadence of the PB&J French Toast.
Yukhoe — Beef tartare with palm sugar, chili basil seeds, pine nuts, lotus crisps
Chikin — Half-fried hen with spicy gochujang glaze, white bbq drizzle
10. Centrolina, 974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington DC (Metropolis Middle)
Chef Amy Brandwein by no means seems a nasty dish. Not as a result of she doesn’t take dangers. She does, usually defying settled expectations. I can’t think about what number of occasions her waitstaff has needed to clarify that, sure, the Bolognese sauce is white. Her dishes really feel each grounded in elemental methods — charred, pickled, burnt, or confited parts are widespread — and but utterly elevated. It’s what our ancestors may need aspired to out on the savannah with higher product and a little bit of approach. Put in a different way, Chef Brandwein can be nice on a tenting journey.
Roasted Chanterelle with Parmesan creme brulee
Squid Ink Fusilli with octopus ragu
Merely Grilled Sea Scallops
11. Pastis, 1323 4th Road NE, Washington DC (Union Market); Le Diplomate, 1601 14th Road NW (Washington DC) (14th Road hall)
Not since Crew Edward and Crew Jacob have Washingtonians been compelled to decide on sides like this. Now we have dueling Stephen Starr productions designed to move you to the Parisian culinary setting of your desires — the quintessential bistro (Pastis) and the quintessential brasserie (Le Dip). So which is healthier? My wishy-washy take is that they’re roughly equal and it’s best to go together with what sort of “crowded” you’re in search of — the comfy form (Pastis) or the bustling form (Le Dip). The extra nuanced reply is it relies upon what you’re within the temper for. When you ‘re a bread-head, it’s benefit Le Dip for its bountiful basket over Pastis’ sliced sourdough. When you care about frites, it’s Le Dip once more for its thinner/crisper fries, though the Pastis fries are properly salted. As for the steak accompanying these frites, I like Pastis’ succulent bar reduce higher than Le Dip’s hanger steak that may be good one go to and gamey the following. Each do wonderful inexperienced salads however the leeks French dressing at Pastis provides it the sting from the backyard (I do just like the Heat Shrimp Salad at Le Dip however that’s extra of a lightweight meal than a starter). For dessert, Pastis’ textbook creme caramel will get the nod over Le Dip’s been-there-done-that creme brûlée. I do know some individuals swear by the profiteroles at each spots, however I’m not a fan of pate a choux, the identical dough that’s used for different unlucky concoctions like creme puffs. So that you’re by yourself there.
Bar Steak Frites at Pastis
Creme Caramel at Pastis
Bread Station at Le Dip
Steak Frites at Le Dip
12. Seven Causes, 931 H Road NW, Washington DC (Metropolis Middle); Imperfecto, 1124 twenty third St NW, Washington DC (Foggy Backside)
I fell for Venezuelan-born Chef Enrique Limardo’s vibrant cooking the primary time I went to Seven Causes and tried his arepitas, latin felafel, ceviche, bomba rice, and complete fish. The restaurant lately relocated from its 14th Road townhouse to Metropolis Middle (the place DBGB was) and it appears to be like like my favorites survived the transfer. Imperfecto is Limardo’s fancier soak up a hovering area with a buzzy Miami vibe. Like Seven Causes, no matter you order at Imperfecto could have attention-grabbing, cross-cutting flavors and look lovely on the plate. The crudos, pastas, tiger prawns, and tartares (each tuna and steak) are winners, and the lamb terrine combines the standard (lamb shoulder) and the luxe (truffles) right into a unified yin-yang complete.
I ought to notice that Pleasure, owned by the identical Seven Causes group, is positioned in Friendship Heights actually blocks from my home. It didn’t make my prime 25. It seems like my nook of the DMV at all times appears to finish up with a restaurant group’s weakest choices. We get Pleasure, Q by Peter Chang, and Black’s Bar & Kitchen. The remainder of you get Seven Causes/Imperfecto, Mama Chang/Chang Chang, and Black Salt/Black’s Market. However am I bitter? As bitter as espresso comprised of a ten year-old jar of Folger’s Crystals that sits out all day after which will get re-heated within the microwave. With a splash of bitters.
Tiger Prawns “a la diablo” Lemon-butter sauce, Imperfecto Cholula, house-made sourdough (Imperfecto)
Lamb Terrine Robuchon’s pomme purée, pink cabbage confit, lamb jus, truffle (Imperfecto)
Complete Fried Fish (Seven Causes)
13. 2Fifty Texas BBQ, 4700 Riverdale Rd, Riverdale Park MD; 414 Okay Road NW, Washington DC (Mt Vernon Sq.)
Sometime I’ll inform my grandkids how arduous we had it again within the day, when locations like Purple Sizzling & Blue and Rocklands have been state-of-the-art DC barbeque and catered each company summer time outing. You’ll by no means know such hardship, I”ll reassure them; you’ll be able to stroll right down to 2Fifty BBQ any day of the week and get brisket nearly as good as something in Texas. I’ll ignore the budding logician who factors out they’re not allowed to even cross the road and ask if any of them can inform me what particular factor occurs at 2Fifty each Thursday. That’s when little Tommy, my favourite, whom I’d been drilling for simply this second, raises his fist within the air and shouts “Thursday is pastrami day, grandpa! And it’s one of the best on the town!” That’s once I normally get up. I don’t marvel what all of it means or whether or not I’d be a superb grandpa. My first thought is whether or not it’s Thursday.
One fly within the ointment: whereas 2Fifty does a superb job with pork ribs, they don’t rise to the extent of the brisket. My favourite DC-area ribs I’ve discovered so far are at Monk’s BBQ in Purcellville, Virginia, however I haven’t made it to numerous the BBQ spots in rural MD/VA, so ideas welcomed.
Beef Brisket, pork ribs, and burnt ends
Pastrami Sandwich (Thursdays solely)
14. Caruso’s Grocery, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC (Capitol Hill), 11820 Commerce St, N Bethesda, MD (Pike & Rose); Cucina Morini, 901 4th Road NW, Washington DC (Mt Vernon Sq.)
Chef Matt Adler is the widespread thread right here. Caruso’s Grocery is Adler’s homage to traditional Italian-American cooking like his dad’s restaurant Scoozi in upstate New York — remember to strive the calamari, the spicy neapolitan ragu, the veal francaise, and the parm (I agree with Adler’s view that veal parm > hen parm). Just lately-opened Cucina Morini, in contrast, is grounded in Adler’s love of Italian regional cooking and the flavors of Sicily and its shoreline — strive the tomato focaccia, the crudos, the paccheri alla norma, and the pollo all diavola. What I really like about Adler’s method to cooking is that whereas he values and appreciates custom — there’s a purpose classics turned classics — he’s additionally a tinkerer who takes dishes aside and places them again collectively utilizing methods and substances that enhance on the unique. A number of weeks in the past Adler posted an image on X of a house-baked cornetto full of pistachio cream he’d been engaged on for Morini’s new brunch service. He requested individuals to weigh in on whether or not his prototype had an excessive amount of cream filling. The clear consensus was you can by no means have an excessive amount of cream filling, which might have been a good greater landslide if I might’ve considered extra faux X handles.
15. Maiz 64, 1324 14th St NW (14th St Hall)
Mexico Metropolis Chef Alam Mendez’s tackle Mexican classics was one among my favourite DC restaurant to open in 2021. Something with corn — the tacos, tamales, tortilla soup, and so on — and mains just like the grilled fish and the duck have been all scrumptious. However it’s been some time since my final go to, and so they had a hearth this spring that closed them down for some time. I would like to verify they’ve re-opened and that Chef Floria remains to be there (anybody?). Watch this area for updates. [Update: Chef Mendez has left Maiz 64 and is opening a new taqueria near Union Market this summer called Apapacho; at this point, I’d take Maiz 64 off the list pending a re-visit]
Asada Taco — Grilled Hanger Steak with grilled onion, avocado, cilantro, heirloom corn tortilla
Broccoli Taco with black mole and cashews
Duck Breast
16. Cielo Rojo, 7211 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park MD
Maya Angelou stated that folks will neglect what you stated, and so they’ll neglect what you probably did, however they’ll always remember the way you made them really feel. I’ve by no means left Cielo Rojo not feeling higher than once I confirmed up. The husband and spouse staff of David Perez and Carolina McCandless do issues proper, from cautious product sourcing and processing, to Perez’s well-conceived dishes (I at all times begin with the terrific pozole), to the welcoming vibe McCandless creates within the entrance of the home. And now that they’ve moved into lovely new digs a stone’s throw down Carroll Avenue, Perez and McCandless have a greater platform to do their factor. Hospitality sounds straightforward — simply feed individuals nicely and make them really feel taken care of. But when it have been, everybody would do it.
Guacamole & Tostadas + Herbs
Pozole Rojo
Tres Leches
17. The Duck & The Peach, 300 seventh St SE, Washington DC (Capitol Hill)
A lot of the cooking at TD&TP revolves across the French Rotisol fuel rotisserie. That’s proper, every little thing at TD&TP revolves round a financial institution of revolving spits. Until, that’s, somebody fired their Smith & Wesson on the Beatles album enjoying on the turntable. Then every little thing would revolve round a revolver aside from the revolver taking pictures Revolver.
But when the rotisserie is French, the meals at TD&TP is decidedly American. It’s the type of trustworthy, easy cooking that I think about discovering at a bit farm-to-table place simply exterior Woodstock, Vermont on a crisp fall day. There’s nothing fussy or tweezered, simply clear, seasonal meals, merely ready. And a particular notice of appreciation for the well-spaced tables within the eating room. The final word luxurious lately is having the ability to go to the restroom throughout dinner with out apologizing to neighboring tables.
Rotisserie Duck with citrus French dressing and scallions
Rotisserie Sea Bass
Caramel Apple Cake
18. Perry’s, 1811 Columbia Highway NW, Washington DC (Adams Morgan)
What a change a chef could make. Earlier than chef Masako Morishita confirmed up, Perry’s was the place with the great roof deck that’d pop into my head the three days a yr Sonia declared the climate too good to sit down inside. Now I don’t look forward to the climate report and rely myself fortunate once I can snag a desk wherever on the premises. Sushi and different uncooked fish preparations are pretty but it surely’s chef Morishita’s cooked dishes, just like the grilled avocado, udon carbonara, and shrimp katsu burger, that hold me coming again and answering “first obtainable” when the host asks if I want exterior or inside. [6/10/24 update: Chef Morishita just won the James Beard award for Emerging Chef of the Year!]
Grilled Avocado with shiso chimichurri & tamari-cured egg yolk
Shrimp Katsu Burger
19. A&J Restaurant, 1319-C, Rockville Pike, Rockville MD; 4316 Markham St, Annandale VA
I’m a sucker for anywhere with a employees desk within the eating room the place servers on break are scarfing down dumpling and noodle dishes. For me, there’s no higher commercial for A&J than the gusto and the ability that the employees brings to the duty. I research their approach — do they choose up the bowl? do they take a chunk of the dumpling or pop all of it of their mouth? — and attempt to establish what they’re consuming on the menu for subsequent time. For sure, I’m not nice firm and attempt to go alone. By now, I’ve tried a superb chunk of the handmade noodles and different dim sum choices on A&J’s lengthy menu and there’s nothing I wouldn’t be blissful to eat once more. Sheets of fried pork potstickers, fused collectively like King’s Hawaiian Buns, make an look at most tables. Simply keep in mind it’s money solely (these strips of paper in your pockets subsequent to the receipts you forgot to throw away).
Cucumbers with garlic sauce
Pork Potstickers
Beef Noodle Soup
20. Inexperienced Almond Pantry, 3210 Grace St NW, Washington DC (Georgetown)
This pretty Georgetown lunch spot is so tucked away that even the Untuckit guys ultimately gave up and went house. However persevere and also you’ll be rewarded with Cagla Onal-Urel’s contemporary, private Mediterranean cooking in a civilized area removed from the madding crowd. Day by day chalkboard specials compete with outdated favorites like a steak & egg sandwich, salads, dips, and just-baked-by-Cagla focaccia. Huge information: This summer time, Onal-Urel will open a 42-seat full-service Turkish restaurant in an adjoining area known as My Little Chamomile.
Steak & Egg Sandwich
Eggplant and Tomato Focaccia
21. Pappe, 1317 14th St NW, Washington DC (14th St Hall)
Rasika is rightly revered for setting the usual for Indian cooking in DC (if for no different purpose than its iconic palak chaat). Nonetheless, I want the punch and vibrancy of Pappe to Rasika’s extra refined take. When you’re completely averse to warmth and spice, Pappe is probably not for you. However in the event you take pleasure in some warmth — or in the event you can tolerate it with a gradual stream of mango lassis and dishes of raita — you’ll be rewarded by tucking into the eggplant starter (baingan bartha), mushroom biryani, curry sea bass, and one of many higher hen tikka masalas on the town.
Rooster Tikka Masala
Naan
22. The Purple Hen, 1822 First St NW, Washington DC (Bloomingdale); Aventino, 4747 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda MD
I nonetheless want Chef Mike Friedman’s extra laid-back Purple Hen to his upscale, Roman-inspired Aventino, however bonus factors for planting his newest flag in Bethesda and instantly turning into the hardest reservation on the town. Whichever one you select, there might be terrific pastas, pretty salads becoming the season, and a brief record of mains that every one sound good.
ps – I ought to point out that Purple Hen is house to an iconic DC dish — the Rigatoni with Fennel Sausage Ragu — that’s so well-liked that President and Jill Biden each ordered it after they ate at Purple Hen in 2023. Now, I normally assume Biden is fairly level-headed and Jill can do no incorrect. However not on this one. This crosses a line that ought to by no means be crossed. {Couples} merely can not order the identical fundamental course. {Couples} ought to at all times share tastes of their meals, so there’s no threat of lacking out on one thing actually scrumptious. Then again, repetitive ordering forfeits the upside of different scrumptious menu potentialities. Possibly one other dish was higher than the rigatoni, however the Bidens won’t ever know. What if it’s worse you say? They’d nonetheless each get to eat the rigatoni — and scientists have discovered that after the primary few bites any dish has diminishing returns. Imagine the science. Anyway, I hope the Bidens obtained the assistance they want.
Shaved Snap Pea Salad with spring radishes, toasted almonds, meyer lemon dressing, pecorino (Aventino)
Tortellini with ricotta, sunchoke cremosa, preserved black truffle, parmigiano, sunchoke chips (Aventino)
Mezzi Rigatoni with tomato, garlic, fennel sausage ragu, fennel pollen, pecorino romano (The Purple Hen)
23. Convivial, 801 O St NW, Washington DC (Shaw)
Convivial is a kind of eating places — I’d throw Obelisk, Corduroy, and Chez Billy Sud in there as nicely — which might be usually unfairly neglected by these looking for the brand new, new factor. Chef Cedric Maupillier by no means disappoints. Each dish popping out of the kitchen might be well-executed and extra attention-grabbing than you have been anticipating, whether or not it’s his Poireaux French dressing (steamed leeks, mustard French dressing, croutons, egg, capers), beef bourguignon, or no matter hen dish is on the menu (a few of you might recall that Maupillier created a stir when Convivial first opened along with his fried hen coq au vin, a French-American mash-up that turned a runaway hit).
ps – I’m not a brunch particular person however they do it nicely — strive the cinnamon rolls — and on a pleasant day you’ll be able to normally get a seat on the patio.
Poireaux French dressing — steamed leeks, mustard French dressing, croutons, egg, capers
Lyonnaise Rooster with vinegar and garlic
24. Mama Chang, 3251 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax VA
Peter Chang’s cooking tasted so a lot better when he was a fugitive. A decade in the past, all it took was an Web rumor that somebody who may need been Peter Chang was noticed cooking in Richmond and convoys of foodies would begin dashing down I-95. Now, you’ll be able to’t flip round with out a new Chang restaurant opening someplace within the DMV. Mama Chang’s home-style vibe stays my favourite outpost however there’s sufficient overlap with the others that it’s best to go to no matter one is most handy. The scallion bubble pancake is well-liked however finally a rookie transfer. There are a lot better choices, from dumplings, to duck (Peking or roasted), to complete fish.
Scallion Bubble Pancake (Mama Chang and different places)
Lion’s Head Meatballs
Chang’s Roast Duck
Chang’s Complete Branzino
25. Buck’s Fishing & Tenting, 5031 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC (Higher NW)
I don’t know who stated don’t hearken to what individuals say, watch what they do (Machiavelli is just too apparent so I’m gonna say PT Barnum, remaining reply), however that particular person would have a bone to choose with me if I left Buck’s off my Prime-25 record. As a result of I most likely eat at Buck’s greater than every other restaurant on the record. There’s one thing about Buck’s that resonates completely with Higher NW/Decrease MoCo Boomers and Gen-Xers. There’s the flattering golden-hour lighting. The accessible, usually nostalgic (aka fried) meals with an outdoorsy, barely nautical vibe that seems like that little place in Rockland, Maine we went to final summer time — you keep in mind the one, what was it known as? After which there’s the proximity to Politics & Prose, hallowed floor for individuals who nonetheless want turning actual pages however gained’t give Amazon the goddam satisfaction.
Professional hack: Stroll into Buck’s with a signed quantity from a chat that simply let loose at P&P. The creator and title don’t matter however the extra obscure the higher. Hillary hawking her newest is a bit jejune. However in the event you’re carrying a replica of Herbert Gunglheimer’s The Affect of East German Agricultural Coverage on Bulgarian Beginning Charges From 1952-54, Quantity One and saying issues like “the place I half firm with Herbert is…” let’s simply say Dolly Levi sashaying into the Harmonia Gardens obtained a much less welcoming reception than you’ll obtain.
As for the meals, I at all times begin with the terrific wedge salad with blue cheese, bacon, and horseradish dressing. Then both to the steak-frites, the hen schnitzel, or no matter fish is being supplied that day. And if it’s an important day that requires dessert, it’s the chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and whipped cream (regardless that I’m not a chocolate particular person).
Iceberg Wedge Salad w/Level Reyes Blue Cheese, Applewood-Smoked Bacon & Horseradish Dressing
Duck & Bacon Bangers & Mash
Steak Frites
Reader’s Notes:
- I haven’t but been to Pascual, La Bonne Vache, MITA, Daru, or Bar Del Monte. There’s a superb likelihood a few of these might crack the top-25.
- The place are my Virginia peeps? I do know I’m a bit gentle on Virginia choices. And if anybody desires to go on an consuming tour of Eden Middle or Annandale, let me know.
GROUPINGS BY CUISINE
Pizza
Alfreda, 2016 P St NW, Washington DC (Dupont Circle)
Nice new addition to the DC pizza scene. Skinny, crisp sourdough crust, no flop. The tomato pies have only a gentle sprinkle of cheese and go down very straightforward. And take a look at that under-char (I at all times order my pizzas well-done).
Frankly…Pizza!, 10417 Armory Ave, Kensington MD
Frank Linn’s pizza doesn’t fall neatly into any pre-determined type. The crust has a few of the billowiness of a Neapolitan pie however has extra structural integrity and crisp. The White Sizzling Mess with pickled jalapeños, caramelized onions, house-made bacon, and Gruyere/Romano/mozzarella cheeses is a signature (in actual fact, it’s been featured on WETA’s “Signature Dish”).
Pepperoni, Mushroom, and Contemporary Garlic Pizza
Martha Expensive, 3110 Mt Nice St NW, Washington DC (Mt Nice)
Blistered sourdough crust that delivers with hits of smoke, salt, and tang. The undercarriage is crisp however nonetheless tender to the chunk.
Pepperoni Pizza
La Casina DC, 327 seventh St SE, Washington DC (Jap Market)
Roman-style pinsa-style pies that incorporate three flours — rice, soy, and 00 wheat — and a protracted fermentation time to create a fragile, ethereal crust. Gentle and craveable.
Carbonara Pizza
Mexican
Maiz 64 (see above)
Cielo Rojo (see above)
Taqueria el Mexicano, 7811 Riggs Rd, Adelphi MD
Naked-bones storefront however the hen mole is top-notch.
Rooster Mole
Amparo Fondita, 2002 P St NW, Washington DC (Dupont Circle)
Pozole Rojo (wonderful model)
Chicatana, 3917 14th Road NW, Washington DC (Columbia Heights)
Al Pastor Taco with onion, pineapple, and cilantro
Quick-Informal
Kuya-Ja’s Lechon Stomach, 5268-H Nicholson Lane, Rockville MD
In fact get the luscious lechon stomach, however don’t sleep on different dishes like Papa B’s Fried Rice with house-made candy pork longanisa and crab fats
Lechon Stomach
ChiKo, 423 eighth St SE, Washington DC; 2029 P St NW, Washington DC; 7280 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda MD; 4040 Campbell Ave, Arlington VA
Shrimp Toast with XO Sauce
When you will have a gaggle with totally different tastes
Buck’s Fishing & Tenting, 5031 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC (Higher NW) (see above)
Ruthie’s All-Day, 3411 fifth St S, Arlington VA
Rad Double Burger
St. Anselm (see above)
Unconventional Diner, 1207 Ninth St NW, Washington DC (Conference Middle)
Rooster Parm
Woodmont Grill, 7715 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda MD
My favourite french dip sandwich on the town (order the horseradish and additional jus). Additionally don’t sleep on the cheeseburger.
French Dip
Vegetable-Ahead
Oyster Oyster, 1440 eighth St NW, Washington DC (Shaw)
Celery Root w/ Smoked Tofu Puree
Seeking to Splurge
Imperfecto (see above)
Reverie, 3201 Cherry Hill Lane, Washington DC (Georgetown)
Crab Custard w/tomago tofu, black walnut, and caviar
Kappo DC, 4822 MacArthur Blvd, Washington DC (Palisades)
Sashimi Course #1 in eight-course wagyu tasting menu
Italian
L’Ardente (see above)
Purple Hen/Aventino (see above)
Caruso’s Grocery/Cucina Morini (see above)
Thompson’s Italian, 124 N Washington St, Falls Church VA; 1024 King St, Alexandria VA
Olive Oil Cake
Ethiopian
CherCher, 3608 14th St NW, Washington DC (Columbia Heights); 4921 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda MD
Betsebeb, 8201 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring MD
Tsehay Restaurant and Bar, 2429 18th St NW, Washington DC (Adams Morgan)
French
Pastis/Le Diplomate (see above)
Convivial (see above)
Chez Billy Sud, 1039 thirty first St NW, Washington DC (Georgetown)
Duck Confit
La Piquette, 3714 Macomb St NW, Washington DC (Glover Park)
Steak Frites
Sandwich Retailers
Soko Butcher, 7306 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park MD
Steak and Cheese
Bub & Pops, 1815 M St NW, Washington DC (Golden Triangle)
Tuna Soften
Chinese language
A&J (see above)
Mama Chang (see above)
Sichuan Jin River, 410 Hungerford Dr, Rockville MD
Chinese language-Fashion Kung Pao Rooster (keep away from American model made with chicken)
Cuban
Mi Cuba Cafe, 1424 Park Rd NW, Washington DC (Columbia Heights)
Roast Pork with black beans/rice, and candy plantains
Bakery
Manifest Bakery, 6208 Rhode Island Ave, Riverdale Park MD
Bread Furst, 4434 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC (Van Ness)
