DINE & DRINK
ALL PURPOSE
Red Hen’s Mike Friedman does it again with classic Italian comfort dishes at this eatery in Shaw. One of the most talked-about is the eggplant Parmesan, whose recipe comes from the chef’s mother. There’s also an assortment of pizzas, which you can order for takeout, and Italian delicacies, like rainbow cookie cake.
1250 Ninth St. NW, 202-849-6174; allpurposedc.com
AMERICA EATS TAVERN
This José Andrés restaurant recently moved from Tysons Corner to Georgetown. With inspired dishes, the gourmet meal doubles as a jaunt through American history. INSIDER TIP: Skip the lighter fare and indulge in Andrés’s takes on comfortable favorites, like vermicelli mac ’n’ cheese, hush puppies, and shrimp jambalaya. Opening soon; america eatstavern.com
BAD SAINT
Planning on dinner here? You’d better get in line early... like 3:15 PM early. This Filipino restaurant in Columbia Heights has limited firstcome, first-served seating, but take it from us, the wait is worth it. Chef Tom Cunanan cooks soul-satisfying eats, such as squid adobo, and the cocktails, like the fiery Chili Manilli, are a must-try. 3226 11th St. NW, no phone; badsaintdc.com
BLUE DUCK TAVERN
This Michelin-starred farm-to-table favorite in the Park Hyatt hotel offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. It’s ever-evolving seasonal menu captures the spirit of the mid-Atlantic region, with locally inspired entrées and delicious shareable sides. Seafood lovers should consider ordering the whole fish—it’s a passion point for chef de cuisine Brad Deboy. 1201 24th St. NW, 202-419-6755; blueducktavern.com
BOURBON STEAK
As its name suggests, this stately
steakhouse in the Four Seasons Georgetown delivers top-notch steak and an extensive bourbon menu; it’s also a hub for power lunches and star-studded dinners. You must remember to ask for the duck-fat fries trio: They are listed only on the lounge menu, but you can get them in the dining room and you will not regret it. 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-9442026; bourbonsteakdc.com
CAFE MILANO
Celebrating 25 years serving “upscale Italian” in Georgetown, Cafe Milano is a magnet for some of the city’s movers and shakers. It’s not at all uncommon to spot members of DC’s top brass (such as the Bidens or Nancy Pelosi) enjoying a lunch or off-the-clock dinner among the influential crowd of regulars and celebrity visitors. 3251 Prospect St. NW, 202-333-6183; cafemilano.com
CENTROLINA
Chef Amy Brandwein is homegrown talent, and she has a passion for authentic Italian cooking. Each dish uses locally sourced ingredients tied to the season. The adjoining Italian market is an easy way to bring authentic Italian cuisine into your kitchen, too. 974 Palmer Alley NW, 202-898-2426; centrolinadc.com
COLUMBIA ROOM
Derek Brown has transformed a small, seated bar experience into a full-fledged tasting room. The three-course cocktail tasting by bartender JP Fetherston includes drinks like the Sugaring Season, a Canadian rye whisky cocktail with dry vermouth, fresh apple juice, maple syrup, herbs, and acorn. INSIDER TIP: Walk-ins are welcome, but it’s better to secure a spot with advance online booking. 124 Blagden Alley NW, 202316-9396; columbiaroomdc.com
CONVIVIAL
Cedric Maupillier’s decadent bacon cheeseburger rocketed to restaurant stardom at his über-popular Adams Morgan spot, Mintwood. When he crafted a new menu for this French-American bistro in Shaw, it was the one item he carried over. While you’re there, share a cheese plate, sip any one of the handcrafted cocktails, and leave room for the s’mores dessert. 801 O St. NW, 202-525-2870; convivialdc.com
THE DABNEY
The Dabney emphasizes all things mid-Atlantic, with a menu that showcases some of the region’s finest farms and food purveyors. Chef Jeremiah Langhorne oversees a staff of cooks committed to fresh and local food, and from his perch he can see almost everyone in the dining room. 122 Blagden Alley NW, 202-4501015; thedabney.com
ESPITA MEZCALERIA
Holy mole! This restaurant captures the essence and flavors of Oaxaca and has the largest selection of mezcals in DC. Bartender Megan Barnes will help steer you through the many pages of the drinks menu, and for dinner there are moles representative of traditional Mexican cuisine. 1250 Ninth St. NW, 202-621-9695; espitadc.com
FILOMENA RISTORANTE
This downstairs Georgetown gem is the go-to place for Italian comfort food. The spicy shrimp appetizer is a must, and you can’t go wrong with any of the homemade pasta dishes. For more direction, just ask which pasta was made fresh that day (the selection rotates daily). 1063 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-338-8800; filomena.com
FIOLA
This Michelin-starred Italian favorite in Penn Quarter makes regular appearances atop restaurant rating lists across the city, so it’s no wonder it’s the flagship restaurant of DC power duo Fabio and Maria Trabocchi, who also own Fiola Mare in Georgetown, Casa Luca near Mount Vernon Square, and the newly opened Sfoglina in Cleveland Park. INSIDER TIP: The lobster ravioli is a can’t-miss. 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-628-2888; fioladc.com
INN AT LITTLE WASHINGTON
When the Michelin Guide came to DC this year, it was committed to rating only restaurants in DC proper, but an exception was made for this iconic Patrick O’Connell spot. (The verdict? Two stars.) With its elegant, alwayschanging tasting menu, the Inn at Little Washington is a rare and historic treat—well worth the hour-long drive into Virginia, though you may just be tempted to spend the night once you see the picture-perfect rooms. 309 Middle St., Washington, 540-6753800; theinnatlittlewashington.com
IRON GATE
This small-plates favorite has one of the best outdoor patios in all of Washington, DC. The rustic, Italianinspired farm-to-table menu changes seasonally, but if you ever see a version of Burrata or cacio e pepe while you’re there, definitely order it. 1734 N St. NW, 202-524-5202; irongaterestaurantdc.com
JALEO
José Andrés’s vibrant and artfully decorated small-plates lounge has been a Penn Quarter fixture for nearly 25 years. The lomo de buey con piquillos (grilled hanger steak with confit piquillo peppers) and arroz cremoso de setas (creamy rice with seasonal mushrooms and Idiazábal cheese) are
Capitol File favorites. 480 Seventh St. NW, 202-628-7949; jaleo.com
JOE’S SEAFOOD, PRIME STEAK & STONE CRAB
This lavish two-story space has the look and feel of the federal city, but the real reason Joe’s is one of the best spots for lunch or dinner downtown is the seafood (obviously). The menu features both Atlantic and Pacific oysters, crab rolls, and lobster worthy of a special occasion—but with a happy hour from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday, the occasion could just be that it’s Tuesday. 750 15th St. NW, 202-489-0140; joes.net
KINSHIP
This “modernist American” spot is the more casual of the two Mount Vernon restaurants owned by James Beard Award-winning chef Eric Ziebold (formerly of City-Zen and Per Se). Located at street level, the restaurant features an à la carte menu serving just over 70 seats in a historic Seventh Street building. The Maine lobster French toast is one of the most buzzed-about dishes. 1015 Seventh St. NW, 202-737-7700; kinshipdc.com.
KOMI
If there’s one constant to the everchanging neighborhood of Dupont Circle, it’s this American-Mediterranean restaurant run by chef and owner Johnny Monis. You’ll quickly lose count of the dishes that come out of the kitchen as part of the tasting menu ($150 per person), which culminates with a family-style goat feast. 1509 17th St. NW, 202-3329200; komirestaurant.com
THE LAFAYETTE
The Hay-Adams hotel offers refined contemporary American fare at its fine-dining restaurant, with cocktails at its bar, Off the Record. 800 16th St. NW, 202-638-6600; hayadams.com
LE DIPLOMATE
Here you’ll find a little bit of France tucked into a corner café along DC’s bustling 14th Street corridor. “Le Dip,” as it’s lovingly called, features decadent French classics, one of the city’s best brunches, and an impressive menu of fruits de mer—not to mention a dining room chock-full of Washington notables. 1601 14th St. NW, 202-3323333; lediplomatedc.com
MAKETTO
Maketto may just be the coolest hangout in Washington, DC. In fact, don’t come here when you’re in a hurry, because the restaurant will cause you to linger. There’s Vigilante Coffee upstairs, and the bar is a see-and-be-seen spot. But the real magic is out back, beyond the courtyard, where chefs Erik Bruner-Yang and James Wozniuk cook Taiwanese- and Cambodian-style. Just be sure you order the Taiwanese fried chicken. It’s already a dish with a cultlike following. 1351 H St. NE, 202-838-9972; maketto1351.com
MARCEL’S
You’ll find Belgian- and Frenchinspired dining at its very finest at this West End restaurant helmed by award-winning chef and restaurateur Robert Wiedmaier. For more than 16 years, District gourmands have noshed on favorites like the boudin blanc, accompanied by expertly curated wine and Belgian beer lists (the double blonde ale Antigoon is brewed exclusively for Marcel’s). 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-2961166; marcelsdc.com
MASSERIA
This Michelin-starred favorite from James Beard Foundation Rising Star nominee Nick Stefanelli offers the Baltimore native’s modern take on classic Italian fare, with well-crafted prix-fixe and tasting menus. The setting combines the industrial look of nearby Union Market and the feel of the Italian countryside. 1340 Fourth St. NE, 202-608-1330; masseria-dc.com
MÉTIER
Located downstairs from Kinship, Métier is the realization of chef Eric Ziebold’s culinary ambitions: It pairs a luxurious tasting menu with extraordinary service for what he calls “a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Yes, there is a dress code, but it’s doable (jackets for the guys). 1015 Seventh St. NW, 202-737-7500; metierdc.com
MINIBAR
This internationally renowned dining concept by José Andrés is among the most coveted reservations in Washington: It accommodates just six—yes, six—patrons per seating (and there are only two per night!) at the restaurant’s lone communal table. The meal takes the form of 25 to 30 mini courses. INSIDER TIP: Parties of six can also reserve the adjacent private dining room, which provides an even more intimate experience. 855 E St. NW, 202-393-0812; minibarbyjoseandres.com
OSTERIA MORINI
Fresh pasta is one of the main draws of this Italian eatery from chef Michael White, but pastry chef Alex Levin, who specializes in the cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region, is no slouch: Each dessert is packed with ingenuity, texture, and flavor, including his peanut butter and chocolate budino. 301 Water St. SE #109, 202484-0660; osteriamorini.com/ washington-dc
PINEAPPLE AND PEARLS
“Lavish” is the only word to describe the 13-course tasting menu at Pineapple and Pearls. Chef Aaron Silverman strives to pamper diners with dishes like white asparagus okonomiyaki and blue ribbon bone
marrow. The restaurant has three online-ticketed experiences: dining room, chef’s counter, and bar service. The first two are priced at $250 per person and include beverages; the third is $150 per person and does not. 715 Eighth St. SE, 202-595-7375; pineappleandpearls.com
PLUME
DC’s only Forbes five-star restaurant, Plume is inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s kitchen gardens at Monticello. Tucked inside the Jefferson Hotel, this resto offers diners a choice of seasonal prixfixe or tasting menus. 1200 16th St. NW, 202-448-2300; plumedc.com
RASIKA
Iconic restaurateur Ashok Bajaj has been a part of the DC restaurant scene for more than two decades, and his beloved Rasika is a shining star among the city’s Indian offerings. Helmed by James Beard Award nominee Vikram Sunderam, the restaurant features an ever-evolving and inventive menu in an elegant finedining atmosphere. INSIDER TIP: Don’t leave without ordering the palak chaat! 633 D St. NW, 202-6371222; rasikarestaurant.com
RESTAURANT EVE
Cathal Armstrong is the owner and chef of this warm and intimate restaurant right outside DC in Old Town Alexandria. It is a foodie’s delight: Both the tasting menu and the unexpected Asian tasting menu are full of classic yet modern dishes designed to surprise. 110 S. Pitt St., Alexandria, 703-706-0450; restauranteve.com
ROSE’S LUXURY
A standard-bearer for service, food, and experience, Rose’s Luxury continues to wow us even after two years of rave reviews. Judging by the 5
PM line down the block, diners revisit Rose’s for dishes such as the pork lychee salad, potato bread, and cacio e pepe. But there are new dishes, too: Chef B.J. Lieberman has introduced staples like fried Brussels sprouts with benne tahini, eel sauce, and bonito. 717 Eighth St. SE, 202-580-8889; rosesluxury.com
THE SOURCE
Both the décor and the menu recently underwent a bit of a facelift. There’s a new brunch menu, a hot pot table for four, and a chef’s tasting menu counter for two. One thing remains the same: Chef Scott Drewno continues to serve exquisite and authentic Chinese cooking. 575 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-637-6100; wolfgang puck.com/restaurants
SUSHIKO
Brothers and executive chefs Piter and Handry Tjan lead this DC sushi powerhouse, where they aim to honor and enhance the traditional way of making and serving sushi. INSIDER TIP: The team’s new $40 Japanese whiskey flights feature three one-ounce pours of premium Japanese whiskeys. 5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-961- 1644; sushikorestaurants.com
SUSHI TARO
This isn’t your average sushi spot. Nobu Yamazaki is on a mission to redefine Japanese cooking in DC, and there is no better place to experience that than at Sushi Taro’s Omakase Counter. The reservation-only counter takes you through a fun, interactive tasting course. 1503 17th St. NW, 202-462-8999; sushitaro.com
TAIL UP GOAT
Owners Jon Sybert, Jill Tyler, and
Bill Jensen—veterans of Komi and Little Serow—pull out all the stops. In their first year of operation, they’ve earned customer loyalty with detailed service and dishes like the lamb ribs served with root vegetables, pickled mustard seeds, and salsa verde. 1827 Adams Mill Road NW, 202-9869600; tailupgoat.com
THIP KHAO
Chef Seng Luangrath treats her diners like family, serving up Laotian favorites like Lao curry puff (a curried potato dish served with sweet and sour sauce) and naem khao (a crispy coconut rice with lime, scallions, sour pork, peanuts, and cilantro, wrapped in lettuce). 3462 14th St. NW, 202-387-5426; thipkhao.com