I will be in DC (actually N. VA) soon and would like a recommendation for fine dining in the area. DC or NoVA in particular. Requirements: Top quality dining. Relatively quiet. Not pretentious. Not a political hangout. No steakhouses. Price is not a big issue. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
LM
Well, what are you in the mood for? New American? Smokehouses? Ethnic? (Don’t miss out on this, BTW. DC has some of the best and most eclectic ethnic dining, including some cuisines you just don’t get many places, like Afghan, Ethiopian, Nepali, etc., as well as Thai, Korean, Peruvian and all the rest.)
You don’t specify a price range, and that’s actually good because while DC does have big-ticket places, I can think of half a dozen off the top of my head where you won’t go over $25 a person for really good food.
Will parking be an issue? Are you willing to go off the beaten path? Chime in with some more stuff and I’ll be glad to help you out!
Ethnic is fine. Any kind. Although steakhouses are out, meat is not. Parking is good, or else walking distance from the Metro. Maybe Dupont Circle? I am familiar with the area so walking is not a problem.
I’m not in DC, but spent a weekend there in April. Mr. Athena and I are definitely “foodie” types (ie, we eat out a lot, do a lot of cooking, spend waaay too much money on food and drink related stuff), and I had recently taken a cooking class from a guy who used to work at a restaurant in DC called Vidalia. The way he described the kitchen there was amazing - the chef was a perfectionist, and the quality of food and service was incredible. On his advice, we decided to go there.
It was everything as expected. The restaurant itself is upscale, but not pretentious. The service was impeccible (overheard: a waiter saying to a busboy “Table 3 needs iced tea. Can you get it to them within 30 seconds?”). Our waiter, although young, knew the menu and made great wine and cocktail suggestions. The food was heavenly, and I’ve eaten lots of near-heavenly food before. Both Mr. Athena and I agreed if it wasn’t the best meal we’ve ever had, it was extremely close. I can’t recommend it enough.
I think it bills itself as “southern cuisine.” In my opinion, it’s just high end American cuisine. We probably dropped $250 or $300, including tip & wine. I think I had veal, and Mr. Athena had scallops. Also remember an incredible appetizer of smoked duck breast & foie gras. Yummmm…
If you can get into the Chez Francois, you’re livin’ large. They have outdoor dining in these little individual gazebos out in the forest that are about as remote as you’re going to get. The Chez is tucked away in what is probably the last vestige of the old Virginia horse-country tradition within twenty miles of the Capitol.
Unfortunately, I think some politicians double as the wait staff there, in the hopes that they will eventually get a reservation. And pretentious? Just take a gander at how the nouveau riche have desecrated the sacred enclave of Great Falls on your drive down Springvale road. Rule of thumb: if it’s a paved driveway, they’re not real Great Falls residents.
Vidalia sounds like a nice place. Chez Francois - 4 weeks ahead for reservations? I’ll be long gone by then. Athena I see you are in CO. What would you compare Vidalia to? Is it like Flagstaff House nice? Palace Arms? European Cafe? No comparison?
I haven’t been to Palace Arms or European Cafe (some foodie I am, eh?!? But in reality, most of our pricey dinners are when we’re out of town) but I have been to Flagstaff several times. IMO, it’s better than Flagstaff. It’s not as fancy of a setting, but the food quality is higher and more innovative. They also seem to provide the same amount of service with only one or two servers, instead of the small army you get at the Flagstaff.
Funny you should mention Flagstaff - we were comparing the two while we were eating dinner at Vidalia!
If you do end up going, I’d be interested in your opinion.
Some of my favourites are:
In DC
Vidalia (New American with Southern roots, and yes, Athena, this place is killer)
B. Smith’s (same)
Meskerem (Ethiopian)
Jaleo(New Spanish)
Johnny’s Half Shell (great seafood)
Tono Sushi
Brickskeller (400+ beers on tap and good pub kitchen)
Gabriel( Spanish plus killer tapas brunch on Sunday mornings-try to get some of the suckling pig)
In No. VA
Duangrat’s (Thai)
Raaga(Southern Indian)
The Melting Pot (yes, it’s a chain, but their fondue is really good)
Red Hot & Blue (Memphis-style dry rub ribs)
And that’s just a sampling. Look on the Washington Post’s food section, and you’ll get a huge sampling of reviews, which usually have prices and directions.
I’m not from DC, but was just there on vacation in May. A local recommended Cafe La Rouche in Georgetown. I can’t recall the address, but it was by the little canal that runs through the neighborhood, and it was off the main drag. It has French food, but is fairly inexpensive. Cute place, looks like it once was a home, but was converted. Lots of neat street signs on the wall for various French roads, etc.
I had a quiche & salad that was excellent, and their bread was good. I also had a bowl of gazpacho, which was real tasty.
I think in total (no alcohol) we probably spent less than $30. We walked in and got a table right away. I wished I could have brought the restaurant back home with me, because the food was good, it was casual (jeans okay) and the atmosphere was cute.
Having lived in and around DC for 10 years now, I have to say my favorite place in the city is Les Halles, right on Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s French, but not the poofy “haute cuisine” stuff - huge portions, very authentic, and if you have kids, they LOVE them there (the waiters have been knows to take my fussy son off and play with him when he’s so fussy the rest of us can’t enjoy the meal!). The service is excellent, and they actually have a pre-theater prix fixe 3-course dinner that’s about $25, not including wine.
If you want a true Washington standard, you could also go to the Old Ebbit Grill (ask for Grant’s Bar) - wood paneling, silent and effecient waiters, great ambiance. Lots of people-watching opportunities, too. I forget the address, but it’s about 2 blocks from the White House.
For ethnic food, my fave is Meskerem in Adams Morgan (right on 18th Street) - it’s Ethiopian, reasonably priced, and it’s served in the traditional style, which is always impressive.
My .02, for what it’s worth. Have a terrific trip! I love this city, and really want others who visit to love it too.
Actually, I don’t think you can’t go wrong eating almost anywhere in DC. I can’t recall a single place I’ve eaten there that I haven’t liked.
A few faves of mine:
La Bergerie, in Alexandria:
http://yp.washingtonpost.com/E/V/WASDC/0016/76/80/cs1.html
http://www.labergerie.com/
Capitol City Brewing Company - take your pick of several locations:
http://yp.washingtonpost.com/E/V/WASDC/0020/06/89/cs1.html
The Brickskeller - just average pub grub food, but an absolutely awesome beer selection:
http://yp.washingtonpost.com/E/V/WASDC/0003/17/10/cs1.html
Obelisk - not cheap, but oh, the best Italian food!
Marrakesh, 617 New York Ave NW. 202-393-9393
Morroccan cuisine.
You’ll need reservations. Friday or Saturday nights are best.
You sit and eat Morroccan family style. Fixed price menu (IIRC, since it’s been a few years that I’ve been in DC) at $25-30 per person.
They DON’T take credit cards! Cheap valet parking, though.
I swear by the <url=“http://www.noras.com/”>Nora chain: Restaurant Nora and its sister Nora Asia. The only 100% certified organic restaurants in America. The original one, Restaurant Nora, is on Florida Avenue near Dupont Circle. Nora Asia is on M Street NW, not far from there.
The food is exquisite, the chefs are brilliant, and the service is great. I love it.
And yes, it’s really pricey.
My favorite place for seafood in town is Kinkead’s - expensive but worth it. It’s only a couple of blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop.