DC has become a Mecca of culinary delights with world renowned chefs setting up shop and über-trendy spots (with price tags to match) on every corner. It's even received Top Chef 7th season love. But there are still plenty of eateries to patronize if you are on a tight intern-like budget, need an outdoor patio, or just want some good international comestibles. In order to provide the skinny on restaurant recommendations for every type of DC bank account, we've listed some of our favorite places under four different categories: Eating Posh, Eating Cheap, Eating Hip, and Eating Ethnic.
Eating Posh
In the land of lobbyists, lawyers, and congressmen, there are bound to be plenty of chi-chi restaurants--DC's equivalent of Hollywood nightclubs. Posh in DC often means ballin' out of control, old, and mahogany paneling. Washington fat cats are known to chew the fat (literally) at any of a few dozen steakhouses around town, but the local favorites include BLT Steak (Map 1), Smith and Wollensky (Map 9), The Palm (Map 9), Prime Rib (Map 9), and Charlie Palmer (Map 2). For French decadence, look no further than Bistro Bis (Map 2), Citronelle (Map 8), and Marcel's (Map 9). If Italian is your indulgence, then mangia bene at Ristorante Tosca (Map 1), Café Milano (Map 8), or Obelisk (Map 9). 600 Restaurant at the Watergate (Map 7), 1789 (Map 8), Blue Duck Tavern (Map 9), and Brasserie Beck (Map 10) are spots to see and be seen, and PS 7's (Map 1) is always buzzing with the power lunch crowd. The tasting menus at José Andrés’ Minibar (Map 1) and Restaurant Eve (Map 46) are something to write home about, especially since the former might serve you homemade cotton candy with foie gras. Finally, Komi (Map 9) and CityZen (Map 6) consistently make it onto every food critic and lay foodie's Top 10.
Eating Cheap
Eating cheap in DC doesn't have to mean hitting up a fast food joint. The experience can even prove quite pleasant. Two of DC's most famous joints, El Pollo Rico (Map 37) and Ben's Chili Bowl (Map 10), will cost you between $5 and $10 a meal, and Café Parisien Express (Map 34) serves up double portions of French food for half the French price. Right down the street, hop over to Henry's Soul Café (Map 9) for the best soul food in the city. If pizza is your poison, the pies at Italian deli Vace (Map 29) will totally knock your socks off. For a unique atmosphere, check out Mexicali Blues (Map 35) and the Dupont institution Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café (Map 9). Rounding out the cheap eats list are 24-hour mini-diner Steak & Egg Kitchen (Map 19), Chinatown BBQ pit Capital Q (Map 2), cod supreme joint Eamonn’s: A Dublin Chipper (Map 46), out-of-this-world chili machine Hard Times Café (Maps 46, 35), and Jewish deli Morty's (Map 19). Tortilla Coast (Map 5) will cure your hangover and for quick and cheap sushi head over to Dupont's Nooshi (Map 9) or Kotobuki (Map 18) in the Palisades.
Eating Hip
Everyone in DC tries to be hip, and those who can actually pull it off dine downtown for lunch at Zaytinya (Map 1), one of the sexiest spots in the city, and sister restaurant to both Café Atlantico (Map 1) and Jaleo (Maps 2, 29). Chinatown has long lines waiting to get into Matchbox (Map 2, 5). Proof (Map 1) and Cork (Map 10) have thousands of wine bottles to choose from between them. And Sette Osteria (Map 9) and Lauriol Plaza (Map 9) make up for the food with social cache. Busboys & Poets is the spot for great people-watching and pleasantly left-wing conversation. Lima (Map 10) and Cashion's Eat Place (Map 16) have always been in vogue among the downtown set, and Tryst (Map 16) is the ultimate coffeehouse to have an indecent affair with your neighbor. For two of Old Town's most fabulous dining experiences, check out Vermilion (Map 46) and Majestic (Map 46).
Eating Ethnic
All who cross our borders can find authentic international eats. In DC, the rule of thumb is that the quality of ethnic food increases proportionally to one's distance from the city's center, but there are some notable exceptions in the metro area. Check out Indian goodness at Rasika (Map 2), Indique (Map 20), Heritage India (Maps 18), and Amma Vegetarian Kitchen (Map 8). Fiesta margaritas and homemade taquitos keep em' coming back to Haydee's (Map 16) in Mount Pleasant. The less-common Asian cuisines represented at Burma (Map 2) and Straits of Malaya (Map 9) are worthy of your hunger and attention. For Mediterranean, savvy diners head to Lebanese Taverna (Maps 17, 25, 33) and Cava (Map 5). Hit up Yee Hwa (Map 9) in Foggy Bottom for your Korean kimchi fix. Tony Cheng's Seafood Restaurant (Map 2) and Eat First (Map 2) are the cream of the Chinatown crop--or at least the last men standing. For the best sushi this side of the Pacific, Makoto Restaurant (Map 18) and Sushi-Ko (Map 18) are all you'll need. Experience the Middle East at Mama Ayesha's (Map 16) and Morocco at Marrakesh Palace (Map 9). The Mexican Mixtec (Map 16) and the pan-Asian Spices (Map 17) each also get an A-plus in our not-so-humble opinion. And don't miss out on Roger Miller Restaurant (Map 25), a gem of a purveyor of West African curry goat in suburban Silver Spring.
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Monday, January 23, 2012
Posted By:
Kara Deniz
Photo:
Kara Deniz
Olazzo
Olazzo is a classic Italian restaurant, featuring all the staple dishes of a traditional Italian meal. The meal starts with hot and crusty bread. The waiter shows off his flair in pouring olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a dip. Salad is included as a starter to the meals. From fettucini alfredo to lasagna bolognese to eggplant parmesan, Olazzo offers familiar favorites in this cozy downtown Bethesda location, as well as at another location in Silver Spring. Owned by two Italian-American brothers, Olazzo offers quality ethnic food at an affordable price, making it a stand out choice.
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Thursday, November 03, 2011
Posted By:
Kara Deniz
Photo:
Kara Deniz
Cava Mezze
Cava Mezze opened in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington to much fanfare over the summer. There are still long waits on the weekends to dine at this tapas establishment, which also has locations in Capitol Hill and Rockville. With new restaurants and bars opening up in Clarendon on what feels like a weekly basis, a mature, ethic restaurant was still sorely needed. Unfortunately, the lure of Cava Mezze is its trendiness more than the taste. The roasted eggplant dip had a thick mayonnaise consistency, the Spanakopita was overly fried and the Chickpeas 3 Ways were uninspired. The spicy meatballs were hot and flavorful, if overly seasoned. The dim lighting and candles lent to a romantic ambiance, if not for the acoustics which overpower any intimate conversation. Cava Mezze doesn't make much of an impression with its mediocre mezze. For a more satisfying and memorable experience, Zaytinya in Chinatown still remains the far better choice.
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Monday, August 08, 2011
Posted By:
Kara Deniz
Photo:
Kara Deniz
Cafe Istanbul
Cafe Istanbul is easy to miss, mixed in with office buildings in the city's Foggy Bottom neighborhood. The restaurant serves up lunch and take-out customers with heaping portions of traditional Turkish and Mediterranean specialties. From beef kabobs to falafel and kofte (grilled lamb meatballs), Cafe Istanbul offers a filling and delicious meal, although the doner platter was a tad too dry. The restaurant is casual and ordinary, except for the vintage blown-up photographs of Istanbul and its denizens that adorn the walls. Bon appetit, or as the Turks would say, Afiyet olsun.
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Friday, March 04, 2011
Posted By:
Magda Nakassis
Photo:
Magda Nakassis
Parkway Deli
Considering its out-of-the-way location (just north of Rock Creek Park, tucked into a residential neighborhood), it's hard to believe that Parkway Deli is the spot. In fact if you weren't in the know, you might mistake it for a convenience store. But Parkway Deli is so much more... It's three generations of Gurewitz family cooking. It's house-made corned beef and top-notch chopped liver. It's a complimentary pickle bar. It's a windowless dining room in a suburban shopping center. But one that compels people to line up and patiently wait for a sublime bowl of matzoh ball soup.
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Thursday, February 03, 2011
Posted By:
Kara Deniz
Photo:
Kara Deniz
Post Pub
The Post Pub isn't your average dive bar; after all, it's located in downtown DC. But it has all the makings of a dive bar, complete with lone regulars lost in their pints, a tenured bartender serving up drinks, and the damp smell of stale beer permeating the walls. Yet, in true DC fashion, Post Pub isn't a real dive bar, like those found in South Philly or Queens. For one, the bathroom is clean enough to actually not mind using and carnations brighten up the restroom and entryway. The regulars are Washington Post staffers, certainly more elite than you average dive bar denizen, but football and hockey do play on the TVs and there is a jukebox, with no wait. No matter what, you're bound to meet an interesting character or two, have a few laughs and pretend you're not in DC, if only for the moment.
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