Showing 1-17 of 17 results
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100 King Restaurant
Washingtonians are trekking to the 'burbs to dine at Alexandria's hippest taverna. The restaurant specializes in small plates from the Middle East and Mediterranean with mostly favorable results. Hit the happening bar before and after dinner.
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2 Quail
Tucked away in an unassuming brick row house, this gem of a restaurant is truly a Washington landmark. Frilly, romantic and cluttered with chintz and velvet, it looks like a cross between grandma's attic and an elegant parlor and makes all the romantic-dining shortlists. The food seems to take a back seat to the fancy decor, but nobody is complaining about the fine mains, such as roasted duck, seafood pasta or the signature quail.
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Al Crostino
This isn't the best food in the city but, at these prices, it's pretty damn tasty. Simple, hearty food is served in reasonable portions. The pastas are probably your best bet, although the steaks can be an equally good choice. In summary, Al Crostino is a welcoming trattoria, where the chef is known to check on patrons and the service is refreshingly attentive.
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Anzu
The best thing about this sophisticated wine bar is nothing on the menu costs more than around US$11 . Plus the modern European fare - thin-crust pizzas, homemade raviolis, seared seafood and seasonal veggie tapas - is far from shabby. Order several items and pass them around the table.
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Aqua Ardiente
Sshhh, don't tell anyone, Washingtonian's would rather keep this neighborhood Spanish place a secret. The vibe is tribal trendy meets spiritual, with a Madonna shrine, Indian masks and silky rouge curtains. The menu is billed as Nouveau Latino, and offers a slew of ceviches and an extensive wine list.
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Bistrot Du Coin
Ou est Phillipe? At this happening bistro, no doubt. This raucous room looks like the real thing, the waiters gargle their Rs and the food on the plate smells and tastes just as it should. The dishes are heavy on rich sauces, with perfect frites and greens on the side.
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Bricks Tavern
'Bricks' means the ovens in which the gourmet pizzas are baked and topped with the freshest of toppings: grilled chicken with sun-dried tomato and lemon-dressed arugula; roasted eggplant with sweet peppers and goat cheese; and classics like tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. Salads, sandwiches and pastas round out the menu beautifully. You can enjoy your meal at the long, friendly bar or alternatively upstairs on the rooftop.
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Galileo
Galileo tops many DC foodies' lists for its wonderful array of pastas, risottos and grilled meats. Owned by DC's Italian cuisine wonder kid, Roberto Donna, Galileo is a favorite power-dinner spot for the times when you need to impress. For extra special occasions, book the Laboratorio, where 10 to 12 guests dine in a private space and observe the preparation of their custom meal.
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La Tomate
A favorite for years now with folks working and living in the neighborhood, La Tomate has prime people-watching location on the corner, which it takes advantage of with tables clad with starched white linens hugging long glass windows. The ambiance is reminiscent of an Italian bistro and there are daily pasta and salad specials.
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Le Tarbouche
With its lovely, rich decor of saffron-colored walls accented by ultramarine glassware, Le Tarbouche - meaning 'fez' - serves refined Lebanese-French cuisine with innovative spice and ingredient combinations. Candlelight and lots of nooks and crannies make this a prime spot for romancing. The internationals come out late on Saturday nights to dance to world-beat Latin and Middle Eastern music.
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Montmartre
You may mistake Capitol Hill for Paris if you dine on the patio at the city's best French bistro. Apparently the building used to be a post office, but you wouldn't know it now for its pretty dining room and clean-lined bar. It's chaotically cozy and perfect for lingering over a bottle of red. Culinary masterpieces include delicious chilled soups in summer, fresh fish seared to perfection and tender, juicy steaks.
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Obelisk
Oh the pleasure of dining at Obelisk. You need only do it once, but you need to do it. The small and narrow dining room feels almost like eating at someone's kitchen table, and the three-course Italian feast is lovingly prepared with first-rate ingredients. The menu changes daily, but doesn't offer much selection (picky eaters should call ahead).
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Olives
Just north of the White House, Boston-based chef Todd English operates this stylish, two-story hotspot. The kitchen-side bar upstairs offers prime seats, particularly for solo diners: You can watch the sous-chefs chop and stir, then order whatever whets your appetite. Handmade pastas are a good bet, if you can resist the aroma of the juicy, wood-grilled steaks and veal.
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Paolo's
Pop into this Italian bistro at night when the vibe is rowdy and crowds waiting for a table (try to score a coveted on the outdoor patio or by the big street-side windows) spill onto Wisconsin. Brick-oven baked pizzas, grilled meats and pastas complement the award-winning wine list and with the white table clothes and lots of ambient noise it makes an easy-going first date spot.
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Pesce
The colorful fish decor gives away the menu at this consistently delicious award-winning Dupont restaurant. It features bluefish, salmon and grouper - all perfectly fresh and simply prepared. The dishes at this crowded café have a Mediterranean twist: seafood pastas, Provençal fish soup, grilled sardines and scallop ceviche are among the specialties.
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Zaytinya
Earth tones, high ceilings and clean lines characterize this elegant bi-level. After stints at Café Atlantico and Jaleo, chef Jose Andres applies his expertise to the fare of Greece, Lebanon and Turkey. The extensive menu of hot and cold meze - 'little dishes' - reflect the rich, regional diversity of these cuisines. Reservations recommended for lunch; none are accepted for dinner so be prepared to wait.
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Zorba's Café
Generous portions of moussaka and souvlaki and pitchers of Rolling Rock make this Greek diner one of DC's best bargain haunts. Contrary to the menu's promise and despite the bouzouki music, you will probably not confuse yourself for being in the Greek Isles. But the fresh food and quick service make this family-run place a good option.
Showing 1-17 of 17 results
