The D.C. restaurant scene.
In a city that is better known for its politics and scandals than food, one will be pleasantly surprised by the quality and selection of cuisine located within the District of Columbia. Restaurants range from eclectic cheap eats to five-star restaurants worthy of the President. Being such a melting pot, DC is scattered with eateries presenting cuisines from every corner of the world with accuracy and panache.
Georgetown
From posh boutiques to stunning views along the Waterfront, Georgetown is one section of Washington DC that cannot be missed.
The Washington Harbour at the foot of Georgetown on K Street offers five great restaurants with the best views and patios in the city. In addition to Nick’s Riverside Grille, which offers classic American favorites in fun setting, the Harbour includes the flavorful Cabanas Latin American restaurant and our featured restaurant: Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place.
Rated as a four star Reader’s Choice in the Washington Post, Filomena Ristorante is one of the best Italian restaurants inside the District. The pasta is homemade and all sauces use the freshest of ingredients. With over twenty five years of experience, true Italian cuisine is served up while diners can enjoy views of the historic C&O Canal. While at Filomena Ristorante, do not be surprised to brush elbows with politicians and celebrities alike, both of which frequent this eatery. The Cannelloni Frutti Di Mare is decadent and authentic and the tiramisu has been described as to die for.
Dupont Circle
In an area of Washington DC that has potentially more restaurants than cars and pedestrians, it is difficult to be the standout. Yet, Bistrot Du Coin manages to provide diners with a casual environment combined with tremendous French cuisine. Bistrot Du Coin encourages its guests to spend the hours enjoying the bustle of Connecticut Avenue while enjoying a crock of traditional French onion soup. In the evenings, Bistrot Du Coin shifts to a popular neighborhood bar with a vast drink menu. When dining at Bistrot Du Coin, do not miss the unforgettable grilled scallion salad with duck gizzards.
Capitol Hill
In Capitol Hill, lunchtime is the most popular scene. Lobbyist, staffers and politicians flow out of the many Capitol buildings and into some of the more luxurious restaurants in DC. Dr.Granville Moore’s, in Capitol Hill, manages to outdo many of these lavish eateries with perfectly crafted Belgium food and ale. Dr. Granville Moore’s is one the newer gastropubs in DC and executive chef Teddy Folkman, who recently beat Bobby Flay on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown, has mastered many staple Belgium dishes. The most talked about dish at Granville Moore’s is definitely the moules fromage blue and the hand-cut frites.
Foggy Bottom
A popular trend in Washington DC is certified Green buildings and sustainable restaurants. Founding Farmers merges this notion along with well crafted food. The owners of Founding Farmers are exactly that, farmers; the North Dakota Farmers Union to be exact. Recently, Travel and Leisure magazine listed this restaurant as one of the top 50 new restaurants in the United States. The menu is vast and includes a wide range of cuisines from Southern fried chicken to lobster rolls. Recommended dishes include the perfectly flaky chicken pot pie and during brunch hours, the amazing Eggs Benedict. Both the English muffin and hollandaise sauce are homemade and along with fluffy eggs, this dish is often claimed to be simply perfection.
Downtown
Located literally around the corner from the most famous address in the United States, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, one will find Old Ebbitt Grill. This Victorian-inspired restaurant serves a range of food, mainly focused on traditional American fare and boosts the best raw-bar in all of Washington DC. Rated as an Opentable.com Diner’s Choice Winner, Old Ebbitt Grill, whose doors have been open since 1856 is a Washington DC standard. This restaurant is almost always crowded, yet never feels packed. The wait staff is attentive and the food is classic. The menu is extremely lengthy, but eaters recommend focusing upon the seafood dishes. The most acclaimed dish is definitely the crab cake, which is cooked to a perfectly crispy crust and includes all lump crab meat with no filler.
U Street
The up-and-coming neighborhood of U Street is hopping with new cafés and eateries. One of the most unique spots is Busboys and Poets, a combination of a restaurant, political bookstore and performance space. Rated as a Washington Post editors pick, Busboys and Poets offers a menu that includes many traditional American foods, including delectable pizzas and juicy burgers with a hint of Mediterranean flair. The chic yet inviting décor of Busboys and Poets makes this an interesting eatery which focuses on up-beat and attentive service. A few recommended dishes at Busboys and Poets include the hot Panini sandwich with grilled brie, caramelized onions and tomatoes and the Rustic pizza. Do not forget to grab a decadent hot beverage before departing; the hot chocolate is referred to as heaven in a cup.