Your 10 favorite DC Metro restaurants

[Smiles2008]

I am just trying to get new ideas and see what is current for our DC Metro restaurant scene -so I decided to throw this question out. Doesn't have to be in any particular order and thank you for sharing!

[biscuit]

Some of these may not qualify as "restaurants," per se.

1. Komi
2. Restaurant Eve (Tasting Room)
3. City Zen
4. Black Salt
5. Central
6. Obelisk
7. Ray's Hell-Burger
8. Taqueria Nacionale
9. Eamonn's
10. Pizzeria Paradiso

[chicken kabob]

Proof
Matchbox
Founding Farmers
Granville Moore
CocoSala
Komi
Moby Dick

[bboyneko]

(In alphabetical order)

1. Brabo Tasting Room (best lunch ever)
2. Chinatown Express (best fried rice and noodles ever)
3. Fontainne Caffe & Creperie (best crepes and brunch ever)
4. Levantes
5. Los Tios (best Mexican/salvadorean food ever)
6. Mama Ayesha’s (very affordable, beautiful interior and fun white wines to go with the amazing food)
7. Pizzeria Paradiso
8. Potenza
9. Rasika
10. Zatinya

[Steve]

Yikes, CE for "Best noodles ever" makes me think you've lived a sheltered life. Even if the noodles were good, they are served with a ton of oil. Not too many good noodles in the area, though. So far I'd have to say the Chengdu noodles at Hong Kong Palace and also the Dan Dan Mien at Peking Village get the texture right.

Where is Fontainne Caffe & Creperie? Are all the crepes served with the same batter?

[littlew1ng]

i believe fontaine is in old town, don't know about the batter, though. there's a crepe place downtown that looks interesting....crepeaway or something like that. hoping to try it soon.

[bboyneko]

Fontainne is in old town, its amazingly delicious and a sort of hidden gem. I highly recommend dropping by.

[ktmoomau]

Steve,
I believe fontaine has at least two batters, because I had a whole wheat crepe and normal crepe. They are near Alexandria J&DR court so a good choice when Eve is packed for lickety split. I thought the crepes were pretty good, they had a nice variety of fillings. And not too expensive for lunch. For me a crepe isn't necessarily amazingly delicious as the fillings tend to be pretty normal, but it is a good nice lunch.

[Steve]

A few years back when I was in San Francisco, there was a crepe fad going around. Maybe still is? I was amazed how many crepe places there were. I had always thought it was one of those 70s "Magic Pan" gimmicks. Every household all of a sudden had their own crepe-making pan. Anyway I never thought much about crepes until I ate at Ti Couz in the Mission District, and I realized what I had been missing, Especially the buckwheat crepes served with a savory (as opposed to sweet) filling. The sweet crepes had a different batter, and I believe they made at least four different batters regularly. Now I am pretty well disappointed with most crepe places that are supposed to be serious but aren't really.

My guess is that if I were to travel to Brittany, I would find some pretty amazing crepes.

[hamster]

Spot on, Steve. I just went back to Paris for a visit and had an amazing savory crepe (just the standard: cheese, ham, egg on a buckwheat batter) which reminded me of why I am constantly disappointed by crepes in the US. I wish we had a place that could do it right. I've always been puzzled since it doesn't seem like it should be that hard. The ingredients are simple, it's not a complicated technique. But for some reason, it hasn't happened in DC. I almost tried Ti Couz last time I was in SF but the wait was too long. I'll make sure to try it on my next visit.

[ktmoomau]

I was an exchange student in Brittany- I think I am just not that wowed by crepes, as we went to some good places around there and they were good, but... This place does have pretty good crepes I would give it a shot really- not to expensive and good. I love buckwheat pancakes and sausage- don't remember if they had buckwheat. Like I said I am just in general not a huge crepe person but this is definitely worth a try.

[hamster]

That's too bad. Well, their website claims that they offer "Gluten free 100 % buckwheat flour crepes" so maybe there's hope. I am a little turned off by the overly fancy filling options, though, and $12-15 is just too much for a crepe in my book. I'm just too cheap to live in this area ;)

[Steve]

Thanks, next time I'm in OT, I'll give it a shot.

[Elyssa]

Not sure about my top 10 but some of my favorites are: Central, Corduory, PS7, Hank's Oyster Bar, Cafe Atlantico, Bistro D'Oc, Brasserie Beck and Restaurant Eve.

[Elyssa]

I forgot Equinox! How could I forget Equinox!? I use to also have Cashion's on my list but I haven't been there since the new chef so not sure anymore.

[littlew1ng]

cool thread!

• proof
• mourayo
• sonoma
• oval room
• beck
• zola
• kaz
• granville moore's
• the greek deli :)

[Ericandblueboy]

Not my top 10 (don't know if I have such a list) but my top restaurant in each category.

Komi - multi-course tasting
Hong Kong Palace - Sichuan - my favorite dish is the cumin fish
Passage to India - got the chef to make crab masala with a whole dungeness crab, that was fantastic
Ray's - steak
Bourbon Steak - expensive celeb chef steak
Obelisk - Italian
Corduroy - adventurous American
Present - Vietnamese
Bacchus of Lebanon - love their fried smelt

[Dennis S]

My list started per the OP but kinda went the way Ericandblueboy went.

Ray's Hell
Hong Kong Palace
El Charrito Caminante
Caribbean Grill
Thai Luang
Pho Reston 75
Black Salt
Passion Fish
Lightfoot
Hank's

The Deli (Herndon), Bungalow Billiards), and Jimmy's, and all make the list for specific things that drive me back repeatedly (respectively these are The Hot Sicilian, Wings, and for Jimmy's the Fish fry, wings, and the cheese steak).

[ktmoomau]

These are my current places that I crave might not be my all time top ten:
Minibar
Central
Italian Store
Restaurant Eve (the $13 lunch special is a steal)
Taqueria Poblano (I like the Del Ray location the best for some reason)
Eventide
Rays Hellburger or the Steaks
Liberty Tavern
Matchbox
Sonoma

I don't have a lebanese restaurant even though I really crave this a lot because I go to different ones depending on what I want. I might sub in Passionfish somewhere, but I don't know what to take out...

[ktmoomau]

It is funny looking at this list there are many things I still wouldn't change... Liberty Tavern, Italian Store, Restaurant Eve, Eventide, Rays... but I think I would add Againn and Trummer's on Main and sub out Sonoma and Taqueria Poblano. I have a feeling this next week after trying Pizzeria Orso and Pupatella store I will have a new favorite over Matchbox for pizza, but we will see.

[amfulay]

Not in any order, and a couple aren't "restaurants" in the strictest sense of the word, but all good eats:

Kotobuki
2 Amy's
Hank's Oyster Bar
Ben's Chili Bowl
Matchbox (Barrack's Row)
Zaytinya
Mama Ayesha's
Creme
Paper Moon
Rockland's

[littlew1ng]

paper moon in georgetown by the movie theater? i have long wondered about this place but never heard anything about it. what's it like? what's good there?

[Ericandblueboy]

Middle Eastern dance parties were Paper Moon's specialty when I lived in G'town n the late 90's to early 00's. The food was Italian, nothing exciting.

[DCDeb]

Corduroy
Equinox
Kaz Sushi Bistro
Ray's The Steaks/ The Classics
Restaurant Eve
Marcel's
Hank's Oyster Bar
Matisse
Willow
Parkway Deli--just makes me happy...

[monkeyrotica]

Restaurant Eve (tasting room)
Kabob Palace
Deli City
Obelisk
Woodlands
Greek Deli
Cava
Levi's Port Cafe
Ray's the Steaks
La Mexicana Bakery & Taqueria

[dcandohio]

In no order, for lots of different reasons:

Komi
Bistrot du Coin
Regent Thai
Bar Pilar
Bombay Club
Rasika
Thai X-ing
Oyamel
Corduroy
Kaz Sushi Bistro

[MrsWheatie]

In no order
Corduroy
PS7s
Moby Dick
Sardis
Pizza Paradiso
Ruan Thai
Grace Garden
Sonoma
Matchbox
Lebanese Taverna (Congressional Plaza location)

[monkeyrotica]

I was going to add Grace Garden (had their amazing fish noodles yesterday), but I figured Odenton was too out-of-the-way to be considered "DC Metropolitan area."

[Dennis S]

It's a good thread for me b/c it reminds me I need to get to Grace Garden and also try Thai X-ing (dcandohio and Steve).

[Jeserf]

the Thai X-ing on Florida?

I REALLY want to try it, too, but the convenience factor of driving there, looking for parking, etc....but it always seemed like such a great place to try...

[Steve]

I've never had trouble parking about a block south of the restaurant. And I have been turned away once because I didn't want to wait or there's nowhere to wait for a table. Although in nice weather you could eat outside in their front 'garden.'

It is quite the experience.

This is a place where it pays to pick and choose carefully. The red curry salmon is a MUST ORDER, and go for the tofu soup and the pad kana. If you want another dish, try the larb gai. But I have to say the pad thai here is dreadful and the chicken vigitisbot (named after the chef) is nothing special.

[Jeserf]

I've heard, though, that if you call ahead to order, you can be waiting for a LONG time. That's why I've never gone (it's on the way home from the animal shelter on ny ave, and I've always wanted to try but that's the reason I never have!). Is it really that bad?

[Steve]

Joe's Noodle House
Ruan Thai
Oohs and Aahs
Myanmar
Jaleo
Lounge at Citronelle
Nha Trang (Eden Center)
Bay Lo (Eden Center)
Chez Auntie Libe
Thai X-ing

[hamster]

Have you been to Chez Auntie Libe recently? What do you recommend there? I sampled their wares at a Francophone festival and was completely blown away.

[Steve]

Yes, I've been there recently. It's best to go with about four people if you can. Yassa Chicken, Whole Fish, Manioc (cassava leaf stew), and Maffe Lamb are among the highlights. Manioc is my favorite, but it is also the most challenging dish if you are not used to it. Maffe is served as a thick peanut stew, and all the food here is very rich, so a little goes a long way.

[flavrmeistr]

Lotta my faves in there, Steve. As people consider Volt a DC restaurant (the waaay north end), I suppose I could throw in a few of my own Frederick favorites:

Tasting Room
Bangkok Kitchen
Lucky Corner
Monocacy Crossing
Taco Michoacan

[Steve]

Taco Michoacan?!?! I like the sound of that!

[Ericandblueboy]

I think it's been closed for at least 1 year. It was a great taco joint out in Centreville.

[flavrmeistr]

This Michoacan is in a small strip mall at the west edge of Frederick right near the US 40/Alt. US 40 split. Their tacos are first-rate, especially the lengua. Next door is a great Mexican grocery with a carneceria that features great sausages and skirt steak. I believe they also have a place in Gaithersburg.

[Ericandblueboy]

That clears up the confusion. I've been looking for good tacos.

[WestIndianArchie]

Chez Aunt Libe..Have you been to Roger Miller?

[Steve]

Yes, I went there once with a couple of other Chowhounds and tried a few items. We didn't have anything delicious, but I'd be willing to go back and explore more. RM features some interesting items cooked with seeds. But so far I have found the cooking more interesting than good.

[hamster]

Kabob Palace
Nava Thai
Taqueria Distrito Federal
Restaurant Eve
Ray's Hellburger
Etete
Saigon Cafe (the one across from Eden Center)
Hong Kong Palace
2 Amy's
Pret a Manger

[pineapple sage]

2 Amy's
Taqueria District Federal
Central
Ray's-Steak/Classics/Hellburger
Palena
Old Ebbitt raw bar during HH
Cava on Capitol Hill
Vidalia-their $19.00 3 course lunch special is the best deal in the city right now
Addis Ababa
Dolcezza

[vega4933]

Just moved here from Seattle. These lists are gold! Thanks.

[steve h.]

obelisk and tosca are two restaurants that always put a smile on my face. central works at so many levels (snacks, bar food and wine, terrines, soups and so much more).
cafe atlantico is maybe the coolest place in town for sunday brunch. sit on the top floor overlooking the activity below. don't shy from challenging the barkeep.

[JeffCraddock]

Nava Thai
Dino
Passage to India
Spice X-ing
Ghar-e-Kabab
Ruan Thai
Bobby's Crabcakes
Mia's (pizza)
Two Amys
Samantha's

[Steve]

Nice list!

[sekelmaan]

Ravi Kabob (Karahi, kabobs, nihari on weekends)
Hong Kong Palace (Most anything on the traditional menu)
Eamonns (Irish fish and chipper in Alexandria)
Present Vietnamese (Spicy & sour seafood soup, not on menu)
La Placita (Bladensburg taqueria)
La Fondita (Bladensburg as well. Lamb soup.)
Rays Hellburger.
Rays the Steaks
La Caraquena (Venezuelan. Black bean soup.)
Pho Tay Ho (I think. On 7 in strip mall between 7corners and baileys XR. Pho and cha gio).

[foreverfoodie79]

komi
tosca
corduroy
zentan
blue duck tavern

[CoconutMilk]

Rabieng
Huong Viet
Ravi Kabob
Rays Hellburger
China Bistro
Super Pollo
Present
The Italian Store
Minhs- just for the grilled pork

Honorable mention "cafes": Yas Bakery, Cafe Arax (the mamouls!), Kasha's Kitchen inside Kennedy's Natural Foods store (lentil burgers and cookies)

[sekelmaan]

Ooh. I forgot Super Pollo in Ballston. I love that place.

[masonuc]

Komi
Kaz Sushi
Kotobuki
Makato (yeah, I love sushi)
Haandi
Breadline
Proof
Bourbon Steak
Cafe Atlantico
2 Amys

[maoj]

1) Vermilion
2) Rasika
3) Central
4) Ray's Hell Burger
5) Ray's the Steaks
6) Bangkok 54
7) Los Tios
8) Rio Grande (sorry, I love the fajitas)
9) Teaism
10) La Casa

[Steve]

Where is La Casa?

[maoj]

Duke Street. It is a pizza place, plus some greek and italian.

[sashab10]

not in any order...

rasika
neyla
morayou
blacksalt
zaytinya
sonoma
rice
la taberna
mandu
blue duck tavern

[MDoodle]

In no particular order, some for particular mealtimes only or for certain dishes:
Matchbox
Equinox
Firefly
Alero – Dupont location only
Chadwicks – Old Town location, Brunch
Spider Kelly’s (the spider kelly burger)
Liberty Tavern
Pizzeria Paradiso
Jackson 20
And…
Georgetown Cupcake.

[masonuc]

I can't possibly imagine anyone having Alero on their Top 10 list... ever. That's pretty unbelievable. In fairness I have never been to the Dupont location but the one in Cleveland Park was equivalent to Mexican food you might expect at a chain restaurant in Des Moines. It was abysmal. Made Lauriol Plaza seem like Topolobampo.

[Dennis S]

I won't defend chain restaurants, but Mexican food in Iowa can be pretty darn good. My mom showed me a place in Atlantic that would be a stand-out here.

[MDoodle]

Haha gee, thanks. I think Lauriol Plaza is terrible, btw. I don't know what it is about Alero in Dupont. Its odd, I know. Their location on U street is not great either. Just Dupont. Or. its just me. Or, the margaritas. Hey, its my personal opinion, and my list, right?

[flavrmeistr]

The mistake people make at Lauriol is ordering the "Mexican" dishes. They are not good. The Carribean dishes are actually pretty decent, though.

[cassidym]

In no particular order:
Restaurant Eve
Kincade's
2941
Haandi
L'Auberge Chez Francois
Proof
Le Chamiere
Me Jana
Schmankerl Stube (Haggerstown)
Montmarte

[masonuc]

I think that Haandi is so far and away the best Indian restaurant in the area, it amazes me that everyone else doesn't agree. Note: the Bethesda location is much, much better than the Fairfax one. I rarely go, because it is so far and Heritage is so close for me (Dupont)... but when I make the trip I wonder why I ever go to Heritage.

[ktmoomau]

You do realize this thread is about people's top ten favorites, not what is generally considered the top 10 of all dc right?

[djr222]

Im from the UK, live in New england right now , I tried the Haandi,(Bethesda Location) last night and have to say that its the best I have had in the USA, had the lamb Vindaloo, and it was just great, Im not a real big rice lover but I asked and got the way they cook it

[piafoodie]

I have to respectfully disagree. Haandi is just awful. Do you see any Indians eating there? Never. Do you know why? Not only is the food mediocre, but they treat Indians very poorly. I've actually experienced eating there in a large mixed group of Indians and non-Indians and they actually treated us differently at the same table!! I'm from an Indian family and nobody I know who is Indian ever dines there!

[FoodieMcGee]

great post! Here are the 10 that I could think of when reminiscing about wonderful meals in the past year:
Palena
La Canela (peruvian)
Co Co Sala
Sweet Basil (thai)
Passage to India
Vidalia
Bistro D'Oc
Mia's in Bethesda
Me Jana
Prailine

[woodleyparkhound]

Komi
Ray's Hell Burger
Vace
Mia's Pizza
Comet Ping Pong
Rasika
Nava Thai
Ruan Thai
Amsterdam Falafel
Teaism
Burger Joint (Bethesda)
Dino's
Amma Vegetarian Kitchen
Granville Moore's

[mnadel]

Volt
Marcel's
2941
The Source
Cityzen
Tosca
Proof
Inox

[WestIndianArchie]

Ray's Hell Burger - burgers
Lalibela - Taye Kitfo
City Deli - Pastrami
Loeb's - Pastrami
Nando's Peri Peri - 1/2 chicken extra hot

Amsterdam Falafel
Granville Moore - Fromage Blue Mussels
2 Amy's - Pizza
Present - pretty much anything
Ba Le in College Park - Banh Mi
Golden Krust - Patties

[Dennis S]

What and where is Golden Krust? Never heard of it and I'd like to hear more.

[WestIndianArchie]

1) Franchised Take Out Jamaican, I prefer it to Tropican Eatery, Naby, Negril, Rita's, and a few of the other closer Jamaican spots. It's not Brooklyn (which isn't JA), but it's closer.

2) 3500 E West Hwy, Hyattsville, MD

Generally I wouldn't call it transcendant or revolutionary, just good cheap food that reminds me of home.

[Steve]

Not related to the Golden Krust in Brooklyn?

[WestIndianArchie]

Same franchise

[lindsayblake]

Rays the Steaks
Hanks Oyster Bar
Central
Tie- Brasserie Beck for food/Bistrot du Coin for atmosphere
Komi
Rasika
General Store (Colorado Kitchen RIP)
Blacksalt
Belga Cafe
Cork

[vega4933]

What a list and great resource. Who wants to do the spreadhseet;)

[jamiechiri]

HA i was thinking the exact same thing!! i might tackle it tomorrow if im bored at work

[Mississippi Snopes]

ten places I enjoy the most right now

- Hong Kong Palace
- Present
- Vidalia
- Rocklands (haters of this place baffle me)
- El Charrito Caminante
- Ray's Hell Burger
- Oyamel
- Ravi's Kabob
- Village Bistro
- Minh's

(ten very close runners up include Lebanese Butcher, Etete, Belga Cafe, El Pollo Rico, Kaz Sushi Bistro, Zaytinya, Jaleo, Nava Thai, the Majestic, and Hank's Oyster Bar)

[Marty L.]

OK, if the question is "favorites," not best, then my top dozen (as of this moment, anyway) would include (in alphabetical order):

Ba Le (Rockville)
cf folks
Full Kee (DC)
Jaleo
Joe's Noodle House
Komi
Nava Thai
(the Bar at) Palena
Ravi Kabob
Ray’s (all three -- I cheat)
Teaism
2 Amys

Too far for any definition of "Metro" -- Town House (Chilhowie)
Late, lamented: Colorado Kitchen

Runners' up would include (in no particular order):

Taqueria Distrito Federale
Taqueria El Charrito Caminante
Corduroy
Hong Kong Palace
Ruan Thai
Huong Viet
Pho Hot
Kotobuki
Deli City
Grace Garden (broad reading of "Metro")
Myannmar
Oohs and Aahs
Queen Makeda
Obelisk
Sushi-Ko
General Store
Dairy Godmother
Thai X-ing

Regretting that I haven't tried them yet:

Spice X-ing
Cork
La Caraquena
Bar Pilar
Eve
Teaism
Granville Moore’s
Volt
CityZen
Proof
Teatro Goldoni
New Heights (w/Logan Cox)
Vidalia (since the new lunch specials)
Sushi Taro (since the omakase renovation)

[Marty L.]

sorry, Teaism in the last category is a typo; it belongs in the first

[rarotonga]

Oops, missed this thread earlier... well, anyway. In no particular order -

Woodlands (THIS is the best Indian - Langley Park)
El Tapatio (Bladensburg)
Mandalay
Proof
Granville Moore (only been there once so far but I adored it)
Poste
Etete
Sonoma Wine Bar
Dolcezza (finally, good coffee in Bethesda)
And lastly, I'm going to vote for the Sunday special dinner at the General Store in Silver Spring because everyone else is always hating on it.

[greedygirl]

I'm visiting DC from London in a few day's time and have found these lists to be useful in my research. I was wondering what places you would recommend for a foreigner in central DC (we are staying in Logan's Circle). On my maybe list are:

Matchbox
Sonoma
Bistro du Coin
Bar Pilar
Central
Jaleo
Rice
Vidalia (for lunch special)
Teaism
Rasika (but wondering whether it's worth it given that London is great for Indian)

Many thanks.

[Gigi007]

Hi greedygirl, of the restaurants on your list, most are very good, but I especially recommend Sonoma, Bistro du Coin, Bar Pilar, Central, and Jaleo (one of my personal favorites). Haven't been to Rasika, but friends and a lot of people on this board enthusiastically endorse it. But as you said, you have a lot of great Indian restaurants in London.

For a unique experience (and if you don't mind venturing into a few different neighborhoods), you might also look into Minibar, Cafe Atlantico (Latino Dim Sum brunch), Obelisk, and Mendocino Wine Bar & Grille. Cheers.

[steve h.]

sunday brunch at cafe atlantico is a ton of fun.

[Steve]

Rice - Certainly not worth going out of yuor way for, and maybe not going to at all.
Matchbox - nothing special. Good mini-burgers
Sonoma - quite good, especially if you will visit Library of Congress (and you should).
Bar Pilar - only ok.
Central- v. good to great.

[greedygirl]

We went to Central the other night and it was indeed v. good to great. My simple green salad was impeccably dressed and the cassoulet fabulous. Good wine list too - they even had one of our favourite wines fwhich we discovered this year via our usual wine supplier in France! I thought it was lacking in atmosphere though.

[Steve]

Thanks for your report. Fabulous cassoulet is hard to find, so I'm glad you mentioned that.

Now you don't need to waste your time with Bistro d'Oc. Jaleo for Spanish tapas would be a next v. good stop. Especially the grilled asparagus, spinach with raisins, patatas bravas, tortilla espanol, chorizo, dates with bacon, and anything else that strikes you.

Though I can't claim it will make you forget about Barcelona.

[greedygirl]

We're long gone I'm afraid - in Charleston now. In DC, we made it to Ray's Hellburger (great), Matchbox (wanted something casual as we were jetlagged on our first night), Market Lunch and Regent Thai (local option - tired after walking for miles and miles and miles and miles!).

[Mulan]

Maybe I don't get out and about as much as others, but these are my favorites from the restaurants I have been to (in no order):

1. Willow
2. Crystal Thai
3. Argia's
4. Piola
5. Cafe Oggi
6. Liberty Tavern
7. Mourayo
8. Cafe Assorti (samsas and pierogis)
9. Carlyle Cafe
10.Palena

[CoconutMilk]

Is cafe oggi really good? I went there years ago and wasn't impressed.

[Mulan]

We generally go Saturday night--sometimes I notice with restaurants they are "on" for the big nights, but not so good on the weeknights. Anyway, what we usually get are osso bucco, spaghetti with seafood, fried calamari, fried zucchini. It is all very good. Frankly, I find the food better than the trendy Sette Bello, although the atmosphere is a bit tame as it is filled with older folks.

[marcbjohnson]

(1) 2 Amy's (NW DC)
(2) Mark's Duck House (Falls Church, VA)
(3) Present (Falls Church, VA)
(4) Magnolia at the Mill (Purcellville, VA)
(5) Fireworks Pizza (Leesburg, VA)
(6) Four Sisters (Merrifield, VA)
(7) Pho 75 (Herndon, Virginia)
(8) Hooked On Seafood (Sterling, Virginia)
(9) Urban BBQ (Rockville, Maryland)
(10) Any of the Great American Restaurants (Sweetwater Tavern, Arties, Coastal Flats, etc.-Several Northern Virginia Locations)

Too many honorable mentions or other restaurants that could also be on this list.

[Dennis S]

Any of the GAR chain except Jackson's in Reston.

Can you say a bit more about Hooked on Seafood? I haven't heard of the place but am intrigued.

[Fracis]

Urban is the best bbq in the area.

[flavrmeistr]

Sad, isn't it?

[sarcasmsk]

Anyone have thoughts as to a modification of this list...what about 10 best food finds...places you can't live without

[ktmoomau]

I think we should start a new list (in a new thread) and have it Todd Kilman style where you list places you would spend your own money.

[a1234]

Amazing that people will rate places like 2 Amys and Moby Dick (are you KIDDING me?) above really good restaurants. We are not talking about value here. Or is this just reverse snobbery?
Do they really mean to say if price was no object they would rather have a burnt pizza than a four course meal from a world class chef? Probably they prefer MacDonald's to Prime Rib, too.
Since I have not eaten at that many places, I can only say some that are outstanding include, more or less in order of quality: Inn at Little Washington, 1789, Tosca, Chez Francois, Il Pizzico, Palena, Morton's, Ray's, Persimmon, Aroma (in Olney), Cesco.
This is not to dis any of the other favs, except maybe Jaleo or Grapeseed, which are not very good, Kincaid, and Cava which I think are OK but overrated, and places like Amys, Joes and Moby, which are OK but simply not in the same league as the others.

[Dennis S]

While I certainly wouldn't put Moby Dick's on my list, the OP used the term favorite - which definitely does not mean high tier. Value can indeed be part of it - as I'd view favorite to get to the Gestalt.

[Steve]

Let's look at your list a little bit closer: Two of them are steak places. Maybe great steak places. But why is your love of steak better than my love of hong you chao shou? Or chaat papri? Or jerk chicken?

So if you have a pizza place you'd like to put on your top ten list, by all means tell us. But if you think a pizza place CAN'T be on a list of favorites, then I believe you have not been following Chowhound very carefully. It is one of the most passionate subjects of all.

[a1234]

I have never met a pizza I didn't like. I even like the frozen stuff at the supermarket and can force down a Domino's. But Amy's biggest claim to fame is it supposedly replicates pizza sold in the street in Naples, as if this is some great culinary achievement. Pizza is very easy to make and requires absolutely no skill. Ask the kids at Pizza Hut - with a few fresher ingredients, they could produce a 2 Amys pizza. Although I do like pizza, it is basically junk food. A restaurant that serves mainly pizza is by definition not a great restaurant, just as one that serves mainly fried chicken or chili - which are more real food than pizza - is not. So no, a pizza joint should not be on such a list, especially if it makes mundane pizza and has little ambience, selection and service.
If your point is such lists are subjective, I will admit you are correct. So maybe somebody likes Twinkies better than the tiramisu at Tosca, or MacDonald's is better than Peter Lugers, Maybe somebody likes pizza more than a full meal at a good restaurant or even at home. That's their taste, and they have a right to it. But I think by any objective standard the two are in different leagues, and most grownups at most times prefer the one to another.
Furthermore,I think in many cases it is simply reverse condescending foodie snobbery, as in "only I have the sensitivity to recognize the hidden genius in this lowly food, only I am perceptive enough to smell out the best hot dog or bagel". This is "foodie" nonsense. I don't even like the term "foodie", the ultimate in reverse snobbery. Who doesn't like food, but let's have some sense of perspective on quality.

[Steve]

If you have anything to say about pizza in general, then by all means post it on the General Topics Board for all Chowhounds to participate.

Just to keep this OT:

Every margherita pizza I've had at 2 Amys has been stellar. The last one I had, about the middle of the summer, was the best single pie of my life. I also love their polpete, suppli, rapini, and most other things I've had their including various salads and small plates. So what's a fella to do?

Here is a post about 2 Amys from Ed Levine, author of a pizza book and major domo of Slice, the foremost pizza website:

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives...

I didn't even put 2 Amys in my top ten. But if someone does, I'm certainly not going to object.

[repete]

Moby Dick isn't even close to the best kabob place in the area. I've tried different locations over the years to understand the fascination, but just don't get it.

[Dennis S]

I agree and would put Reston Kabob, Charcoal Kabob and Shamshiry on the list but for different reasons (the kabob itself, the sides, the rice, respectively). Caspian Sea in Germantown would also make the list along with Mayur on K around 12th.

What other places would you put on the list ahead of MD?

[repete]

I'd rank both Kabob n' Karahi (which is a ways out (Cloverly on New Hampshire) and Sam's Market on the Rockville Pike ahead of MD with Kabob n' Karahi clearly the tops. Great place and the smothered "chat" samosas are also top-notch.

[deangold]

I love the Lamb Kabob and the Sheek. Not a fan of the chicken sheek kabbob but botht he bone in and boneless chicken are superb. Still for under $10 for the kebobs and the naan and really good raita (plus a few welcome shreds of iceberg and onion), this is a super bargain!!

[WestIndianArchie]

Oh no , another contrary opinion!

What are we going to do?

[ktmoomau]

I think it is important for us all to remember the point of this thread. Not to list the ten best restaurants in the area, but our favorite.

I would never insult someone because of what they choose as a favorite restaurant. It often has to do with your upbringing, where you live, your income and personal experience.

Some places are on my list because they are traditional places that are incorporated into my Husband and I's life (we used to have a regular schedule while we were dating that included the Italian Store on weekends that we just got to relax and spend time with each other, so now if I haven't seen him for a while or we are super busy I crave that tradition and therefore that food) or a special date spot that means a lot to us.

2Amy's may be a favorite because many people have kids and appreciate how nice they are to the little ones. Or pizza comforts them. I probably crave pizza more than any other food, except beef. Or Moby Dick's might be something someone gets for work lunch on bad days, or they went their at school in Gtown, or gosh darn it they just like it. You never know why something is someone's favorite. And I appreciate that people listed their favorites so I can learn something about them. So you people that feel like criticizing restaurants that's fine, but please don't translate that into sneering that some restaurant is a favorite to someone.

[mraamer]

1)Restaurant Eve
2)Komi
3) Central
4)Churchkey
5)Sushi Taro
6)Present
7) Four Sisters
8) Palena
9) Oyamel
10) Tie: Sandwiches from Cowgirl Creamery or Taylor

[Dennis S]

I've never heard of Churchkey - do you mind expounding a bit?

[mraamer]

Churchkey is the relatively new bar above Birch & Barley at 14 & T. b The beer menu at Churchkey is outstanding. They have 50 craft beers on tap each day, including a few cask specials. I've had some fantastic beers there that I haven't come across elsewhere. They also do small pours, so you can try a variety of beers w/o getting wasted or spending a ton of cash.

It's a whimsical bar menu. Sweet bread "poppers," deviled duck eggs with duck panceta, shrimp corndogs, foie "tots." Had a really nice flat bread there recently with gorgonolza and figs.

I haven't had a chance to try Birch & Barley yet, but the menu looks pretty fantastic. Tom Sietsema wrote a "first bite" column on Wednesday and gave it a very strong review.

Here's a link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

[mstinawu]

We need a poll option..

[Fracis]

In no particular order:
Komi
2941
CityZen
Indique Heights
Equinox
Zaytinya
Sushi Taro
Plume
Kinkeads
Minibar

Have yet to try Volt. Honorable mentions include Taqueria Nacionale, The Palm, Capital grille, Blue Ridge, Good Stuff Eatery, Proof, Brasserie Beck, Bens Chili Bowl, Oceanaire

[usa87]

(no order)

Thai Luang (Herndon)-Thai
Pho 75 (Rosslyn)-Vietnamese
Dante Ristorante (Great Falls)-Italian
Smith and Wollensky (NW)- steaks/seafood
A. Litteri Inc. (NE)-italian market-subs better than italian store
Geppettos (Bethesda)-pizza
L'Auberge Chez Francois (Great Falls)- French
Dubliner (NW)- Bar Food
Full Kee (NW)- Chinese
Blue Ridge Grill (Leesburg)- American

Those are off the top of my head, I havent been to any Ray's but it sounds like they would be on the list

[gumbrinus]

In no particular order:

Sabai Sabai Simply Thai (Germantown)
2 Amys
Chix (U Street Corridor)
Mama Ayesha's (Woodley Park/Adam's Morgan)
Julia's Empanadas (Adams-Morgan)
Volt (Frederick)
Selam (Eritrean cuisine, U Street)
Al Crostino (U Street)
Urban BBQ (Rockville)
Dogfish Head Brewpub (Gaithersburg)

[mjhals]

Nothing too surprising
Minhs
Liberty Tavern
Ray's the Steaks
Central
Brasserie Beck
Oya
Kaz Sushi Bistro
Guajillo
La Bodega
Againn

[Steve]

WHere is La Bodega? Is that the tapas place in Georgetown?

[mjhals]

yep, that's it. I love their piquillo peppers stuffed with short ribs, and they do a good tortilla de patatas. Sangria is good too, although not as good as Guajillo.

[baconjen]

Getting back on DC Chowhound after a long absence! This seems like a great thread to start up again. My favorities are below (no particular order) - and by favorites I mean places where I love the food, dig the atmosphere, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.

Eve (especially lunch special in the bar, which I can actually afford)
Komi
Dino
Present
Proof
Rabieng (thai)
Central
PS7 lounge area - specifically for the tuna sliders which I could eat every week!
2941
Cafe Atlantico (brunch)

I really wanted to put My Karma in Lorton, VA in the mix, but I think that is too far for "DC Metro" - love that place though!

[ulterior epicure]

@ baconjen: Do you mean Restaurant Eve as your first-named restaurant?

[baconjen]

Yes! I especially love going there with a friend for lunch in the bar. We can each order two things for under $14 and share. It's a great deal for some of the best food in the DC area.

[siskomartel]

Hey - new to the DC board - moving in a few weeks to Alexandria. Bit of a foodie, as well as a data nut, so in request of a spreadsheet...

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?ke...

as of 3/28, 450 votes, 226 restaurants (lots of opinions! a good thing I think). Almost 80% only had 1 or 2 votes. Here's a list of everyone with 5 or more votes (19 total):

Restaurant Votes
Komi 12
Ray's Hellburger 11
Central 10
2 Amys 9
Present 8
Proof 8
Ray's the Steaks 8
Matchbox 7
Rasika 7
Restaurant Eve 7
Sonoma 7
Corduroy 6
Granville Moore's 6
Hong Kong Palace 6
Kaz Sushi Bistro 5
Palena 5
Ruan Thai 5
Teaism 5
Vidalia 5

Sorry for the formatting. Methodology was, download the board, delete everything that didn't look like a list, delete extraneous characters, fix/combine misspellings, and run simple analysis on. Quick and dirty, but it's something.

I'm in Austin right now, and glad there's such variety, as well as some really good Asian I'm looking forward to! Be nice to be back on the east coast and get good Chinese, pizza, and bagels...

reply if you see any issues, and I can update the spreadsheet.

thanks,

Jonathan

[chocolatstiletto]

That was fantastic; thanks for pulling it all together! Hopefully it will guide you well!

[woodleyparkhound]

Wow! Thanks for doing this -- it's interesting to see it laid out this way. Looks like a couple of people voted for "Eve" when they probably meant "Restaurant Eve".

I'm looking forward to reading your posts after you move to the area - welcome!

[siskomartel]

Great catch - I've made the change, and now Restaurant Eve is at 9 votes. Thanks!

[Smiles2008]

Thank you! That was a wonderful gesture and will be useful to many. Welcome to Alexandria! Please go to Restaurant Eve...you will love it.

[mstinawu]

Is 'Central' referring to 'Grand Central' on 2447 18th Street Northwest?

[Dennis S]

1001 Penn - down nearish the White House.

http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/

[phatty]

Wow, surprised that I don't see Sawatdee anywhere on that spreadsheet. Very good Thai place in Courthouse plaza.

Some of my favorites (some nicer than others, atmosphere-wise):

Sawatdee
Ray's the Steaks
Founding Farmers
Zatinya
Tabard Inn
El Pollo Rico
Kabob Bazaar

[dining with doc]

my ten are in no order (actually 11)
1. LeAuberge Chez Francios
2. 2941
3. Minibar @ Cafe Atlantico
4. Citronelle
5. Matchbox
6. 2- Amys
7. Cieba
8 DC Coast
9. Rays Hellsburger
10 Eat First
11. The Palm (cant pass up a huge lobster)

[toomuchfat]

We like:

1. Komi. Simply the best, high-end eating in DC. The food is imaginative and fun without being weird.

2. 2941. We'll be getting married there later this year. Honestly, the food is not as interesting as Komi but it is very good and the setting is great.

3. Minibar. Very creative and (mostly) delicious food.

4. Central. My fiance loves the fish and chips. Everything is good here. We first had a French 75 with Gvine here...a revelation.

5. Raku. We like it. The chirashi is one of the best bargains in town.

6. Rays (either the Steak or Classics)...we love it. Haven't tried Hellburger yet.

7. The Italian Store has rockin' sammies...great to take to Wolftrap.

8. Jaleo

9. Makoto - not enough food though

10. To be discovered

[Nancee Swartz]

Mine are:
Kabob Palace
Deli City
Obelisk
Woodlands
Greek Deli
Cava
Levi's Port Cafe
Ray's the Steaks
La Mexicana Bakery & Taqueria

Nancee Swartz
Brookline MA

[The Food Buster]

1. Citronelle
2. Ray's Hell Burger
3. Blue Duck Tavern
4. Rasika
5. Cityzen
6. Ray's the Steaks
7. 2 Amy's
8. Tosca
9. Etete

And that's about it. I've eaten at a ton of places, but I'm just not a huge fan of the DC scene.

[Jeremy303]

In no particular Order I couldn't stop at just 10.
1. Komi
2. Central
3. Bistro Bis
4. 2Amys
5. Rasika
6. Tosca/Siroc very similar northern Italian fare.
7. Charlie Palmer Steakhouse
8. The Prime Rib/Bobby Vans
9. Rays Hell Burger/Rays the Steaks
10. 701
11. Corduroy
12. Palena
13. Ravi Kabob
14. Italian Store/Taylor Gourmet

notable mentions, Oval Room, Brasserie Beck, Shamshiry, Greek Deli, Nando's, Peking Gourmet Inn.

[Dennis S]

Where is Greek Deli that you mention?

[a1234]

Nice list (at least the 14) but I don't believe 2 Amys is the fourth best restaurant in DC by any standard, and certainly does not belong in that company, except maybe for The Italian Store.

[hamster]

He did note that it was "in no particular order."
And I will stand up for 2 Amy's - a return trip a few weeks ago re-ignited my enthusiasm for it! I love the pizza there. There was none of the soupiness that you always hear about on chowhound. It was all-around awesome. We also had some risotto balls (telefoni?) that were addictive. This was a Sunday night, by the way, maybe 8:30ish.

[Jeremy303]

2Amy's is always great! The Doc's pizza's are my favorite, I cant resist the buffalo mozzarellat. The Aranaci balls are always delicious, have you tried the potato frittas? and the potato croquettes? They are both excellent. I need to go there on Sunday for their brunch for bialys and homemade doughnuts that I heard are excellent.

[Jeremy303]

I said at the top of my post that my list was in no particular order. Ofcourse 2Amy's isn't the 4th best restaurant in DC. The Greek Deli is at 1120 19th Street NW, go early (before 12 for lunch) or the line will get extremely long, it's a few doors down from Smith & Wollenskys. It's a extremely small restaurant, there are a few tables outside but the Greek Deli is mostly for takeout. The Gyro and the Avgolemono Soup (Chicken Lemon) are my favorite dishes. You can get those 2 in a combo for $9.99 which also comes with a piece of bread. This is my favorite Gyro in the city, I always ask Kosta (The owner) for extra Tzatziki Sauce for my Gyro. Enjoy!

[Raids]

Is 10 *favorite* restaurants, right? That's a subjective preference, IMHO, not a claim that a place is the "best" by critical standards. This is the best I can do - only 8. I've only been in DC for two years now, and still have a lot of places on my list of places to go (Citronelle, Rasika, Zaytinya, Ray's, etc.). In no particular order:

(1) Blue Duck Tavern - because I actually experience cravings for their buttermilk brined chicken and apple pie, and because I love the patio.
(2) Juice Joint - amazing breakfast/lunch counter with a serious commitment to healthy ingredients - the tofu mayo is fantastic, but I'm really in it for the mahi mahi sandwhich or the turkey bacon in a breakfast wrap.
(3) Againn - Love the brunch with $5 mimosas, I actually like their bloody marys (which is rare), and I had a burger there that was truly out of this world. And they have a great whisky selection.
(4) Proof - Everything I have here is great, I get to match wine samples to courses, or create my own flights, and the desserts are spectacular. I really like the lounge during off hours.
(5) Jaleo - Okay, besides the paella, there's nothing on the menu I go nuts over, but I just love it here. It's fun, the sangria is good, and the house gin & tonic is possibly the best cocktail in the city.
(6) Pizzeria Paradiso (Georgetown) - This beats the other great pizza places in DC for me because of the bar downstairs. Really well chosen selection.
(7) Sushi Taro - I did the chef's table, and I've never had better sushi and I probably never will have better sushi. I, like everyone else, miss the old version, but you can't blame them for capitalizing on the fact that their fish is just better and fresher than everyone else's and I get what they're trying to do.
(8) Capitol Grille - I reserve the right to swap this out for Ray's once I make it over there, but so far this is the best steak I've had here and compares to any steak I've had anywhere. And if you split the Porterhouse, it's not a total bank-buster. The pineapple cocktails and lobster mac & cheese are great here, also.

[Raids]

Having tried out a few more places since I wrote this, I'm going to give my last two spots to Birch and Barley and Rasika.

[deep smied]

1. PF Changs Arlington
2. Potbelly Ballston
3. Chipotle Falls Church
4. Ted's Montana Grill Alexandria
5. Arby's Merrifield
6. Golden Corrall Arundel Mills
7. Boston Market Rt 1 Alexandria
8. Denny's near BWI
9. Maggiano's Tyson's Galleria
10. Minibar

[biscuit]

Really? Chain restaurants. Surely, you jest.

[SandyCat]

deep smied gets my vote for awesomest post.

[Soup]

nice list.

[elledeepea]

Here are a few basic "nice" old favorites and hot spots:

[Lolac]

I had lunch at Georgia Brown's last week. It was wonderful!

[Lolac]

Peking Gourmet Inn
Zaytinya
Spartan's
Heart in Hand
Union Street Public House
Georgia Brown's
News Cafe