Washington DC Restaurants: A Local’s Favorites

Last year Sarah Ives worked in DC at the National Geographic writing articles for their web site. I have posted on a number on these such as No, You're Not Nuts—It's a Water-Skiing Squirrel and Purple Carrots and Orange Cauliflower? My post on the squirrel one still gets hits almost every week. I was out visiting her this week in Seattle and we worked on local places which will appear next weekend.

Today, she provides us with her picks for the DC area and tomorrow it will be the Hanover, New Hampshire – Norwich, Vermont area where she when to college. I have also eaten at the last five DC selections below. The last three were my additons. Sarah worked in the Dupont Circle area where the National Geographic is located so this is heavy with places there.

Zed’s Ethiopian is the best of the several Ethiopian places in DC. Dinesite.com says, “It may look like a rundown Georgetown storefront, but Zed's is actually an excellent Ethiopian restaurant -- the embassy holds all of their official dinners here. The food is spicy, authentic, cheap, and most importantly, really good. There are, of course, a large number of vegetarian options, and they offer nice soft bread (inerja) in place of utensils.” It is located at 3318 M Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007 202.333.4710

Rockland’s BBQ is considered by the Washington Post and Sarah Ives as the best BBQ in town. They promise fresh only. The owner started roasting pigs at Washington and Lee U. in Virginia in the late 70s, developed a sauce, started catering and then opened this place in 1990. It is located at 2418 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, (202) 333-2558.

Tabard Inn is also near Dupont Circle. You can stay there. There are interesting interiors, wonderful paintings and murals on the walls. In warm weather you can sit outside in the back. Their site invites you to “feast on eclectic American cuisine in our acclaimed restaurant, or enjoy a cocktail and listen to live jazz in one of our cozy Victorian sitting areas.” It is a nice place to hang out in. It is located at 1739 N Street NW 202-785-1277.

Julia’s Emparedados is in the Dupont Circle area. I discovered it by chance on a late night walk. Then my daughter said she goes there herself. It has great emparedados stuffed with different things including meat, cheese, and sweets.

Citronelle is a high end place for a big night out located in the Latham Hotel in Georgetown. Michel Richard “was a pioneer in creating the French/California cuisine that is now so prevalent on the West Coast. His style is light, fresh and intelligent, focusing on innovative combinations, witty presentations and always an element of texture.” One of my bosses took me there for dinner when budgets were better. It is located at 3000 M. Street NW. 202-625-2150.

Vidalia describes itself as a contemporary Southern place with dishes like shrimp-and-grits, grillades-and-grits, and Kentucky burgoo, a sandwich of barbecue pork shoulder served open-face on toasted cornbread. One of my South Carolina cousins took me there earlier this year. Vidalia also has some not so Southern dishes like macaroni with truffled goat cheese and veal sweetbreads paired with a crisp lobster crepe but I’ll take the Southern stuff. I posted on it before in my discussion of New South Cuisine. It is located at (202-659-1990)

Taberna del Alabardero is branch of a well known Madrid place. I try to go there whenever I am in downtown DC. They have excellent tapas and, on occasion, live flamenco. It is located at 1776 I Street NW 202-429-2200.

Comments

[Mie N Yu Outside!]

Having recently moved to DC from California I was searching for a cool restaurant with great food and a great atmosphere. I got multiple recommendations to check out Mie N Yu. And I did. A large group of us had a fantastic meal, great food; plenty of wine, great time had by all UNTILL....... a member of our party started smoking in a non smoking part of the restaurant. Now, it is worth mentioning that we were the only group in a sectioned off portion of the restaurant. Nonetheless, what happened next was one of the single most offensive things to ever happen to me at a restaurant. A member of the staff came over and demanded that the cigarette be extinguished immediately! The member of our party puts the cigarette out and asks if they were "always so rude"? At this point the staff member became very upset and invites the gentleman in our party to "step outside" so they can fight about it.

I’m not sure if this is normal for DC or simply part of the Mie N Yu “take no S***! Policy. Just a warning to all those having dinner there. Do what they say, or else be prepared to hear “Mie N Yu Outside!”

[Neil Olonoff]

If you discovered "Julia’s Emparedados" in the Dupont Circle area, you were in a parallel universe. ;-)

Don't believe there is any such thing as an "emparadado". However, Julia's "Empanadas" are excellent! Also available at 2 other locations including Adams Morgan.