Lists & Rankings
DC Metro’s Top 5 Neighborhoods for Foodies
The Bar at Central Michel Richard by AImee Lind
Property prices are rarely, if ever, dictated by the food options in a certain neighborhood. That said, it will probably come as no surprise that some of the best neighborhoods in the DC area for restaurants are zip codes where the homes are not cheap.
He cannot claim to have ever lived in any of these neighborhoods, but Basheer Murshed, long-time DC resident and wine director at the widely-praised Komi, was gracious enough to offer up his picks for the best areas when it comes to quality food spots.
Cleveland Park/Cathedral HeightsCleveland Park and Cathedral Heights are two overlapping neighborhoods near the National Cathedral that bring to mind private schools and some of the nicer homes in DC. But they also happen to offer some of the best eating in the city. Here are my picks for the top three restaurants in the area.
Palena (map) is the place to go for upscale bistro fare at affordable prices, or four-star dining in the super-chic back room. Chef Frank Ruta, 2007 James Beard Award winner, is a master of Italian cuisine both modern and classic, and his spectacular homemade pastas should not be missed.
Two blocks from the National Cathedral, chef and owner Peter Pastan, initially of Obelisk fame, showcases his wood oven pizzas at the late Tim Russert’s favorite, 2 Amy’s (map). Diners can enjoy Neapolitan pizza, house-cured charcuterie and rustic Italian wines in a very kid-friendly and casual setting.
Up the block from Palena, Ardeo (map) offers modern American cuisine and tapas with a number of quality wine selections. I recommend the himachi sashimi tartare with chili oil appetizer and the N.Y. Strip with mashed potatoes for the main course. Ardeo offers some of the most beautiful views in the city from its rooftop dining area.
| Palena | 3529 Connecticut Avenue NW |
|---|---|
| 2 Amy's | 3715 Macomb Street NW |
| Ardeo | 3311 Connecticut Avenue NW |
Palena by Alissa Schuler
Long known as “the neighborhood next to Chinatown”, the newly-coined Penn Quarter has come to life with new residents and a slew of very good restaurants.
High-profile DC lawyer and wine freak Mark Kuller recently opened Proof on G Street (map). The restaurant which features pictures from the National Portrait Gallery (hence the name) offers dishes such as wagyu beef carpaccio and Alaskan halibut. Enjoy a number of different items with the chef’s six-course tasting menu. Sommelier Sebastian Zutant will even pour a glass from any bottle under $300, a practice unheard of at most restaurants.
Chef Michel Richard is DC’s most famous celebrity chef and his restaurant Central (map) lives up to billing. Diners who are accustomed to Richard’s culinary genius at the award-winning Citronelle can enjoy the same level of brilliance at Central, where the fare is more casual. Dishes like fried chicken and a top notch lobster burger are worth the trip and won’t burn a hole in your wallet.
Those looking to grab a bite before or after a Wizards game should look no further than Clyde’s Gallery Place (map). Next door to the Verizon Center, Clyde’s has two huge mahogany bars, great local sports memorabilia and over 20 beers on tap. Recommended dishes: the oysters, buffalo wings and char-grilled burgers.
| Proof | 775 G Street NW |
|---|---|
| Central | 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW |
| Clyde's Gallery Place | 707 7th Street NW |
Once an urban no-man’s-land, the U Street Corridor is now a bustling food destination for both late-night drinkers and casual passers-by.
Tabaq (map), with its untouchable view of the city from its retractable rooftop offers hip cocktails as well as fabulous Turkish/Greek mezze.
For those in the mood for an old-fashioned hot dog, or better yet half smoke, look no further than DC landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl (map). Diners can enjoy the snap of a top notch dog with killer fries, and if you want to up the ante, top it off with a steaming ladle of chili.
Feel like rubbing elbows with local hipsters? Marvin (map), named after legendary singer Marvin Gaye, is a new spot opened by the owners of 18th St. Lounge. There has been debate as to whether the scene is better on the open-air patio with a drink in your hand, or downstairs digging into some mussels. I prefer the latter.
| Tabaq | 1336 U Street NW |
|---|---|
| Ben's Chili Bowl | 1213 U Street NW |
| Marvin | 2007 14th Street NW |
Ben's Chili Bowl by Rachael Voorhees
Arlington’s reputation as a place for very good restaurants is nothing new. Within sight of Georgetown, the Virginia town trumps most DC neighborhoods in terms of culinary options.
Steak lovers who are tired of stuffy steakhouses should try Ray’s The Steaks (map) on Wilson Boulevard. The unassuming location (a strip mall) does not scream top-notch steak, and neither does the fact that owner Michael Landrum is often seen schmoozing with regulars in the casual dining room. With that said, Ray’s offers better beef than many of the big-boy chains. Dry aged steaks at low prices minus the pomp is why Ray’s made my list.
The best Thai food in Arlington is at Thai Square (map). Without the benefit of a modern dining room or hotshot bartenders, the food here does the talking. As authentic as Thai food lovers could ask for, two of the best dishes on the menu are the crispy squid with fried basil and the pork knuckle stew.
El Pollo Rico (map) is the quintessential “cheap eats” spot. Peruvian style chicken, a side of cole slaw and crispy fries will run about $8 and fill you up nicely. El Pollo Rico, which also has a Maryland location, often has a line out the door that wraps around the block. There really isn’t any better promotion than that.
| Ray's The Steaks | 1725 Wilson Boulevard |
|---|---|
| Thai Square | 3217 Columbia Pike |
| El Pollo Rico | 932 North Kenmore Street |
Arlington’s Maryland counterpart when it comes to food, Bethesda is a place where residents rarely bother heading into the District for a night out at a nice restaurant.
At Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle (map), servers push around wine carts with an array of by-the-glass offerings, while the kitchen dishes out steak frites and foie gras terrines. A wonderful brunch spot as well, Mon Ami has a terrific Bloody Mary bar as well as delicious omelettes.
Persimmon (map) has long been Bethesda’s mainstay for white tablecloth dining. Patrons can enjoy jumbo lump crab cakes with roasted corn hash as well as prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin. The wine list is focused on domestic selections and has several affordable offerings.
Anyone who knows Bethesda has been to Tastee Diner (map). Often crowded in the middle of the night, the diner is a local landmark. Unlike other diners, Tastee makes all food to order and takes immense pride in its servings. Whether it’s breakfast for dinner or vice versa, make sure to get a milk shake while you’re there.
| Mon Ami Gabi | 7239 Woodmont Avenue |
|---|---|
| Persimmon | 7003 Wisconsin Avenue |
| Tastee Diner | 7731 Woodmont Avenue |
So, do you agree or disagree with Basheer’s picks? Let us know in the comments section.
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