DC Metro’s Top 5 Neighborhoods for Foodies

• March 26, 2009
• 16 Comments
• Lists & Rankings

by Basheer Murshed

Click photo for full slideshow

The Bar at Central Michel Richard by AImee Lind

We don’t dare try and compete with Washingtonian’s “Best Restaurants” issue or the City Paper’s Best Of DC issue (published today). However a few months ago, we were lucky enough to have Basheer Murshed, long-time DC resident and wine director at the widely-praised Komi offer up his picks for the best areas when it comes to quality food spots. As we noted back in September, 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.

(Originally published on July 18, 2008)

Cleveland 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.

Click photo for full slideshow

Palena by Alissa Schuler

Long known as “the neighborhood next to Chinatown”, the 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 is the brains behind 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 one of DC’s most famous celebrity chefs 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.

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? Check out Marvin (map), named after legendary singer Marvin Gaye and owned by the guys behind 18th Street 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.

Click photo for full slideshow

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.

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.

So, do you agree or disagree with Basheer’s picks? Let us know in the comments section.

16 Comments

1. SG said at 12:02 am on Friday March 27, 2009:

   No Gtown?  No Alexandria?  They’re definitely in the top 5.

   My top 5 would go:
   Penn Quarter
   Gtown
   Bethesda
   Alexandria
   Arlington

   Then, in no particular order:
   Cleveland Park
   Dupont Circle
   U Street

1. Eric said at 9:45 am on Friday March 27, 2009:

   Not G’town, but I like Dupont Circle for restaurant options.

1. Wil said at 10:16 am on Friday March 27, 2009:

   FYI, Ray’s has moved from its longtime Rosslyn stripmall location to fancier (and more spacious) digs near Courthouse metro.
   But I won’t attempt to correct your assessment of the steaks… they are fantastic.

1. Adam said at 3:12 pm on Friday March 27, 2009:

   Corduroy is nominated for best mid-atlantic chef and is near convention center, yet absent from this list.

1. Lee said at 3:42 pm on Friday March 27, 2009:

   not the biggest fan of corduroy but i do like proof down in that area.

1. Adam said at 11:19 pm on Friday March 27, 2009:

   The entire downtown area (um Brasserie Beck, much?) is absent from here.  This is not a foodie list, it’s a tourist/I read Late Nite Shots, list.

1. Sam said at 11:33 pm on Friday March 27, 2009:

   Not to mention that Jose Andres is completely overlooked.

   Add to that the odd Penn Quarter section. Clyde’s AND Proof are both IN Chinatown. Central is arguably in downtown. 

   Jose Andres has restaurants IN Penn Quarter that were absolutely overlooked.

   Also interesting for a city that has the 3rd highest LGBT population in the country, the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle restaurants aren’t mentioned.

1. Erin said at 10:17 am on Saturday March 28, 2009:

   Georgetown and Bethesda have really don’t have much to offer foodies. With the exception of maybe one or two good places, these places seem to be filled with over-priced and uninspiring restaurants.

1. Benji said at 10:52 am on Saturday March 28, 2009:

   Jose Andre restaurants are over-rated. Clyde’s AND Proof are in Penn Quarter, and just because a city has a high LGBT population that means that we have to recognize the restaurants in neighborhoods with a large percentage of that demographic? What good restaurants are there in Logan CIrcle, really?

1. Adam said at 12:21 pm on Saturday March 28, 2009:

   Uh….Restaurante Posto for starters is in Logan Circle

1. Sam said at 12:30 pm on Saturday March 28, 2009:

   You’re right Benji. Mini-bar isn’t one of the best dining experience in this city.

   Also, Chinatown is defined by city code and includes Clyde’s and Proof. That’s why they have to have signs with the name of their restaurant in chinese. Penn Quarter is south of Chinatown. 

   Logan Tavern, Stoneys, Cork all in Logan Tavern and all AT LEAST as good as Clyde’s.

   As to the LGBT argument, go read “The Creative Class” and learn about disposable income.

1. Loofa133 said at 8:33 pm on Monday March 30, 2009:

   Is this a joke? Let’s see any area where Mon Ami Gabi is the top restaurant cannot be on a list.  Lets see what is missing - Dupont Circle - Komi, Sushi Taro, Paradisio, Obelisk, etc.  Let’s see here - Old Town, a food destination in itself, is missing - Eamonns, Eve, and any multitude of other places there.

1. anonymous said at 8:57 pm on Monday March 30, 2009:

   Clyde’s? Don’t they have those in airports?  This was clearly written by someone who only goes out when their parents are in town.  I second the nomination of MiniBar, which some say is one of the best restaurants in the world.  I would also suggest vegetate and courdoroy, both in Shaw/Convention area.  Finally, Domku in Petworth.  This list misses a lot.

1. Elisa said at 10:05 pm on Monday March 30, 2009:

   Ah, the pretension that drips from these comments is just what is wrong with snobby foodies. First off, this is a list of neighborhoods with good restaurants, not the individual best restaurants in the city. Secondly, it notes right at the top that this is not some expert compilation, just the man’s choices. For my money, put me at Pollo Rico with a half chicken over MiniBar where I am eating ginger infused oxygen any day of the week. Snobby commenters, get down off your high horse and get a life.

1. Ralph said at 4:50 pm on Tuesday March 31, 2009:

   Ben’s Chili Bowl?

   ‘Top notch dog’?  What’re you, out of your mind?  Ben’s Chili Bowl is disgusting.  The only thing worse than their food is the way they treat (some of) their customers.

1. Reginald said at 1:30 am on Monday April 20, 2009:

   Second the comment above:  Ben’s Chili Bowl is thoroughly disgusting.  And I’m hardly a snobby foodie, I like greasy spoons, if the ingredients are good and they are well-prepared.  I also like frankfurters or bratwurst and fries now and again and I see nothing wrong with expecting a decent meal from such a simple formula.  Every time I’ve eaten at Ben’s Chili Bowl I’ve had mild to fulminant diarrhea, but then, perhaps that’s not so surprising as the garbage coming out looked not much different from that going in.  The only thin claim to fame BCB has is its longevity and its association with some African-American celebrities and a few politicians looking to garner some attention.  (By contrast with the previous poster, I’ve never found the service off-putting.)

Join the discussion