DC Restaurant Week Winter 2012 January 9-15, marks the 20th cycle of DC Restaurant Week, which started in 2001. In honor of the 20th Anniversary of DC Restaurant Week, here are my Top 20 picks. I hope that you’ll find it helpful. If I didn’t mention your faves, please comment below.
1. Willow – I can’t speak highly enough of executive chef Tracy O’Grady and her modern continental cuisine. She is one of the most talented chefs in the DC area who prides herself on using the freshest ingredients featuring local produce, meat, and grains. Willow has become one of my favorite places. I love that Willow clearly marks their menu for vegetarians with a little (v) to let guests know that the dish is made without meat products. Stay tuned! Willow will most likely extend their promotion.
2. Adour – Situated inside the elegant and luxurious St. Regis, Washington, D.C., a 4-course tasting menu at Adour runs $65, so the 3-course dinner for restaurant week at just $35.12 with no surcharges, is an extremely high value. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays, but are extending the promotion another week til the21st. Consistently ranked on the Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants List for a reason, if you haven’t been, you should definitely go. And make sure that you try the macaroons.
3. Graffiato – Graffiato will be participating in DC Restaurant Week for the first time this year for lunch only. If you read my July 2011 post then you’ll know that Graffiato (in my opinion) has lived up to the hype. If you’re anywhere nearby, you shouldn’t miss the chance to get three courses for just $20.12. Before you get on the horn, Graffiato uses CityEats.com as their online reservation, exclusively.
4. The Lounge at Citronelle Michel Richard – participating in restaurant week for the first time, offering DC area diners a chance to sample some of Citronelle’s best dishes, for half of the price. While Citronelle Michel Richard is not new, if you haven’t dined there yet, it’s an incredible opportunity to experience one of the finest restaurants in DC and arguably, the country. Richard’s abbreviated dinner menu in the Lounge, while not the full restaurant menu, still offers the same level of excellence with options such as his world-famous 60 hour braised Short Ribs (served for two), Tuna Salad Nicoise, and of course, the Lobster Burger (listed as one of my Top 10 all-time most memorable bites).
5. Westend Bistro – Chef de cuisine, Joe Palma executes the American menu of simple signature dishes inspired by Chef Eric Ripert’s family traditions and recipes with precision and great care. The focus is on using seasonal ingredients, culled from fresh, quality produce by local farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Even for a non foie gras or pâté lover, the Duck Liver Mousse is to die for (pardon the pun). And don’t overlook the bar menu. The sliders, frites, and truffle popcorn will keep you up at night reminiscing.
6.Trummer’s on Main – This family-owned restaurant located in historic Clifton, VA just 25 miles from Washington DC, is a quaint destination yet has earned both local and national acclaim. Executive chef Clayton Miller was named one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2010. Those who dare to venture out will welcome the escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Relax beside the fire, while enjoying an awe-inspiring meal from a star-studded culinary team.
7. J&G Steakhouse - One of the chicest dining rooms in DC and rated as one of Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best restaurants, J&G Steakhouse is a showcase for chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s favorite dishes from his New York restaurants. Enjoy and upscale menu of worldly steakhouse classics with a French twist, located in the mod W Hotel.
8. Dino – Beginning January 2nd thru Thursday February 3rd, Dino will offer a small “bar snacks” followed by your choice of three courses from their FULL menu. Your meal concludes with house made truffles featuring the wonderful Italian chocolates of Agostini. Dino will offer special wine trios available for $10 and wine madness (wines $50+ at 33% off) for the entire month.
9. Bibiana– With top-notch service, knowledgeable servers, and an award-winning and extremely talented chef Nicholas Stefanelli, I recommend it highly to everyone. The service is the best-in-the-biz and Chef Stefanelli’s seasonal menu, offering modern Italian cuisine is a must try. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out.
10. Rasika – Executive chef Vikram Sunderam’s restaurant week menus are always very promising and at such an excellent value, which includes some his best dishes, such as the palak chaat, black cod lightly sauced with star anise, dill, and honey and for dessert enjoy the carrot halwa with cinnamon sabayon. If you haven’t been, Rasika is no doubt one of the best restaurants in DC.
11. Todd Gray’s Watershed – Located in the Hilton Garden Inn, the ‘Shed is the second restaurant opened by the award-winning husband-and-wife force behind Equinox. Here the Grays continue their undying commitment to fresh, flavorful, seasonal cuisine but this time offering east coast fare from New England down to Florida, with a long, lingering stop in the Chesapeake.
12. Co Co. Sala – Renowned as the chic fine dining place to gorge oneself on artisan coffee, gourmet chocolate, decadent desserts, Co Co. Sala lures locals and visitors alike into their opulent den with an incredible deal. While Co Co. Sala only offers a dinner option for DC Restaurant Week, they often extend their promotion a week or more, giving diners a chance to get their cocoa fix.
13. Art and Soul – Under the direction of two-time James Beard Award winning Chef, Art Smith, the newly appointed executive chef Wes Morton, offers southern inspired dishes.
14. Tallula – Offering a modern approach to classic American fare in an upscale yet friendly environment. Guests will choose any appetizer, entrée and dessert from their full lunch and dinner menu. The menu focuses heavily on bold flavors resulting from the use of fresh, local produce and the highest quality meats they can find. The extensive wine list features more than 350 wines by the bottle and 70 by the glass.
15. SAX Restaurant & Lounge – No shame here, self-indulgence is expected with their opulent red velvet, gilded leaf and crystal décor paired with a modern French-inspired menu guaranteed to titillate the senses. DC Restaurant Week is an excellent opportunity to enjoy Chef Jonathan Seningen’s (formerly of Hook) sensual and satisfying dishes. Along with incredible food, SAX offers cabaret performances nightly, an experience that is lavishly unique in the nation’s capital.
16. Poste Moderne Brasserie – Welcome new executive chef Dennis Marron formerly of The Grille at the Morrison House and Jackson 20. While their Restaurant Week menu hasn’t been announced yet, I’m looking forward to perusing their options. I am sure that I will be delighted.
17. Chef Geoff’s – Well-known for offering their entire regular menu to diners at all three of the Chef Geoff’s locations, they are definitely one of my top choices. Guests may choose any soup salad or starter followed by any entree followed by any dessert with no upcharges.
18. – Acadiana, Ceiba, DC Coast, PassionFish and now the new District Commons -The Passion Food Hospitality restaurant group restaurant have a longstanding tradition of offering any entrée on their regular menus while offering selected appetizers and desserts for the restaurant week prix-fixe menu. Their latest project District Commons will participate in DC Restaurant Week for the first time.
19. Jackson 20 – Located in the Hotel Monoco in Old Town, Alexandria, VA, Jackson 20 is a modern American tavern featuring regional fare inspired by traditional recipes. In the past, Jackson 20 has offered their entire menu at all for both lunch and dinner, and in addition, continued to offer their beverage specials, including bottomless mimosas for brunch, Wine Down Mondays and their 20/20 wine list (20 wines for $20). Jackson 20 is also participating in Alexandria Restaurant Week (the week following DC Restaurant Week) with the same menus.
20. Tosca Ristorante – For past promotions, Chef Massimo Fabri has offered the entire regular dinner menu to diners to create their own 3-course menu. Diners have a choice of any appetizer for first course; for second course, choose an entree and to finish any Dessert. Executive Chef Massimo Fabbri has earned a superior reputation for making some of the best pasta in the city, which is house-made fresh daily, Tosca ranked within the top 25 of Washingtonian’s Very Best list two years in a row earning three stars out of four. If you can’t make it for DC Restaurant Week, don’t fret. Tosca has a wonderful pre-theatre dinner for $35 with wonderful choices. *Note: Closed Sundays.
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