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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What places have you tried that were not up to snuff?[/quote]

OP here - I am an avid diner, but off the top of my head:

Blue Duck - Very mediocre (used to be better), but always extremely overpriced.

Red Hen - Fine but simpleton. I've been three times (in my neighborhood) and the menu always lacks a sense of adventure.

Rasika - here I will make a NYC comparison. In NYC I would go to Tabla (now closed) which made Rasika seem like a mall franchise.

Le Diplomate - I consider this the number 1 "hype" offender. These dishes wouldn't make it past the hostess stand at Balthazar (which Le Dip is trying way too hard to be).

Founding Farmers - Organic Applebee's.

Del Campo - mediocre from top to bottom.

My takeaways are this:

- Mid and high-end DC establishments are offensively overpriced. Is there a reason for this? 
- many big production restaurants where food is second to ambience.
- DC is big on commoditization, as soon as a restaurant is popular, the immediate reaction is to build another. (Why? this does not happen anywhere else)[/quote]

PP, you're listing all the sceney restaurants, with the exception of Red Hen, which I think is really good.  Who cares if it's simpleton food?

You won't find amazing food at sceney restaurants, especially for the price.

I disagree with you about Le Dip though - I think the food is really good.  And the prices are Balthazar are crazy; and I don't think they're any better. I've been to France dozens of times and Le Dip reminds me of many neighborhood bistros.  The food is comfort food, so I don't think you should expect anything outrageous.

Le me give you some suggestions:

Indian: try Kadhai Boutique Indian in Bethesda.  I'm sure there are some good places in DC, but I've been hanging out in Bethesda a lot due to husband's family, and we often go there.  I think Rasika is good, but I don't think it's the best.

Blue Duck is really good, and I agree it's expensive - but what do you expect? Itt's a fancy restaurant in the most expensive part of DC.

If you want adventurous go to Rose's Luxury or even Compass Rose.  Compass Rose is a little restaurant doing amazing things on 14th st.

There's also the Dabney, which just opened.  If you're a meat eater, go to Partisan.  
[/quote]

I question the Sceney/non-scenery dichotomy!  First, there is no reason why "Sceney" restaurants should be crap. That is kind of op's original frustration: overhyped restaurants. Second of all, there is also a tragic lack of non-Sceney good restaurants in DC proper. It's great that there is good Indian in Langley Park but those of us living in downtown DC would appreciate good local options too. Third, I am glad you think Le Diplomate is decent "comfort food" but

again that is OP's point - the Sceney obsession with a restaurant that is ultimately just "good comfort food!"  [/quote]

"Just good comfort food" sounds really good to me, and the kind of food I want most often--When it comes down to it, this is my preferred cuisine....although I also enjoy restaurants like Rose's Luxury and Little Serrow from time to time[/quote]

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