Oh, and I really liked Ripple a few years ago but haven't been back for a while. Again, in the category of "good, Philly and Brooklyn level," not "best."

Rasika is the only place in DC I have been that stands out. (Have not been to Komi or Fiola.)

For solidly good mid-level food and service, Hanks is consistently a favorite. Not "best" in DC, but always good. Which is saying something!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the people who are just trotting out new restaurNt names. Yes we get it, you read tom sietsema too.

Beyond Rose's Luxury, what new places are people trotting out? Red Hen and Le Diplomate have been open for almost a year.

And while I haven't been to Rose's Luxury because of the reservation policy, I think it may be the most important new place of the year. And I don't read Tom Sietsema.

God, this really bespeaks the tragedy that is the DC mid-level food scene. Roses is indeed very good (and I loved the vibe, which is lacking a so many dc places). But most "important" this year? It's really no better than what you would find all over the place in Philly and Brooklyn. Granted that is a huge step up (particularly for barracks row) but it is very sad that merely becoming a GOOD restaurant is noteworthy in dc.

Anonymous wrote:Roses Luxury

Nah. I was there this weekend. It is very good for dc (vibe and food) but far from the "best."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the people who are just trotting out new restaurNt names. Yes we get it, you read tom sietsema too.

Beyond Rose's Luxury, what new places are people trotting out? Red Hen and Le Diplomate have been open for almost a year.

And while I haven't been to Rose's Luxury because of the reservation policy, I think it may be the most important new place of the year. And I don't read Tom Sietsema.

Since you haven't been there, don't you mean, "Someone else (not Tom Sietsema, because I don't read him) thinks this, and I read it, and it sounded good."

Blacksalt

Anonymous wrote:I love the people who are just trotting out new restaurNt names. Yes we get it, you read tom sietsema too.

Beyond Rose's Luxury, what new places are people trotting out? Red Hen and Le Diplomate have been open for almost a year.

And while I haven't been to Rose's Luxury because of the reservation policy, I think it may be the most important new place of the year. And I don't read Tom Sietsema.

I love the people who are just trotting out new restaurNt names. Yes we get it, you read tom sietsema too.

Anonymous wrote:TenPehn without a doubt.

I loved ten penh but it has been closed for at least two years!!

Roses Luxury

Anonymous wrote:Vidalia-yuck. Salt overload.

Not impressed. At All.

City Zen & Fiola

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Citronelle was among the most disappointing meals I've had in my life.

Did you get the tasting menu or did you order the prix fixe three courses? If the latter, it probably would have been disappointing, and overpriced. The tasting menu was phenomenal.

The tasting menu with wine pairings. I paid for my family. I'm fortunate enough to have eaten at a lot of very nice restaurants. Nothing was terrible on the menu. But I've never paid $1600 for a meal and not had a single dish that I thought was especially memorable. The closest thing to a great dish was a mini-version of the lobster burger, which I'd already had at Central (not for $1600).

Vidalia-yuck. Salt overload.

Not impressed. At All.

Komi was my favorite meal in DC. My one qualm with calling it the best is I've been back several times and its been notably less magical each time. He has some things he does well, doesn't try anything else, and that's that. It would certainly top my list of "Places to go once."

Yes, this is it. PP nailed it.

#2 and #3 in the area, IMO, are in Va.: Eve, and Vermilion. Though Vermilion's chef just decamped for DC, to re-open the Iron Gate Inn. I hope Vermilion continues its excellence without him.

Vidalia has excellent food but is so full of lawyers. Feels like a work atmosphere.

On a little more casual vibe, I really like Mintwood Place. And Sushi Taro is the best sushi right now.