Citronelle
3000 M Street NW (Georgetown/Glover Park)
Tel. 202.625.2150
With a refined atmosphere, impeccable service and exquisite cuisine, this may be the best French restaurant in Washington. The price ensures that you enjoy the best of what's available.
Willard Room
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue (14th Street)
Tel. 202.637.7440
Breakfast here is a virtual tour of Washington's power brokers-- in fact, any meal in this stunning, oak-panelled, turn-of-the-century room will be a memorable event.
Jaleo
480 Seventh Street NW (E St. NW)
Tel. 202.628.7949
This lively tapas restaurant is around the corner from the Shakespeare Theater. It’s always busy, but tables turn quickly, so the wait isn’t as long as it looks. The fun really starts late in the evening, when the place is full of jaleo-- that's Spanish slang for commotion. Shake up your palate with Jose Andres’ simple, earthy little dishes which reward you with clarity of ingredients and flavor. Entrées abound, but ordering a table full of small plates and washing them down with a bottle of sherry or a pitcher of sangría is the ideal way to sample the best of Jaleo. Menu selections change seasonally but usually include sausage with white beans, grilled portobello mushrooms, Spanish cold cuts and poached octopus in olive oil.
Le Chat Noir
4907 Wisconsin Avenue NW (42nd St. NW)
Tel. 202.244.2044
This snug, clubby French eatery works well as a neighborhood destination. It’s also refreshing to find an affordable restaurant with upscale food. Dress right to enjoy the steak frites, coquilles Saint-Jacques and classic French onion soup. You might consider turning a lunch into a crêpe-fest: buckwheat crêpes with bacon, cheese and a creamy mushroom sauce; roasted chicken breast, cream of leek and vegetables; or sautéed sea scallops, ginger, white wine and crème fraîche. Save room for La Nutella crêpe for dessert.
Nooshi
1120 19th Street NW (L St. NW)
Tel. 202.293.3138
The owners of Oodles Noodles, Yanÿu and Spices have put their heads together to create a complete revamping of their downtown Oodles Noodles, now with stylish gold-toned wallpaper and elegant seating. A very clever sushi chef handles the sushi bar, delivering a diverse selection of sushi appetizers and entrées including maki rolls, elegant sashimi platters and a full array of pan-Asian dishes. Half a Peking duck is prepared Yanÿu-style, and generous Spices-type noodle dishes also highlight the menu. A multi-course feast here might include ultra-fresh sushi, Peking duck, luscious orange beef, a calamari appetizer and various noodle dishes, such as the curry laksa, a fiery import from Malaysia.
Ceiba
701 14th Street NW
Phone: 202-393-3983
http://www.ceibarestaurant.com/home.html
Offering contemporary Latin-American cuisine, Ceiba offers a unique dining experience. Placing you in a dining space decorated in original stone and mosaic tile from the Yucatan, this restaurant feel has an element of authenticity. It features boutique wines from both North and South American and also has a full service bar serving all types of cocktails especially South American drinks like mojitos and caipirinha. Some menu favorites are whole crispy red snapper vera cruz and the yellow tomato gazpacho.
Kinkead’s
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Phone: 202-296-7700
http://www.kinkead.com/
An American brasserie, specializing in fresh seafood, Kinkead’s is a truly delectable dining experience. This award-winning eatery provides nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy the sesame seared rare tuna or the crispy cornmeal crabs- Chef Kinkead will not disappoint you. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner as this restaurant is quite popular and always full.
Filomena
1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Phone: 202-338-8800
http://www.filomenadc.com/
Looking for authentic Italian? Look no further than Filomena. One of D.C.’s premier restaurants for decades, this Italian specialty provides its diners with a beautiful garden atmosphere complimented with antiques and big bright windows. Filomena also is in a prime location-the center of Georgetown. Take a walk around either before or after dinner. In the window you can see the “Italian Grandma” preparing home-made pasta everyday.
