The year marked a series of impressive accomplishments for D.C.’s restaurants. The Michelin Guide arrived, three restaurants got nods from Bon Appetit magazine, and Zagat tapped the District as the hottest food city of 2016. This year’s best new restaurants fill many roles—everything from fun-but-fancy fine dining to neighborhood pizza kitchens and new takes on Asian cooking. Here are the spots that we got the most excited about over the past 12 months.
Crispy fried mushrooms, stuffed with mozzarella, at All Purpose Pizzeria. (Photo by Kim Vu)
ALL PURPOSE: Brought to you by the masterminds of The Red Hen and Boundary Stone, All Purpose is your neighborhood Italian-American eatery with a warm, rustic, and friendly vibe. You can be a local here. Go for dinner with a friend and share the mozzarella-stuffed meatball, Caesar salad, and pizza. Speaking of pizzas, there aren’t any wrong choices, but the Riverdale with Italian sausage, broccoli raab, aged provolone, peppers, and onions is a good bet. You can even add a bottle of wine to the mix and keep your check well under $100. Make a reservation or just walk in.—Rachel Mastandrea
All Purpose is located at 1250 9th Street NW.
The crunchy meatballs at Alta Strada make for a comforting start to a meal or late-night bar snack. (Photo by Travis Mitchell)
ALTA STRADA: What’s better than a good pasta dish or a crispy crusted pizza that satisfies the taste buds and the wallet? Michael Schlow’s (of Tico, The Riggsby) Italian concept arrived to D.C. in March after finding success at two New England locations. Alta Strada has both sophistication and charm and retains moderate prices for high quality Italian food and a no-nonsense wine list that offers either red or white varieties without fancy labels. The menu is hip enough to go beyond the ordinary Italian standbys, with special attention paid to producing quality pasta dishes and pizzas that do not disappoint. Try the pizza bianca or the tagliatelle with homemade bolognese. Head there during happy hour or weekend late-night dining to score pizzas and appetizers for under $10. Its sister restaurant, Conosci, has also become a go-to dining site for some quality seafood crudo.—Johanna Mendelson Forman
Alta Strada is located at 465 K Street NW.
Bantam King’s warming chicken ramen adds another noodle option to the Chinatown neighborhood. (Photo by Travis Mitchell)
BANTAM KING: The group behind popular Daikaya upped the ante in the ramen game this year with the chicken-focused Bantam King. Although it’s just around the corner from its trendy older sister, the restaurant’s youthful and vibrant design makes diners feel worlds away. Walls are lined with colorful trays and Japanese comic strips, colorful lanterns hang from the ceilings, and chicken reigns supreme throughout the menu. The name itself is a fun play on the Burger King that used to occupy this spot in Chinatown, while ‘Bantam’ is a straightforward indicator of what’s to come for eaters: chicken, and lots of it. Pulled chicken ramen is the specialty, with creamy paitan chicken stock based in either shoyu, miso, or spicy miso seasonings. A limited number of chintan stock is available each day. Bowls can be topped with extras like onsen eggs or even a roasted chicken quarter. For those who don’t want soup, the battered-and-brined fried chicken served with chicken drippings rice gives Colonel Sanders a run for his money. Bantam King also serves a variety of Japanese beer, sake, and quality shochu.—China Rae Riddle
Bantam King is located at 501 G St. NW.
Bindaas’ chicken chooza kabob is a street food delight. (Photo by Greg Powers)
BINDAAS: Indian street fare meets the mind of a four-star chef at Bindaas in Cleveland Park, and the results are as vibrant and delicious as one might expect. From pleasantly explosive avocado golgappas (imagine the most incredible bite of a sweet and savory nacho doused lovingly with tamarind) to hearty chicken tikka stuffed generously into a warm wrap, the eatery’s small plate menu packs all of Rasika chef Virkam Sunderam’s mastery of flavor into manageable (and affordable) bites. Bindaas is on the smaller side so be sure to make a reservation at this cozy, street art-covered establishment. Even seats at the bar are a hot commodity on an early week night. But the green mango cocktails and Indian whiskey selection make any seat at the house worth the crush.—Emelyn Rude
Bindaas is located at 3309 Connecticut Ave NW.
The Coloradito mole at Espita Mezcaleria is just one eight varieties on the menu. (Photo by Rey Lopez)
ESPITA MEZCALERIA: D.C. has plenty of Mexican restaurants, and Espita Mezcaleria is among the best. The artsy, vibrant décor invites you in while the authentic southern Mexican cuisine will keep you coming back. Mezcal is more than a specialty here—it’s part of the restaurant’s identity. Enjoy your mezcal in flights or shaken in a refreshing cocktail. And in the kitchen, heirloom corn is cooked nightly and ground into masa every morning for fresh tortillas. There are eight different types of tacos to delight taste buds, from maitake mushroom to smoked pork jowl. Espita also touts seven types of mole (including a fantastic negro with lamb belly and Poblano served with squash) and five kinds of salsa. Be adventurous and try a combination. The flavors and atmosphere will satisfy any and all of your Mexican food needs.—Rachel Mastandrea
Espita Mezcarleria is located at 1250 9th Street NW.
Hazel is a fine place to grab dinner, or go on Sunday for its “Dim Sunday” brunch menu. (Photo by Rey Lopez)
HAZEL: Shaw’s restaurant scene is booming (this list is plenty proof) and Hazel by Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Birch & Barley, Iron Gate) is right there with the top newcomers. Dishes here are globally-inspired and medium sized, so plan to order a few and share with your table. Meals start with complimentary bread served in a fabric basket that chef Rob Rubba’s wife, Deb, made herself. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming. The space incorporates elements from local artisans—like the floral mural on the patio wall. For dinner, try the zucchini bread with foie gras mousse, pork kim-chi gnocchi bokki, or, best of all, get “Ducked Up”—a duck dinner for two ($50 per person) with duck breasts and wings, fried rice, greens, dumplings, and all the sauces you need. Whatever you order, make sure to ask for a side of Hazel’s very own “Fire Panda” hot sauce.—Rachel Mastandrea
Hazel is located at 808 V Street NW.
The crispy chicken karaage is one of the popular options on Himitsu’s frequently-changing menu.(Photo by Travis Mitchell)
HIMITSU: This restaurant has just 24 seats, takes no reservations, and table sizes are capped at four people. The menu is divided into several sections that include a daily sushi selection (both nigiri and makimono) along with cold and hot plates meant to be shared among diners. And portions sizes are large enough that a couple of dishes per person make a filling meal. Himitsu is the creation of business partners Kevin Tien and Carlie Steiner. Tien is a veteran chef, having held jobs at a number of acclaimed restaurants such as José Andrés’ Oyamel and, most recently, Pineapple & Pearls. And Steiner is a force as a bartender, with experience mixing drinks at Andrés’ Barmini and Minibar, and as a co-founder of craft cocktail catering business Stir Bartending. The menu changes regularly, but the spicy and crispy karaage fried chicken ($18) has already become somewhat of a signature item.—Travis Mitchell
Himitsu is located at 828 Upshur Street NW.
A whole roasted chicken are among the “For the Table” options at Kinship. (Photo by Jennifer Chase Photography)
KINSHIP: This restaurant’s late December 2015 opening marked a return to business for acclaimed fine-dining chef Eric Ziebold, who previously cooked at the now-shuttered CityZen at the Mandarin Oriental. Kinship’s menu is arranged into unorthodox categories: craft, history, ingredients, indulgence, and “for the table.” Each section includes dishes from appetizers to desserts and is designed to emphasize a different aspect of cooking. Navigating the menu may seem like a puzzle, but the rewards are worth the effort. Plates like Maine lobster French toast ($30) and veal scallopine are among the most refined in the city at the moment. For an even bigger splurge, consider Métier, Kinship’s more formal sister restaurant at the same address.—Travis Mitchell
Kinship is located at 1015 7th Street NW.
The portions at Ottoman Taverna are generous, and the food and atmosphere transport diners from D.C. to Turkey. (Photo by Travis Mitchell)
OTTOMAN TAVERNA: The food and drinks at Ottoman Taverna draw inspiration from places like Turkey, Greece, and North Africa, but this is no quick-serve kabob or hummus spot. Executive chef Ilhan Erkek’s resume includes stints at Ritz Carlton hotels in Naples, Florida and Istanbul. And his experience shines throughout the menu, which includes hot and cold meze (small dishes) as well as full entrees. The cocktail program features rakia and other regional ingredients, while the wine list incorporates grapes from Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia. The menu names can be hard to pronounce, but don’t let that keep you from ordering.—Travis Mitchell
Ottoman Taverna is located at 425 Eye Street NW.
A dish from Aaron Silverman’s Pineapple & Pearls, which was awarded two stars by the Michelin guide. (Photo by LaTur)
PINEAPPLE & PEARLS: Rose’s Luxury chef Aaron Silverman made waves when he announced Pineapple & Pearls and its $250 all-inclusive tasting menu of roughly 13 courses. While the restaurant is definitely fine-dining, the team makes an effort to keep the atmosphere fun. There is no dress code (OK, no t-shirts or shorts) or white tablecloths here. Even tabs are settled before you arrive, so the sticker shock is left out of the celebration. For a cheaper experience, you can choose non-alcoholic drink pairings for $225 or eat at the bar without pairings for $150. Reservations are made online, and keep in mind that the restaurant is only open for dinner Tuesday through Friday. P&P also operates a coffee shop during the day that serves a selection of drinks, pastries, and sandwiches.—Travis Mitchell
Pineapple & Pearls is located at 715 8th Street SE.
The Shaw Bijou opened this fall in Shaw after breathless hype and many raised eyebrows over the price. (Photo via Facebook)
THE SHAW BIJOU: Let’s start with the obligatory disclosure: I’m one of those people that eats at places like The Shaw Bijou. Rather than dine out often at middling restaurants, I prefer to experiment in my own kitchen most of the time and indulge in fits of fancy for special occasions or while on vacation. I’m fully aware that isn’t for everyone, and is prohibitive for most. But I see it in the way that other people look at splurging on sports games or concert tickets—an experience you can’t replicate at home. All of this is also to say that I’m not in it for gestures of high-end formality. In fact, I frequently find they detract from what I’m really there for: the food. This isn’t the case at Shaw Bijou, which feels relaxed and inviting in a way that its cousins in price point often do not. The food, though, is firmly in the same sphere of culinary wizardry. Yes, this is Kwame Onwuachi’s first time helming the kitchen as executive chef, but for my money (a lot of it), he succeeded in what he set out to do. If you’re the kind of person who buys into this kind of dining experience, don’t miss it. And thankfully, if you aren’t, they’ve newly launched an a la carte menu. — Rachel Sadon
The Shaw Bijou is located at 1544 9th St NW
The veggie burger at Shouk makes meat an afterthought. (Photo by Joe Cereghino)
SHOUK: This restaurant is 100 percent plant-based, but don’t let that cloud your thinking. The Israeli-inspired fast-casual fare here delivers hearty and affordable meals with a variety of tastes and textures. And unlike the majority of fast-casual spots that encourage building your own meal, the chefs here have done the work for you in building out their signature pitas and rice bowls. Just select a base vegetable like cauliflower, fennel, chickpea, or mushroom and let the kitchen do the rest. The dips (go for the cashew lebneh or beet tahina), polenta fries, and salads are also worthy of attention and are good ways to round out your meal. Shouk also carries a small selection of wine and local beer.—Travis Mitchell
Shouk is located at 655 K Street NW.
Fittingly, Tail Up Goat makes its lasagna with goat, along with kale, anchovy and a salsa verde. (Photo by Tail Up Goat).
TAIL UP GOAT: After establishing more-than-solid resumes in fine flavors and superb service, three alums of much-applauded Komi and Little Serow brought some clout to Adams Morgan dining with Tail Up Goat. It’s been less than a year and it can already count a Michelin star among its accolades. The name and cocktails are Caribbean, flavors are rooted in the Mediterranean, and guests are welcomed with generously-sized, family-style plates. The thin, multi-layers of Tail Up’s goat lasagna has received national attention. The lamb ribs for two with salsa verde and pickled mustard seeds have acquired a local following, while unique bread courses like seaweed sourdough with salt-crusted sardines often steal the entire show. From its intricate, floral plates and blue walls to the hospitality given to diners, D.C. is effectively transported to the Mediterranean Sea.—China Rae Riddle
Tail Up Goat is located at 1827 Adams Mill Road NW.
Fresh seafood is Whaley’s specialty. (Photo by Morgan Hungerford West)
WHALEY’S: This bright, breezy seafood restaurant brings a taste of the shore to Navy Yard, courtesy of the team behind DGS Delicatessen. The raw seafood towers come in three sizes ($65 to $140) and provide a dramatic and festive way to start a meal. Or order up some fresh oysters, clams casino, or seafood crudo. Larger plates rotate with availability and change with seasons, but expect things like seared scallops with Romesco or crispy squash blossoms with shrimp. There are also some non-seafood options like roasted duck or braised pork belly. Groups can share family-style plates of whole fried fish or seafood risotto. Whaley’s has a pretty extensive wine list too, along with $12 to $13 cocktails to wash it all down.—Travis Mitchell
Whaley’s is located at 301 Water Street SE.
