Strengths/Weaknesses of the D.C. culinary scene

[Veridian]

Originally Posted by smakawhat

you are dead wrong.

This is a great place to eat out in, it does have some things not going for it (we don't have the major ethnic neighborhoods most of that is in the suburbs) so you have to head out to get those things.

But there are fantastic places to eat. I love dining in DC.

Can you give any specifics? What is great about dining in DC? If it lacks in ethnic neighorhoods/eateries, what does it excel in?

[smakawhat]

Start here:

2008 Fall Dining Guide - Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema's Top Restaurant Recommendations. (washingtonpost.com)

what's great, innovative places, some good variety, elegant settings, places that use fresh ingredients or local produce. Small little places that have character, to 4 star world class. Is it New York.. no... is it San Francisco no... (2 cities I have eaten and visited in), but PLENTY of talent and great food to go around.

feel free to check out some reviews, and hit the pavement. Happy eating.

[Tuneful]

Mediocre to bad, compared to other cities I've lived in.
I've had better luck with ethnic cuisine out in the burbs--little undiscovered holes in the wall in nondescript strip malls, etc.

[claremarie]

Also check the Zagat's guide.
But for several decades, the Cheap Eats guide was our bible for finding great places to eat.
Unless they are pining for NYC, I can't imagine anyone finding the DC area lacking in interesting restaurants.

[Veridian]

Nice- thanks much for the information folks- I'll certainly put it to good use! I read a few cooking magazines like Gourmet and Cook's Illustrated, and I don't recall having ever having seen much about D.C. That could be because I never thought of living in D.C. until recently, so it may not have stuck in my mind. I guess I was just trying to form a general "contour" of Washington dining. Thanks so much for the information- I'm still not certain a move there will be happening, but I'll be digging around for info like a madman until then!

[Bluefly]

While Adams Morgan is much derided for its party scene, if you go there in the early evening you will find what locals call a "fat man's paradise". A good mix of genuine ethnic foods from Africa, Latin America and Europe.

[smakawhat]

keep in mind this is a region with people who are very educated, well travelled, and also have money. People know what good food is and want it... Places that succeed offer it from Todd Gray's Equinox to Julia's Empanadas.

and yes I will argue DC does lack some things culianry/food wise that other places do better.

[DCart]

You might want to check out intowner.com which is a local Dupont/Logan circle newspaper. They have reviews and articles.

[chrisherbert]

If you count the suburbs I'd say that DC is quite good for food. Since there are relatively few immigrants in the city proper, the cheap enthic ethnic options in the city are somewhat limited but really it isn't that bad. You can't get decent pho though.

The Chowhound DC board is a good resource. My favorite chinese restaurant (by far) is Hong Kong Palace in Seven Corners.

[back2dc]

Check out Himalayan Heritage on 18th St. in Adams Morgan for great Nepalese/Indian cuisine at a good price.

For upscale casual check out Level One at 17th and R Sts NW. Great prices and cozy atmosphere in a brand new space.

Sticky Rice is good Asian Fusion on H St. corridor in the Atlas district although the neighborhood is up and coming.