Washington, D.C.’s three best restaurants

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, dining in the nation’s capital usually meant French, said Todd Kliman, Cynthia Hacinli, Ann Limpert, and Dave McIntyre in The Washingtonian. Even as recently as 10 years ago, French restaurants ruled the scene. Today most of t

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Back in the 1970s and 1980s, dining in the nation’s capital usually meant French, said Todd Kliman, Cynthia Hacinli, Ann Limpert, and Dave McIntyre in The Washingtonian. Even as recently as 10 years ago, French restaurants ruled the scene. Today most of them “are gone or have been eclipsed,” as dining culture has transitioned from formal to casual. That said, Washington, D.C.’s No. 1 restaurant, Citronelle, offers food with so many influences “you might not recognize its Gallic underpinnings.” Here are the three best restaurants in the greater metropolitan area, according to our annual review.

Citronelle

Michel Richard is “one of the world’s great chefs,” and his menu reflects everything from French country and Asian to “junk food.” Among the best dishes are the hamachi-eel carpaccio, “a profoundly intense wild-mushroom soup,” Asian-style “duck three ways,” and a five-layer huckleberry cheesecake. Latham Hotel, 3000 M St. NW, (202) 625-2150

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CityZen

Chef Eric Ziebold, a disciple of Thomas Keller, uses French, Asian, and American influences to create “a signature amuse-bouche of olive-oil custard with red-chili sauce on top”; grilled sirloin of Kagoshima Wagyu beef; and Valrhona-chocolate croquettes with pears. Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1330 Maryland Ave. SW, (202) 787-6006

Komi

The almost Spartan decor reflects its approach to cooking, “pristine ingredients with minimal manipulation.” Chef-owner Johnny Monis uses Greek and Italian touches to create dishes such as “buttery amberjack sashimi with Maldon salt,” spit-roasted goat served with tzatziki slaw, and salty caramel ice cream. 1509 17th St. NW, (202) 332-9200

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