Washington is the home of America’s political history, indispensable in its contribution to forging the country as it is today. From the White House to the Smithsonian, the impact of Washington on both America and the world as a whole should not be underestimated. However, for decades there was a notable disparity between the city’s calibre on the world stage, and the restaurants that fed it. Until recently, within the last 20 years or so, Washington lacked what New York and Los Angeles had - glamorous gastronomy. Now, Washington is teeming with posh bites, Parisian bistros, refined plates and hotspots for food. The city has finally enticed some of the country’s most talented chefs to set up shop to cook more than just power lunches for the stressed political aide. For an essential guide to the city’s food scene and where to bump into a Senator or two, check out our restaurant guide to Washington DC below.
Masseria
Arriving at the Italian country aesthetic of Masseria feels like walking into a Bond villain’s lair. The Mediterranean décor wouldn’t be complete without an essential outdoor fire pit for summer al fresco dining and lined with tiling for added European style. Here, Chef Nicholas Stefanelli has curated a succinct menu that serves Pugliese-inspired dishes with style and character. Seafood, burrata and pasta are all represented on the menu, uplifted by the chef’s sheer talent for a decadent, sumptuous dining experience. To get the most out of the meal, sampling all of the techniques, flavours and produce that Chef Stefanelli works with, try the 4-course, 5, or 6-course tasting menus. The burrata is served alongside caviar for a deep, salty richness that pairs beautifully with the creamy Italian cheese, while the linguini is drizzled with a spicy, Hong Kong XO sauce. Diners are advised to book in advance and note that the calibre of cooking is reflected in the price.
Pineapple & Pearls
Located on Capitol Hill, Pineapple & Pearls is a creative endeavour by the same team that brought Rose’s Luxury, an innovative restaurant that helped redefine the city’s food scene, to Washington. Head to Pineapple & Pearls for an unforgettable tasting menu that is as satisfying as intriguing. Featuring up to 12 courses of refined, skilled gastronomy, diners can enjoy a warming 150-layer lasagna, rich and crunchy duck croquettes with a watercress cream, and finally the extraordinary butternut squash ice-cream cake for pudding. The food, décor and service all epitomise the best of fine-dining. The fashionable interior feels warm but not soporific, fashionable but not pretentious, showing the importance of the dining room to the overall experience of the meal. Diners are advised to book well in advance for this delightfully unique restaurant.
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Rooster & Owl
Rooster & Owl offers a delectable meal for those with a broad palate. Combining, enhancing and manipulating flavours from Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East and Chef Yuan Tang’s native Hong Kong, the restaurant’s dishes are indicative of a milieu of experiences that have culminated in an expressive balancing of complex flavours to form innovative, enjoyable dishes. The four-course tasting menu is priced at around $65 per person, making this fine dining restaurant a reasonably priced option for a particularly special meal. Experience Chef Tang’s innovative style best with the tagliatelle in an earthy, mushroom-infused creamy sauce scattered with fava beans, walnut pieces and salty anchovy morsels.
Bourbon Steak
Situated in the Four Seasons Hotel Georgetown, Bourbon Steak is a chic hotel restaurant that excels in delivering refined plates in a luxury environment. Chef Michael Mina is a master at showcasing the utmost best from delicious ingredients from the golden potatoes to the rich, marbled steak dripping with flavoured butter. Diners are advised to book in advance and that the luxury setting and sumptuous cooking comes at a three dollar sign price tag. If the costliness deters you, the restaurant’s lounge is more comfortable, less fine-dining and offers some classic options for most palates.
Old Ebbitt Grill
A stalwart of the Washington dining scene over the past decades, Old Ebbitt Grill has moved locations a number of times but has remained ever-present in the vicinity of the White House, America’s presidential seat. Decorated in the style of a late 19th-century saloon - wood-paneled booths with green velvet seating, dimmed brass candelabras and local art representing the illustrious history of the city create a vintage feel. The menu may not be innovative and the kitchen not demonstrating techniques beyond the ordinary but that doesn’t prevent the meal being worthwhile. The ambiance of the vintage saloon, white tablecloths, attentive service and a dozen of the finest Atlantic oysters is a quintessential introduction to Washington fine dining. Specialising in seafood, try the Orca Platter, a medley of fresh seafood served on ice, unadulterated and simply delicious.
Minibar by José Andres
Multi-award-winning chef, José Andres, created the two Michelin starred Minibar in Penn Quarter to wow the affluent diners of Washington and boy has he achieved it. Arguably one of the best meals available in DC, diners are advised to the expensiveness and sheer marvel at the molecular dishes Chef Andres produces. The tasting menu, comprising over 20 small dishes, is an inventive investigation of José’s most exquisite culinary creations. Previously sporting dishes such as balsamic vinegar ‘caviar’ on a basil foam to be consumed with edible parmesan spoons, the menu highlights a playfulness whilst maintaining the utmost respect for the ingredients and flavors. The classic wine pairing for each dish costs a total of $195 per person, so make sure to bring your wallet to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime culinary adventure.
Kith/Kin
Different to the European and American inspired eateries we have seen thus far, at Kith/Kin, the flavour profile is drawn from Chef/Owner Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean heritage. Winner of the James Beard Rising Star award in 2019, Chef Onwuachi has gone from strength to strength, curating dishes that are inspired by Nigeria, the Bronx and Trinidad to weave a captivating tapestry through culinary delights. From jerk chicken with tamarind warmth to West African dishes like fufu with melon seeds, the chef demonstrates a refined approach to cuisines often underrepresented in fine dining. For a meal unlike possibly any you have had before, with great service and beautifully plated dishes packed with world flavours, head to Kith/Kin.
Le Diplomate
A perfect replica of a Parisian bistro in the heart of Washington, DC, Le Diplomate epitomises the French decadence in a bustling, animated setting. Wood-paneled booths with blood-red leather seating, a classic zinc bar and waiting staff who embody a harmony of Parisian elegance and American service, transport you to a scene from a romantic French film of the 20th century. Serving European fare with style and grace, the menu is mainly bistro dishes like steak frîtes, seafood plateau and trout amandine. This is the perfect spot for a quick lunch on a Friday with a glass of white wine in the summer, or for a boisterous lunch with friends.
Sushi Taro
Whilst many Japanese cuisine eateries in American cities pop-up and fade away seemingly within a single breath, Sushi Taro is a testament to the power of top quality Japanese restaurants. A stalwart of the Washington dining scene, Sushi Taro is a Michelin starred restaurant with an extensive omakase menu that offers diners high-quality, fresh fish. From sea-urchin to fatty tuna and even wagyu beef, the nigiri, sashimi and maki are all indulgent and moreish. Whilst the dinner price is expensive, diners can visit for the á la carte lunch service, which offers a less costly, faster variety of choices including sashimi and bento boxes.
The Oval Room
Another restaurant in the vicinity of the White House, The Oval Room pays homage to the presidential office by name and by clientele, many of whom are politicians. Serving Washington’s elite for more than 20 years, restaurateur Ashok Bajaj has created a dining and social spot for the modern age. Gone are the days of the seedy, dimly-lit steakhouse, in favour of the molecular, visually impressive, wow-your-client experience. The prix-fixe menu is reasonable for lunchtimes and the dinner menu is technically impressive and flavourful. Come here to rub shoulders with American politicians, indulge in the cocktails and savour the decorative plates.
Washington, DC, remains one of the world’s most influential cities and is often overlooked for real estate in favour of New York. With a dining scene finally displaying the class of which the city is deserving, Washington is a city full of opportunity and hunger for betterment in 2020. For more information about the real estate opportunities available in America’s capital city, contact Propeterra today.
