Dining In Dc – Food and Restaurant Blog

Valentine’s Day 2012: Romantic, Indulgent Meals, Budget Friendly, and Singles-Only Anti-Valentine’s Day Fetes

Love is in the air this time of year (whether you like it or not). Many DC Restaurants offer special menus and promotions to sweethearts (and singles) dining out to celebrate Valentine’s Day. January is coming to a close and the big V-Day, Tuesday, February 14th, is just around the corner, so don’t wait to make your plans. To help, I’ve taken the liberty of providing a few recommendations...

The 11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair to benefit the Washington Humane Society Tickets Giveaway

The 11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair to benefit the Washington Humane Society, hosted by Chef Todd and Ellen Gray of Equinox & Watershed Restaurants and Muse at the Corcoran Gallery of Art is just two weeks away! Dining in DC is very proud to offer the chance to win two (2) tickets to the Affair on Wednesday, February 1st to my readers and fans! Comment below about how a pet has affected...

A Five Year Analysis. Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants List: 2007 to 2012

Yes, it’s true. I admit it. I’ve been obsessed with the annual January issue of the Washingtonian magazine since high school (only my immediate family knew, until now). I still have all of my back issues and highlighted photo copies of the lists from as early as 1997. The 100 Very Best Restaurant issue which includes their list of the 100 very best restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Virginia has...

DC Restaurant Week Restaurants Ranked 100′s Very Best

As you’ve noticed this year, Dining in DC has really stepped it up a notch for the upcoming DC Restaurant Week, January 9-15, 2012 by offering all new features. Have you checked out my postings on newcomers, live music or entertainment, the Best Bets neighborhood guide, and of course, my Top 20 Picks? And No, I’m not going to stop there. I know that foodies love good food and even...

Dining in DC Mailbag: Christmas Dinner Ask Lisa Response

Do you have a question about where do dine out in the DC area? Post your questions to Ask Lisa here! You can also read about other people’s questions, and my solutions. Yes, every single question to, “Ask Lisa” gets published and answered. Also via Twitter, I have often helped readers obtain hard to get reservations. Below is a recent question about where to dine in the DC Area on Christmas day...

DC Restaurant Week 2012 Top 20 Picks

DC Restaurant Week Winter 2012 January 9-15, marks the 20th cycle of DC Restaurant Week, which started in 2001. In July 2011, I posted my top ten picks and mentioned the ongoing controversy about the value of restaurant week promotions. I discussed that proponents support the concept because it bolsters business in an otherwise slow time of the year while opponents argue that restaurants don’t put...

Enjoy a Comforting Combo: Dining Fireside and Prix-Fixe Menus

We’re not quite there yet, but we’re closer than we think. Once the cold sets in, there is nothing more comforting than dining and enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail beside the warmth of a roaring fire. Oh wait, there is!  It’s even more comforting knowing that it you can enjoy a fine meal without it breaking the bank. Now you can enjoy a hearty meal while listening to the crackle...

Dining in DC Mailbag: Ask Lisa

Do you have a question about where do dine out in the DC area? Post your questions to Ask Lisa here! You can also read about other people’s questions, and my solutions. Yes, every single question to, “Ask Lisa” gets published and answered. Also via Twitter, I have often helped readers obtain hard to get reservations. Below is just a sampling of questions that I get. Question Alex:...

Forgo the Cooking Stress and Dine out this Thanksgiving

To most, Thanksgiving means a home-cooked meal enjoyed with your (extended extended extended) family. I’ve cooked. I’ve put in my dues. To me, while lovely to spend time with your family, it ultimately translates to:  hours spent burning your fingers, throwing your back out, and weeks of prep-time. If I had my choice, I’d opt to dine out. Honestly, you deserve a break.  So, take...

Be a Chef at Home: Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Butternut Squash Soup

I have visited J&G Steakhouse several times, but the most memorable of my visits was around this time last year. I had the Butternut Squash Soup with Fall Mushrooms for the first time. It had full-bodied flavor and a smooth, velvety texture. It was absolutely incredible – like nothing that I have ever tasted. I’ve come across the recipe in a few places, including a demo that he did...

Winter Comes Early to Washington, DC. Where to Eat by the Fire

As a native Washingtonian, I can’t remember a time when we ever got snow in October. Granted, it’s nearly November, but still. Since mother nature has decided to skip autumn for us DC area residents, I say that instead of fighting the inevitable, we accept our doom and fire up the hearth. While the weather outside is frightful, dining by the fire is so delightful. When the temperature...

Michel Richard Gets Ballsy.

Have you heard the news? Everyone is talking about it (Zagat, Eater, Washington Business Journal) and the whole bloggerverse. With the recent opening of a Central location in Vegas last month, even at the ripe young age of 63, he’s still on a roll (ba-dum-bump). There are no signs that he has any intentions of slowing down. Internationally acclaimed chef and restaurateur Michel Richard (Citronelle,...

Summer 2011 DC Restaurant Week: Top Ten Picks

There are a lot of  “foodies” in town and even more food bloggers, including yours truly, who all have their opinion about DC Restaurant Week. Proponents support the concept of restaurant week, generally because they agree that the promotion is helpful to bolster business in an otherwise slow time of the year for the restaurant industry. Those who oppose restaurant week, argue that it’s...

Dining in DC’s Top 10 Memorable Bites

Over the course of the last four years, since I started the blog, I have been asked many times what my favorite restaurant is or even where I would go if it was my last meal on Earth. To a person who spends more money on dining out than anything else, this is a very difficult question. After giving this some thought, I’ve decided to come up with a few notes about my top ten most memorable bites....