Dining In Dc – Food and Restaurant Blog

Dining in DC’s “Little Black Book” includes listings and descriptions of where Lisa has dined recently, her favorite places and dishes – organized by state then DC area neighborhood. This  Dining in DC feature is designed to be informative for those who want to know, “Where does Lisa go? What does Lisa eat? If you have specific dining questions, you may “Ask Lisa”.

Frites at Art & Soul

Art and Soul - I have been here for lunch, more than once and for happy hour and have loved everything that I have tried. It is one of my most highly recommended places – especially if you want to eat outdoors. They have a large patio for al fresco dining and even has a firepit. My favorite dishes are the Chesapeake Bay Fry which is a plate of fried oysters, clams, calamari, shrimp, okra, with a duo of sauces; the PO’ OYSTER, which is not a sandwich, like most po boys, it’s a plate of fried oysters drizzled with a spicy remoulade on top of romaine. The Cesar salad is also very good – I even ate the anchovy. The seasonal smoked rockfish with capers is delish. Their seasoned french fries are some of the best in the biz. They also have a good kids menu that kids will actually eat! Try the mac n’cheese balls. (Loc: 415 New Jersey, Ave. NW; Closest Metro: Union Station; Ph: 202.393.7777)

Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca – A review of Opening Day Lunch (September 4, 2009); Dinner Review (September 17, 2010)

Bistrot Lepic - Dinner: March 24, 2010

Blue Ridge

BLT Steak DC

Bourbon Steak DC (Restaurant Week Lunch)

Cafe Atlantico – Minibar – A truly once in a lifetime surreal gastronomic  experience.  Every course was an amazingly unique experience in flavor, presentation, or both.

Carmine’s DC – don’t forget to view the slideshow for photos!

Ceiba

Central Michel Richard' Ceviche

Central Michel Richard - I have dined at Central, Michel Richard’s more informal bistro for both lunch and dinner, more than once. My favorite dishes are of course the gougères, the beef tartare, the carpaccio (which is similar to Citronelle’s signature dish the Mosaic), or the ceviche for starters.  The presentation of the ceviche is remarkable: in frosted glass square bowl packed on ice. I crave the lobster burger at Central and it’s just as good as that superb offering at Citronelle (and may be the same price). Here’s at tip: order the lobster burger without the tomato to avoid the bun for disintegrating with each bite. The (former) Chef de Cuisine, Cedric Maupillier and Rammy nominee is no longer at Central and he will be missed dearly. He is extremely talented and I look forward to seeing Cedric again – soon.

Citronelle Michel Richard

Cuba Libre – Dinner: October 18, 2010

Dino

Firefly – (Brunch review)

Graffiato – Dinner: July 8, 2011

Ici Urban Bistro

Kabaji Grill -  Lunch: April 11, 2011

Masa 14

Matchbox

Me Jana

Merzi –   Dinner: February 20, 2011

Oval Room -  October 27, 2009 – Weekly Dish Spotlight

Oyamel – Special Squash Blossom Festival review. See slideshow for photos! (recipe posted)

Potenza

Restaurant Kolumbia (Closed)

Ris – Restaurant Week Brunch

Taberna del Alabardero

Urbana – Dinner: May 18, 2011

Vidalia

Zaytinya

Zentan

Zola

Maryland

Bangkok Garden

Cava Grill – Dinner: January 23, 2011

Nando’s Peri-Peri

Redwood  – Dinner: May 15, 2009

Virginia

Brabo (Old Town, Alexandria)

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse (Tysons Corner) Dinner: March 28, 2011

Columbia Firehouse (Old Town, Alexandria)

Eammon’s – A Dublin Chipper (Old Town, Alexandria)

Extra Virgin Modern Italian Restaurant (Shirlington, VA)

Evening Star Cafe -(Special New Year’s Eve Dining Review)

Farrah Olivia (Closed)

Gom Ba Woo

Morton’s Steakhouse (Tysons Corner)

• Valentine’s Day Dinner Review
• Dinner review

PassionFish (Reston)

Restaurant 3 (Clarendon, VA) – Bacon Week Dinner: October 12, 2010

Silver Diner

Tallula

Vermilion – I don’t like to brag … but Vermilion was my “favorite” restaurant before most people even knew it existed. I even celebrated finishing my Master’s degree there in 2006 with my entire family. In 2009, I organized a dinner for a friend and her closest 20 guests, (including limo). Vermilion is by far one of the best restaurants in the DC area. The bar and lounge is chic and inviting and they always have great musicians play (eh hem, Justin Trawick). It’s a no wonder that Executive Chef Tony Chittum has received such high praise, including being nominated for several Rammy’s and in 2010, Vermilion won the RAMW award for Best Upscale Casual Restaurant.

Willow -