Spending some time in the area at the end of the month and looking for a good date-night type spot that may not be super touristy.

I also welcome distillery, brewery, and any other local fare that's a must-visit.

The Black Olive in Fells Point in Baltimore is a family owned Greek seafood place that I love. It is a family owned and family run place so the service is not as polished (but very friendly) and dcor is dated as compared to a lot of places in the same price point but the food is very good on my visits.

https://www.vuerooftopdc.com/

Rooftop bar across from the Treasury building with great views of the White House, the Mall, and out into Arlington National Cemetery.

I can't speak to the food, as I just go for cocktails. You don't need a reservation to get a cocktail in the bar.

The new Guiness brewery is cool space.

There must be crab cakes somewhere in this venture……and pictures of said crab cakes.

+1 for Cantlers

Supra Georgian restaurant.

If you only get khachapuri and drinks you're gold. We had the Imeruli but apparently the Ajaruli is really the main one to try.

The Imeruli was still one of the best things I've ever tasted.

There are multiple Michelin restaurants in DC as well https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/best-of/washington-dc-michelin-best-desserts

If you like Indian, definitely hit up Rasika and get the Palak Chaat as an appetizer.

If you really want to go all out there is a 3 star that is supposed to be great https://www.theinnatlittlewashington.com/

La Barrita in Baltimore….Thank me later on this one. Very quaint Argentinian owned steak, Italian, and wine bar. Excellent food up and down their menu.
Cantlers is good in Annapolis.
The Boatyard in Annapolis is also good.
Galway Bay is a great pub style restaurant in Annapolis.

G&M Restaurant to get big silly crab cakes. They're like baseballs. I figured if I'm gonna do crab cakes then I might as well get the biggest ones around.

To name one that hasn't been mentioned so far for DC is Albi. I think most meals in DC are over priced and not any good. Albi is an exception. Its fantastic. You'll need a reservation several weeks in advance

"most meals in DC are over priced and not any good"

is an odd take. What are some examples of these restaurants that are emblematic of DC cuisine, but suck and cost too much?

steve00 said:

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"most meals in DC are over priced and not any good"

is an odd take. What are some examples of these restaurants that are emblematic of DC cuisine, but suck and cost too much?

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Well the 2nd part of that is part of the problem. Theres not too many places that I feel are authentic and emblematic of DC cuisine. I don't really feel like DC has a true local cuisine. I also don't think you'll find many people who would argue that DC is a good food city. After living my whole life in Houston and moving here a couple years ago, 9/10 meals my wife and I leave saying either "that was fine" or "it was good but why was it $175 after tax and tip?"

For example I've never felt the meal was very WOW at Jose Andres' restaurants or the Michelin starred Maydan. Too many others that I've forgotten most by now even at the mid level type places of "why was still this $80?"

My favorites have been Albi, Rasika, Moon Rabbit and Le Diplomat

I apologize to Max for hijacking this thread, but maybe it will be useful.

Milkman - you have named a number of restaurants you like that are at the heart of DC cuisine. Other than Le Dip, which is an outpost of a Philly company that does pretty well trying to be the trendiest place around, you named a bunch of ethnic places. That is what DC cuisine is. People come from all over the country, and all over the world to work in DC. That results in an amazing variety.

I lived in Houston for about 5 years, half when I thought Pappas Steakhouse was the fanciest possible dinner, and half where I understood fine dining. Houston is a lot like DC, as there is no particular type of food that either is known for, and ethnic food is very central. I think the difference is that Houston food melds different foods together to create things like Viet-Cajun wings, whereas DC tends to keep the ethnic foods separate.

DC is the capital of Ethiopian food outside of Ethiopia, and there are lots of great places. Various unique Asian, Indian and other types of food are available, and most of those are very reasonably priced. That is DC food.

Maydan was amazing for the first year or so I lived in DC., because of the chef. He earned that Michelin star. The dozen or so times I ate there, it was mind-blowing. Right before the pandemic, he left to open his own place. I never ate there again, as I saw the way the menu changed with the new chef, and I didn't want to taint my memory of the place.

The place he opened is Bammy's. It's a chill Caribbean place in Navy Yard. Great jerk chicken and curry, on the water. Sit outside and try to ignore the less than ideal service while you drink a rum punch.

I'm not going to name every place in DC that I think is good, but I will push back on your assertion that nobody thinks DC is a good food town. Michelin thinks it is, as it is one of only a few US cities that gets rated. Michelin correctly rates it as below NY, SF, LA, Chicago, but also correctly rates it above Houston and all other US cities. Houston is very clearly the best food city in TX, and that is all I can say about that.

If I was to suggest places to go for a tourist, the challenge would be what that tourist wants. If you want a great, locally focused meal that nobody you tell about it will understand, then go to The Dabney.

If you want a place that many other people who have visited DC will be familiar with, then got to Old Ebbitt Grill for oyster happy hour.

Either one is a good time.

Thanks for the write up. I'll check out Bammy's since I'm the Navy Yard often. After houston for 30+ years it's just hard to take a step down

Also worth noting Michelin doesn't rate cities that aren't in NY, CA, Illinois or DC. It's not that houston restaurants haven't earned any. They aren't eligible.

I'm very aware of how Michelin works. What I was trying to get across was that since they don't have a book on Houston, that gives away their opinion of the city.

I admit that DC is no NY or SF, but I'd bet it still would have at least twice as many stars as Houston if Michelin elected to rate them.

It is always funny that the only 3 star place in DC is actually an hour into Virginia.