Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide

Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, web site, 1100 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC (entrance is at 12th and H Streets), 202-216-9550 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | Don Rockwell | Yelp | Gayot]

Not cheap but a more or less genuine Italian restaurant -- with tripe and the like -- also with subtle flavors in the pasta. Currently it is a clear first choice for Italian in the DC area, along with Marea. We have been needing a restaurant like this for some time.

J&G Steakhouse, web site, 15th and Pennsylvania, at 515 15th, across from Treasury, in W Hotel, Washington, DC, 202-661-2440, open for breakfast and sometimes dinner starts as early as 5. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | Yelp | Gayot]

I went once and expected fancy and innovative, as it is from the Jean-Georges empire. What I got was solid and affordable. So I’m a bit confused. I will go back, and can recommend it with some qualifications. The service was iffy, but the dishes are yummy. At this point, though, I prefer Bourbon Steak.

Brasserie Beck, web site, 1101 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-408-1717 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | Yelp | Gayot]

Good French fries, mussels, and comfort food dishes. It can get crowded and noisy but go early for what can be quite a good meal. The beers here are very popular, I would say stick with the weirder, more Belgian entrees to avoid being stuck with the boring dishes on the menu.

West End Bistro, web site (Flash), 1190 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC, in the Ritz-Carlton, 202-974-4900 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | Don Rockwell | Yelp | Gayot]

I went once and had very good ham and very good cod, right after the new sous chef arrived. The other dishes I saw didn’t impress me so much. It was very noisy and not cheap. I would go back, but at this point I am reluctant to recommend it.

Komi, web site, 1509 17th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-332-9200 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

A mix of fine dining and Greek-American. The best place in DC right now, by far. $90 for a two and a half hour extravaganza. And yes it is much improved over the previous incarnation, in case you had tried that and found it wanting. Along with CityZen, this is right now DC’s only truly excellent restaurant. I feel I could bring anyone here and impress them.

Blue Duck Tavern (in the Park Hyatt), web site, 1201 24th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-419-6755 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | insiderpages | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

By far the nicest eating space in the whole DC area, truly beautiful. It looks too immaculate to serve food in. Most of the food, however, is mediocre. I thought the Bratwurst was quite good and I had a very good appetizer, was it the herring? The visuals save this place and with wisdom you can have an OK meal too.

Gerard Pangaud Bistro, web site, 915 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-4445 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Menuism | Don Rockwell | Yelp]

A resurrection of the old Gerard’s restaurant in the form of a Bistro. But it’s hardly any different. The old Gerard’s was great when it was “on” (only sometimes), after one visit it is hard for me to see the Bistro version as much of an improvement. It’s not.

The Source, web site, 575 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-637-6100 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | The Hill | WaPo | Yelp]

Yes sir, I know what is best, and I will bring it to you.

That was what I heard in The Source, the new Wolfgang Puck restaurant, which is now one of the two best fine dining establishments in an otherwise food-starved Washington DC.

First posted on Marginal Revolution.

Central Michel Richard, web site, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-626-0015, hard to get reservations except at 5:30 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | The Hill | MenuPages | City Paper | Don Rockwell | Yelp | Gayot]

This was once the second best place in town but now it's just OK. Tourists have taken it over and it was never that cheap in the first place. Get out your copy of Brahms's Requiem. Originally the short ribs and the burgers were pretty good. But now, write it off if you really care about food.

Also see Michel Richard Citronelle.

Montsouris, 2002 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-833-4180, closed Sundays and between lunch and dinner time. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | MenuPages | Don Rockwell | WETA | Yelp]

CLOSED

I am skeptical about the idea of a French bistro in the United States, for obvious reasons. But in its first year this place really hit the mark. Now it is only "good." It is mostly northern French food, including steak tartare, sausage, lentils, and salads. Good fries. The waiters we had were actually French.

Mandu, web site, 1805 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-588-1540 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | MenuPages | City Paper | food-plan | Yelp]

The District gets Korean food, reviews are bad, and I will never try this place. Shame on you for even thinking of going, you’ve got to get to Annandale.

Fogo de Chao, web site, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-4668, Saturday opens at 4:30, Sunday at 4:00 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | MenuPages | Hill Rag | WaPo | City Paper | Wash Times | The Hill | Yelp | Don Rockwell]

A clear first choice for Brazilian right now. Churrascaria. All the meat you can eat. The quality is surprisingly high, and the salting is just right. From a chain based in Sao Paulo. Excellent salad bar. Not the real thing, but closer than I thought they would come. Dinner starts at $44.50, though, lunch starts at $24.50.

Havana Breeze, 1401 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-789-1470, closed weekends, closes early, 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday [Washingtonian | Yelp]

I resent them for their hours, but I have never been to a bad Cuban place in my lifetime. Except in Cuba, that is.

Update May 26, 2006: A commenter says this place is closed.

Update September 2006: Now the Lima Restaurant.

Naan and Beyond, no longer at 513 South 23rd Street, Crystal City, Arlington, VA. Now at 1710 L Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-466-6404 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | openlist | Yelp]

Above average Tandoori chicken, overall the place is less spicy than most.

Johnny’s Half Shell, web site, 2002 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-296-2021, closed Sunday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Supposed to be the best place in DC for crabs, clams, and the like. I went once, it did not thrill me.

UPDATE: Now moved to 400 North Capitol St., Montsouris is in the old location on P Street NW

Red Sage, web site, 605 14th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-4444 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo (Phyllis Richman) | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

NOW CLOSED.

Vidalia, web site, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-659-1990, closed Sunday. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Nouvelle Southern food, extremely tasty and creative, can be one of Washington’s best restaurants. One meal I had here was superb, and the other was mediocre. You are taking your chances, but with a potentially high payoff. Order the Pecan Pie for dessert. Expensive. Lots of World Bank and IMF types go here, in search of what is to them exotic. It’s reinvented itself a few times, so caveat emptor, let’s hope someone else is paying the bill.

Georgia Brown's, web site, 950 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-4499. On the west side of the park, at the place where there appear to be two 15th Streets. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

A visit here will almost make you think you that America is an integrated nation. Here is where the black upper and middle class hangs out. Great atmosphere, and sometimes excellent food. Make sure you get some grits. The place has slipped from its early days, but I have had some excellent meals here, usually at Sunday brunch. Sometimes the music is too loud. In any case worth a visit.

Singapore Bistro, web site, 1134 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-659-2660 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Arguably this could go under Pan-Asian, but since they call it Singapore Bistro … the sushi is supposed to be good. But it is nothing like going to Singapore, where an incredible meal can be had for $1.50 in the hawker centers. Tiong Bahru is the best place to eat there, take a cab.

El Chalan, web site, 1924 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-2765 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

Peruvian food for the World Bank crowd, basically. Not an extensive menu but it does draw on several parts of Peru, including Ariquepena. Acts like a real restaurant, differs from the other Peruvian places listed here. Worth visiting, order the lamb in beer sauce and the chicken in peanut and onion sauce.

Couscous Cafe, web site, 1195 20th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-689-1233 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | food-plan | Don Rockwell]

The owner is Algerian but I am told they have many Moroccan dishes, including bastillah. I have yet to go.

Chipotle, web site, numerous area locations. [Washingtonian | WaPo | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

OK, let’s get the bad news out of the way up front. This is a chain. Even worse, it is a chain owned by McDonald’s corporation, the fount of culinary evil. That being said, it is pretty good. Fresh and relatively authentic Mexican food, you tell them how to put together your meal. The salsa is genuinely spicy. The carnitas are the best meat. Not much choice, but you don’t need it. I’d rather eat here than almost any other Mexican place on this list.

Penang, web site, 1837 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-822-8770 (on the corner of 19th and M Streets NW, just down the block from Malaysia Kopitiam) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Also 4933 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-2878, Bethesda branch has better hours. [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Pretty good, but not as good as the sister branch in New York City (Penang: 109 Spring Street, New York, NY, 212-274-8883; Nyonya: web site, 194 Grand Street, New York, NY, 212-334-3669).

It’s still the best Malaysian you’re likely to get this side of Asia, so count your blessings. Some of it is too sweet for me and not spicy enough, but sometimes rigorous instructions can overcome this problem.

Malaysia Kopitiam, web site, 1827 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-833-6232 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

You can’t go wrong with Malaysian food, but once you know its peaks, all these places are disappointments. I love Malay and Malaysian food, but not in the U.S. This place is OK, but best for those who don’t know the real thing. “Kopitiam,” by the way, means something akin to “coffeehouse” in Malay. Real Malaysian and Singapore coffeehouses are quite a different breed, get their incredible toasts and snacks.

Bacchus, web site, 1827 Jefferson Place NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-0735, closed Sundays. A bit south of Dupont Circle, doesn't open for dinner until 6:00. There is also a branch in Bethesda: 7945 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-1722 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Traditionally it has been the area's ruling Lebanese restaurant. Very good on all counts, especially the appetizers. I love the chicken in yogurt sauce with pomegranate seeds. Not cheap, but worth it, this restaurant is a favorite for many people.

Update: Now closed.

Gabriel's, Radisson Barcelo Hotel, 2121 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-956-6690

Closed. Now the Hotel Palomar.

Formerly nouvelle Latin, but now only at brunch. It used to be a good restaurant, but I’ve yet to try the new regime.

Look also under the various Latin countries, most of these restaurants are Pan-Latin, rather than serving some pure national cuisine.

JCC Cafe, web site, 1529 16th Sreet NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-3246, inside the DC Jewish Community Center, (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | openlist | Yelp]

Supposed to be good, run by a French-trained chef who has cooked for The White House.

Yee Hwa, 1009 21st Street NW, Washington, DC, near K Street, 202-833-1244 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | Yelp]

Finally DC gets a Korean place. Living so close to Annandale I have no reason to go, but there are no bad Korean places around here.

Kaz Sushi Bistro, web site, 1915 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, near 20th, 202-530-5500 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Washingtonian | The Hill | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

A mix of Japanese and fusion, both the beef and the sushi can be very good. It has much more variety than your typical Japanese place, you won’t get bored here even after a few visits. Washington needs more of this kind of place. Get the kobe beef. Lately, however, I’ve seen some signs of decline. It remains well above average, but beware.

Nirvana, web site, 1810 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-223-5043 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Gayot]

Excellent South Indian dishes and most Gujarati vegetarian dishes. It is from the people who once brought you Swagat’s, near the University of Maryland. Not everything on the buffet will be good, but the best dishes are superb and original, not what you find elsewhere in the area. You will always feel that this place is not as good as it might have been, but anyone who likes Indian food should have this in their repertoire.

Aroma, web site, 1919 Eye Street NW, Washington,DC, 202-833-4700 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

Foggy Bottom Indian stand-by. Reliable.

Bombay Club, web site (flash), 815 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-659-3727, Sunday brunch (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Gourmet, expensive, the most refined Indian food in the area.

Bombay Palace, at 2020 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-331-4200 is also quite good, but both are too Americanized for my tastes. [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Athens Taverna, 1732 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-667-9211

Closed. Now Mourayo.

For DC eaters, a reader recommended a Greek Deli, Kosta’s, 19th between L and M, NW, they close mid-afternoon. (? Kostas Cafe: 2030 M Street NW Washington DC 20036 202-785-8208, or 1201 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-682-1679)

Les Halles, web page, 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-6848, open 11:30 to midnight, every day. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

A good French steakhouse, with the onglet as the entree of pride. Not cheap, but a real treat. Also get the mashed potatoes with gravy, as well as the Creme Brulee for desert. The best French Fries in town as well. Consistent.

Marcel's, web site, 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-296-1166, dinner only (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | flyertalk | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Belgian, mostly, more classic than nouvelle. All the reviews are good, but hard to see it beating a trip to Europe.

Ten Penh, web site, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-4500 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Pan-Asian, sort of, and run by Jeff Tunks, a food god. Can be excellent, but you take a big chance here for the price. Most go away disappointed, your best bet is the lamb chops. When it hits the spot, one of the two or three best places in town.

Oceanaire, web site, 1201 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-2277 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Hobnob Blog | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Economist | Don Rockwell | Gayot]

Has first-rate seafood, one of my favorite places right now. They do for fish what Morton’s did for steaks. That description might put you off, but you should try it anyway, it is really very good. Noisy and draws a hideous crowd, but don’t let that put you off.

Crabcakes

Swordfish

Asparagus and whole red potatoe sides

Equinox, web site, 818 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-331-8118 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

One of the better upscale places, but not good enough to excite me. I’ve eaten here twice, the courses have a hit rate of about two-thirds, not cheap. Surely it has its partisans but not at the top of my list.

D.C. Coast, web site - AVOID the web site, it will bring your browser to a halt, 1401 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-216-5988 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Washingtonian | The Hill | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Jeff Tunk’s place. Get the chile relleno, tuna-filled pasta, and crabcake. One of the best places in town right now. The noise can be difficult to take, however.

Kinkead’s, web site, 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-296-7700 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

For seafood, formerly the best bet in town, and maybe was the best place period, but has become unpredictable, maybe because Kinkead is putting his time into his new place in Virginia (Bob Kinkead's Colvin Run Tavern).

Taberna del Alabardero, web site, 1776 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, entrance on 18th Street, 202-429-2200, opens at 6:00 (affiliated with a Spanish restaurant group, Grupo Lezama) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Very yummy. They often have regional specialties cooked by visiting chefs. A superior dining experience. Not cheap, but the price is high for a good reason. Good paella. Stuffier than it needs to be, but often I feel this is the very best place in town right now. It has shown a remarkably ability to reinvent itself when needed.

Gerard's, web site, 915 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-4445 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | wcities | Gayot]

Update June 8, 2008: See Gerard Pangaud Bistro.

This place is accused of being inconsistent, so make sure Gerard is cooking that night. If so, it is phenomenal. Get the sweetbreads, the duck (or maybe the lobster, but $58 there), and the brioche. This meal will blow you away. Not cheap, but at its peak one of the two or three best places in this area, along with CityZen and the Inn at Little Washington. Did I mention that Gerard ran a Michelin two-star back in France? Sadly, the décor of this place is ugly, but I don’t care.

Yuca, web site, 1800 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-1177, closed Saturday lunch and Sunday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

Terrible hours, but again another new Cuban place. Has to be one of the better places in the neighborhood.

Ginger Cove/Ginger Reef, 822 E Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-248-6007, 202-248-7733, the two phone numbers are for the two separate places. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)

Closed

Ginger Reef is only for Friday and Saturday nights, get the picture? These are party places for yuppies to buy alcohol. Flights to Haiti are quite cheap those days, so why are you visiting these restaurants? If you must go, try the appetizers. The sad thing is, these people once ran Fish Wings n’ Tings, in the good old days. They keep on reinventing the same restaurant, with successively higher prices and lower quality.

Ortanique, 730 11th Street NW, Washington, DC, opposite the Grand Hyatt, closed Sunday, 202-393-0975 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | The Hill | Economist | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

I have heard it is flawed, interesting, and overpriced. (And closed?)

Acadiana, web site, 901 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-1510 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | The Hill | City Paper | Don Rockwell | Gayot]

The new Jeff Tunks place. Everyone says too much butter, not enough chiles. I have not yet been, I am waiting for someone to pay my way.

Breadline, web site, 1751 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-822-8900. Closed weekends and dinners, mainly a breakfast and lunch place. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [[Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Everyone loves this place, I have yet to go. Supposed to have first-class ingredients, but at one-third the usual price.

Julia's Empanadas
2452 18th Sreet NW, Washington, DC, 202-328-6232