Readers of TCEDG can send us photos of dishes they like at restaurants in the Washington area - include date taken, name of restaurant, and the menu name of the dish. We'll post the best photos sent. JPGs preferred.
Safari DC / Club, 4306 Georgia Avenue, Washington, DC, 202-722-7701 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [chef moz | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
One reader recommends the beef samosa, I have yet to go Some sources indicate they have Afghan and South African dishes as well. The place is also a club, and it advertises music at night.
Kotobuki, web site, 4822 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, DC, near U Street NW, on the second floor, 202-625-9080 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | City Paper | Don Rockwell | Yelp | Gayot]
The best sushi right now and remarkably cheap, the sushi is only a dollar a piece, yet the quality is very high. A real find. I've been waiting for a price shake-out in the sushi market, and perhaps the time for that has come. The also have Saturday lunch and Sunday dinner, they don't take reservations. A Beatles soundtrack plays all the time. Don't expect good service or comfortable seating, but right now this place is essential dining. The shumai and lobster sushi are especially good, in addition to the usual winners.
Hitching Post Restaurant, 200 Upshur Street, near Rock Creek Church Road NW, Washington, DC, 202-726-1511 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo (Phyllis Richman) | City Paper]
A casual American restaurant. One reader recommends the friend chicken, white beans with neck meat, and the macaroni and cheese. Sietsema wrote a good review of it too.
Neyla, web site, 3206 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-333-6353 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | MenuPages | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Readers have been recommending this place to me, Chug likes it too. I have yet to go. They are supposed to have good pita, among other dishes.
Thai X-ing, 515 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-332-4322, no lunch, All take-out (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [InTowner | Washingtonian | Don Rockwell | WaPo | City Paper]
This place is becoming legendary. One guy cooks for you and it takes a long time. I have yet to go. It is supposed to have quirky décor, and the reviews differ on whether any seats are available at all. The salmon in coconut milk is supposed to be great. Here is the menu: http://www.inshaw.com/blog/Thai%20X-ing.htm. Patrons are advised to call in advance to avoid long waits. Let me know what you think.
From a loyal TCEDG reader:
Update February 16, 2007: Four chairs, one table, A+ decor, and the best Asian food in D.C. Nothing nearby comes close. Staff = 1, so you must call not only for reservations, but indeed hours in advance with an actual order so he can start making your food. I loved the salmon in red curry sauce, the pad thai, the larb, and some amazing chicken dish with the guy's last name on it; the drunken noodles are recommended as well. But I am not not not saying the other dishes are worse.
I'll never view the theory of the firm in the same light again. Monitoring doesn't work, and who needs division of labor anyway? The coolest place in DC right now, by far.
Al’s Steak House, web site, 1504 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-836-9443, cash only (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [The Best Phlly Cheesesteaks | Hobnob Blog | WaPo]
I have friends from Philly who swear that good indeed great cheese steaks exist. I’m still waiting for an existence proof. But if five of you write and tell me to try this place, I will. In any case this is supposed to be a good place for local character.
Lima Restaurant, web site (Flash and music) 1401 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-789-2800 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | City Paper | Yelp]
Peruvian is trendy now and this place is hot. It is a wonderful and diverse cuisine. But what is this place? The reviews indicate a lot of citrus-cooked fish (OK) and lots of Spanish dishes. The verdict remains out…
Update November, 2006: The new hip place, and the best ceviche in town, without a doubt. Not cheap and hard to get in on Friday and Saturday. Parts of the décor are stunningly attractive, while other parts resemble a bad high school cafeteria. Friendly service. I thought the short ribs were excellent, plus of course the ceviche. I recommend focusing on the appetizers. I don’t feel I need to go here often, and I suspect that not all the menu items (of course I picked the best ones) are good. But it is definitely a place worth trying. I’ll add that at least half the menu items are not “Peruvian,” in the classic sense, but the same could be said for the hot spots in Lima, Peru. This place is aptly named.
Rasoi Indian Restaurant, 2800 South Eads Street, Crystal City, Arlington, VA, 703-684-2095 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)
One reader tells me this is the best place around for foods from Delhi, including butter chicken and chicken curry with nan.
Another reader says this place is closed. Phone number is disconnected.
Vace Italian Deli, 3315 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-363-1999 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
One reader swears this is the best pizza around. He recommends it with spinach and proscuitto and red sauce.
Canvas Tapas, 1836 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-797-4930
Their caramelized tapas come recommended, but I am skeptical. Looks like a place for poseurs.
Is this place closed?
Sumah's, web site, 1727 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-462-7309, (near 7th and R, Howard Univeristy metro stop) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | Yelp]
From Jeff Bryan, who works at AID:
”Down-home West African (Sierra Leonean and Guinean) cooking including house-made ginger beer, rice akras, pepper soup, peanut butter soup, potato leaf, crain-crain, tola, fufu, eba, fried fish, plantain, okra, couscous, cassava leaf stew, and more”. The owner, Sumah, is very friendly and welcoming. In addition, the best African CD shop in town is in the same restaurant, so pick up a CD while you’re there. They used to have a sign by the door that said “no political discussions”, but unfortunately it’s been gone for a few years. Easily as good as Ghana Cafe, friendlier and cheaper too.
Izora, 1115 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 301-495-2960 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Silver Spring Voice | Washingtonian | openlist | Yelp]
UPDATE May 20, 2006: A commenter says Izora is closed, replaced by Gallery with Carribbean and Latin food, web site, 1115 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 301-589-2555. I haven't been.
Or is this place Caribbean? Should it go under Nigerian? East-West Highway is prime territory for undiscovered spicy food, let me know if you visit this place.
Sakoontra, web site, 12300-C Price Club Plaza, Fairfax, VA, 703-818-8886 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
I went here once, and enjoyed the fried watercress salad. The rest was fine but I thought only average. A number of readers have sent positive reports, but I don’t yet get it.
Urban Thai (formerly Thai Smile), 561 23rd Street, Arlington, VA, 703-979-0777, between Fern and Eads, near Crystal City (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)
A reader tells me it is great.
There are many other Thai places, more than I can try or list.
Thai Seafood and Grill, The romance Restaurant, web site, 2732 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD, 301-932-4388 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]
I’ve given up adding random Thai places to this list. There are too many of them, and too few are unique. But an avid reader recommends this one, plus Wheaton and environs is probably the best neighborhood for Thai restaurants. I bet this one is worth a try.
Luang Thai or Thai Luang, web site, 171 Elden Street, Herndon, VA, 703-478-2233, recommended by a correspondent, on Baron Cameron/Elden Street, in the Virginia Power Building, across from an Outback (“somewhat,” writes Rick Gonzalez), hidden from the street. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Hidden from street, that is usually a good sign.
Bangkok 54, web site, 2919 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA, 703-521-4070 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
A reader recommends. I have yet to go.
Across the street from Rincome Thai.
Southside 815, web site, 815 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-836-6222 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]
Biscuits, grits, mashed potatoes, etc. I have yet to go. I am told they have some New Orleans dishes as well, such as Po’ Boy with fries and slaw.
Raw food
Everlasting Life, web site, 2928 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-232-1700 [Yelp]
Delights of the Garden, 2616 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-319-8747 [Yelp]
Thanks to Bill Cowley for the pointers. I’ve yet to go to either, perhaps I have the Modigliani-Miller theorem in mind.
(Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)
Rivera's Restaurant, 6552 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA, 703-451-5343 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Citysearch]
Has pupusas as well, selection of standard Peruvian dishes, very small, definitely a mom and pop, I have yet to try it.
Pollo Inka, 656 Elden Street, Herndon, VA, 703-481-9090 (703-871-0362?) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper]
Another good Peruvian chicken place in a Herndon mini-mall.
A reader recommends Pollo Real, again in Herndon, 1114 Herndon Pkwy, Herndon, VA, 703-796-9000, Elden Street at Herndon Parkway. [Yelp]
Sam's Restaurant and Cafe, 765 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 301-424-1600 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Stews, kabobs, lamb shank, special rice dishes. Sounds pretty good, I have yet to go, one reader claims they make the best gelato in the DC area.
Shahi Kabob House, 724 Pien Street, Herndon, VA, in the older part of Herndon (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah]
An avid reader recommends the Chicken Karahi there.
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.
Los Tios Grill, web site, 2615 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-299-9290, just down Mount Vernon Avenue, from Taqueria Poblano, across from the Del Ray Artisans. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | Don Rockwell]
A credible-sounding reader says this is very good. It is run by Salvadoreans, but I would not rule out a visit on that basis. That is what culinary globalization is all about, no?
Crisp & Juicy, multiple outlets [WaPo | 10Best | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Citysearch | Gayot]
Many of my readers like these places, I have yet to go.
Taco Jalisco, 8645 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA, 703-360-1253, Rt. 1, near Fort Belvoir. A reader recommends this as a good hole-in-the-wall place. I have yet to go. I believe there are other worthwhile places nearby.
Also recommended to me are
Caveat emptor, but do let me know what you think, I bet at least one of them is good.
Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que, web site, 447 East Rochambeau Drive, Williamsburg, VA, 757-565-2955, near Williamsburg, off Rt. 64 [10 Best | Activer Diner | Citysearch]
Pulled pork, recommended by many of my correspondents. They still have an open pit, which is increasingly rare these days.