Ave. NW,Washington, D.C.; 202-637-6100; www. wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/ fine-dining/3941
Neighborhood Spot BLACK SALT Seafood
Volt
MARVIN Belgian-Soul Food This hybrid honors Washington, D.C. native Marvin Gaye, even including a few Belgian items referencing his time in Ostend, as well as the District. We love the country fried chicken and waffles with collard greens and chicken gravy. 2007 14th St. NW,Washington, D.C.; 202-797-7171; www. marvindc.com
Beast” dinner incorporate strong, gamey flavors with smooth wines to make this spot special. The best-kept secret is the monthly bacon flight. Tim Carman may have put it best: “The pleasure is so deep and primal you’re not sure whether to thank the chef proper[ly] or just shriek like a monkey.” 2020 P St. NW,Washington, D.C.; 202-466-4441; eoladc.com Creative dish: Merguez of Border Springs Farm lamb
J&G STEAKHOUSE Steakhouse
VOLT American
The short-rib breakfast hash combined with patio seating makes brunch an elegant affair. The succulent crab cake is not to be missed. 515 15th St. NW,Washington, D.C.; 202-661-2440; jgsteakhousewashingtondc.com Creative dish: Rack of lamb, green chili and mint, sweet pea purée
With accoutrements like “soy air” and a dessert called only “textures of chocolate,” you know you’re bound for the new gastronomy when dining here. We give praise for showcasing the under-
Blacksalt’s butterscotch pot de creme
Most Creative Menu EOLA American Creative theme nights like the “Burgundy and the
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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utilized (and ever grizzlylooking) blue hubbard squash on their fall menu. 228 North Market St., Frederick, Md.; 301-696-8658; www. voltrestaurant.com
ROGUE American The unorthodox dinner descriptions are set off with slashes here and the servers tote iPads. With items like heirloom corn/chanterelle/ espelette/vanilla to violet potato/king Richard leek/ truffle/almond milk, you never know exactly what you’re going to see when you order, and we like it that way. 922 N St. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-4089724; rogue24.com
THE SOURCE Asian Well publicized for being the first restaurant in Washington headlined by Wolfgang Puck, The Source gets our vote for such playful presentations as tuna crudo in a sesame seed cone that makes the fish seem like ice cream. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington agrees, naming it the 2011 Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year. 575 Pennsylvania
A true gem for the Palisades neighborhood it serves, Black Salt has our vote for its stellar happy hour with 50-cent oysters and $5 Kir Royales.The restaurant’s second annual oyster tasting is coming up on Nov. 12, benefiting Children’s National Medical Center. 4883 MacArthur Blvd.,Washington, D.C.; 202-342-9101; www. blacksaltrestaurant.com Creative dish: Butterscotch pot de crème
AMYS Italian In 1998 the Italian government formally recognized Neapolitan pizza as a traditional food worthy of preservation and granted it D.O.C (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) status. The best place to get them in Washington is right here, straight from the wood-fire oven. The selection of salumi and the suppli al telefono are equally tasty. 3715 Macomb St. NW,Washington, D.C.; 202-885-5700; www.2amyspizza.com
GRANVILLE MOORE’S Belgian A true neighborhood spot with a Belgian beer list to die for. The specialties here are the mussels, with preparations ranging from the classic marinière to “bleu” (Hook’s blue cheese, pork belly, shallots, spinach, white wine, lemon) and “curry” (butternut squash, yellow curry, coconut milk).
1238 H St. NE,Washington, D.C.; 202-399-2546; www. granvillemoores.com Creative dish: Moules bleu
BILLY MARTIN’S TAVERN American From sitting presidents to media icons, those who’ve visited Martin’s Tavern love its warm atmosphere and place in storied Georgetown lore. Go for the beer, people watching and Brunswick stew. 1254 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-3337370; www.martins-tavern.com
TED’S BULLETIN American A recent visit by President Obama may have helped raise the profile of this funloving Capitol Hill diner, but fans have been flocking to this Art Deco eatery for “adult” milkshakes (try the “twisted coconut” ) and oversized classic diner fare (read: breakfast served all day) since it opened in 2010. 508 8th St. SE,Washington, D.C.; 202-544-8337; www. tedsbulletin.com
PROOF American There may be an extensive wine collection, but the menu more than holds its own with eclectic charcuterie and cheese selections, and tasty entrees like vadouvan spiced wild Alaskan halibut. Warm, lowkey and inviting – a reliable destination to take friends or someone special. 775 G St., NW,Washington, D.C.; 202737-7663; www.proofdc.com Creative dish: Spicy meatballs with goat cheese agnolotti
Newest/ Hottest PEARL DIVE Seafood Jeff Black’s Logan Circle
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