Looking for some local help...

[ChefJohnny]

I think I may be moving to the D.C. area from NYC very soon. I wanted to ask the locals for a good list of the city's TOP restaurants. Fine dining a definite. French or "New" American. Currently, I have only 2 prospects at the moment, CityZen and miniBar, but Id really like to find some other places that maybe only those "in the know" would know.

Thanks for the help!

-Chef Johnny

[monavano]

The Washington Post Dining Guide by food critic Tom Sietsema:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsa...uide/index.html

The Washingtonian's 100 Best Restaurants by food critic Todd Kliman:

http://www.washingtonian.com/restaurantreviews/2/index.html

Tom holds a chat on www.washingtonpost.com Wednesdays at 11 am.

Todd holds a chat/chog on www.washingtonian.com Tuesdays at 11 am.

The aforementioned will put your finger on the pulse.....

Edited May 19, 2007 by monavano (log)

[ChefJohnny]

Outstanding! Thanks a bunch! Thats exactly what I was hoping for.

-Chef Johnny

[monavano]

Outstanding! Thanks a bunch! Thats exactly what I was hoping for.

-Chef Johnny

←

You're very welcome!

I wanted to add a few new places that have opened recently, and are French.

Michel Richard Central

Brasserie Beck

Cafe du Parc in the Willard Hotel

All putting out fantastic bistro food at prices less than thier more upscale siblings.

And other lists that really scores big with me: Cheap Eats and Dirt Cheap Eats

http://www.washingtonian.com/restaurantreviews/3/index.html

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/restaurants/1984.html

Edited May 19, 2007 by monavano (log)

[Busboy]

My wife and I had the good luck to babble with the beloved and legendary restaurant critic emeritus at Washington Post, Phyllis Richman, after a Russ Parsons book reading and when my wife suggested that the three best restaurants in town were CityZen, Citronell and Komi, she said "I could go with that." Me, too. In fact, not to say one is better than the other, but I enjoyed a recent dinner at CityZen more than one at the French Laundry.

[ChefJohnny]

My wife and I had the good luck to babble with the beloved and legendary restaurant critic emeritus at Washington Post, Phyllis Richman, after a Russ Parsons book reading and when my wife suggested that the three best restaurants in town were CityZen, Citronell and Komi, she said "I could go with that."  Me, too.  In fact, not to say one is better than the other, but I enjoyed a recent dinner at CityZen more than one at the French Laundry.

←

I am really leaning toward CityZen. I left TFL with then Sous Chef Ryan Fancher to open up EdK in Sonoma, as well as 5 other chef de parties. Ryan was good friends with Eric and also helped open up Per Se, along with Eric and JB. So I have that "in" and since Eric is a TFL alum, I know the food is what I am looking for.

I would also looove to get into miniBar to learn more about that style of cooking. Im in Germany now and working with some chefs that are in the same "genre." But we'll see.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Much appreciated!

-Chef Johnny