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Washingtonian's 100 Best Restaurants

The best 100 restaurants in Virginia, Maryland and Virginia.

By Todd Kliman ,    Ann Limpert ,    Cynthia Hacinli ,    Kate Nerenberg ,    Rina Rapuano    Published Wednesday, December 23, 2009

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Photograph by Stacy Zarin-Goldberg

Comments

There are far too many comments I would like to make, but suffice it to say that the list is difficult to come up with and does contain many great choices. My main issue is certainly with the ranking order. It does seem really arbitrary and built on what restaurants have the most buzz at the moment. I know food extremely well having a Chef mother, being an avid cook myself and visiting restaurants all over the U.S. and Europe. Despite being very expensive, there really should be no argument that The Inn at Little Wasington is the finest restaurant we have in the DC metro area. The way these lists should be built is not with restaurants ping-ponging up and down the rankings year after year. The French Laundry does not get displaced at number one in the Bay Area, nor should The Inn in our Washington DC Metro area. A great and well established restaurant remains great unless something very drastic happens. I am completely unbiased. I love lots of other restaurants in the area, but when one speaks of the best haute cuisine on par with Paris’ finest, The Inn is simply the best.

Posted by: RichB, Jul 27, 2010 11:10:34 AM

We went to J&G Steakhouse (number 4 on the list) last night for my birthday and we were expecting amazing service and experience. Unfortunately, the overall experience was very flat. It isn’t like we have never been to a nice restaurant, in fact we have been to 2941, Cafe Atlantico and the Inn of Little Washington to just name a few. So we expect a lot especially when a restaurant is named number four. With that said, the food was excellent but the ambiance was lacking.

We actually received better service by our waitress Megan outside at the Living Room lounge then we did at the restaurant. If you were to go, I suggest requesting Megan as your waitress at the Living Room and skip on J&G Steakhouse.

Posted by: Renee, May 09, 2010 10:09:01 AM

People, don’t it take so personally when your favorite restaurant didn’t make it to the top. You do all realize that "Best Lists" are the highly subjective personal opinions of the raters, don’t you?

Komi is #1!!!!! Nyah, nyah, nyah-nyah, nyah!

Posted by: Boltz3000, Apr 22, 2010 11:02:15 AM

I have no idea what Four Sisters and Present are even doing on this list. Yes, they are the vietnamese restaurants in Falls Church with the nicer decor, but their food is not nearly as good as some of the other less trendy restaurants in the area. I have yet to have a spring roll at Four Sisters that tastes fresh. Please expand your horizons before you do the 2011 list. Try Little Saigon - the food is much, much better than either Four Sisters or Present.

Posted by: Sarah, Mar 28, 2010 02:47:57 PM

Last year, I commented that the Top 100 rankings seemed to be increasingly arbitrary and that trendy restaurants were being unduly rewarded in order to spice things up on the list. This year, I think this trend has continued to an even greater degree. The results seem almost random now and not an accurate representation of which restaurants in DC are consistently the best. I hope they go back to doing the list the way they used to.

Posted by: William N., Feb 27, 2010 09:54:35 PM

I’m frankly shocked by some of the selections in this year’s edition. Restaurant Eve, CitiZen, and Inn at Little Washington are 10-12? That’s absurd to me. Those three can compete with any of the top 3.

Also, how on Earth is Zaytinya ranked above Volt? I enjoy Zaytinya, and I’m a huge Jose Andres fan, but the quality of the food, the service, and the ambience aren’t even comparable. Volt is a step above. I suppose it was dinged for location?

We haven’t seen this drastic a change from one year of the top 100 to another in quite a while. Has there been a change in the evaluation criteria? Or maybe the critics? I’m perplexed.

Posted by: Mike in Alexandria, Feb 27, 2010 10:48:57 AM

I think the comments about Founding Farmers are out of line, I have had the pleasure of dining there many times and have never been unhappy. The service is sometimes amature and unpolished, but the food never disappoints. And the drinks are fantastic.

I do think Cedar should been higher up, the few meals I have had there are better than any I have had in DC from the "top 10" and the service is excellent.

Posted by: kim , Feb 17, 2010 07:12:15 PM

How is Jaleo even on this list??? The food there is American tapas and it is weak. Founding Farmers has the best brunch I’ve tried in DC. The service is touch and go, but they are working to make improvements. Some of the bashing of FF in the above comments is just flat out odd. I may not be a foodie, but I’ve eaten at most of the top restaurants in DC and FF is certainly in the top 100.

Posted by: Bill, Feb 16, 2010 06:45:33 PM

Bravo to Washingtonian for putting Willow back on the list and at #39. Tracy, Brian and Kate run the best restaurant in Ballston and probably all of Arlington. But I take exception to the "damning with faint praise" of Kate Jansen’s desserts. By extension you have just insulted the judges at the 2009 Rammy’s who justifiably voted Kate the best Pastry Chef of the year. No one who has ever dined with us at Willow have ever gone away dissappointed, but we certainly were in your critique.

Posted by: Joe, Feb 01, 2010 08:03:16 AM

We have been avid followers of the Top 100 Restaurant issue since we first came to DC in 1997. We are thrilled to see Willow back on your list especially at number 39. However I must disagree with your comment about the disappointing desserts. I am perplexed at how you can make this comment when Kate Jansen was the Pastry Chef of the Year for the 2009 Rammys and has been consecutively nominated since 2007. I consider myself a chocoholic and a sugar addict and we LOVE the dessert offerings. Her Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake converted me from the wonderful Triple Chocolate Mousse Trio. Just recently 3 at our table ordered the Tiramisu Cake and raved about how light and delicious it was. I hope that you would reconsider your dessert comments and understand that those of us who frequent Willow feel that Kate Jansen and her desserts deserve far greater credit.

Posted by: Suzie, Feb 01, 2010 07:51:22 AM

I so wanted to like founding farmers and, even more, farmers & fishers because the food is so weak at other places at that location. In both cases, I have had mediocre meals and, worse, really poor service, especially at Georgetown harbor. Who wants to go to a place where no one cares that you are there?

As for the note about how much management cares, I say B.S. I left messages twice to provide feedback. No one ever called me.

Posted by: Kat, Jan 31, 2010 03:31:13 PM

We decided to try Assagi during Restaurant Week in Bethesda--choosing this over all the others participating because it made the recent Washingtonian top 100 in the area. What a mistake! The only dish anyone liked was the vegetable soup. The food was bland and served lukewarm. The waiter made a big deal over the fact that we were getting such a bargain--$30 per person for 3 courses when one entree would usually cost that much. Did they try to cut corners because of the price? In fact, when served the veal with spinach over polenta it seemed identical to the squid with spinach over polenta appetizer, even though the description was different. Though the food that was supposed to be hot came on very hot plates, the food itself was cold. When someone in our party tried to get fruit instead of one of the dessert choice he was told emphatically "NO SUBSTITUTIONS!" They didn’t seem very accommodating. In fact, even though the descriptions of the desserts sounded great and the waiter said they were scrumptious, they were tasteless. Quite shocking. Our experience made us feel this restaurant was over-rated.

Posted by: Gar, Jan 27, 2010 02:53:11 PM

You are out of your minds by ranking Four Sisters ahead of Present!

Posted by: VietPower, Jan 26, 2010 02:41:55 PM

Regarding Founding Farmers. . . Large portions and good service - BUT otherwise over-rated, over-priced, over-cooked food, and devoid of creativity. An upscale TGIFridays/Ruby Tuesdays.

Posted by: Gary, Jan 23, 2010 06:27:25 PM

Bistro L’Hermitage is a wonderful restaurant. It is pristine and warm, you feel as if you are invited into the home of the chef! Designer motif and first class service.
Not a single detail has been missed.
The sauces are out of this world and could stand alone.
Make sure to take a trip to the loo while you visit.
Beautiful, warm, and very comfortable.
Visit Bistro L’Hermitage and feel like a King! or Queen!
Cheers.

Posted by: Lakeridge Resident, Jan 15, 2010 09:43:14 AM

As owner of Cava Mezze, I have to defend Washingtonian here a little. We have never advertised with them, but they put us on their list and named us Restaurateurs of the Year. Of course, I understand readers perspectives also. I am sure many times, advertising plays a part, but so does good food, service and atmosphere. 2 years ago we were in the top 100, last year we did not make it, this year we did again. Nothing changed in our operations from 1 year to the next and many of our customers/fans were furious. Many told me how they wrote Washingtonian on our behalf and I appreciated it. In the end, I appreciate the list and very excited every year we make it, but I would rather have a full restaurant with my many happy and returning customers. I am a subscriber and I think what Washingtonian does for dining in DC is great. Cynthia and Todd have a tough job with so many great places to eat. Just keep supporting the restaurants you love and it will all work out for the best. Thanks to all for their support!

Ted Xenohristos
CAVAmezze.com

Posted by: Ted Xenohristos, Jan 13, 2010 01:18:55 PM

The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District is proud to see that 8 of the restaurants within its boundaries made the list this year of the 100 Best Restaurants in DC (Vidalia, Oval Room, BLT Steak, Teatro Goldoni, Taberna del Alabardero, Prime Rib, Equinox, Kaz Sushi Bistro). Congrats to these great restaurants!

Posted by: GoldenTriangleBID, Jan 08, 2010 08:24:05 AM

I welcome all feedback regarding Founding Farmers, and its sister restaurant Farmers & Fishers, and I’m thrilled to see the voting of the Washingtonian Readers regarding their favorite American restaurant, and a top choice for value. While I respect, admire and appreciate the role of critics and journalists, I’m far more interested in the opinions of our guests. Regarding the WaPO article, I would ask you to read our response on www.wearefoundingfarmers.com and remember that journalists make mistakes, and have a mission to sell newspapers and build their own reputations--sometimes done at the expense of the whole picture, or someone else’s business. We’re an open-book at FF, and I’m proud of the work of our staff, and I’m appreciative of the support from the Real American Farmers that actually own the restaurant. It is best to fact-check and do you own research, or come to the restaurant and see for yourself, or contact me through our website so I can answer any questions you have. We are honest and transparent in how we run our business; if we make a typo, are late with a seasonal menu change, or make other mistakes, we’re human, but accountable, and we fix it or address it right away. There are lots of great restaurants in DC/MD/VA--some are on this list, and some aren’t, but remember, magazines need to get sold, lists need to written, and opinions need to had--that’s fair simply by nature of being reality. I’ll still defer to the thousands of guests who enjoy Founding Farmers every week, and from them I will gladly take any and all feedback.

Posted by: DanS from Founding Farmers, Jan 06, 2010 08:47:33 PM

I agree with Jenna - Leopold’s is one of the best eats for Sunday Brunch. It’s on my Top 10.

Posted by: David Dingle, Jan 06, 2010 12:09:25 PM

What happened to Leopold’s Cafe? Only the best food in Georgetown!

Posted by: Jenna, Jan 06, 2010 12:06:10 PM

Bistro L’Hermitage!!! I cannot believe you’re not raving about this restaurant. The food is wonderful, the service is the best in the state, and the atmosphere transports me back to Paris.
I LOVE this place and am deeply offended that you would use your magazine top potentially sabotage not only the business but a owner who is obviously working his backside of to provide not merely meals but the type of dining with candles and roses that takes people back to sitting and enjoying a meal and not merely gulping down a burger....SHAME ON YOU..I’m cancelling my subscription unless you go there and report the truth!!!! So advertise that*

Posted by: Ann Carter, Jan 06, 2010 10:43:09 AM

Hmmm Bistro L’Hermitage in NOVA did’nt make the top 100. Its the finest French restaurant this side of Paris...very suspicious of your methods

Posted by: Larry Mazur, Jan 06, 2010 09:43:29 AM

founding farmers is amateur hour. food is mediocre, service is abhorrent. not to mention the false advertising. great idea, nice atmosphere, bad execution. they shouldn’t be anywhere near the top 100, and the fact that they slipped in last year might be best explained as jumping the gun and great expectations.

Posted by: explanation, Jan 04, 2010 01:33:33 PM

Ok.
****Founding farmers I understand, considering that they were just busted for False Advertising the sustainable products – so busy they might be – but so is McDonalds.
I think the list is wrong but more in the placement of the restaurants on the list.
I do think that if this was done to create debate and an uproar, mission accomplished.
Todd, Ann, Cynthia, Kate and Rina - you all have tough jobs, but if you are going to have the tough job, you have to expect tough feedback from your readers.
FORD Taurus? And how does the Source beat Cityzen? Oval Room is better than Eve?

Posted by: Mike Jennings, Dec 28, 2009 06:24:22 AM

The Washingtonian list is biased. If you don’t advertise you don’t make it. I can name 15 restaurants in NOVA that are s good or better than any of the restaurants from 3’s 25 to 100 but they don’t make the list because they won’t play the game.

And Kliimann has a bias against restaurants located outside the beltway in NOVA. He’s afraid to travel any further than Falls Church.

Posted by: Fred, Dec 26, 2009 09:56:20 AM

So Founding Farmers was 99th on your list last year and that was only after 5 weeks of being open. You have elected to remove one of the most hip and busiest restaurants from your list.....not sure why. The Source at number 3?.....Really?....

Posted by: Befuddled, Dec 25, 2009 01:15:04 PM

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