Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

The Wrap-Up: The Week in Food

By Ann Limpert   Published Friday, October 16, 2009

Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema’s tenth annual dining guide is online—for real this time. Close watchers got a glimpse of the guide when it was inadvertently posted on the Post’s Web site at least four days early. “Since I never saw what went live, I’m not sure if that was my final FINAL list,” Sietsema told the Washington City Paper’s Tim Carman. Indeed, newcomer Eventide wound up with two and a half stars, not the early version’s three. The biggest surprise: Rasika, the Penn Quarter Indian hot spot, garnered four stars, putting it in the same ranks as CityZen, Komi, the Inn at Little Washington, and the tasting room at Restaurant Eve. Citronelle, which was downgraded to three and a half stars last year, was given the same rating this year.

Chef Sam Adkins is leaving Jackie’s after more than five years at the funky Silver Spring restaurant. And not by choice, he tells Tom Sietsema. Owner Jackie Greenbaum says that although Adkins is one of her “dearest” friends, “I think we reached the limitations of expression with one another.” No word yet on where Adkins will turn up next.

Lots of openings this week:
• The second branch of Taylor Gourmet opens today in the CityVista apartment complex in DC’s Mount Vernon Triangle.
• Kellari, a Greek import from New York, debuts on K Street in downtown DC, and Masa 14, a Latin/Asian collaboration (with tequila bar) between Richard Sandoval and Kaz Okuchi debuts on 14th Street, Northwest, near U Street.
• In Georgetown, you’ll find the new J. Chocolatier, which specializes in caramels and truffles. There’s a free tasting tonight from 6:30 to 9.

Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj, who owns seven DC restaurants including Rasika, Bibiana, and the Oval Room, made it onto GQ’s list of the 50 most powerful people in DC. The magazine calls him the “maestro of downtown power dining” and cites his boldface list of customers, from Rahm Emanuel to Karl Rove.

Follow the Best Bites Bloggers on Twitter at twitter.com/bestbitesblog
More>> Best Bites Blog | Food & Dining | Restaurant Finder

Post a comment

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.

Find A ...
Find A Restaurant







  1. Only show Delivery
    Only show Kid Friendly
    Only show Late Night
    Only show Party Space
    Only show Weekend Brunch
Find Events




Find A Happy Hour





  1. search_finda.gif
Find A Spa




  1. search_finda.gif
Find a Home





  1. search_finda.gif
  2. Powered by  
Find A Hotel


  1.   


  2. Reviewed by Washingtonian
  3. Kid Friendly     Valet Parking
    Handicap Accessible    

  4. Childcare
    WiFi
    Pet Friendly
    Bar/Lounge/Dining
    Airport Shuttle
    Salon/Spa
    Swimming Pool
    Fitness Room
    On-site Drycleaning
    Meeting Rooms
    Golf
    Tennis Courts
    Game Room
  5. search_finda.gif
Newsletter Signup
  1. Bridal Party
  2. Dining Out
  3. Kliman Online
  4. Shop Around
  5. Where & When
  6. Learn more sign_up.gif
 

Video: Best of Penn Quarter

Head to the downtown neighborhood near DC’s Verizon Center for wonderful museums, top restaurants, and some very good drinks. more