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

Critics Pick the 25 Best Dishes

What do our dining critics crave? Everything from the cheddar-topped burger at Ray's the Classics to vanilla-poached lobster at Farrah Olivia.

By Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli Published Thursday, February 19, 2009

Fried Ipswich clams at Kinkead's.

Fried Ipswich clams at Kinkead's.

• Crispy sea bass or pork-belly dumplings at the Source

• 72-hour short ribs at Citronelle

• Snapper bisque at Corduroy

•Country rabbit pâté with house-made pickles and violet mustard at Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar

• Any soup at Palena

• Vanilla-poached lobster in a lobster bisque at Farrah Olivia

• Mascarpone-stuffed date or katsikaki (spit-roasted goat) with house-made pita at Komi

• Pot of mussels at Café du Parc

• Risotto with lobster at Teatro Goldoni

• Barbecue crabs (in season) at Johnny’s Half Shell

• Chilled cucumber soup at the Oval Room

• Ray’s Hell-Burger with Vermont cheddar at Ray’s the Classics

• Gazpacho (in season) at Buck’s Fishing and Camping

• Black cod at Rasika

• Bacon-egg-and-cheese salad at Restaurant Eve

• Crispy Ipswich clams with house-made tartar sauce at Kinkead’s

• Raspberry custard with rose-blossom ice cream and grapefruit at Adour

• Pad Thai at Nava Thai Noodle and Grill

• Lobster with Sauternes butter and grapefruit at Le Paradou

• White-clam pizza with lemon at Comet Ping Pong

• Skirt-steak-and-foie-gras sandwich at BLT Steak

• Lingonberry linzertorte with Taleggio ice cream at Hook

• Veal sweetbreads with port at the Inn at Little Washington

• House-made corned-beef sandwich at Central Michel Richard

• Carrot pappardelle with rabbit ragu at Tosca

What are your favorite dishes in town? Let us know in the comments below!

This appeared in our February, 2009 issue as part of the 100 Best Restaurants section.

Related:

30 Great Value Dishes

Counting Down the 100 Best Restaurants

More>> Best Bites Blog | Food & Dining | Restaurant Finder

→ 100 Best Restaurants Database
→ Printable List of 100 Best Restaurants
→ Best Restaurants in Washington, DC
→ Best Restaurants in Virginia
→ Best Restaurants in Maryland
→ Critics Pick the 25 Best Dishes
→ 30 Great-Value Dishes
→ Restaurateurs of the Year
→ The 2009 Foodie In and Out List
→ 100 Best Photo Slideshow

Comments

How is Persimmon not on this list? It is one of the best in Bethesda (along with Black’s and Grapeseed)

BTW Nicaro was sold and is no longer half as good as it used to be. Sadly it used to be one of my favorites.

Posted by: Pam, Oct 24, 2009 09:58:50 AM

Just took my family to Saigon Quan in Backlick Plaza today, with my sister’s family. Seven of us for under $60. I had Pho, they have very tasty Pho there. My wife love their grill dishes, she said THE BEST. Great place for a lunch or casual dining. We’ll for sure will come back soon.

Posted by: John Tran, Jun 13, 2009 10:07:18 PM

Best Vietnamese lunch, Saigon Quan restaurant in Backlick plaza, Springfield. This one just recently opened. Try it!!!

Posted by: Mac Deleon, Jun 09, 2009 04:50:29 PM

where are best crab cakes in WDC area.

Posted by: Rudy, Jun 03, 2009 11:16:34 AM

Love that pad thai at Nava.....the best!!

Posted by: DC, Feb 24, 2009 01:15:46 PM

Great mention for Teatro, unfortunately it links to an old article of the restaurant way before chef Enzo Fargione took helm in the past April 2008

Posted by: Wrong posting, Feb 20, 2009 07:27:09 AM

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