100 Best Restaurants 2008: Komi

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli , Dave McIntyre

No. 3: Komi

Komi

1509 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-332-9200

Cuisines:
Greek/Mediterranean, Modern

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Nearby Metro Stops:
Dupont Circle

Price Range:
Very Expensive

Dress:
Upscale Casual

Noise Level:
Intimate

Reservations:
Required

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Mascarpone-stuffed dates; scallop with truffle emulsion and black truffles; spaghetti with sea urchin; roast suckling pig; baby goat.

Price Details:
Dinner menus, $84 to $104.


 

Reader's Rating:
4.3 out of 5

Cuisine: Brilliant moments abound on these prix-fixe ($84) and multicourse degustazione ($104) menus that nod to Greece and Italy but are chef/owner Johnny Monis’s own thoroughly modern cuisine. Monis’s family hails from the Greek isle of Chios, but his approach to cooking is almost Spartan: pristine ingredients with minimal manipulation.

Mood: A bit austere—the former townhouse has bare-wood floors and Champagne walls with a few well-chosen antiques. As the place fills up—which doesn’t take long with only 12 tables—the room gets warmer. Sommelier Derek Brown, who has put together an original wine list, exudes charm and generosity—extra pours of Champagne, a nip of sherry just because.

Best for: Food lovers with time to spare—the three-course prix fixe (with extras) takes 2½ hours, the tasting menu more like 3½.

Best dishes: Mezzethakia such as the perfect house-cured olive, buttery amberjack sashimi with Maldon salt, crunchy slivers of breakfast radish with trout roe, and savory miniature goat gyros on house-made pita with tzatziki and pomegranate; veal-brain raviolini, both meaty- and buttery-tasting; tender spit-roasted goat served with house-made hot sauce and crunchy tzatziki slaw; salty caramel ice cream with chocolate.

Insider tips: Reserve at least a month in advance for weekends, three weeks for weekdays. Monis is fond of artisanal salt—even in dessert.

Service: ••••

Reader ReviewsWrite your own review
 
Excellent Sensational Yet Salty
Tayx2 — May 6, 2009 1:52 PM
After dining here the other night, I understand what all the fuss is about. This menu is an adventure from the start and doesn't stop until you are handed your Root Beer Lillipop and sent on your way. Each of his meals clearly tells a story and I More ...
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Excellent Relish and Gasp
thepresidentwearsprada — March 5, 2009 10:13 AM
This is a condensed recapitulation of the outstanding meal I had at Komi. The menu consists of two choices: 1-You decide on your pasta and main dish and the chef picks your starters (Mezzethakia)
2-The Degustazione where the chef selects everything More ...
This item is under review
 
Average just okay
robinw — February 27, 2009 9:17 AM
I was very disappointed after reading so much about this supposedly wonderful restaurant. Yes, the food was good, but not exquisite. Yes, the service was good, but not outstanding. The austere atmosphere was not intriguing, but it was austere. For More ...
This item is under review