1. Subscribe Now
  2. Follow Us
  3. Follow us on Facebook Follow us at Twitter Subscribe to our global feed
  4. |
  5. Advertise

100 Best Restaurants 2010: Hook [CLOSED]

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Cynthia Hacinli , Ann Limpert , Kate Nerenberg , Rina Rapuano

No. 81: Hook


Hook (Closed)

3241 M St., NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-625-4488

Cuisines:
Seafood, American, Modern

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Foggy Bottom-GWU

Price Range:
Expensive

Dress:
Upscale Casual

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Recommended

Special Features:
Party Space, Weekend Brunch

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Trio of smoked fishes—salmon, mackerel, and bluefish; oysters three ways; beet salad with goat cheese; tuna tartare; tempura-fried pufferfish with cilantro sauce; grilled dorade with olives and chimichurri; lingonberry linzertorte with Taleggio ice cream; butterscotch tart.

Price Details:
Lunch starters, $8 to $10; entrees, $12 to $24. Dinner starters, $8 to $11; entrees, $22 to $28.


 

Reader's Rating:
1 out of 5

Cuisine: Chef Jonathan Seningen turns out an ever-changing, all-over-the-map roster of seafood that encompasses the au courant (a crudo of mahi mahi with pickled jalapeño) and the enduring (fish and chips). Meat lovers might want to look elsewhere—there’s only one non-fish entrée on the menu—but seafood fanciers will smile. Every fish is sustainably caught; think Arctic char, not Atlantic salmon.

Mood: The softly lit, minimalist dining room has turned into something of a weeknight clubhouse for Georgetown couples and families. On weekends, tables are filled by a snappily dressed crowd of thirtysomethings and internationals.

Best for: A quiet date or dinner; brunch.

Best dishes: The menu changes daily, but look for a trio of smoked fishes—salmon, mackerel, and bluefish; oysters three ways; beet salad with pistachios and goat cheese; gingery tuna tartare; tempura-fried pufferfish with piquant cilantro sauce for dipping; whole grilled Greek dorade with olives and chimichurri; lingonberry linzertorte with Taleggio ice cream; butterscotch tart.

Insider tips: Pastry chef Heather Chittum is a top talent; even if you’re not having a meal, you can graze on her sweets at the bar.

Service: ••

Open Monday for dinner, Tuesday through Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner. Expensive.

See all of 2010's 100 Best Restaurants

Reader ReviewsWrite your own review
 
Terrible Worst Dining Experience Ever!
diningbelle — October 26, 2009 8:24 AM
What a disappointment! I would like to know their definition of "fresh" fish. Why serve Lousiana crab cakes when the Chesapeake Bay is in their own back yard? My husband's fish was so tough that he had to saw it with a knife! As for the desserts More ...
Report the content
 
Terrible Worst dinning experience in DC
ednj — May 26, 2009 10:43 AM
Over the past seven years we have visited Washington often due to a son in college and now working in the area. Most of our dinning experiences have been positive and we enjoy the variety of restaurants available in the area. We recently had dinner More ...
Report the content

Click to download our new iPhone mobile app

 

Follow Us Follow us on Facebook Follow us at Twitter Subscribe to our global feed
Get the Magazine Washington Lives By

It's your source for dining, nightlife, news, health, shopping and more in Washington.

Subscribe to Washingtonian

Washingtonian Magazine provides the best insights on:

Subscribe today for only $29.95 for 12 issues.