901 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Restaurateur Mike Isabella’s sleek Spanish eatery is at the top of our list of new spots to check out for Restaurant Week—and you can pick between three meals. Promising dishes include hot-smoked bone marrow with oxtail jam as well as fried chicken bocadillos (sandwiches) with curry aioli and spicy cucumber. Lunch, brunch, dinner.
2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
The sister eatery below Arlington’s Ambar dishes up Balkan and modern European fare. Cocktail fans, take note: the $35 dinner option includes three small plates and, instead of dessert, your choice of an adult beverage (an upgrade, in our opinion). Brunch also comes with a courtesy brunch drink, coffee, and baklava. Brunch and dinner.
1942 Ninth St., NW
This “Little Ethiopia” mainstay has a new chef (Christopher Roberson), polished vibe, and fresh menu of modern-Ethiopian and global dishes. We’ve sampled a few dishes that make an appearance on the Restaurant Week menu—berbere chicken-stuffed injera tacos, a peppery short rib, and vegetarian platter—all with tasty results. Dinner only.
1990 M St., NW
You won’t find a shortage of higher-end ingredients on chef Hamilton Johnson’s Restaurant Week menus. Dishes marry Icelandic and Southern American infleunces, with options like cured trout with smoked potatoes and dill, and braised beef short ribs with crawfish grits. Lunch and dinner.
660 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
The Capitol Hill restaurant from Ser’s owners serves a variety of tapas for lunch and dinner (pick two plus dessert for the former, three and dessert for the latter). Items range from the classic Serrano ham to more adventurous plates such as pickled mussels or chicken liver terrine. Lunch and dinner.
2001 Fenwick St., NE
Restaurateur Ari Gejdenson of Ghibellina and Acqua Al 2 is behind this Mexican cantina in Ivy City. The special Restaurant Week menu draws heavily from the regular lineup (always a good thing), with options like marinated tuna tostadas, snapper ceviche, grilled skirt steak with chorizo and veggies. Dinner only.
3060 M St., NW
Georgetown’s haute-macaron salon, directly imported from Paris, specializes in pretty sweets and fare for ladies who lunch. We’d opt for the $22 weekday offering over brunch—mainly because lunch comes with the signature macarons and the “club Laduree” (a fancy club that’s typically $19 sans appetizer and dessert). Brunch, lunch
1725 Desales St., NW
Michelin-starred chef Raphael Francois helms this brasserie near Dupont Circle. Though Restaurant Week menus aren’t currently available, diners can expect modern French fare (i.e. whiskey-infused pate or beef bavette with grapes). Lunch, dinner
1324 H St., NE
Washington’s one-and-only Swiss restaurant serves robust Restaurant Week menus, with options like raclette (essentially an appetizer of melty cheese and pickled veggies) or homemade veal bratwurst with potato pancakes and gravy. Note that brunch includes a gratis mimosa and coffee. Brunch, dinner.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
