Michael Rafidi, who moved to DC after a long run with the Michael Mina Group in San Francisco, has emerged as one of the scene’s hottest talents. Inside this glass box of a restaurant in the middle of the Wharf, he and owner Mike Isabella put a mod spin on French stalwarts such as onion soup (turbocharged with oxtail), lobster Thermidor (pepped up with Espelette), and escargots (fashioned into tiny croissants and brushed with herbed butter). Wine pro Jenni-fer Knowles—formerly of the Inn at Little Washington and Mirabelle—tames the richness of it all with inspired pairings. Expensive.
Also great: Paris gnocchi; cauliflower tartine; roast chicken; hazelnut marjolaine; 50/50 martini.
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
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.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
