100 Very Best 2018This Brookland wine bar could have gotten away with a few charcuterie plates. After all, co-owner Sebastian Zutant is a star somm whose offbeat menu of wines from France and Virginia—including his own label, Lightwell Survey—is a major attraction on its own. Plus, co-owner Lauren Winter, a prominent restaurant designer (also Zutant’s wife and business partner), has created a stunning Parisian dining room complete with ostrich-feather chandeliers. But the bistro fare is just as much of a draw. Kombu-enriched onion soup and a French-dip sandwich with super-thick-cut frites are reasons enough to call for a toast. Moderate.
Also great: Duck-liver mousse; cauliflower with golden raisins and hazelnuts; coq au vin; chocolate pot de crème.
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.
