Group Coming to DC from California - One Adventurous Lover of Cuisine, the Others More Conventional

[golfnstuff]

Going to be visiting DC in a couple of weeks and looking forward to some local grub

[DonRocks]

Going to be visiting DC in a couple of weeks and looking forward to some local grub

Is there anything we can help you with?

[ktmoomau]

Price range, locality, type of food?

[Bart]

looking forward to some local grub

We have tons of local grub around here. Especially in the local area.

[Al Dente]

Maybe they meant lo-cal grub.  

[Joe H]

Going to be visiting DC in a couple of weeks and looking forward to some local grub

Not sure if any restaurant in our area serves "The thick wormlike larva of certain beetles and other insects"

Where exactly are you visiting from?

[dcs]

Not sure if any restaurant in our area serves "The thick wormlike larva of certain beetles and other insects"

Yes.  You would need to go to Wales for that.

[DaRiv18]

To be fair, if I went thru the trouble to sign up on this website just to access (nay, see) the Washington restaurant reviews, I would probably post something quick too.

I love a good burn as much as anyone, but golfnstuff probably wanted just plain access to the forum more than post something.  I assume he registered recently, given that was his first post, and it is actually a polite gesture.

[golfnstuff]

Sorry, I didn't mean to piss anyone off.  I posted last weekend and haven't been checking very often as my browsing times are limited.  I had initially posted because I thought it necessary and didn't expect any response.  But since you asked, we are staying at the JW on Pennsylvania.  We are looking for decent restaurants or bars in the area that we shouldn't miss and are not some large chain.  We aren't look to spend a fortune but will put out some extra cash if it is worthwhile.  Our mode of transportation will probably be on foot or UBER.

To answer a few questions

Coming from California (it's like 75 here right now, sorry)

Price     $ -$$$

Type    Any

Grub    Yes

Grubs   No

Thanks for offers to help.

[reedm]

As soon as I saw "golf" in your username, I was in. I'm a relative newcomer to this site, but I can assure you it is the most comprehensive (and best) in the DC metro area.

It would be extremely helpful if you outline your likes/dislikes, number of people, willingness to travel, etc.

Cheers.

[Bart]

Sorry, I didn't mean to piss anyone off.  I posted last weekend and haven't been checking very often as my browsing times are limited.  I had initially posted because I thought it necessary and didn't expect any response.  But since you asked, we are staying at the JW on Pennsylvania.  We are looking for decent restaurants or bars in the area that we shouldn't miss and are not some large chain. 

No one is pissed!  Just some goofing around going on.

You're not too far from Kinship which is a brand new (like 1 month old) place from a high powered chef who is actually in the kitchen nightly.  It hasn't been reviewed by the Washington Post or any of the other major publications yet, but when it is, it will sky rocket to the top of everyone's list.  Go now while you can, and impress your friends later!

You're also close to China Town which doesn't have many Chinese  restaurants anymore but has a lot of great "other stuff".  Not sure what you're looking for or where you're coming from, but there's a Mediterranean  type place called Zaytinya which features huge menu of small plates which are very unusual for damn near everywhere!

[golfnstuff]

As soon as I saw "golf" in your username, I was in. I'm a relative newcomer to this site, but I can assure you it is the most comprehensive (and best) in the DC metro area.

It would be extremely helpful if you outline your likes/dislikes, number of people, willingness to travel, etc.

Cheers.

Thanks, I am going with a few others so our likes and dislikes area all over the place.  I seem to be the only one in my group who takes the time to find something better than the standard chain or hotel fare, and will sometimes end up by myself at these places.  Either way, I like most everything with Italian being a genetic favorite.  As far as traveling, I am more than willing to go a bit further if something looks promising.  This is my first trip to the area, so I am trying to squeeze some sight seeing in as well.

[golfnstuff]

No one is pissed!  Just some goofing around going on.

You're not too far from Kinship which is a brand new (like 1 month old) place from a high powered chef who is actually in the kitchen nightly.  It hasn't been reviewed by the Washington Post or any of the other major publications yet, but when it is, it will sky rocket to the top of everyone's list.  Go now while you can, and impress your friends later!

You're also close to China Town which doesn't have many Chinese  restaurants anymore but has a lot of great "other stuff".  Not sure what you're looking for or where you're coming from, but there's a Mediterranean  type place called Zaytinya which features huge menu of small plates which are very unusual for damn near everywhere!

Thanks for the ideas, Kinship looks incredible and Zaytinya already has my mouth watering.  Pretty sure I'm gonna try to get into one of those places.

[ktmoomau]

We are a sarcastic bunch of jerks on here, but we put up with each other fairly well, welcome to the crew!

Ok, so DC is somewhat known for Ethiopian food, but if you have pickier eaters they might not go for that.  Union Market is kind of like our version of the SF Ferry Building, without the AMAZING farmer's market (hey we just built and we don't have the same California produce), it is great for a group because people can sample what they like.  It is also known for Jose Andres restaurants (Jaleo, China Chilcano, Zaytinya, Beefsteak, Oyamel) and all those places are generally safe for taking anyone and they will find things they like.  I haven't been to China Chilcano, but my favorite besides Minibar back in the day has always been Zaytinya.  The warm puffed up pita bread alone I find addictive, the bar isn't bad either.  Rasika and it's cousin Bombay Club are very good modern Indian cuisine that I have never had anyone go to and not like.  For the Italian because yes, who doesn't like Italian food, go to Dino's Grotto, it won't let you down and isn't fussy, but is just good, I think it is a more neighborhoody place.  (I am actually kind of craving it right now myself.)  And it is near Southern Hospitality which is a bar I like (not terrible food either).  In the I think you will get others to go and it is above average is Baby Whale, it seems odd by the online menu, but it really is a fun place with good food and also a good bar.   DGS in Dupont is not Kinship and isn't the top of the food world, but it is better than average and also something I think it is easy to get other people to go for, as well.  I am not very on top of the DC bar scene anymore, if you are into the Club scene then go to POV lounge, the view alone is worth it, beautiful, they have a more bar like section, but it doesn't have as good of a view as the more clubby part (all in the same place though).  Near your hotel, Woodward Table is also safe food, but I haven't had a bad meal there and all the guests we have taken have really liked it.

DC's best rated restaurants right now are probably Rose's Luxury, Grill Room, Masseria, Kinship, Komi, Fiola Mare, Garrison, Convivial (I am sure I forgot somewhere), etc...   Maybe someone else can help out with bars.

[DonRocks]

Sorry, I didn't mean to piss anyone off.  I posted last weekend and haven't been checking very often as my browsing times are limited.  I had initially posted because I thought it necessary and didn't expect any response.  But since you asked, we are staying at the JW on Pennsylvania.  We are looking for decent restaurants or bars in the area that we shouldn't miss and are not some large chain.  We aren't look to spend a fortune but will put out some extra cash if it is worthwhile.  Our mode of transportation will probably be on foot or UBER.

To answer a few questions

Coming from California (it's like 75 here right now, sorry)

Price     $ -$$$

Type    Any

Grub    Yes

Grubs   No

Thanks for offers to help.

golfnstuff, welcome to the community - nobody was pissed off at anything! This is a first-rate group, and people here are all eager to help out members (especially new members) who have questions.

[in case anyone missed it, golfnstuff's post was originally in the News and Media Forum - I moved it here (a more appropriate venue), then emailed him to let him know where it was, not knowing whether his request was urgent.]

We are a sarcastic bunch of jerks on here, but we put up with each other fairly well, welcome to the crew!  

No one is pissed!  Just some goofing around going on.

You're not too far from Kinship which is a brand new (like 1 month old) place from a high powered chef who is actually in the kitchen nightly.  It hasn't been reviewed by the Washington Post or any of the other major publications yet, but when it is, it will sky rocket to the top of everyone's list.  Go now while you can, and impress your friends later!

Yes, Kinship (menu here) hasn't yet been examined by any major publication; it's still at the neonatal stage where it has only been lauded by the most popular regional website in the country which influences every "major publication" and every "major critic" in town, and where the chef himself (who ran the kitchen at The French Laundry for many years) regularly signs on and participates, and where the website owner performed the chef's wedding ceremony in France, so yes, now would be a perfect time to go before any publication or person of consequence or expertise says anything about it. But for some reason, last night, you would have been unable to get a seat at the bar, so you might already be too late ... however, if you write me, I can and will help you if you let me know when you want to go, and how many people will be going (and don't be scared by a few of the high-dollar items on the menu - you can dine there very well without spending very much money, and it's world-class cuisine - the best our city has to offer). As friendly as the bar is for the solo diner (for example, their astounding White Mushroom Torchon, followed by their incredible, Tunisien-influenced Oeuf í  la Brick au Thon), Kinship really hits its sweet-spot when you have two-or-more people so you can delve into some of their outstanding dishes "For The Table" such as their $56 whole chicken for two - a four-pound black feather - served with the best Pommes Rissolés imaginable, a perfect side salad tossed with the leg meat immediately after a presentation of the entire bird, and a box of their signature Parker House Rolls. Start that off with the White Mushroom Torchon, and finish with one of their Desserts followed by Coffee Service (the decaf is excellent) during which you'll receive the most amazing piece of toffee you'll ever eat (complete with an antique toffee hammer to break it up with). But go now before anyone who knows what they're doing gets word of this place. I'm also going to give you access to the Dining Guide which is the most comprehensive single-city dining guide ever written, for any city (it lists and ranks, within neighborhood, over 1,000 independent, non-chain restaurants, open and closed, *just* in the DC city limits; and in the Dining Guide Forum, there are other guides, including ones covering Virginia and Maryland, that are its equal, with over 3,500 DC-based entries (that's not a typo; it's the culmination of ten years of hard work)) - write me if you have any questions about it, and I will help you figure everything out (you'll probably notice that I'm lukewarm about Zaytinya, but a lot of tourists who care about "scene" more than "cuisine" flock there like birds - in all seriousness, this might be a good option for your friends - it's lively, with an outstanding array of options, and plate-passing is encouraged). I would personally have them go to Mitsitam Cafe instead (and *make sure* they walk around and examine every single station before ordering; otherwise, they might end up with a burger and fries) - this may be the best museum restaurant they've ever been to, and it features Native American-influenced cuisine, so it's as interesting as it is good. Your friends would be perfectly welcome to go to the museum just to dine, but taking the elevator to the top afterwards, and strolling back down, is the perfect digestif. In our Art forum, I'll soon be writing about a painting by Whistler at the Sackler Gallery which you *will not* want to miss - it's a "must-see" for any visitors coming into town, and I'm going to ask that you trust me on this one. We also have a super thread going on when it comes to Visiting Washington, DC - you can throw away all your guidebooks and just use that.

Kinship-Dinner-01.26.16.pdf

For whatever reason, the publications of consequence don't really mention that DC is one of the best cities in the nation for top-flight Italian right now, but it is, and you have a fantastic set of options, from the hyper-upscale Fiola group (which includes the less-expensive-but-still-wonderful Casa Luca) to the chic, expensive Masseria, to the much-more-casual-but-still-excellent Centrolina and Al Dente (make sure Roberto Donna is working, and sit at the chef's bar if you go). How it remains a secret that the talented Massimo Fabbri is cooking at Posto instead of Tosca right now is a mystery to me, but take advantage that almost nobody knows this and go to Posto instead of Tosca where you'll dine extremely well without spending a ton of money (they offer half-orders of pasta for half the price, and you can assemble an entire pasta tasting dinner there for a lot less than people realize - and the pasta here is better right now than it is at Tosca).

And be careful with Uber - this company is beginning to show signs of becoming less customer- *and* less driver-friendly, and I've heard this from multiple sources. I've yet to have any problem with it at all, but I've always stuck with the lowest-cost option, and have never personally experienced any of the extortionary "Surge Pricing."

PS, when you get back to sunny California, we could sure use your expertise (or maybe your friends' expertise) in our new Los Angeles Forum.

[golfnstuff]

Thanks for all the input, I have a lot to consider in the next few days.  With so many choices to choose from, I have my work cut out for me and the dining guide has more information than I could ever hope to process. 

[reedm]

Thanks for all the input, I have a lot to consider in the next few days.  With so many choices to choose from, I have my work cut out for me and the dining guide has more information than I could ever hope to process. 

Did your trip take place? Would be interested to hear about your experience. Cheers.