Here Are D.C.'s First-Ever Michelin-Starred Restaurants
The capital just got its first Michelin rankings, and they're worth a visit
Washington, D.C. has finally come of age as a dining city. Not only did Bon Appétit name it this year's best dining city, but finally, Michelin has made an appearance. For the first year ever, the restaurant guide judged the top restaurants in the nation's capital.
The winners have just been announced. Drumroll please . . .
Two Stars:
Inn at Little Washington: Thirty-eight years later, Patrick O'Connell's luxurious restaurant that lacks any hint of pretension is still one of the best places in the country when you're feeling fancy.
minibar by José Andrés: The acclaimed chef's tiny tasting counter pushes boundaries with molecular gastronomy.
Pineapple and Pearls: Aaron Silverman's sophomore effort is a café during the day and a carefully curated tasting menu spot in the evening.
One Star:
Rose's Luxury: Silverman's first restaurant, best known for its fried chicken and lines, helped put D.C.'s restaurant scene on the national map.
Blue Duck Tavern: Packed all day long with diners eager for the ultra-seasonal, refined American fare and desserts from the epic pastry kitchen, this West End restaurant is especially good for power-breakfast people-watching.
The Dabney: Jeremiah Langhorne is pioneering the revival of Mid-Atlantic cuisine at this cozy but elegant restaurant in Shaw, where meats and fish are roasted over an open fire, and sauces and vegetables are fermented in house.
Fiola: Fabio & Maria Trabocchi showcase regional Italian cuisines at this spectacular restaurant in the heart of D.C. Hey, if the Obamas dine there, you know it's Michelin quality.
Kinship: Eric Ziebold and Célia Laurent operate a double-decker pair of restaurants; downstairs the more casual Kinship serves contemporary American food from an à la carte menu, while upstairs a seven-course tasting menu is the feature of Métier.
Masseria: Nicholas Stefanelli channels coastal Italy at this restaurant, which welcomes guests with a stunning garden and outdoor seating area.
Plume: An elegant ambiance complements the contemporary American cuisine at this festive restaurant in The Jefferson hotel.
Sushi Taro: Sushi Taro is known for its limited seats and pricey multicourse kaiseki tasting menu. Patrons are known to queue down the stairwell for chef-owner Nobu Yamazaki's immaculate fish, which is meticulously sourced from both Tokyo's Tsukiji market and Maryland crab farms alike. The sprawling nigiri menu offers sushi standards, including three grades of tuna, and there's an impressive beer list.
Tail Up Goat: When bread gets its own course and homemade pasta is "as sure as death on Game of Thrones," you know you've hit the jackpot.