Washington DC Restaurants - Downtown, Penn Quarter, Chinatown
Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street
Washington, DC 20005
202-408-1717
Family-owned. Amazing list of Belgian Beers including several US exclusives on tap. Charcuterie plate is fantastic. Excellent fries served with a trio of mayonnaises. Enjoy fresh-shucked oysters at the oversized bar. Valet parking is available at night for $10.
Café Atlantico
(Neuvo Latino, Between D and E Streets)405 8th Street NW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20004
202-393-0812
Café Atlantico's three-level restaurant is filled with the sound of festive music. That and the great house designed cocktails take you to another place. The food is colorful, bright, and lively too. The Tuna Ceviche with Coconut Milk and Avacado is a favorite.
Capital Q
(BBQ, Chinatown)707 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-347-8396
Authentic Texas barbecue in our nation's capitol. Visit here and you'll feel like you're down home in Texas at a roadside BBQ joint. Their unique rubs and tomato based sauce gives their slow-cooked meats just a bit of heat.
Central by Michel Richard
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20004
202-626-0015
Central is the new, elegant, but more casual offering from Michel Richard of Citronelle fame. Listed as one of the Top 100 Best Restaurants for 2008 in the Food & Wine magazine. The "faux gras" terrine of chicken liver is delicious. The Lobster burger is a star.
DC Coast
(New American, 14th Street and K)1401 K St NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-216-5988
Great seafood with New Orleans, Chesapeake, and Asian touches. The pan "smoked" lobster is an interesting signature dish-cracked lobster is served in a sweet, soy-based broth.
Il Mulino - Review
(Italian, off Thomas Circle)1110 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-293-1001
From the moment you walk in the door you are treated like royalty. With just one main dining room, Il Mulino feels quaint and intimate, while the décor and lighting adds to the ambiance. A plate with olive-oil-fried zucchini and thin sliced pepperoni is the first to grace your palate. Soon after a basket of fresh baked bread arrives and a small block of parmesan cheese is offered. Read our full review.
Jaleo
(Spanish, Archieves/Navy Memorial Stop, Metro)480 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-628-7949
Jaleo's downtown DC restaurant, along with their tapas menu, offers lunch which includes a variety of vegetables, salads, roasted lamb, grilled cheese, chicken, eggplant, Spanish cured meats, and sandwiches. We love the chorizo with mashed potatoes and never visit without ordering a pitcher of sangria.
Lima Restaurant and Lounge
(South American/Mexican, Downtown)1401 K Street NW
Wasington, DC 20005
202-789 2800
Most dishes are made or complemented with lime (as the name Lima suggests) and are full of flavor and include a number of ceviches. The restaurant has three floors: a lounge, restaurant, and bar. It also has a year-round outdoor patio.
Proof
(Wine Bar/Eclectic, Penn Quarter)775 G Street
Washington, DC 20001
202-737-7663
Proof, with 40 wines by the glass, encourages sharing of dishes. The charcuterie plate can easily be shared by 4 as a starter. Try the sautéed yukon gold potato gnocchi for a second. Plates of artisan cheeses are served with an incredible creamed honey.
Rosa Mexicana
(Modern Mexican, Penn Quarter)575 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-783-5522
The bright pink dining room matches the house specialty cocktail--pommegranite margarita. The high-end Mexican food at Rosa Mexicana is a favorite. Guacamole prepared table side is a must. Our favorite dish is the Zarape de Pato / Layered Duck Tortilla Pie, which is roasted pulled duck layered between soft corn tortillas and topped with a delicious yellow pepper-habanero cream sauce.
The Source
(Modern American/Asian, Downtown-near National Portrait Gallery)575 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-544-6930
Located in the Newseum, The Source is the first Wolfgang Puck restaurant in DC, featuring Asian/American fusion dishes as well as designer pizzas. They have separate lounge and dinner menus. Kobe beef sliders are a signature first course, and the Tandoori Arctic Char with Japanese Pickles and Cardamom Raita is representative of their Asian-inspired menu. A seven course tasting and vegetarian menu is available for $125 (or $200 with wine or sake pairing).
Zaytinya
(Greek/Turkish/Lebanese, Penn Quarter)701 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-638-0800
Zaytinya has a great bar scene, which figures as you often need to wait quite a while for a table - this popular tapas (or mezze) spot now takes reservations on a limited basis. But the dishes of DC's celebrity chef Jose Andres make it worth the wait. Come for the food and lively scene - not for convivial conversation since that will be difficult given the noise.
Zengo
(Latin/Asian Fusion, Penn Quarter)781 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-393-2929
This Latin-Asian fusion restaurant by Chef Richard Sandoval is one of the many hip new restaurants in DC's revitalized Penn Quarter. Dishes are served tapas style and portions are generous. We enjoyed the Volcano Roll, Carnitas Rice Noodles, and Kobe Beef Wonton Soup. Try the Dulce De Leche Pudding or Mexican Chocholate Torte for dessert. The atmosphere is modern, bright, open, and colorful.