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Until recently, tourists who trekked north from the Mall hungry for something more than Smithsonian cafeteria food were stranded Downtown with little but high-end options. Now, young Washingtonians are taking advantage of residential development and moving off Capitol Hill to Downtown, Penn Quarter, and Chinatown, where nothing short of a restaurant revolution has taken shape in the last decade.
L’Ardente serves traditional Italian flavors in a glamorous setting (think Missoni curtains) in the heart of the city. The buzzy restaurant, known for its 40-layer lasagna and tiramisu flambé, is a place to be seen by politicians and celebrities, including former president Barack Obama. The best seats in the house are at the chef's counter, where you can see the team assembling pizzas and crafting their indulgent pasta dishes.
Located in the Eaton DC hotel, Michele’s is home to a gorgeous bar and lounge producing exceptional craft cocktails and a chef's counter where guests can experience a unique raw bar tasting menu. Created by Michelin-starred chef Matt Baker, Michele's is named after his mother and draws inspiration from the American South, especially New Orleans and Texas, where the chef spent most of his formative years. Try dishes like grilled quail, roasted quail, and caviar from the raw bar.
For those looking for a high-end gastronomic experience, head to minibar, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant owned by Spanish chef José Andrés. Here, his team showcases his molecular-gastronomy techniques with the 20 or so courses on the tasting menu that vary regularly (no à la carte orders allowed). The small plates have included beef-tendon churros, corn on the cob served on a spoon, and chocolate-coated foie gras. Four seatings a night of six guests each means reservations are required.
Cranes, a Michelin-starred restaurant at Penn Quarter is the brainchild of chef/owner Pepe Moncayo who creates a kaiseki experience (small, delicate plates) combining Japanese techniques and the flavors of his native Spain. In the evenings, you can experience an intricate omakase menu where the chef surprises you with a series of delicately crafted small courses featuring ingredients such as soft shell crab, oysters, and tender duck breast. Lunches are also a luxurious experience but at a more affordable price point, offering photogenic bento boxes with sashimi and pickled veggies.
For those looking for an upscale Italian dining experience, Fiola is an option for you. Its dapper servers know their menu inside and out, and there's a sommelier to help with the wine choices. This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a series of decadent tasting menus oozing with truffles handpicked from Alba. For those looking for a scaled luxury experience, Fiola also offers items à la carte.
Just a couple of blocks from the White House, this enormous space (a century-old bank building), with a towering second-floor terrace, centers on a vast black-granite bar adorned with marble columns and leather stools. Affiliated with the legendary Joe's Stone Crab in Miami, the D.C. Joe's distinguishes itself with steaks. Sure they have seafood, but this is a steak house. A 30-ounce porterhouse tops the price list, at about $95. Everything is big here—the place, the portions, the prices—but you get the upscale feel with the beautifully appointed room, waiters in tuxedos, and impeccable service. The restaurant seats more than 450, and there are also large rooms for private parties.
A mix of old and new, Karma Modern Indian offers a fresh perspective on Indian cuisine. The dining room is bright, stylish, and colorful, which pairs well with its beautifully plated dishes and cocktails. Executive chef Ajay Kumar combines traditional Indian spices with nontraditional ingredients such as octopus, lobster, and quinoa for a fresh take on the long-established perception of Indian cuisine.
