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GEORGETOWN. Renowned chef Michel Richard serves thoughtfully prepared dishes to dignitaries and celebrities who frequent his restaurant. Service is professional and unhurried, and meals are impeccably presented. Accompany the multicourse extravaganzas with a vintage from the 8000-bottle, glass-enclosed wine cellar. Creative main courses range from dorade royale with fingerling potatoes to Asian-style duck with spring rolls and potato fried rice. A tasting menu is available at $150 per person; more exclusive is a seat at the Chef's Table, which runs around $275 per person. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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2. Makoto
4822 MacArthur Blvd, Washington, DC 20007 · 202-298-6866
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THE PALISADES. Aficionados of fine Japanese food precisely presented in a delicate, multicourse fashion deem this place superb. Fresh sushi and sashimi display visual and culinary artistry, qualities that extend to the rest of the menu. Impeccably fresh ingredients ensure that noodles, beef, salmon and the chef's daily innovations are deserving of the praise they garner. In fact, the variety of tastes leaves the palate satisfied but not overwhelmed. And for an aperitif, their cold sakes come highly recommended. Dress is business casual, but make sure to wear socks because diners must don slippers at the door.
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3. Prime Rib
2020 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006 · 202-466-8811
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FOGGY BOTTOM. An Art Deco-style tribute to high society and excess, Prime Rib serves some of the region's best aged beef and freshest seafood. With a decidedly festive air, Prime Rib is, even in the eyes of Washington's elite, an upscale place to celebrate. The shining black bar, leopard-skin rugs, tuxedoed waiters, highback leather chairs and live piano are extravagant touches. Choose from a phenomenal wine list, and enjoy steak au poivre and center-cut veal chop served in its natural juices. Later in the evening, the bar is a stylish place to be seen. NB Business casual dress is acceptable for lunch. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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4. Marcel's
2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20037 · 202-296-1166
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FOGGY BOTTOM. Warm, burnished tones with accents of wrought iron and terra cotta envelop diners at this elegant establishment. An exhibition kitchen takes a position of prominence, serving notice of the wonderful things that await. These "things," French and Flemish in nature, include saddle of rabbit stuffed with foie gras, pan-seared duck with couscous, and veal osso bucco with wild forest mushrooms and pomme purée. Appetizers like gratin of PEI mussels also titillate the senses. Service is impeccable, and the wine list is divided by region. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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5. CityZen
1330 Maryland Ave SW, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC 20024 · 202-787-6006
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NATIONAL MALL. Sleek geometric designs, 20-foot ceilings, dark tones and an exhibition kitchen set a sophisticated stage at the Mandarin Oriental's signature restaurant, led by one-time French Laundry chef de cuisine Eric Ziebold. The ingenious fare can be best described as Modern American, though Ziebold allows for a few international nuances in dishes like veal shank with potato gnocchi. The bold wine list features an impressive 800 varietals, and the bar area shelves rare single malt scotches and cognacs. Six-course chef's tasting menu: $105; six-course vegetarian tasting menu: $90; three-course menu: $75. METRO: L'Enfant Plaza
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6. Le Paradou
678 Indiana Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 · 202-347-6780
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$$$$$50+
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DOWNTOWN. When Le Paradou opened in 2004, it was a crowning moment for chef and co-owner Yannick Cam, whose career has been marked by celebrated stops at restaurants in Europe and America. At Le Paradou, guests find an unpretentious modern setting inspired by the intimate hillside villages of France. As for the fare, Cam is careful to ensure that his take on French cuisine isn't confined by the conventions of tradition. The result is simply magical – Mediterranean bass stuffed with shrimp mousse or veal chop with girolles and baby turnips. METRO: Archives-Navy Memorial
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7. TenPenh
1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 · 202-393-4500
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DOWNTOWN. Simple lines and rich materials characterize this contemporary Asian restaurant. Peppered with antiques from Thailand and China, the hot spot surrounds guests with teak, bronze and silk, an impressive backdrop to be sure. Among the main courses are tamarind-glazed Chilean seabass with buckwheat soba noodles, and pistachio-topped salmon with tomato-sesame-soy vinaigrette. Wines hailing from France, New Zealand, Australia and the US ensure precise pairings no matter what dish you select, and the bar also features an impressive number of Asian beers by the bottle and on tap. Archives-Navy Memorial
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DUPONT CIRCLE. Despite its Southern-sounding name, Vidalia was opened by owner-chef Jeffrey Buben to deliver modern regional American dishes in a soothing, serene atmosphere. Fresh ingredients combined in innovative ways result in offerings such as shrimp and grits, brown sugar-crusted duck breast with red wine-beet reduction, and veal sweetbreads with roasted Maine lobster. House desserts like Morello cherry streusel cake and lemon chess pie are simply transcendent. METRO: Dupont Circle
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9. Palena
3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 · 202-537-9250
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CLEVELAND PARK. The brainchild of two former White House chefs, this upscale restaurant courts diners with American dishes influenced by the cuisines of Italy and France. Recommended dishes are seemingly endless: Start with roasted red and Chioggia beets salad, and then try the savory veal chop or herb-roasted squab. The dessert menu will definitely draw your attention, thanks to tantalizing goodies like chocolate toffee torte and lime tartlet with glacéed grapefruit peel. METRO: Cleveland Park
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DOWNTOWN. Chef Gerard Panguad possesses a knack for creatively blending flavors and techniques, and this artistry is evident in his characteristically unpretentious dishes. A cozy atmosphere and skilled servers attract both a professional clientele and romance-minded diners. Menu selections frequently change depending on market availability, but representative dishes include poached lobster and braised veal shanks. METRO: McPherson Square
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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