|
|
1. Kinkead's
2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006 · 202-296-7700
|
User Rating: (Rate It!) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
FOGGY BOTTOM. This two-story establishment grants guests the option of dining casually in the downstairs area or more formally upstairs. The menu features a number of seafood standards, including roasted cod with crab imperial and Virginia ham spoonbread, and monkfish wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon. Other tempting choices are braised lamb shank with gigante beans, or grilled chicken with polenta, sun-dried tomatoes and mixed mushrooms. Be sure to leave room for dessert because Kinkead's will win you over with chocolate dacquoise, pecan carrot cake and a trio of crθme brϋlιes. METRO: Foggy Bottom
|
2. DC Coast
1401 K St NW, Tower Building, Washington, DC 20005-3401 · 202-216-5988
|
User Rating:  (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
DOWNTOWN. Into people-watching? DC Coast's wall of windows overlooks busy 14th Street. As the name suggests, seafood is the specialty. Chef Jeff Tunks is famous for his Chinese-style smoked lobster, and pan-roasted rockfish with polenta cake and lobster corn broth. Popular terrene dishes include grilled NY strip with andouille hash, and marinated free-range chicken with roasted fingerling potatoes and grilled ramps. Portions are sizable, and the ambience is bright and lively. As for finding the place: Keep an eye out for the mermaid marking the entrance to this Beaux Arts-style dining room. METRO: McPherson Square
User Rating:  (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
DOWNTOWN. This large dining room feels like a masculine, clubby steakhouse, but it's really a seafood restaurant. The interior boasts red leather booths, curving architectural details, and globe lamps. The menu is packed with all manner of treats salmon, haddock, sea bass, rockfish, oysters, tuna, and more. Knowledgeable servers can advise you about the day's specials, which can be grilled, broiled, or Cajun-spiced. Smart casual dress. Reservations recommended.
User Rating: (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
GEORGETOWN. Sheathed in stone, brick, and weathered wood, this restaurant's interior is eminently comfortable; nautical accents provide easy evidence of the house specialty. Led by head chef Jeff Shively, who eschews fried or breaded seafood, the restaurant insists on fresh fish and shellfish. It's known for Gulf shrimp, soft-shell crabs, and fabulous crab cakes, and the white-marble raw bar offers oysters, shrimp, clams, and mussels. Entrees range from grilled marinated squid to Virginia rainbow trout, mahi mahi, and lobster. Plus, landlubbers appreciate items like the Argentinian beef tenderloin. Casual to business casual dress. METRO: Foggy Bottom
User Rating:  (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
DUPONT CIRCLE. Inspired by New Orleans' down-home, spicy cooking, this restaurant features fantastic seafood dishes innovatively fashioned by chef Ann Cashion. Pristine shellfish from nearby waters are specialties, as evidenced by Chesapeake seafood stew, brimming with seafood, spices, and savory broth. Fresh crab is also tops, served simply and unadorned with a side dish of corn pudding. Great for lunch as well as dinner, the menu features everything from sophisticated salmon dishes to gourmet hot dogs and oyster po'boys. The charming dining room provides a fitting backdrop for flavorful all-American cuisine.
|
6. Pesce
2016 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036 · 202-466-3474
|
User Rating: (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
DUPONT CIRCLE. Pesce, a fresh fish market and cafι run by chefs Roberto Donna and Jean-Louis Palladin, ensures that guests receive only the best, both in service and cuisine. Specials change frequently and feature impeccably fresh seafood flown in from multiple locations. Among the great options are Carolina shrimp, grilled monkfish, soft-shell crabs, and oysters on the half shell. The menu changes constantly, based on what's fresh and seasonal. Dress is business casual to casual. Dinner often requires a wait. METRO: Dupont Circle
User Rating: (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
DOWNTOWN. Elegant and clubby, McCormick & Schmick's has built its solid reputation on fish and shellfish drawn from local and Pacific waters. Start off with oysters on the half shell or oyster stew, and then consider Dungeness crab, parmesan-crusted flounder, seared yellowfin tuna, or sauteed sea scallops. Pastas and steaks also find a place. The well-attended bar boasts an incredibly popular happy hour, and business folks relish its tasty fare and shoeshine service. Business casual dress. Reservations strongly recommended. METRO: Farragut North or Farragut West
|
8. BlackSalt
4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007 · 202-342-9101
|
User Rating: (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
THE PALISADES. Founded by Jeff and Barbara Black, this market-restaurant eschews fanfare, much to the delight of the affluent neighborhood folks who deem themselves regulars. Once you've made your way past the spectacular array of fresh fish and seafood displayed on the retail end, you'll find friendly waitstaff eager to welcome you to your cozy booth or table. From there, the tough choices start: Will it be fried Ipswich clams or braised baby octopus? Mahi-mahi with polenta or French bourride? You really can't go wrong.
|
9. Tony and Joe's
3000 K St NW, Washington Harbour, Washington, DC 20007 · 202-944-4545
|
User Rating: (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
GEORGETOWN. Family-owned, this charming restaurant hugs the riverside, affording great views of the Potomac. An expansive patio brings the water even closer. A range of specialties and fresh entrees proves tempting, as hot crab dip and deep-fried alligator indicate. Other options include grilled tuna steaks or the day's fresh catches (the menu suggests how they're best prepared). If you want crab, lobster, or oysters, they're available too, along with chicken, steaks, and pastas. Wine and beer add fitting complements. Business casual to casual dress. Good for groups. METRO: Foggy Bottom
User Rating: (Rate It) My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
DOWNTOWN. Legal Sea Foods operates on the motto, "If it's not fresh, it's not Legal." And they make good on their word. The variety of tasty seafood dishes and their clam chowder are near-legendary in the area. Appetizers are also popular, and Maryland crab cakes are a special treat. If you're ordering at the bar, lobster or shrimp roll sandwiches are terrific choices, as are oyster po'boys and lobster salad. For dessert, don't forget to try the Boston creme pie.
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.
|
Print this Page
Email this Page
Click here to share it »
Book Washington Hotels
Buy Tickets to Washington Events
