I've been twice to Citronelle and find the tasting menu very good. I would call it nouveau french food (which I like better than traditional). Service is so-so but the food is outstanding, IMHO.

Maestro is out in Tysons and I've been once. It's generally very good and quite elegant but service is also so-so (seems like DC has a service issue ). The menu is very intriguing; two sections - one traditional and one contemporary, both based on Italian food.

Either one would be a fine dining experience in DC. I wouldn't necessarily go to Maestro by myself but Citronelle has a great outdoor area as well as a nice lounge (bar menu?) where one can dine enjoyably alone. CityZen is also a good option with a great bar menu. Citronelle, Maestro and CityZen are the big boys of DC dining with prices to match (add Makoto to the list if you're a big fan of Japanese food). Melrose, Seasons, Vidalia, Obelisk, etc. (Komi, Firefly, Zaytinya, DC Coast, Cashion's, Ceiba, Eve, 2941) are all very good but not in the same category.

I dunno, I'm not much for dining alone at a big table for a few hours but if I can sit at the bar and chat with a bartender or something and still enjoy the kitchen's outstanding cooking, that'd be my preference.

Either that or find a date, fast!