I'm combining a little musical diversion with a mileage run that weekend so I believe the "full deal meal" for crab cakes would be in order.

I think my favorite would be Crisfield's in Silver Spring. http://www.crisfieldseafoodrestaurant.com/

The right answer with respect to crab cakes is that ya gotta go to a place with newspaper on the table, not linen. And never, ever eat at Phillip's.

For "haute cuisine"

1. Marcel's, 24th and Pennsylvania, NW
2. Caucus Room, 9th and D, NW
3. Gallileo, 21st and L, NW

For German/middle European

1. Old Europe, Wisconsin and Calvert, NW
2. Old Stein Inn, Route 214, Mayo, MD (5 miles south and 4 miles east of Annapolis)

For steakhouse food:

1. The Prime Rib, K between 20th and 21st NW
2. Lewnes' (in the Eastport district of Annapolis)

For all you can eat:

1. Fogo de Chao, 11th and Pennsylvania Ave NW

For killer ribs:

1. Johnny Boys', US 301 South, La Plata, MD

For moderately priced but good food:

1. Tom Sarris' Orleans House, Rosslyn, VA
2. The Fish Market, Old Town Alexandria
3. The Daily Grill, 18th and M, NW

Crab Houses:

1. Robertson's, Popes Creek MD (about MP 9 off US 301 in Charles Co., MD)
2. Cantler's, St. Margarets, MD (east of Annapolis but before the Bay Bridge)

The Fish Market used to be good but the last time I was there (4 years ago), it was mediocre at best. Really has gone down hill.

Robertson's is good for atmosphere and all-you-can-eat but hardly the best for crabs. Back Rubs there though, are outstanding!

I've written elsewhere that Maestro is now my favorite restuarant in the U.S. ...and I take this kind of thing very seriously. :p (no, really...I do)

It's superb in all areas.

Cafe Atlantico on 8th for Latin or Jaleo on 7th for tapas. Atlantico always has the hottest door muffin in captivity, As my dining experience in DC is controlled by season tickets to the Shakespeare Theater on 7th, I can also recommend Andale on 7th (Southern Mexican or Mayan.) Try the Fess Parker wine.

gleff, has 701 recovered? It was the only choice when the Shakespeare theater moved from the Folger Shakespeare Library to the Lansburg on 7th, but it went downhill quickly when competition emerged. I haven't been there in many years.

If you're willing to trek up to Dupont Circle (Metro Red Line), Komi has awesome New American food. For oysters, check out Hank's Oyster Bar. Both are on 17th St.

In Chinatown (the "new" Downtown), I can highly recommend Zengo for Latin-Asian fusion, and IndeBleu for French-Indian fusion.

For upper brackets, I've always had great food at Citronelle in Georgetown, and arguably the best (and most expensive) restaurant in DC right now is CityZen at the MO|DC. Justifiably so, I might add.

For the suburbs, I'm glad someone mentioned Maestro (Tysons Corner) and Eve (Alexandria) coz they are both fiercely good!

Personally (and IMHO), I'd file Galileo, TenPenh, and Vidalia under "I'm not rushing back there anytime soon" :)

Agree with most of this, except -- I finally ate at Komi in January and the fish they cooked for me must have been in a reactive pan, it had a terrible metallic taste and I left before dessert. :td: Now, I understand that the place was closed for a few weeks and completely revamped since then. But I really am not keen to go back.

Also disagree on Citronelle, it can be very good but it's been rather uneven for me -- both in terms of food and service.

But 100% agree that CityZen is the best meal in the district proper, that in Virginia Maestro is in the same league, and that both compete with the food (though not the experience) of the Inn at Little Washington.

IndeBleu is very good though overpriced for what it is (same with 2941 in Fairview Park). Zengo is also very good, but its location next to the MCI Center can wreak havoc with traffic and valet parking attempts -- get there early!

And alas TenPenh and Vidalia are unimpressive.

Give Komi another chance, gleff! I ate there last night with two friends and had a great experience. We each ordered the tasting menu, quite a bargain at $62. We started with green olives and stuffed dates, then had 6 small plates as appetizers. The baby octopus was out of this world. Next, we each had a pasta dish, all good, followed by the entree. We agreed that the lamb was outstanding, the tuna excellent, and the rabbit very good, though a little fatty. Next was a cheese course (selection of 3 cheeses) followed by dessert. Service was excellent and the staff was all very knowledgeable about the dishes. I liked the smaller sized dining room and the excellent spacing between tables. I'd put the quality of my dining experience at Komi in the same league as Maestro. I haven't made it to CityZen yet, but my foodie friends who have give it top marks, so I hope to get there soon.

Well, maybe I will go back to Komi -- I should say, in fairness, that their clove lollipops are great! :D

Just got back to my hotel room after having dinner at the Oval Room. Wow! We were a group of eight. Service was impeccable. Food superb. Very interesting presentation on some dishes. I had the scallop appetizer and rib steak entree. Both were thoroughly enjoyable. I will return.
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13F

We went to a Judd's Hill tasting dinner at Dino last night.

The drive to the place was pure hell. took an hour to go 15 miles, had to call the marrige consular twice.

The food was unbelievably great. Forget Gallieo, and Goldini. Don't look for food like this in Italy. I have only done tosca twice, and never been to maestro. I have done 14 trips to bologna, and 5 or 10 to rome venice, florence, etc.

Selected sauages for the risoto, steak with foie gras. so rich so good

the wines included a pinot and a petit syrah that we cannot get. a 97 cab from magnum and from bottle. they were very different. a 95 cab.

wine tastings are the way to go. Dino rocks.

dino is about 50 feet from a stop on the red line metro. do not drive.

Equinox
 

I always have enjoyed Equinox.

The decor is unremarkable, but the food is fantastic- and includes a local flair, like quail and such. The food is impressive and its a short block walk to the white house, for a beautiful evening stroll afterwards.

jb

La Colline has closed.

Equinox rocks! Wonderful tasting

1789 and Kinkeads are over-rated.

The Fish Market in Alexandria is a dumpy tourist trap.

Crabcakes in DC? For lunch try the sandwich counter at Eastern Market (a destination unto itself...).

For a caz but nice lunch/dinner/brunch, I personally like the restaurant at Tabard Inn.