Can anyone give suggestions as to some memorable dining spots in DC? We will be staying near the White House in mid-March.

The cuisine is flexible, but we are specifically looking for a non-chain, not-to-miss restaurant for lunch or dinner.

We want it to be spectacular--outstanding in presentation, taste, and/or location.

We don't mind spending good money for dinner as long as the experience is memorable.

Thank you all for your suggestions!

Kevin

Not far from the White House is a restaurant called Ten Penh (for both Ten Pennsylvania Avenue and for the capital of Cambodia). It is pan-Asian and a local favorite. Not cheap, but memorable--as you requested.\

If you can get to Georgetown, 1789 is excellent continental (also not cheap). More moderate is the Vietnamese restaurant (also in Georgetown) Miss Saigon (their curry chicken is wonderful). And if you are looking for cuisine you might not find elsewhere (but plentiful in DC), try Meskerem in Adams-Morgan for Ethiopian (also moderate).

You might want to check out the Washingtonian magazine for its list of the 100 best restaurants (also the 100 best bargain restaurants) in Washington or Tom Sietsema's reviews in the Washington Post .

Hope that this helps.

citronelle, gerards,obelisk, tenpenh, seasons, corduroy,vidalia

From a trip the week before last, we had excellent meals at

-- Mie N Yu on M St. in Georgetown
-- Rosa Mexicano (near MCI Center)
-- Kinkead's 2000 Penn (Foggy Bottom)

I would not call any of these "fine dining", but all had really great ambiance, and REALLY, REALLY outstanding food (priced accordingly [as in "fairly high"]).

We also had dinner at 1789 in Georgetown, which for us as a major disapointment: Very spotty, erratic service; only very good (not truly memorable) food. Definitely NOT worth the expense from our viewpoint.

Galileo on 21 st is probably the best in town (or Citronelle in Georgetown). I'd be wary of Kinkeads or 1789 whose reputations overshadow their current status. TenPenh is phenomenal, though not the caliber of the other two I mentioned.

I'm not sure how far out you're willing to go, but Maestro often gets consideration as one of the area's best restaurants. It's in the Ritz Carlton in Tyson's Corner (which is suburban Va, probably a 20-minute drive from your hotel).
Warning: it is pricey. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/ty...o/default.html

If you are going to be here for a little while, you can order Zagats dining guide. I find it helpful for it cross-category recommendations--best brunch, late dining, recommendations in specific areas, etc.

I second the Maestro recommendation.

Restaurant Eve would be a fierce competitor if you could get a spot on their tasting menu.

Minibar's tasting menu would also be a welcome treat.

Tom Sietsema's Washington Post chats and reviews are generally right on the money, if you want to do some independant research.

My wife and I have always enjoyed Marcel's (2401 Pennsylvania). Great service and fine food.

Agree with the previous recommendations for Marcels and 1789. I've been dining at 1789 for over 10 years and haven't seen a decline in service or quality. I do agree that Kinkead's is not what it used to be.

Haven't done Maestro's yet, but all reports are good.

If you're looking for international fare, the Bombay Club for Indian and the Taberna Del Albardero for Spanish are good choices, with Bombay Club being the better of the two.

If you want to do a DC steakhouse, I'd recommend the Caucus Room.

Had a very nice dinner at Equinox this weekend, will definitely go back. My bison filet mignon was a delight, the duck my wife ordered was even better.

Cheers,
Jeff

Equinox is clearly my favorite place in DC, and on my short list of favorite restaurants anywhere. I have NEVER had anything short of an extraordinary meal there. The food, wine selection, and service are phenomenal.

1789 is about as good as ever. Kinkeads has gone down over the years. DC has no great steakhouses, although the Morton's steakhouses in the area are fine enough.

I've been doing Bombay Club for around a decade. It's not great for Indian food and is better known for its visitors and "Anglo-Indian"-type orientation than its food. Their champagne brunch -- and the "snake", if they still have that showy drink display then -- is ok, but I don't go there for food, at least not if I want authentic, tasty Indian food.

Bistrot Lepic used to be good for French food, but is now so-so.

How is Goldoni/Teatro Goldoni -- or whatever it is called -- nowadays?

I agree with most of these knowledgeable posts but would
put an extra voice in favor of Citronelle. And another voice
in denigrating Kinkead's, which reminds me very much of
Todd English's Olives (way overrated, way too much reliance
on oil-soaked food) - really uninspiring if Bob K. isn't there
to whip the lazy staff into shape.

Citronelle is quite good but priced highly.