Bringing the rustic bounty of the great outdoors into a modern urban setting is what Washington, D.C.'s Cedar is all about. The menu features a contemporary take on country ingredients using the freshest produce, meats, game, and fish . Starters include a hearty Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with apples and bacon, an uber-fresh Artisan Greens Salad with Meyer lemon puree, and a luscious Lobster and White Chocolate Soup with root vegetables. A roster of delectable entrees will make you feel like you’re picnicking in an enchanted forest, including Braised Wild Boar Shank, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Roasted Sturgeon, and Grilled Elk Sausage. Excellent service and a relaxed, contemporary ambiance make Cedar an excellent choice for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch.
Cedar: Rustic Bounty, Washington Ambiance
Acre 121: Modern Southern Cuisine
Acre 121 calls itself a “low country” bistro, serving classic Southern barbeque.
Located a block away from the Columbia Heights Metro Station, Acre 121 is more than just a restaurant — it’s a place for good times. The name comes from the neighborhood itself, when 121 acres of land were set aside for Columbia Heights. You will really like the modern décor, with a cool bar and dining area. There’s nothing low about this! It’s a great place to meet up with friends for a drink, especially with a bar that features happy hour drink deals. There are lots of beers on tap and by the bottle, and a good selection of wines by the glass. And, of course, there’s the Carolina spiced, hickory smoked barbeque that will keep you coming back for more.
Acre 121
1400 Irving St NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 328-0121
http://www.yelp.com/biz/acre-121-washington
Zentan: Sushi and More in D.C.
Zentan is a Mandarin Chinese word for “detective,” and this restaurant is a place that you really should investigate. Located at Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C., Zentan serves sushi and other cuisine in an equally beautiful setting. You’ll really like the dining room when you come in – it’s clean and classy. Come in the morning and start your day from Monday to Friday with a classic breakfast, or make it back for lunch and dinner for different fare. Make it to the bar after work and check out the sakes, plum wines, cocktails and imported or domestic beers. The sushi selections will satisfy any palate, and the kitchen items run the gamut from Vietnamese to Japanese, Szechuan and Singaporean cuisines.
Zentan
1155 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 379-4366
www.zentanrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/zentan-washington
D.C. Reynolds: Patio Brunch
D.C. Reynolds is a hidden gem. Its small, vegetarian friendly menu offers home-cooked American food like mac and cheese. There’s never a bad time to go, but but brunch seems to be a favorite. Regulars praise the bacon infused breakfast burger which blends house ground chuck with bacon, topped with a tomato and fried egg.
It's a popular spot to watch a game and the bar offers unique craft brews and tasty cocktails. Friendly, genuine staff add to the laid back and welcoming atmosphere. If you'd like to learn more about this Washington, D.C. restaurant, check out the D.C. Reynolds Facebook page or visit Yelp for more information!
D.C. Reynolds
3628 Georgia Ave NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 506-7178
www.yelp.com/biz/dc-reynolds-washington
Locolat Café: Savor the Flavors of Real Belgian Chocolate
Indulge in the sublime flavor of real Belgian chocolate at Washington, D.C.'s Locolat Café, where handmade confections are brought to a level of high art by owners Ada and Niel.
Chocolate bars, truffles, cakes, and pastries aren’t all that’s going on at Locolat. The lunch and dinner menu includes a wide array of luscious sandwiches and paninis prepared with the finest ingredients like salmon, prosciutto, grilled vegetables, and gourmet cheeses. Add to the menu steamed mussels, salads, soups, quiches, and both sweet and savory waffles and you’ve got yourself a meal you can write home about.
Locolat Café is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays.
Fogo de Chao: A Brazilian Steakhouse in Washington, D.C.
If you’ve never experienced a Brazilian steakhouse, here’s one tip: bring your appetite.
Fogo de Chao brings the Brazilian steakhouse experience to the U.S. First opening its doors in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1979, the company has expanded rapidly all over the Western hemisphere. Regulars at the Washington, D.C. outpost rave about the many exquisite cuts brought to the table here, including the luscious filet mignon wrapped with bacon and the exceptional lamb chops.
The way it works here is that you pay a flat fee per person – around $50 for dinner – and then servers come to the table with meat as it comes off the grill. You can take whatever you like, but make sure to leave room for the good stuff. The meal also includes a well-stocked salad bar.
Fogo de Chao
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-4668
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fogo-de-chao-washington
Maple: A Trendy Spot in Columbia Heights
Sometimes big things come in small packages, and that’s what you’ll find at Maple. Located on 11th Street between Monroe Street and Park Road, Maple is a quaint spot to meet up with friends or have a cozy dinner. You will love the bar, made from a rough-cut maple plank. It really gives the place character! There are always a good selection of wines by the glass and bottle, as well as draft and bottled beers, cocktails and a large assortment of after dinner and dessert wines and spirits. On the food menu, you'll find a number of classic Italian dishes like linguine with clams, bruschetta, and burrata. Panini sandwiches and some heartier entrees round out the menu.
Check out Maple's website to find out more about this DC restaurant.
Maple
3418 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 588-7442
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maple-washington
Marcel’s: Fine French Cuisine in Washington, D.C.
Our nation’s capital has no shortage of incredible restaurants, but one of the city’s most dependable upscale eateries is Marcel’s. Chef and owner Robert Wiedmaier opened the doors of Marcel’s in 1999 to share his obsession with exquisite whole-animal butchery and traditional French cuisine, and regulars rave about the incredible food and service present at every meal.
Chef Robert sources much of his meat from local ranches, including having 30 Randall Lineback calves raised exclusively for his restaurant each year at Chapel Hill Farm in Berryville. The cuisine here is incredibly labor-intensive, but worth all the effort. The way to go here is with the tasting menus, which can be 3, 4, 5, or 7 courses. Truly adventurous diners go for the 7 course dinner, which incorporates an incredible array of flavors and textures.
Visit the Marcel's website to find out more about this DC restaurant!
Marcel’s
2401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 296-1166
http://www.yelp.com/biz/marcels-washington
Old Ebbitt Grill: Historic Washington Dining
Just a hop-skip from the White House, the historic Old Ebbitt Grill is the go-to spot for politicos and other capital city denizens. This is old-school D.C. at its best, with mahogany and velvet booths, gas-lit brass lamps, beveled glass, and a long bar suitable for mingling and sharing political secrets. The huge space has different dining sections to accommodate almost any mood, from elegant, to romantic, to casual. The menu is wide ranging, too, with everything from sandwiches to full-on entrees. The Old Ebbitt Grill aims to use local, sustainably raised meats and produce. Some diners think their burgers are the best on the eastern seaboard.
Old Ebbitt is open every day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch.
& Pizza: A DC Pizzeria
For some of the best pizza south of NYC, head to & Pizza, where even former New Yorkers rave about the pies. All of the pizzas here are hand crafted with the utmost care, and use only the freshest ingredients. Here, you can truly craft your perfect pie — choose your dough (wheat, regular or multigrain), select your cheese (includes home made mozzarella and asiago), and then select your toppings.
The pie is made before your eyes, put on a conveyor belt and is set in the oven — all while you watch! Once your pie bakes, you can choose to finish it off with infused olive oil, fresh herbs, and even chopped olives. Best of all, you get all this for around $9! The pies are a nice size — more than enough for one hungry person, or big enough to share.
& Pizza
1118 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 733-1285
andpizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/h-and-pizza-washington
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