DC Restaurant List

Last updated 03.2024

Finally updated this list for Winter 2025, yay!

Tasting menus are back on the table, but please note I’m currently with gluten-free diet <3

Sushi

Omakase @ Barracks Row

Sushi Taro

Kaz Sushi 

Nasime 

(a la carte sashimi spots only) 

Seafood

Joe’s Seafood & Steak

Fiola Mare

Love, Makoto

Truluck’s Seafood & Steak

The Oceanaire 

 

Steakhouse

Cut by Wolfgang Puck 

Rare Steakhouse

1789

Mastro’s

Gyu San

American/
Mediterranean

Osteria Mozza 

Kinship

Blue Duck Tavern

Fiola 

Cafe Milano

Bazaar by Jose Andres

Lapis

New to me

 Minibar

Obelisk

Pineapple & Pearls

Little Pearl

Oyster Oyster

Shia

Favorites

All Time  Fiola

Seafood  Fiola Mare

Relaxed  Osteria Mozza 

Classy  Kinship/Metier

Local-Sourcing  Blue Duck Tavern

Tapas  Bazaar by Jose Andres

Vegeterian   Elizabeth’s

Lounge   Lucy Mercer Bar

NoVa   2941

Steakhouse   Cut 

Omakase

Omakase Room

Omakase @ Barracks Row

Raw Omakase

Sushi Taro

Kaz Sushi 

Better yet, ditch the restaurants and teach me how to grill? xx

Tasting Menu

  • Minibar*** 
  • Gravitas
  • Jont
  • Metier (especially Sunday nights:)

Sushi/Omakase

  • Sushi Ogawa
  • Omakase @ Barracks Row
  • Nasime
  • Sushi Taro
  • Sushi Nakazawa

New - Summer 2024

  • Ama   (Italian)
  • Pascual   (Mexican)

New American + Mediterranean

  • Obelisk*   (intimate seating, handmade Italian)
  • Iron Gate   (seems really cute)
  • Annabelle   (modern American in DuPont)
  • Kinship   (my ultimate DC go-to)
  • Blue Duck Tavern   (stunning ingredients)
  • Elizabeth’s   (veg tasting menu in a museum-esque rowhouse)

Around the world

  • Fiola   (Michelin Italian)
  • L’Avant Garde   (French, Georgetown)
  • Lutece (French, Georgetown)
  • La Bise (French) 
  • Taberna del Alabardero   (Spanish w/ live Flamenco)
  • Vera Cocina (trendy, fusion)
  • Karma (Indian)
  • Daru (Indian)
  • Mita   (hip Latin vegan spot)
  • Shōtō   (flaunt-it Japanese)
  • Moonraker   (cool rooftop)
  • The Bazaar   (Jose Andres, yum!)
  • Balos Estiatorio   (mini Mykonos)

To Lounge

  • The Fountain Inn
  • Apéro & La Bohème (best caviar spot!) 
  • Blues Alley Jazz Club
  • Bistro Du Jour (Sunday brunch live jazz)

Tasting Menu

  • Minibar & Barmini by Jose Andres****
  • Jont*
  • Rooster & Owl*
  • Gravitas*
  • The Dabney
  • Oyster Oyster (vegetarian)
  • The Inn at Little Washington (in VA)
  • Masseria
  • Elcielo
  • Metier*** (All-time fave. Sunday nights too!)

Sushi Omakase

  • Sushi Ogawa*
  • Sushi Taro*
  • Sushi Nakazawa

Under the radar

  • Obelisk***
  • Elizabeth’s Gone Raw**
  • The Setting* (if they ever come back… :’)

New in DC

  • Pesce
  • Omakase @ Barracks Row
  • La Boheme at Apero 

To See & Be Seen

  • Cafe Riggs
  • Shoto (Japanese)
  • Kyojin (Japanese)
  • The Bazaar by Jose Andres
  • Blue Duck Tavern
  • Le Diplomate
  • Cafe Milano

New American

  • Annabelle*
  • 1789 Restaurant
  • Irregardless
  • Little Pearl
  • Kinship*** (also my favorite)

European

  • Marcel’s**
  • Bresca*
  • Lutece*
  • L’Avant Garde
  • Imperfecto

Italian

  • RPM Restaurant
  • L’Ardente

Steakhouse

  • The Prime Rib
  • Bourbon Steak

Events

Corazón Folklórico Gala Showcase  – Saturday, July 13, 2024 

DUAL Flamenco Performance at GALA Hispanic Theatre – July 26 and 27 

We Call It Tango: A Sensational Argentine Dance Show – November 02, 2024

 

Middle Eastern

  • Albi 
  • Maydan
  • Villa Yara 

Around the world

  • dLena (Mexican) 
  • Rania (Indian)
  • Taberna del Alabardero (Spanish)
  • Mita (vegetarian Latin American)
  • Cranes (Spanish-Japanese)
  • Kappo Makoto (wagyu omakase) 
  • Moon Rabbit (Vietnamese)

To Lounge

  • The Fountain Inn
  • Apero (Champagne & Caviar)
  • Blues Alley Jazz Club
  • Silver Lyan
  • Donahue
  • Moonraker 
  • Allegory DC

Brunch

 
 

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Leyla Amar is a luxury companion and high-end Washington D.C. escort.

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