The results are in, and top food honors in the Zagat’s 2009 Washington, DC/Baltimore Restaurants survey go to Makoto, the "impeccable" Japanese that edged out the Inn at Little Washington (last year's winner), with the Mediterranean Komi in third place. This follows a pattern of Japanese restaurants winning top food ratings in Zagat Surveys in city after city.
Michel Richard scored a double whammy in the new Survey: his luxurious Citronelle held on as DC's most popular eatery, while his more casual (and lower-priced) Central took No. 5 for popularity, a remarkable achievement for a yearling. Five of the eight most popular restaurants (Zaytinya, Jaleo, Clyde's, Old Ebbitt Grill and Two Amys) are even more moderately priced, proving that a good meal doesn't have to break the bank. And indeed, Makoto beating out Inn at Little Washington, whose prix fixe dinners range from $148–$168, follows this trend.
Celebrity chefs powered the top two newcomers, The Source by Wolfgang Puck and Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert, onto the local dining scene. Other top-rated newbies are Evo Bistro, Proof and Il Fornaio. Increasingly important in the current bear market, the guide also includes a list of 60 best buys led by Amsterdam Falafelshop, Five Guys, Ben's Chili Bowl, Chop't Creative Salad and California Tortilla.