Central Michel Richard
Photo: Mimi Le
Though fine dining may have cooled off a little as a result of the past year’s economic turmoil, celeb chefs remain as popular as ever. And, fortunately, many of them have opened more casual concepts, allowing diners with tighter budgets to get a taste of their culinary vision. But how do these budget-minded sibs stack up against their high-end counterparts? Read up, and then add your own votes and opinions.
Michel Richard
French-born chef Michel Richard continues to please at the wildly popular Citronelle, but also excels with the more casual concept Central Michel Richard, giving comfort cuisine a high-end twist.
3000 M St. NW
(30th St.)
Washington, DC 20007
202-625-2150; reserve online
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 27 |
25 |
26 |
$104 |
“The ‘wow’ factor” endures as gustatory “wizard” Michel Richard continues to “work magic” at the Most Popular restaurant in the DC Survey, a “world-class” Georgetown New French where the “endlessly inventive”, “brilliantly executed” cuisine (paired with an “unmatched wine list”) makes for “culinary theater”; “flawless service” and a “posh” setting with a “glassed-in kitchen” encourage a “joyous” “celebration”, but be ready to “pay for perfection”; N.B. for a thriftier if less flashy sampler, try the lounge’s menu.
1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
(11th St.)
Washington, DC 20004
202-626-0015; reserve online
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 25 |
25 |
22 |
$52 |
At Penn Quarter’s “‘it’” spot, all-star chef Michel Richard (Citronelle) lends his “signature cheeky style” and “culinary chops” to “haute cuisine packaged for everyone” via a “mouthwatering” New American–French lineup that’s billed as “comfort food gone upscale”; with its “informed” service and “smart” looks, it draws “daunting” crowds of bon vivants who exult in “vibrant” scenery, a “hot bar scene” and “super-high quality” that “doesn’t break the bank.”
Eric Ziebold
Known for his nuanced New American dishes at CityZen, Eric Ziebold's changes it up with new arrival Sou'Wester – comfortably bringing the South to DC.
1330 Maryland Ave. SW
(12th St.)
Washington, DC 20024
202-787-6006; reserve online
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 28 |
27 |
27 |
$107 |
“Nothing is compromised” at this “luxurious” New American in the Mandarin Oriental, from the “magnificent”, “nuanced” tasting menus to the “gracious”, “unobtrusive service” to the “stunning” interior design that “defines modern elegance” with its “showcase open kitchen”; “amusing touches” like the “bite-size Parker House rolls” alone are “worth the trip” to “otherwise drab” SW, and it all comes together for a “phenomenal” “treat”; N.B. prix fixe meals (in the dining room or at the bar) start at $50 for three courses.
1330 Maryland Ave. SW
(12th St.)
Washington, DC 20024
202-787-6990
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| - |
- |
- |
M |
Taking over the former Café MoZU space in the Mandarin Oriental, this American arrival offers Chesapeake- and Southern-inspired fare, plus affordable lunchtime combinations; the handsome, tall-windowed space overlooking the waterfront features restrained farmhouse touches – bare wood tables, decorative jars of housemade preserves – as well as semi-curtained dining niches, an indoor ‘porch’ with rocking chairs and an outdoor patio.
Peter Pastan
Consistently wowing with a daily changing menu at Obelisk, Peter Pastan also manages impress with wood-fired pizzas at 2 Amy's.
2029 P St. NW
(bet. 20th & 21st Sts.)
Washington, DC 20036
202-872-1180
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 27 |
20 |
26 |
$85 |
It’s “still got it” cheer champions of this “top-flight” Dupont Circle “gem” where chef-owner Peter Pastan’s “heavenly prix fixe” “embraces Italian rusticity” with an “unforgettable” daily changing “parade” of “exquisite” dishes and “well-paired wines”; “irreproachable service” helps make it “everything a special night should be”, but the “unpretentious” townhouse space is “tiny”, so be sure to “make reservations.”
3715 Macomb St. NW
(Wisconsin Ave.)
Washington, DC 20016
202-885-5700
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 25 |
14 |
18 |
$24 |
Offering “phenomenal” wood-fired pies that are “certified” by the Naples pizza association, as well as “enticing” antipasti and “fantastic” wines, this “fast-paced” “favorite” in Cleveland Park proves that the “simple thrills of a perfect crust and fresh, authentic toppings” “trump everything else”, including “understated decor”, “crammed tables”, “long waits” and occasionally “spotty service”; it attracts “lots of families”, but “adults can take refuge in the bar area”, the “quieter” upstairs dining room (no strollers allowed) or the “nice” outdoor patio.