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Most buzzed about restaurant openings of 2016

Rachel Nania | rnania@wtop.com

December 22, 2016, 11:15 AM

The Shaw Bijou is a fine-dining restaurant in Northwest D.C. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The Shaw Bijou After a year and a half of construction, permitting and menu testing, “Top Chef” contestant Kwame Onwuachi opened his fine-dining restaurant The Shaw Bijou in November. The 13-course tasting menu doesn’t come cheap. Because wine and drink pairings are not included, the cost per person runs at least $300. Read: ‘Top Chef’s’ highly anticipated restaurant, The Shaw Bijou, opens its doors in DC (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Pineapple and Pearls  Rose’s Luxury chef and owner Aaron Silverman opened his all-inclusive fine-dining establishment Pineapple and Pearls in early 2016, and the new restaurant is just as popular as his first.  Pineapple and Pearls received a four-star review from Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema and two stars from D.C.’s first Michelin Guide. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
At D.C.'s new restaurant, Hazel, the focus is on duck. But that doesn't mean you can't find vegetables on the menu. Pictured: barbecued carrots with fennel kraut, hazelnuts and buttermilk. (Courtesy Rey Lopez)
Hazel Former Tallula chef Rob Rubba is back in D.C.’s dining spotlight with his new restaurant next to the 9:30 Club, Hazel. The menu has everything from barbecued carrots with fennel kraut, hazelnuts and buttermilk; to Rubba’s grandmother’s recipe for zucchini bread, served with foie gras mousse, camomile gelee and bee pollen. But the star of the show is the duck. Read: Duck, duck, Hazel: DC’s new restaurant devoted to duck (Courtesy Rey Lopez)
Courtesy Rey Lopez
The focus at Smoked & Stacked, a new fast-casual restaurant from "Top Chef" finalist Marjorie Meek-Bradley, is pastrami and milk bread. (Courtesy Smoked & Stacked)
Smoked & Stacked  “Top Chef” favorite Marjorie Meek-Bradley opened Smoked & Stacked, a destination for pastrami. The casual Shaw eatery serves breakfast sandwiches and barbecue platters. Fans can also get a taste of Meek-Bradley’s famous milk bread. Read: A place for pastrami in DC: ‘Top Chef’ finalist opens new eatery (Courtesy Smoked & Stacked)
Courtesy Smoked & Stacked
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Close up of pasta made by Chef Marc Vetri for guests at Lo Spiedo Restaurant during The Impossible Reservation: Philadelphia presented by Audi on April 16, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Audi)
Sfoglina Washington’s culinary power couple Fabio and Maria Trabocchi debuted their latest concept, Sfoglina, in D.C.’s Van Ness neighborhood in December. The casual restaurant is dedicated to homemade pasta. Read: Award-winning chef to open DC ‘pasta house’ (Getty Images)
Getty Images
On Rye  Ilyse Fishman Lerner’s modern take on babka — a babka ice cream sandwich — wowed crowds at Nationals Park this summer, where she sold them at her On Rye pop up stand. Her Jewish deli opened later in the fall near the Verizon Center. There, she sells healthier and updated deli classics, such as a portobello Reuben and a Wagyu pastrami sandwich. Read: On Rye changes the face — and taste — of the Jewish deli (Courtesy On Rye)
Courtesy On Rye
Buttercream Bakeshop  Former Neighborhood Restaurant Group pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac opened her Shaw bakery, Buttercream Bakeshop, in the spring of 2016. The bakery sells everything from stuffed breakfast buns to more grown-up takes on childhood classics (think Hostess HoHos and confetti cake). Read: Sweet details on D.C.’s newest bakery: Buttercream Bakeshop (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
All-Purpose Pizzeria  Shortly after All-Purpose opened on 9th Street NW, Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema declared it his No. 1 restaurant in the D.C. area. The neighborhood pizzeria offers a selection of antipasti and shareable platters, and a number of pies. You’ll leave asking yourself why you never experimented with honey on your pizza before.   (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Eatsa  The menu may not be anything outstanding, but eatsa was the talk of the town for its style of service when it made its D.C. debut. The futuristic restaurant doesn’t have anyone behind the counter to take your order — or deliver it when it’s done. Everything is communicated through touch screens. When your food is ready, it appears in an assigned cubby. Read: The future of fast food arrives (AP Photo)
AP Photo
District Distilling Co. When District Distilling Co. opened its doors in late August, it was the first of its kind. There are a number of distilleries in D.C., but it’s first in Northwest. District Distilling Co. is also the first distillery to have a full-service restaurant on site. Read: District Distilling: DC’s newest distillery is unlike all the rest (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Kinship  Former CityZen chef Eric Ziebold opened his new fine-dining establishment Kinship, and above it, his tasting menu concept Métier. Both have received high praise from critics. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
RPM Italian is open in the Mount Vernon neighborhood at 601 Massachusetts Ave. NW. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
RPM Italian Some restaurants generate buzz for their food; others, for their owners. E! reality stars Bill and Giuliana Rancic brought their Chicago-based restaurant RPM Italian to downtown D.C. this summer. Each day, more than 12 different types of homemade pastas are available, including pappardelle, ravioli and cavatelli. Read: E! reality stars bring Italian restaurant to DC (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
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The Shaw Bijou is a fine-dining restaurant in Northwest D.C. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
At D.C.'s new restaurant, Hazel, the focus is on duck. But that doesn't mean you can't find vegetables on the menu. Pictured: barbecued carrots with fennel kraut, hazelnuts and buttermilk. (Courtesy Rey Lopez)
The focus at Smoked & Stacked, a new fast-casual restaurant from "Top Chef" finalist Marjorie Meek-Bradley, is pastrami and milk bread. (Courtesy Smoked & Stacked)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Close up of pasta made by Chef Marc Vetri for guests at Lo Spiedo Restaurant during The Impossible Reservation: Philadelphia presented by Audi on April 16, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Audi)
RPM Italian is open in the Mount Vernon neighborhood at 601 Massachusetts Ave. NW. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WASHINGTON — When it comes to food, 2016 was a big year for D.C.

Twelve restaurants were awarded stars in the city’s first Michelin Guide, three of which earned two-star status. Bon Appétit named D.C. the best food city in the country, and the Columbia Heights eatery Bad Saint landed in spot No. 2 on the magazine’s list of best new restaurants.

In addition to all the national attention, 2016 ushered in a wave new places for Washingtonians to dine. In fact, Washington City Paper reports that the area welcomed 500 new restaurants in the past two years.

Here are some of the most talked about restaurants of 2016.

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