The only thing hotter than August in D.C. is Summer Restaurant Week (WTOP's Rachel Nania)
WASHINGTON — D.C. is the best restaurant city in America, and if you’ve been meaning to find out what makes the District so delicious, now is your chance.
Summer Restaurant Week starts Monday, Aug. 14 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 20, and this year, 250 restaurants in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are participating.
Throughout the week, local eateries will offer multicourse menus for $35 for dinner and $22 for lunch and brunch.
However, the deal isn’t just a win for diners.
I-Shi Patterson, operations manager for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, says the event helps restaurants too.
“Lots of people in the area are on vacation and maybe tourism isn’t as high in August because typically it’s so hot around here. So over the years, we’ve managed to really work in Restaurant Week during a time when restaurants can maybe feel the pinch to give them an extra revenue boost to lead into the next season,” Patterson explained.
Here are some of the can’t-miss dining spots and menus for this summer’s Restaurant Week. Landing reservations at some of the top restaurants can get competitive, so plan accordingly.
1226 36th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
This old Georgetown Federal house-turned-restaurant is known for its upscale American fare. Dinner mains are upward of $39, so a three-course meal for $35 is a steal. (Photo Credit 1789)
Photo Credit 1789
2941 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, Virginia
If you haven’t made the trip out to 2941, make sure you get there. The restaurant, which sits among gardens and waterfalls, is serving both lunch and dinner during Restaurant Week. Dinner options include beef tartare, summer melon, brioche-crusted sea bass and braised beef short ribs. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
110 S Pitt St., Alexandria, Virginia
This Alexandria, Virginia, restaurant is one of the best in the area, and during Restaurant Week, chef Cathal Armstrong is not holding back. On the menu, expect to find local hanger steak, roasted loin of monkfish, pan seared fillet of royal sea bass with creamy polenta, and crisp confit of pork belly with heirloom bean ragout. Dessert looks quite tempting, too. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
523 8th St. SE, Washington, D.C.; 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia
At both the Capitol Hill and Arlington locations, diners can choose an unlimited number of small plates for $35 for the ultimate Balkan dining experience. Restaurant Week lunch specials include a chef’s platter and a choice of dessert. (Photo Credit Goran Kosanovic)
Photo Credit Goran Kosanovic
601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 3050 K St. NW, Washington, D.C.
If you find yourself either downtown or in Georgetown, it’d be wise to find a seat at Fabio Trabocchi’s Fiola or Fiola Mare — especially when you can score two courses and dessert for $22. Chilled heirloom tomato gazpacho and burrata with sweet corn crema round out the appetizers, while entrees include Sardinian ricotta cavatelli with baby zucchini and basil, and a lightly grilled arctic char with confit eggplant. (WTOP/Mike McMearty)
WTOP/Mike McMearty
3060 M St. NW, Washington, D.C.
For a true “ladies who lunch” experience, head to Ladurée’s flagship D.C. dining room in Georgetown. It may be tempting to skip the three-course meal and fill up on goodies from the bakery counter, but stick it out for the croque monsieur and pizette végétarienne. Dessert is one scoop of ice cream and two macaroons. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
4044 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Virginia In search of a more casual, island atmosphere? Head to Hula Girl Bar & Grill in Shirlington for some authentic Hawaiian fare. There’s plenty of poke and teriyaki on the menu. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
1610 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. If it’s pizza and panna cotta you’re craving, 14th Street’s Ghibellina is the restaurant for you. Diners will also find salads, soup and pasta on the lunch menu for Restaurant Week. (Photo credit Dana Bowden, courtesy Kyle Schmitz)
Photo credit Dana Bowden, courtesy Kyle Schmitz
465 K St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Michael Schlow’s Italian restaurant and market brings the foods of Italy to D.C.’s Chinatown/Convention Center neighborhood. The Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema says Alta Strada is a great place to go for a good plate of pasta and a nice glass of wine. (Scott Suchman)
Scott Suchman
1924 8th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Tim Ma’s Kyirisan, in the heart of D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, serves dishes that draw on both Asian and French flavors and techniques. Plus, the brunch cocktails have quite a reputation. (Courtesy Rebecca Chin)
Courtesy Rebecca Chin
805 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Haikan, from the team behind Daikaya and Bantam King, specializes in Sapporo ramen. (Courtesy Kyle Schmitz)
Courtesy Kyle Schmitz
901 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Diners and critics, alike, can’t stop talking about Mike Isabella’s new Mt. Vernon Square restaurant, Arroz, which serves Spanish and North African fare. (Courtesy Greg Powers)
Courtesy Greg Powers
1926 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. If you’re in the mood for Latin flavors and a table full of shared small plates, try Tico on 14th Street. Restaurant Week menu options include cabbage salad with salsa verde and almonds, scallop a la plancha with spicy tartar, and brisket tacos with tomato salsa, onion and cilantro. (Credit Rey Lopez, Courtesy Tico)
Credit Rey Lopez, Courtesy Tico
705 6th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
At Daikaya’s Izakaya, diners can choose food items in five different categories for dinner (little bites, green things, fish and meat, skewers, and rice things), plus dessert during Restaurant Week. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
1250 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Espita is known for its selection of mezcal and authentic Oaxacan cuisine, and its dinner menu for Restaurant Week includes tuna ceviche and a chocolate tostada. (Credit Rey Lopez, Courtesy Espita Mezcaleria)
Credit Rey Lopez, Courtesy Espita Mezcaleria
301 Water St. SE #115, Washington, D.C. Whaley’s serves fresh seafood on the waterfront in D.C.’s Yards Park neighborhood. While you’re there, check out the restaurant’s Rosé Garden. (Courtesy Whaley’s, Rey Lopez)
Courtesy Whaley’s, Rey Lopez
4883 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, D.C. Jeff Black’s Palisades seafood staple, Blacksalt, is serving specials for brunch and lunch during Restaurant Week. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
633 D St. NW, Washington, D.C. Rasika, one of D.C.’s most established and beloved restaurants, is participating in Restaurant Week for lunch. Menu options include palak chaat, tandoori salmon, vegetable thali and lamb badami korma. (Shimon And Tammar Photography)
Shimon And Tammar Photography
974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, D.C.
Amy Brandwein’s City Center restaurant, Centrolina, is a great place to dine on rustic Italian food. (Courtesy Centrolina)
Courtesy Centrolina
8296 Glass Alley #110, Fairfax, Virginia
This French Mediterranean restaurant by chef Jennifer Carroll is cooking up eggplant-tomato ratatouille, Spanish octopus a la plancha, and blueberry clafouti, among other things, for Restaurant Week. (Courtesy Greg Powers)
Courtesy Greg Powers
1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Summer tomato gazpacho, sweet corn soup, roasted chicken, and Angus flat iron steak are on the menu at The Riggsby — a hidden gem on New Hampshire Avenue. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
7134 Main St., Clifton, Virginia During Restaurant Week, this Clifton, Virginia, restaurant is a great spot to taste some of the region’s best food for a deal. (Courtesy Dusty Lockhart)
Courtesy Dusty Lockhart
2201 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
For dinner, diners can expect not three, but four, courses for $35 at Kapnos, including melitzanosalata, spanakopita, dolmades, spit roasted chicken, marinated lamb and baklava. (Courtesy Kapnos)
Courtesy Kapnos
While RAMW’s Restaurant Week is the largest in the area, it isn’t the only one. Alexandria’s Summer Restaurant Week runs Aug. 18-27, and Bethesda Restaurant Week is Aug. 11-19.
