D.C. Food Writers Reveal Their Best Restaurant Meals of 2022

Following an Eater custom, we requested a gaggle of restaurant critics, journalists, bloggers, and business execs to weigh in on the 12 months in meals. Their solutions to an annual “Yr in Eater” survey will probably be revealed in a number of posts this month. After discussing their favourite spots (each new and previous), the eating specialists get particular on the most effective restaurant meals they loved in 2022.

Tom Sietsema, Washington Put up meals critic: Roasted candy potatoes stuffed in poblano peppers at Daru? Duck 4 methods at Chang Chang? Entire fried flounder marinated with garlic and lime juice at Mariscos 1133? Actually, there have been too many “greatest” moments to single out one.

Ann Limpert, Washingtonian government meals editor and critic: I hate to provide it to a spot the place dinner for 2 prices $900, however my summer time dinner on the revamped, Pineapple and Pearls was scrumptious and lavish and so, so enjoyable. It actually felt recent and new. I nonetheless take into consideration the amaretto they infused with all of the truffles they’d sitting round throughout lockdown.

Jessica Sidman, Washingtonian meals editor: I can’t decide one! I’ve eaten A LOT of pizza this 12 months, however I proceed to be wowed by Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Darnestown, Maryland, the place I had the most effective pizza with a butternut squash bolognese and lemon ricotta (additionally that soft-serve!). Elephant Jumps in Fall Church additionally doesn’t get sufficient consideration for serving among the greatest Thai meals within the area. My final go to was hit after hit: banana blossom salad, fried papaya salad, duck “cow soy,” crispy pork stomach with fried basil. Get no matter is on the chalkboard!

On the upper finish, Sushi Taro’s six-seat omakase counter is an actual treasure. It’s very costly for positive, however the place else in DC do you get your personal devoted chef for the night? The place else are you introduced with containers and containers of lovely fish and seafood and given free reign to only decide? The place else are you able to strive tempura shirako (cod milt) or sun-dried sea cucumber egg over a bushy crab dumpling?!

Rick Chessen, Rick Eats DC blogger: Imperfecto, as a result of every dish was scrumptious and fantastically plated and another person was paying. Additionally Queen’s English the place eight of us actually ordered all the things on the menu and a few issues twice (there might have been a 3rd duck drunken noodle).

Lori Gardner, Been There, Eaten That blogger: My latest journey to Japan was fairly the meals journey. My favourite meal was at Tsurutokame in Tokyo. The kitchen is led totally by girls, which isn’t one thing you see fairly often wherever, a lot much less in Japan. The kaiseki tasting menu is unimaginable, and there may be an power and spirit that goes far past the meals.

Rebecca Cooper, arts and meals editor, DCist/WAMU: A fantastic summer time evening on the Bar Amazonia roof terrace was most likely my most memorable meal of 2022. A bunch of excellent buddies that hadn’t seen one another a lot all summer time landed a same-day reservation, and we stuffed ourselves with fish two methods, almost each skewer we might get our fingers on, and naturally, the superb cebiche. The cocktails there are among the most fun within the metropolis proper now, and each appeared to high the final. Very excited to have them as a part of the eating scene.

Anchyi Wei, Anchyi Adorned blogger: The extremely lovely cocktails, seafood tower and pasta at Fiola Mare actually wowed me! I’ve dined right here a number of time earlier than however this previous expertise was not only a showcase of their culinary experience, however a visible one, too!

Angie Duran, Girls of Wine co-founder, director of operations for Duo Group and at Bottles Wine Backyard: I do know I received’t be the one one to say this, Lutèce. There’s a lot charred Napa cabbage everywhere in the nation, theirs felt impressed. I’ve a gluten intolerance which makes me really feel like a burden each time I dine out (I’m sorry…once more). Not solely did they not blink at it however really made me overlook my intolerance existed, zero fomo. Additionally, the honey semifreddo…simply raised the bar on all semifreddo within the metropolis.

Nycci Nellis, TheListAreYouOnIt.com writer: Any reminiscences you could have of the previous (musty) Guards house ought to be instantly changed with the luxe setting created by Fady Saba and Chef Gilles Epie on the new L’Avant-Garde in Georgetown. Highlights: a large beignet oozing with foie gras, a slab of cured Scottish salmon, porcini risotto with a cascade of black truffle, a whole head of Salanova lettuce with a tangy Riviera dressing, and seared branzino adorned with duck foie gras (sure, extra foie gras!).

Missy Frederick, Eater cities director: 2941’s epic twentieth anniversary dinner, particularly Bertrand Chemel’s programs. Different memorable highlights included the “Midnight Diner” Restaurant Week riff at Daikaya izakaya, a romantic leisurely lunch at Chez Francois, and burgers, frites, and glorious individuals watching on the bar at Bourbon Steak earlier than a Kennedy Middle present. I’ll additionally observe that a lot of my favourite meals this 12 months have been in Richmond.