With the close of 2012, let’s take a look back at some of our
favorite restaurant openings of the year.
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
In the always transitioning Adams Morgan scene, Mintwood Place has become one of the hottest reservations in 2012. The rustic menu of chef Cedric Maupillier (formerly of Central) is seasonally focused with a French twist. This was only one of the places where we celebrated Big Spoon passing the bar.
Pros: imaginative cocktails and delicious appetizers
Cons: parking is a challenge in the neighborhood, but there is a small valet parking lot next door
Favorite dish: Maple Pork Cracklin' (looove my chicheron) or the Tagiatelle Bolognese
Favorite table: the window seats provide great people watching opportunities and lots of pillows
Event space: Reservations for groups over 5 need to be made by calling the restaurant directly. Private rooms are not available but they will do their best to accommodate your request.
Above: Mintwood Place's wedge salad
The Green Pig
Neighborhood: Clarendon (Arlington)
For those willing to drive to across the bridge (and if you’re into food these days, you shouldn’t limit yourself), The Green Pig in Arlington’s every growing Clarendon neighborhood is a surprise hit. Following the ubiquitous pork trend, the restaurant utilizes the whole product, from snout to tail in dishes that are accessible and sustainable. The restaurant’s rustic and attractive design incorporates repurposed barn wood and wallpaper that’s actually made of pages from cook books!
Pros: if you want to learn more about Wilbur but were intimidated, this is a great place to start at reasonable prices in a neighborhood atmosphere
Cons: reservations used to be on a walk-in basis, but now you can make them online at City Eats
Favorite dish: pig taco with avocado and the buffalo ribs (think buffalo wings sauce on ribs)
Event space: the Communal Table can seat up about 12 guests and the restaurant is making itself available on Tuesdays for larger events
Neighborhood: West End (where else?)
Some say it’s high time D.C. restaurateur Ashok Bajaj gave us another reincarnation of his immensely popular Rasika.Like the original, one’s eyes cannot help but devour the restaurant’s mod design while noshing on theflavorful cuisine.
Pros: modern Indian food that even people who “don’t do Indian” will love and an intimate bar setting if you can’t get a table
Cons: naan is an additional fee and if you have favorites at the original, check first to make sure they serve it at the second location (they didn't have my mango puree cocktail and their replacement was all vodka)
Favorite dish: the Palak Chaat (crispy baby spinach, yogurt, tamarind, date) is everyone’s favorite and you can’t go wrong with it
Event space:The Library seats 35, the Garden Room accommodates 10 for dining and the private Chef’s Table Room seats eight guests.
Above: Mintwood Place's wedge salad
Neighborhood: Clarendon (Arlington)
In its first landing across the bridge, Passion Food Hospitality (Acadiana, District Commons, many others) brought us another neighborhood hot spot in Fuego Cocina y Tequileria. The restaurant, specializing in modern takes on Mexican tapas, features a 50-ft. wraparound bar with over 100 tequilas and a brilliantly colored downstairs lounge and an upstairs featuring subtle earth-toned banquettes and tables.
Pros: go for happy hour (and make sure you have a DD) – cocktails are half price and there are too many to try in one visit (the Corona-Rita includes an overturned bottle of Corona in a traditional frozen margarita)
Cons: while delicious and much easier on the wallet than Bandolero in Georgetown, some of the dishes tended to be over salted
Favorite dish: Ceviche de Pescado (tilapia, habanero, red onion, lime), Taquitos de Atun (tuna tartare, avocado, salsa de arbol, lime) and Flautas de Pato (shredded duck confit, oaxacan cheese, mole negro)
Event space: semi-private room on the upper level accommodates 20 seated guests; the entire restaurant accommodates parties of up to 200 standing and 160 seated
Above: Fuego Cocina y Tequileria's Corona-rita
Other recent openings we're looking forward to (finally) trying in 2013:
Bryan Voltaggio's Range
Toki Underground
Little Serow (rhymes with "arrow)
Suna - We fell in love with Chef Johnny Spero's cuisine at Townhouse (Chilhowie, VA), which was near my hometown and are so excited he's now in D.C.!
Cheers to many more good eats in 2013!
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