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As a first timer to DC, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the food scene. The only places I had heard of were Kinkead’s and Signatures. Over the course of a 3 day business trip, we managed to squeeze in a good range of places including Old Ebbitt Grill, Rosa Mexicano, IndeBleu for drinks and apps, Zola for drinks, Perry’s and Zaytinya.
Best Atmosphere : Perry’s.
With a rooftop bar on a warm spring evening and a decent by the glass winelist (I had the Smith and Shaw Sauvignon Blanc), it narrowly beats out out the rooftop bar at the Old Washington Hotel which has an awesome view of the Washington Monument, but whose red wine by the glass was forgettable and served in a stemmed water glass. Sushi at Perry’s is also solid. I wasn’t wowed by my ground lamb kebab appetizer – was slightly undercooked and under seasoned.
Best Food: Zaytinya.
Zaytinya is olive oil in Turkish. A small dish of olive oil with a “Z” running through it awaits you at the table and almost immediately, the waiter brings hot, puffy pita straight from the oven. Need I say more? The hummus is made with a potent olive oil and is maybe the tastiest I’ve ever had.
Between three of us we ordered the hummus, a feta and watermelon salad, zucchini and cheese patties, goat cheese wrapped in grape leaves, spanakopita, lamb kebab, chicken kebab, a grilled slice of beef tenderloin, and a pizza like number with cheese. All of it was lovely and the watermelon was even flavorful and sweet — in May, no less!