Looking Back

As the days of 2005 dwindle, here's a look back at a few noteworthy moments in the D.C. dining scene this year:
• A restaurant boomlet on U Street.
• The selection of Chef Morou Ouattara to compete on Iron Chef and the subsequent abrupt closing of Signatures.
• The Icelandic invasion.
• The departure of Chef Ris Lacoste from her longtime post as 1789's head chef.
• Other noteworthy openings: OYA, Hank's Oyster Bar, Dino, Notti Bianche, Acadiana, Willow, Busboys and Poets, Zengo, Open City, Viridian and Rasika.

And a few personal food and drink highlights: the mascarpone dates and suckling pig at Komi; truffle studded sausage over lentils at CityZen; the warm banana bread pudding at OYA; Palena's gnocchi; oysters and the lobster roll at Hank's; the salt air margarita at Oyamel; boudin blanc at Le Paradou; the list could go on but it's time for lunch...

Also, take a peek at Erin's best food list and Fritz's best bar/cocktail list on the Post's GOG Blog.