Top 5 Bites Restaurants Of 2011
As longtime readers know, Metrocurean has been serving up a weekly column dubbed 5 Bites, showcasing readers' and chefs' favorite dishes around DC, for five whole years. That's a whole lotta bites. Nice job!
You readers are some of the most adventurous eaters out there, leaving no culinary delight in the region undiscovered. But as my stomach rumbles while I read through your submissions week after week, certain patterns emerge and favorite restaurants become apparent.
So which were your favorites of 2011? Well, let's say if this is where y'all are eating, I'm happy to dine with any of you anytime.
The following restaurants received the most 5 bites love from you readers, with a clear favorite at the top:
1.2 Amys
From the classic pizza margherita to the anchovies with bread and butter and delightful small plates, Metrocurean readers and chefs mentioned 2 Amys more than any other restaurant in 2011.
2. (a four-way tie for mentions)
Bourbon Steak
From butter-poached steaks to the in-house cheeses, this Michael Mina restaurant in the Four Seasons is a hit.
Palena
Whether pillowy gnocchi perfection or sweet treats like lemon doughnuts, Frank Ruta's Cleveland Park restaurant is a 5 Bites regular.
Rasika
Since it opened, Rasika has made regular appearances in 5 Bites thanks to the incredible palak chaat. And you can't really go wrong anywhere else on chef Vikram Sunderam's menu.
Zaytinya
José Andrés' tribute to Greek, Turkish and Lebanese cuisine draws crowds with dishes like octopus Santorini and taramasalata, a salted roe spread.
3. (a seven-way tie for mentions)
Baked & Wired
Besting the sweet competition in Georgetown, this bakery draws you in with strawberry cupcakes and granola playfully named "hippie crack."
Blue Duck Tavern
Plenty of you have a soft spot in your stomach for the roasted bone marrow and duck fat fried fries.
Central
Michel Richard's bustling brasserie lands on your 5 Bites thanks to the faux gras, fried chicken and more.
Estadio
14th Street's hot Spanish tapas joint reels you in with barman Adam Bernbach's cocktails and chef Haidar Karoum's versions of Spanish classics like tortilla Es pañola.
Kushi
From pork belly skewers to grilled Japanese eggplant, this Mount Vernon Square Japanese joint is a reader and chef favorite.
Oyamel
The colorful Penn Quarter restaurant is a favorite for its Mexican street food gone glam from guacamole and salt air margaritas to bright ceviches.
The Source
Wolfgang Puck's elegant Asian restaurant is a chef and reader go-to for chef Scott Drewno's excellent dumplings, mini banh mi and suckling pig.
So... send some more!! 5 Bites is an equal opportunity feature — you send 'em, I post 'em. And for a glorious moment in the sun, your eating habits are shared with DC's most discerning food lovers, restaurant owners and chefs.
Tell me five of the greatest things you've eaten recently, a little about yourself (blog plugs welcome!) and include a photo. Send it all to metrocurean AT gmail.com, and you'll eventually hear back from me with a date.
To whet your appetite and inspire your lists, browse the bounty of Reader 5 Bites, or peruse top Chef 5 Bites.
So... send some more!! 5 Bites is an equal opportunity feature — you send 'em, I post 'em. And for a glorious moment in the sun, your eating habits are shared with DC's most discerning food lovers, restaurant owners and chefs.
Tell me five of the greatest things you've eaten recently, a little about yourself (blog plugs welcome!) and include a photo. Send it all to metrocurean AT gmail.com, and you'll eventually hear back from me with a date.
To whet your appetite and inspire your lists, browse the bounty of Reader 5 Bites, or peruse top Chef 5 Bites.