Washington, D.C. Restaurant Week 2023

From Stars to Bib Gourmands, the nation's capital is celebrating flavor with good value.

Editor's Pick Washington D.C. Hotels Restaurants

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Washington, D.C. is the nation's capital and home to some of America's most iconic landmarks—the White House anyone?—but D.C. also offers some of the most diverse and tasty cuisine in the country.

Starting on Monday, August 28th, and running through Sunday, September 3rd, the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week highlights some of the city's hottest (and hautest) tables with unbelievably good deals. So those wanting to taste a bit of summer before it's over, should clear their calendar and check-out the 44 MICHELIN Guide spots taking part.

And if you need a spot to sleep off any meals, don't fret as we've got you covered with nearby MICHELIN Guide Hotels. Never has the nation's capital come together in such delicious style.

14th Street

Bresca (One Star)Cuisine: Contemporary

The cooking is casual yet ambitious, thanks to Chef Ryan Ratino’s cutting-edge credentials. His menu is divided into categories, like snacks, medium plates, and large, shareable plates.

Back and ready for restaurant week, diners can expect a special 3-course tasting menu for $55 at this delicious One Star.

Inspector notes: "Find a clear sense of artistry in the likes of a foie gras "negroni" topped with Campari gelée or the agreeably priced and perfect pappardelle with lamb ragù."

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (Bib Gourmand) Cuisine: Southern

With its slightly nautical ambience and casual pub vibe, this spot makes an ideal clubhouse for play-hard types. And while places that look this good usually don’t have the menu to match, Pearl Dive’s kitchen gives the dining room a run for its money.

Stop by this Bib Gourmand during the 2023 restaurant week for a taste of their $55 dinner menu.

Inspector notes: "The lineup is true-blue American food with a Southern slant, spotlighting starters like crunchy crawfish fritters, regional gumbos and entrées like Tchoupitoulas—oyster confit with blue crab, Tasso ham as well as roasted corn. And then there are the incredible oysters, which are part of the Oyster Recovery Project (meaning you can feel good while you slurp them up with abandon)."

Stay nearby:

Viceroy Washington, D.C.

Viceroy Washington, D.C. makes the most of the Viceroy's bipartisan, across-the-aisle approach — it’s luxe enough to tempt luxury-hotel partisans and stylish enough for the boutique crowd as well.

Adams Morgan

El Secreto de RositaCuisine: Peruvian

Chef Cristian Granada's dynamic menu certainly leans Peruvian, it also embraces the nation's wide terrain—from the coast all the way to influences from Europe and Asia.

For the 2023 restaurant week, El Secreto de Rosita is offering a $55 summer dinner menu that includes your choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

Inspector notes: "Behold the tiradito, featuring sashimi-grade ahi tuna with a passion fruit-and-orange sauce. Classics, like ají de gallina, is served with rice; while the much raved-about arroz chaufa is a global delight."

The Imperial Cuisine: American

This bright and bold kid on the block boasts a concise menu with strong American inflections. The menu is divvied into mostly raw, vegetables, pasta, meats, and larger dishes. Regardless of your pick, these plates are well-executed and show a creative spirit.

Celebrating Washington, D.C.'s summer restaurant week, diners can stop by The Imperial and enjoy their $25 three-course brunch menu or the $40 dinner menu.

Inspector notes: "Start with such sea treats as a risotto of Carolina Gold rice, clam juice and creamy uni, then segue into land by way of the beef Wellington, which sports a golden pastry, braised leeks, and veal jus."

Stay nearby:

The Line D.C.

This century-old church in Adams Morgan provides the venue for a boutique hotel in an of-the-moment bohemian-eclectic style, complete with restaurants and bars that make it a central player in the neighborhood’s dining and nightlife scene.

Capital Hill

AmbarCuisine: Balkan

Come with a gang and eat to your heart’s content with the Balkan Experience, which is a litany of delightful small plates. Don’t fret if you’re sans friends though, as everyone is guaranteed a good time.

What's better than $25 (+$7.99 if you want dessert) lunch menu and a $55 (+$27.99 for unlimited drinks) dinner menu? Said menus being all-you-can-eat. Come hungry.

Inspector notes: "Order the chef’s platter and you’ll be treated to the likes of pita sa sirom, a flaky cheese pie resting in a red bell pepper- and eggplant-ajvar sauce. Partake in the veal and beef kebabs resting in a sheep’s milk cheese spread; or sour cabbage stuffed with rice and pork belly, then set atop garlicky mashed potatoes for even more fun."

Sonoma Cuisine: Contemporary

There is a certain easy-breezy vibe to the menu, which paints broad strokes offering everything from pizza to steak to pasta, but quality and care are considered at every turn.

Featuring a $55 dinner menu along with a cocktail/wine pairing, this restaurant week offering is perfect for any night out.

Inspector notes: "Pillowy gnocchi tossed with caramelized onions and blue cheese is the very definition of comfort and indulgence. Not far behind, house-made ice creams (ask for roasted banana) make for a gratifying finale."

Capital Riverfront

ChloeCuisine: International

Tucked into the trendy Navy Yard district, Chloe’s menu is eclectic, deeply personalized and reflects Chef Haidar Karoum's diverse resume. The shareable plates menu gathers ingredients from across the globe, presenting them in original and consistently delicious ways.

A $55 dinner menu, cocktail and wine pairing, and outdoor dining? Sign us up.

Inspector notes: "Kick off with the likes of hamachi crudo augmented by fish sauce, Thai chilies and thin slabs of avocado; or spiced veal hummus topped with buttered almond slivers and accompanied by fresh-baked naan. For something more hearty, there's penne with a pork ragù that's imbued with a Spanish-style soffrito and loads of domestic pecorino."

Shilling Canning CompanyCuisine: American

Set in the buzzing Navy Yard, this brainchild of Chef Reid Shilling may be spotted from afar thanks to its distinct sign and inviting garden boxes that burst with all manner of herbs and greens. The cooking is mid-Atlantic with contemporary flair, but seasonality rules the roost in both food and drinks.

Seasonal ingredients that are locally sourced come together here in the form of a $55 dinner menu.

Inspector notes: "Choose from a wonderfully reasonable three-course tasting menu or go all in for seven courses to savor the likes of wood-roasted bone marrow with pickled ramps, followed up by a hearty and creative butternut squash wellington with spiced honey."

Stay nearby:

Thompson Washington, D.C.

The Thompson Washington, D.C. is dazzling; the capital-based Studios Architecture and the New York firm Parts and Labor Design have created a brand-new luxury boutique hotel with the mid-century resonances that are the Thompson hallmark.

Pendry Washington, D.C. – The Wharf

Physically, it’s not all that far from Capitol Hill, but in terms of its aesthetics and its atmosphere, the Pendry Washington, D.C. - The Wharf presents a completely different side of the nation’s capital. It’s clear from a glance at its ultra-modern façade that this is no ordinary luxury hotel, and its setting on the waterfront lends it an escapist aspect as well.

Chevy Chase

OpalCuisine: American

In quiet Chevy Chase, on the border of Bethesda, this buzzy restaurant is well on its way to becoming a neighborhood essential. Far from flashy, the team isn’t out to redefine a cuisine or break any culinary boundaries.

Stop by during the 2023 restaurant week for a taste of Opal's Simple tasting menus. Available for brunch ($25), lunch ($25), and supper ($55), there's something here for everyone.

Inspector notes: "Ricotta dumplings, beef tartare, a properly cooked filet of trout – these are familiar flavors handled in a confident manner. There is the occasional surprise, like the excellent lamb-stuffed pita."

City Center

EstuaryCuisine: Seafood

Views from the space frame the energetic downtown scene. Yet, it's hard not to be drawn to the theatrics of the open kitchen, where cooks work by the glow of library-style lamps. This farm-to-table restaurant in the stunning Conrad Hotel is an homage to the Chesapeake.

Experience chef Ria Montes' delicious dishes made from local ingredients this 2023 restaurant week with Estuary's $55 dinner menu.

Inspector notes: "The toasted Maryland blue crab and shrimp brioche roll oozes with organic butter and fish sauce-flavored mayonnaise. Old Bay fries make an excellent accompaniment to this item, not unlike the fennel pollen and flurry of micro herbs that enhance a mound of tuna tartare with heat from Calabrian chilies."

Cleveland Park

Sababa (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Mediterranean

“Sababa,” which means “cool” in Hebrew slang, is exactly as advertised. Sharing a wall and connected by a gorgeous zinc bar to Bindaas next door, this ode to the Middle East is awash in Mediterranean tiles. But despite the hip digs, it’s all about food here. The fine-tuned menu features Israeli salads, dips and kebabs, but small plates are its heart and soul.

Stop by this Bib Gourmand during the 2023 restaurant week for a cocktail/wine pairing.

Inspector notes: "Start with salatim, a five-salad starter. Then choose from dishes such as charred eggplant with herbed labneh, fried cauliflower with tahini and raisins or pomegranate-glazed chicken liver. The list goes on, but one thing to never skip is the hummus. It’s so much more than the usual that it’s even listed as a daily special."

Stay nearby:

Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.

The Four Seasons is fresh off a massive renovation, which has done a bit more than simply sharpened the edges. Pierre-Yves Rochon has lent his contemporary Parisian perspective to the proceedings, which is fitting, given the distinct strain of architectural Francophilia that runs through this city. The west wing is still classical in character, while the east wing has been subtly updated.

Conrad Washington, D.C.

Quite possibly the brand’s most stylish hotel, the Conrad Washington, D.C. features architecture by the Swiss starchitects Herzog & de Meuron and interiors by the Houston-based Rottet Studio — a potent pairing that bucks the capital’s conservative aesthetic reputation. The comforts and service are first-rate, as you’d expect from a luxury hotel in this town, and the neighborhood is a lively one — but you’ll be tempted to do your entertaining in-house, thanks to Estuary, where James Beard award–winning chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio showcase the flavors of Chesapeake Bay, as well as Summit, the rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city’s icons.

Downtown

Dauphine's (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Creole

There is no denying Chef Kristen Essig's immense skill, as she prepares a delicious tapestry of New Orleans dishes—with zero fuss and maximum flavor.

Whether it's lunch or brunch ($25), or a three course dinner menu ($55), this Bib Gourmand has got you covered.

Inspector notes: "Make a hearty start with fresh-baked bread and cultured Poirier’s cane butter. Then dive into a platter of silky oysters Dauphine, tailed by blackened soft-shell crab with creamed Prairie Ronde rice."

La BiseCuisine: French

This might just be one of the Capitol's most well-known dining rooms, housed at the corner of Lafayette Square and just a stone’s throw from the White House lawn. The menu is loosely French but with a number of detours, from steak tartare and Rohan duck breast to black truffle risotto and Maine lobster with pineapple.

This $55 prix fixe 3 course menu is the perfect pick to elevate any dinner.

Inspector notes: "The Ora King salmon coulibiac is a signature for good reason—featuring layers of mushroom duxelles and herbed rice wrapped in puff pastry and served with sauce mousseline."

The Bombay ClubCuisine: Indian

If you can take your eyes off the senator snuggled into the half-moon banquette, the polished Indian cuisine doesn’t disappoint. Palate-pleasing items span the continent to include Northern grilled meats, as well as Southern seafood and coconut-inflected dishes.

Inspector notes: "Tender minced lamb is coaxed with a hint of heat in the Seekh kebab, while the bharli vangi's soft-as-pudding bulbs of stuffed and braised baby eggplant simply burst with flavor."

Michele'sCuisine: American

It would be a mistake to write off Chef Matt Baker’s venture as just another hotel restaurant. This much is clear after an amuse of artichoke velouté. Seafood towers and caviar service will no doubt tempt the big spenders on a menu that has something for everybody.

Special 3 course brunch ($25) and 3 course dinner menus ($55) are hitting Michele's this 2023 restaurant week.

Inspector notes: "Freshly baked brioche, crispy duck confit and elaborately prepared vegetables score impressive marks at this French-American brasserie, named after the chef’s late mother and inspired by his upbringing in Houston and New Orleans."

Stay nearby:

Hotel Zena, a Viceroy Urban Retreat

The hotel’s design is by Dawson Design Associates, a female-owned agency, and the artworks don’t just depict women; the artists themselves are women as well. And while it is, in a way, a themed hotel, its spaces stand very much on their own — if you were to arrive with no knowledge of the concept, it’d be the stylishness of the design that hit you first.

The Hay-Adams Hotel

The Hay-Adams Hotel is a 1928 Italian Renaissance monument, one whose privacy and discretion are near-legendary, and whose location, with the White House and the National Mall as a backdrop, is one-of-a-kind. Constant attention has kept it looking as opulent as can be, while constant technological improvements mean that, beneath its old-world elegance, the Hay-Adams is a thoroughly modern luxury hotel.

Dupont Circle

alaCuisine: Middle Eastern

In a city revered for its high-end dining and enticing global cooking, this relative newcomer is a beacon of Levantine cooking. Guests here are accommodated in a vast, light-flooded space made ultra-comfy with plush carpets, velvet-upholstered chairs and stunning light fixtures.

The lunch ($25) and dinner ($55) menu's here offer diners a taste of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine for a deliciously good value.

Inspector notes: "These dishes are refined versions of traditional delicacies and products are immaculate, as evidenced by the mezze, complete with pickled red cabbage, tahini and refreshingly tart yogurt. The piping-hot truffle manakish is a fragrant staple thanks to za’atar, feta and garlic; while sucuk with onion-thyme jam or cold-smoked mackerel with sumac-spiced cream deserve their own fan following."

Annabelle Cuisine: Contemporary

This Kalorama diva offers a unique setting, having taken up residence in a modest brick building. Walk through a set of doors to arrive at a cool marble bar, where sipping a cocktail is almost de rigueur. Chef Frank Ruta's contemporary American menu shows a seasonal focus.

Former White House chef Frank Ruta's $55 dinner menu is filled with modern American dishes.

Inspector notes: "Flaunting regional inspiration, the summer bean and peach salad makes a great start; while gnocchi with black trumpet mushrooms is an eternal favorite."

The PembrokeCuisine: French

This seductive dining room took a cool few million to create, but it is utterly chic and wholly Parisian. Over in the kitchen, the chefs don't cling to any one trend.

Don't miss out on this tasty 3-course lunch ($25) or dinner ($55).

Inspector notes: "Imagine a melange of plates like prawn cocktail, lobster bisque, handmade pastas, as well as mains like Dover sole meunière or veal Milanese and you'll start to get their drift. Mediterranean flavors also find their way into dishes like octopus fricassee with black olives and lamb tagine with couscous."

Sushi TaroCuisine: Japanese

Sushi Taro may offer à la carte and tastings, but the experience at the six-seat counter with a single service nightly is highly recommended. Scoring a seat at the counter is especially challenging; but once secured you're granted entry to a room attended with care and grace.

Get a taste of an exceptional Japanese dining experience with Sushi Taro's $55 dinner menu and cocktail/wine pairing.

Inspector notes: "There are a series of small plates, perhaps squid ink-tinted soft-shell crab tempura or salad of hairy crab. Then, diners are invited to make selections from trays of fish, which are then knifed into sashimi. An equally striking nigiri course allows for delving deeper into the assemblage."

Stay nearby:

The Dupont Circle Hotel

The newly redesigned Dupont Hotel is, in its subtly stylish way, one of the hippest hotels in the nation’s capital. It’s the only hotel on Dupont Circle, in a neighborhood better known for dining, nightlife and entertainment than for monuments or institutions — which, provided you’re not here with your high school history class, is definitely a good thing.

Georgetown

1789Cuisine: American

Few restaurants embody this neighborhood more aptly than 1789, named for the year Georgetown University was founded. The kitchen team is adept, talented, and successfully keeps pace. Dishes lean on classic French and American flavors.

Three courses. $55 dinner menu. Simple and delicious.

Inspector notes: "Recent highlights included a warm vichyssoise with leeks, morels, and watercress pesto; rack of lamb with a lemon gremolata and roasted cipollini onions with fava beans; and, to finish, an apple Paris-Brest with buttermilk ice cream."

Ivy City

Gravitas (One Star)Cuisine: Contemporary

Chef Matt Baker is luring diners to Ivy City with this gorgeous spot, which transforms local products into modern, deeply complex items. Myriad choices are offered in the multicourse meal, but large appetites should give over and let the chef prepare a tasting, whereby sustainable ingredients are utilized to prepare dishes that are creative, precise and enjoyable.

Whether it's a 3 course ($55) or a 5 course ($95) menu, this One Star has got you covered.

Inspector notes: "Highlights include a chestnut velouté poured over a date cake with vanilla-pear marmalade and foie gras terrine for a rich, well-rounded dish. Yuzu crémeux with pineapple ganache makes for a simple yet refined denouement."

Ivy City Smokehouse (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Barbecue

Lucky are the eaters who make their way to this unique seafood smokehouse. Inside the warehouse-like space, a daily market and state-of-the-art smoker reside at street level. The fish is fresh, the staff is super-friendly and the vibe is irresistible with occasional live music.

Check out this Bib Gourmand during this 2023 restaurant week for their $40 dinner menu of delicious bites.

Inspector notes: "A platter offers a broad sample of artisanal smoked goodies, like Indian candy (a sweet, salty and almost jerk-like smoked salmon); glistening, coral-pink smoked salmon; pepper-smoked salmon embedded with crushed peppercorns; and an impossibly good whitefish salad."

Logan Circle

ConvivialCuisine: French

The bold and playful takes on the tried-and-true here are made for sharing. Is there a secret to the popular Franco-Gallic-American menu? If anyone knows, it is Chef/owner Cedric Maupillier and his passionate team.

Come here for their $55 dinner menu filled with shareable dishes.

Inspector notes: "Tuck in to a savory classic—perhaps gnocchi à la parisienne aux légumes printaniers—but save room for sweet treats like a spot-on soufflé, Île flottante or galette des rois."

SupraCuisine: Central Asian

Supra is a gem for Georgian cuisine, so make those resys. This chef churns out authentic dishes with a dose of delicious.

$25 brunch/lunch, or $40 dinner menu. The choice is yours.

Inspector notes: "Start with spreads and cheeses, before devouring soup dumplings or mussels. No diner worth their salt would dare skip the imeruli or ajaruli khachapuri—crusty bread with a pit of molten cheese and runny egg. White pelamushi flaunts a riff on the staple dessert (think: pomegranate caramel and walnut crumble), no feast is complete without wine with selections from one of the world's oldest viticultural regions."

Stay nearby:

Eaton D.C.

The Eaton D.C. is simply a first-rate luxury boutique hotel, from the Bluetooth record players and locally sourced minibars in the rooms to the wellness center, which offers yoga and meditation as well as reiki, acupuncture, and practices that verge on the spiritual. Michele's is a French American inspired restaurant by Michelin-starred Chef Matt Baker, while Baker’s Daughter serves third-wave coffee and Ayurvedic beverages. Meanwhile Allegory pours inventive cocktails in an inspired space, and Wild Days is the most unexpected of offerings for a D.C. hotel: a rooftop music venue that hosts both local and national acts.

Rosewood Washington, D.C.

The lobby and public spaces lean into D.C.’s French inspiration, sourcing parquet flooring from a French chateau and furnishing the rooms in opulent wood paneling and gem tones. Meanwhile the rooms are more restrained, though no less refined, decorated largely in monochrome but with plenty of ornament — right down to the Hermès leather drawer pulls — and the full slate of contemporary high-end comforts.

Mt. Vernon Triangle

Ottoman Taverna (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Turkish

The interior is drop-dead gorgeous with a can’t-stop-staring décor. From its honeycomb patterns on the walls and that large mural of the Hagia Sophia, to its whitewashed walls with glimmering deep-blue pendants, this restaurant brings a little bit of Istanbul to the Mt. Vernon Triangle.

Stop by this Bib Gourmand during restaurant week for their $25 brunch menu, $25 three course lunch menu, and $40 three course dinner menu!

Inspector notes: "Sip a cool apple-rose tea while perusing the menu of Turkish cuisine infused with a modern bent. Kirmizi mercimek corbasi is a refreshing red lentil soup that starts things off right. Then dive in to thinly sliced and delicious lamb and beef kebabs."

Bar ChinoisCuisine: Asian

While this may be a bar first (thrilling cocktails include a martini with pickled pearl onions, pickled shiitake mushrooms, plus kombu and bonito flakes), the kitchen takes its cooking seriously, offering a lineup of mouthwatering plates and a menu filled with enticing dim sum.

Come during brunch for a $25 three course meal (+$20 if you want bottomless Mimosas, select beers and Stateside vodka spritzers). Or wait for the $40 dinner menu for a more well rounded experience.

Inspector notes: "Imagine half moon-shaped ginger chicken dumplings with a honey dip; shrimp toast batter-fried with sesame seeds; or Beijing pork dumplings with Berkshire pork and Chinese chives. The "Lion's Head meatball," starring oven-braised pork au jus, water chestnuts, and Shaoxing rice wine, is as regal as its title, and bears an almost apocryphal lightness."

L'ArdenteCuisine: Italian

Many diners walking into East End's shiny Capitol Crossing development already know what they’re ordering. Chef David Deshaies' 40-layer lasagna has captivated the city’s attention and rightfully so. Tender short rib, truffled mornay and razor-thin sheets of pasta make for a delicious trinity that tastes as good as it looks.

Lunch or brunch, you can't go wrong with either. Stop by during restaurant week for a specially curated three course meal.

Inspector notes: "At no point does any dish want for flavor, down to the charred cabbage buried under a riot of trout roe, tarragon and currants. Some will be perfectly content sidling up to the expansive bar for a glass of vino and round of snacks, like saffron arancini or duck ravioli."

NoMa

Laos in Town (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: South East Asian

The flavors and heat of Southeast Asian are on full display at this Northeast DC eatery. Though the menu spans much of the country, Laos’ menu—sporting a section devoted entirely to vegans—still manages to be original, offering ingredients that are rarely found in similar restaurants. It also promises—and delivers on—dishes marked “phet" (or spicy).

With their heat packed dishes and $40 dinner menu, this Bib Gourmand is a must visit during restaurant week.

Inspector notes: "Generous slices of sausage with savory herbs are served with crunchy green papaya, peanuts and fiery green chili; while the chef’s signature papaya salad arrives with bright green beans, Laos pork loaf and a mellow fermented fish sauce."

Palisades Northwest

BlackSaltCuisine: Seafood

It may be part market, but there’s nothing remotely pedestrian about BlackSalt. This lively restaurant’s menu manages to be both approachable and interesting, with sublime shellfish and a concise selection trawling coast to continent for inspiration.

With three courses for $25, it's hard to find a better deal than this seafood spot.

Inspectors notes: "Begin with Addie’s mussels bathed in a well-balanced broth—you’ll be sopping up every last drop. Then move on to the ever-warming, saffron-tinged Provençal market stew bobbing with the day’s finest catch, which may include juicy mussels, tender shrimp and flaky swordfish, among others. Finish this aquatic feast with a slice of their tart key lime pie."

Stay nearby:

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown occupies the site of the historic Georgetown Incinerator, whose 130-foot chimney still rises over the hotel and the attached luxury condominiums. The location is excellent, on a quiet side street, but just minutes from the White House, the Smithsonian, and hundreds of other famous places. Within walking distance are a number of Georgetown's fashionable restaurants, nightclubs, and shops, and the Ritz complex itself holds a 14-screen cineplex. The complex is also home to one of the world's most recognizable celebrities — Michael Jordan lives in one of the 28 luxury residences that share the Ritz site.

Sofitel Washington, D.C. Lafayette Square

As the name may suggest, this fine 1920s Art Deco building is just off Lafayette Square, which is also bordered by the White House; it’s hard to imagine a more prestigious location, or one that’s more photogenically typical of the District of Columbia. With interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon and a multilingual French-accented staff, the Sofitel’s Continental atmosphere goes deeper than just the surface. Art Deco is a style that renovates well — these rooms feel classic but not old-fashioned, and are modern where it matters, namely the duvet-topped king beds and the plasma-screen televisions, and marble bathrooms with separate tubs and showers.

Penn Quarter

Café RiggsCuisine: Contemporary

From its historic marble lobby and enchanting design details (think velvet chairs and regal gold hues) to a versatile and well-executed menu, everything about this hotel restaurant is quite unforgettable.

Other than the 19th-century Romanesque Revival bank building, there's also the $55 dinner menu along with a paired wine/cocktail option.

Inspector notes: "Start with a caviar grilled cheese, which is no doubt an over-the-top creation but worth every splurge. For something more classic and local, sample the chilled crab with pickled celery and mustard; while special "plant based" items like artichoke hearts or squash with kale and cranberry are deliciously wholesome."

Cranes (One Star)Cuisine: Spanish

There is serious heart to be had at the centre of the city, thanks to Chef Pepe Moncayo's elegant spot, where novel ingredients are woven into the "concept" menu. What emerges is a sumptuous mash-up of dishes with Spanish and Japanese influence. Chef flexes his creativity on the omakase, and diners won't leave hungry or feeling pinched.

A $55 Omakase experience during restaurant week? Yes please!

Inspector notes: "From a sake-infused chawanmushi with pickled watermelon, ajo blanco featuring a pearly white scallop with mustard seeds, to a single oyster tempura, this team hits every nuanced flavor out of the park."

Jaleo (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Spanish

Chef José Andrés has opened locations of this tapas hangout from Las Vegas to Chicago to Dubai, but it all started here inside the Beltway. Unafraid of color and pattern, the expansive interior is a riot of glass, tile, hardwood and art, and the vibe is never dull or low energy.

While the $25 lunch and $40 dinner menu is enticing, their exclusive to-go packages are home runs.

Inspector notes: "Sangria, vermouth and sherry make for wise starts before digging in to an expansive menu of Spanish favorites. Tables can make entire meals out of cured meats, cheeses and crispy fritters; but bigger plates like paella Valenciana with rabbit; gazpacho with goat cheese; and grilled pork sausage with white beans are also worthy orders."

TonariCuisine: Fusion

This lively operation arrives courtesy of Chef Katsuya Fukushima and the Daikaya Restaurant Group. Housed right by their sister spot, the minimalist space is clad with sleek dark wooden slats on the outside. The Wafu cooking too flaunts a certain uniqueness while remaining balanced and precise. Dishes may be best described as Japanese-influenced Italian.

Watched The Bear lately? If the menu here seems familiar, that's because it is. Inspired by the hit show, diners can expect a five course dinner for $55, or add a beverage pairing for $90.

Inspector notes: "This mix is unfussy and seamless in the likes of spaghetti with Kurobuta sausage and a refined Tabasco-ketchup sauce. Chocolate budino with whipped cream makes a simple finish to a striking meal."

ZaytinyaCuisine: Mediterranean

Chef José Andrés' ocean-blue ode to the cuisine of Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey means an ample, wide-ranging carte. It's an ideal spot for suits sealing deals, as well as solo diners or friends catching up. Mezze is the menu's focus and the quality of food is solid.

Choose the $25 lunch menu for a preview of what this Mediterranean spot has to offer. Want a more comprehensive taste? Go for the $40 dinner menu - just don't forget to add dessert for $7.

Inspector notes: "Zero in on the mushroom kapnista with dates, walnuts, and labneh for richness. There are a myriad of spreads to be paired with fresh pita, followed by salads and flatbreads (or pide), which are of the dive-right-in variety. Vegetarians will revel in the diversity of dishes, while braised lamb is the Sunday roast everyone deserves."

RasikaCuisine: Indian

Everyone is here for their kitsch-free Indian cuisine and laid-back ambience—both of which are as perfectly suited for a casual night out with friends as they are for a formal dinner with colleagues or festive celebration. It’s difficult to live up to the hype, but Rasika turns out several winning dishes.

Besides winning dishes, this Indian spot is churning out delicious $55 three course dinner menus for this year's restaurant week.

Inspector notes: "Grab a seat at the back counter for views into the kitchen, which turns out such highlights as crispy palak chaat tossed with raita, tamarind and date chutneys. Then, crunchy okra displays a perfect blend of spicy and sour flavors. Match this with top house-made cubes of paneer, skewered with peppers, onions and accompanied by a tangy green sauce."

China Chilcano (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Peruvian

Bring a group of friends and keep the pisco coming at this José Andrés marvel, where the vibrant décor and bold, flavorful cuisine are anything but humdrum. Specialty ingredients from Peru find their way into many of this kitchen’s dishes, and the menu brings together three major culinary influences in the country: Chinese, Japanese and Criollo.

Whether you choose the $25 lunch menu or $40 dinner menu, expect flavorful dishes influenced by different cultures.

Inspector notes: "Thick and buttery slices of Ora king salmon ceviche arrive in a pool of tart yuzu juice, garnished with creamy avocado, trout roe and whole sweetie drop peppers."

Oyamel (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Mexican

José Andrés and his team know their food and the loyal crowds here bear testament. Snag a seat at the entertaining ceviche bar and guzzle thirst-quenching drinks while snacking on small plates.

Cool down from the summer heat with this Bib Gourmand's $25 lunch menu or $40 dinner menu - both filled with classics and seasonal specials.

Inspector notes: "The kitchen's dedication to technique and ingredients is clear, with a particular penchant for south-of-the-border cuisine like huevos enfrijoladas, crispy chilaquiles and gorditas topped with Hudson Valley duck confit."

Stay nearby:

Riggs Washington, D.C.

It’s not every day a 19th-century Romanesque Revival bank building in Washington’s Penn Quarter district reopens as a hotel, especially one as stylish as Riggs. It’s another sign of a new era for the nation’s capital — there’s more character here than in all of D.C.’s hotels circa 2000 put together. It starts with the well-preserved bones of the stately old bank, but this is no mere restoration — they’ve taken liberties, using the city’s history as their inspiration, and the result adds a welcome note of playfulness to the elegance you expect from a Washington, D.C. luxury hotel.

Willard InterContinental

The Willard is the capital’s most elegant and old-fashioned hotel, and it’s still the unofficial center of Washington. Every president since the middle of the 19th century has been a guest, along with countless foreign diplomats and heads of state, and all manner of American legislators, lobbyists and assorted bigwigs have curried favor and struck deals with one another in this grand old hotel’s lounges and executive suites.

Shaw

Unconventional Diner (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: American

With its white walls and seafoam-green booths, this “diner” may look like the classic American translation, but is in fact a far cry from your tuna-melt standby. Instead, this kitchen ramps up known classics by riffing on tradition.

Hold off until 4PM here, because during restaurant week, this Bib Gourmand offers a $40 three course dinner menu.

Inspector notes: "Look no further than the kale nachos or meatloaf elevated with a hint of sriracha and morel mushroom gravy. Even waistline watchers won't be able to say no to those hearty chicken pot pie poppers."

Chaplin'sCuisine: Asian

Chef/patner Myo Htun's Shaw operation, known for its conversation-worthy cocktails and excellent cuisine, continues to dish out delectable, crowd-pleasing dishes like "pay day injected dumplings" for the 21+ crowd. While ramen is all the rage, only a few rise to the level of this delicious hot spot. Not only are this chef's versions myriad, his approach is personal and especially slurpable.

The $40 brunch menu or $55 dinner menu? The choice is yours.

Inspector notes: "The hot variety (Chaplin A.S.S.) arrives with gloriously tender slabs of chicken and a sweltering broth; while the cold version, with springy noodles, zesty ginger and cool cucumber, is equally gratifying."

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The Jefferson

The Jefferson combines old-world aesthetics with boutique-era services, amenities, and personality. The rooms are classic in design, but modern in function, with iPads in every room and suite and charging stations in the desks. Premier and Deluxe rooms are lavish, and the First Lady and Presidential suites are positively opulent — the latter featuring no fewer than five balconies with extraordinary views of the city and its monuments.

SW Waterfront

OfficinaCuisine: Italian

This is Chef Nicholas Stefanelli's impressive multi-story ode to Italy. The first floor has an easy-going café and bar, as well as a market for picking up wine, cheese and house-cured beef and charcuterie. Meanwhile, the heart of this place, a sun-lit trattoria anchored by an open kitchen, is upstairs on the second floor.

A three course $25 brunch and a $40 three course/$55 four course dinner of tasty plates of pasta? What more can you ask for?

Inspector notes: "A lengthy list of salumis and formaggi tempts patrons, and pastas like cavatelli, agnolotti and paccheri are all made in-house. Heartier plates include veal saltimbocca and bombetta pugliese, a succulent pork shoulder wrapped in prosciutto, but don't miss the smaller list of other meat cuts."

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Mandarin Oriental Washington, D.C.

Steps from the National Mall, D.C.’s Mandarin Oriental stands on a promontory at the confluence of the Washington Channel and the Potomac Tidal Basin. While it’s slightly less central than some of the older hotels, there’s an immediate payoff in the form of spectacular views — rooms overlook the Mall and the Washington Monument on one side, with the Basin and Jefferson Memorial on the other. During the spring cherry blossom season, the scene along the water only becomes more spectacular.

Van Ness

Sfoglina (Bib Gourmand)Cuisine: Italian

This focused, consistent and lovely trattoria serves the kind of food that everyone wants to return to again and again. The name (Italian for “pasta master”) sets a very high bar but lives up to its moniker with a notable variety of hearty and elegant preparations listed as “classical” and “seasonal.”

Diners can expect a $40 lunch and dinner menu filled with authentic and family-favorite Italian dishes at this Bib Gourmand during this year's restaurant week.

Inspector notes: "Highlights have included soft, almost whipped polenta folded with showers of cacio e pepe and piled with fresh green peas and shaved pecorino. Spinach tonnarelli melded with a vibrantly seasoned lamb ragù exudes a faint whiff of sweetness."

West End

RisCuisine: American

Ris Lacoste helms the stove at this terrific neighborhood spot, a draw for diners in the company of family, business associates and lovers alike. The menu, with its ramped-up takes on the tried-and-true, toes the line between familiar and surprising.

Visit during lunch for a $25 three course meal or a two course meal with a glass of house wine/beer. Want more? Come back again later for their $40 three course dinner or the two course with beverage alternative.

Inspector notes: "Loaded with butter and olive oil and jazzed up with red pepper flakes, linguine with clams is briny and delicious and chicken Milanese has just the right amount of breading beneath its zippy tomato topping. Even the crown of cauliflower is interesting and complex, thanks to an ensemble of roasted vegetables slicked with mustard cream and an army of flavors."

Woodley Park

New HeightsCuisine: American

In contrast to many of the shiny new restaurants that open every year, this Woodley Park veteran under-promises and over-delivers in the best of ways. The menu covers a lot of ground but does so admirably.

Fans of contemporary American cuisine should head towards New Heights during restaurant week for their $55 three course dinner menu with a wine/cocktail pairing.

Inspector notes: " Broccolini with black garlic Caesar dressing, crispy fried oysters with pickled cauliflower, and tempura beach mushrooms dusted in a Moroccan spice blend are enough for a meal on their own."

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Yours Truly DC

This is one of the new breed of boutique hotels that aims to create an atmosphere of approachable sociability, rather than luxe elitism, and while its modernist, industrial architecture may recall the first wave of high-design boutique hotels, its interior decoration is warm and eclectic, and feels more collected than consciously designed.

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MICHELIN's newest Green Stars, Aphotic and Providence, are paving the way for sustainable fishing practices in the culinary landscape.

Embodying the essence of sustainable gastronomy through its local farms and efforts to minimize waste, one of California's newest Green Stars shines bright.

It was an evening filled with Stars under the stars.

California's Zhengyalov Hatz is built upon generations of culinary traditions and serves only one main dish, its namesake, made from fresh greens wrapped in thin, lavash bread.

Embracing heritage while fostering community through tasty dishes.

The Golden State shines a bit brighter with these new MICHELIN Stars.