ANJU Nominated for Best Chef : Mid-Atlantic for Angel Barreto Modern Korean at its finest , crafted by executive chef Angel Barreto and overseen by renowned chefs Danny Lee and Scott Drewno . Perched in between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan , the bi-level eatery with a charming patio puts out electrifying dishes — from shatter-crisp fried chicken gleaming with gochujang glaze and chili crisp topped king-sized dumplings stuffed with Impossible meat to an epic ssam board and steaming stone bowls of dolsot bibimbap . Walkups accepted , but reservations recommended . 1805 18th St . NW ; 202-845-8935 ; anjurestaurant . com
OYSTER OYSTER Nominated for Best New Restaurant Chef Rob Rubba ’ s micro-seasonal , plant-focused tasting menu restaurant — he makes an exception for oysters — is tucked into a cozy , minimalist space in the buzzy Shaw neighborhood . His wonderfully inventive fare is a vivid celebration of vegetables , both regionally grown and locally foraged . A true delight that will make you rethink the power and potential of plant-based cooking . Reservations required . 1440 8th St . NW ; oysteroysterdc . com
KINSHIP Nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef for Anne Specker The relaxed upstairs sibling of Eric Ziebold ’ s Metier , Kinship is just as seasonally inspired and deft with serving memorable indulgences . Think house-made potato chips with a side of caviar and French toast decked out with lobster . Pastry chef Anne Specker crafts desserts grounded in nostalgia with an eye to the future , like black forest cake leveled with sarsaparilla ice cream and rum cake dressed as a strawberry daiquiri . Walk-ups accepted at the bar , but reservations required for the dining room . 1015 7th St . NW ; 202-737-7700 ; kinshipdc . com
BARMINI Nominated for Outstanding Bar Program José Andrés ’ s modernist , mind bending bar doesn ’ t serve cocktails ; they ’ re magic tricks , theatrical performances , drinkable art . Innovative flavor pairings , clever garnishes , and Instagramable glassware abound . Pair your cocktails with indulgent small bites that are just as thoughtfully and creatively crafted . Reservations required . 501 9th St . NW ; 202-393-4451 ; minibarbyjoseandres . com
MAYDAN Nominated for Outstanding Wine Program Hidden away in a back corner of the 130-year-old Manhattan Laundry Building at the core of the Cardozo neighborhood , this ethereal tribute to Middle Eastern cuisine relies on the wood-fired hearth positioned centerstage . Everything is designed to be shared , mixed , and matched , from vibrant dips and char-dotted flatbread to spit-roasted meats and vegetables cooked in the embers . No matter what combinations you create , they can be well-paired with selections from the wine list spanning the Levant , Mediterranean , Old World Europe , and beyond . Walk-ups accepted , but reservations highly recommended . 1346 Florida Ave . NW ; maydandc . com
RUTHIE ’ S ALL DAY Nominated for Best Chef : Mid-Atlantic for Matt Hill This ever-bustling , sun-up to past sundown family friendly restaurant offers comfort fare extraordinaire , whether you ’ re in the mood for a belly warming breakfast or brunch , hearty lunch , or a meat and three dinner — with many dishes coming off the wood burning hearth . Chef Matt Hill — a veteran of Charlie Palmer ’ s Aureole and Bryan Voltaggio ’ s Range — adds inspired touches to classic dishes , like yuzu kosho butter on the grilled oysters and red onion jam for slathering on the buttermilk biscuits , which will make you fall in love with iconic dishes all over again . Walk-ups accepted , but reservations recommended . 3411 5th St . S , Arlington , Va .; 703-888-2841 ; ruthiesallday . com
CENTROLINA Nominated for Best Chef : Mid-Atlantic for Amy Brandwein Come ready to savor the season at chef Amy Brandwein ’ s charming Italian osteria in the chic CityCenterDC complex in downtown . The freshest harvests from farmers and foragers come alive in her preparations , be it a carefully crafted appetizer , winning pasta , or an entrée finished in the wood-fired oven . After your meal , pop over to the adjoined mercato to pick up some of Brandwein ’ s freshly made pastas and sauces , local dairy , and primo pantry staples . Walk-ups accepted , but reservations recommended . 974 10th St . NW ; 202-898-2426 ; centrolinadc . com
ALBI Best Chef : Mid-Atlantic for Michael Rafidi Though he opened right before the pandemic shut the world down , chef Mike Rafidi ’ s open hearth homage to the Levant has soared ever upwards . Whether it ’ s hummus laced with embered mushrooms and black garlic , barbecued lamb kebabs spiked with fermented chili , or baba ghanoush dressed up with the season ’ s finest harvests , his dishes are a riot of flavor — balancing freshness and smokiness , seasoning and simplicity . For a special treat , order the “ sofra ,” a chef-curated experience featuring the moment ’ s greatest hits . Walk-ups accepted , but reservations highly recommended . 1346 4th St . SE ; 202-921-9592 ; albidc . com
ROOSTER & OWL Nominated for Best Chef : Mid-Atlantic for Yuan Tang Powered by the rock star husband-wife team — chef Yuan Tang and general manager Carey Tang — this unpretentious , artfully refined tasting menu restaurant is a real gem . The four-course experience ( with four choices for each course ) switches with the seasons . Recent offerings included a mélange of pickled , grilled , and roasted beets dressed with hazelnut vinaigrette ; colorful carrot cavatelli in feta crema ; and a truffled take on Steak Diane . Though not great for littles , unless you have a pint-sized gourmand , it is an excellent date night option . Reservations recommended . 2436 14th St . NW ; 202-915-9004 ; roosterowl . com
PETER CHANG Nominated for Outstanding Chef for Peter Chang Early in his career , Peter Chang was a poster boy for itinerant chefs , bouncing between restaurants with rapid-fire frequency . Now he has settled down as he and his family oversee a burgeoning restaurant empire that stretches from Richmond to Baltimore . At his eponymous restaurant , savor some of his signature Sichuan dishes — fiery dry fried eggplant , puffy scallion bubble pancakes that look so light you think they ’ ll float away , and lamb chops lavished with tongue-tingling chili powder and plenty of cumin . Walk-ups accepted . 20-A Maryland Ave ., Rockville , Md .; 301-838-9188 ; peterchangrestaurant . com
AUTUMN 2022
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