joshua roberts

Isabella Dishes on DC

In those still moments of tumbling light between afternoons and evenings, when tables are reset for the culinary show known as dinner, Mike Isabella wonders how cooks ever became rock stars.

“You work nights, weekends and holidays. You’re dirty. You smell. You burn yourself. You’re behind closed doors,” he jokes.

So how did this happen?

John Woo

You've most likely seen O'Neill's work in top D.C. restaurants.

Design and Dine: Maggie O'Neill

Sometimes, it’s best to ditch your dreams. If Maggie O’Neill had followed hers, the look of some of D.C.’s top restaurants would be utterly boring.

The owner of O’Neill Studios (oneillstudios.com), which matches local commissioned designers to commercial and residential spaces, first thought she wanted to follow in her family’s footsteps and become an attorney.

Darko Zagar

Chef Fabio Trabacchi is the mastermind behind Fiola. He is among the top chefs in Washington.

Great Plates 2012

If the dining trends around town are any indication, money must still be a bit tight out there, because the restaurants that recently opened seem to fall into three categories: eateries spearheaded by headliners (Isabella! Black! Monis! Andrés! Cooper!) who could take their names and reputations to banks and backers; gussied-up fast-food concepts (sushi, soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers! burgers! burgers!) and hip, low-frill, taste bud-tantalizing destinations that are so space-challenged you sometimes have to leave your name on a list and go elsewhere to wait out the wait list.

Et Voila

Hot drinks to warm up chilly nights? Check.

10 Best Winter Drinks in D.C.

It hasn’t been a snowy winter, but chilly, clear nights have prompted locals to break out the gloves and scarves and trade in mixed drinks for something with a little more heft. Fight the frost and add a little heat to your next night out with a warm libation. Here are our picks for hot cocktails in the District.

Provided by Lincoln

Our top picks for a decadent night out this Valentine's Day.

Dining ideas for Valentine's Day

Looking for a Valentine’s Day dinner your sweetheart won’t forget? Try out some area restaurants for any of their prix-fixe meals for what’s sure to be a memorable evening. Reservations are going fast.

Mark Finkenstaedt

Gnocchi with braised pork at Graffiato from Chef Mike Isabella.

6 Places Not to Miss in February

When the economy went south and austerity replaced ostentation, restaurateurs caught on. First, they convinced us that concrete floors, brick walls, bare wooden tables and light bulbs hung in Mason jars from ceilings were stylish. Then they put away the giant chargers filled with tiny portions of foie gras, turned small plates into big bills and gave fast food an upgrade.

Now, we happily line up for $6 marrow bones, $10 chicken thighs, $14 tacos, $16 lobster rolls and $7 milkshakes with designer burgers, all slyly repackaged as comfort food.

Video: Spike Mendelsohn Dishes on D.C. Dining

Turns out the man with the ubiquitous hat can really cook. Witness Spike Mendelsohn's appearance on Bravo's"Top Chef" and last season's "Top Chef All Stars."

Sandoval's opened El Centro D.F. this year. The restaurant focuses on traditional (and simple) Mexican cuisine.

Chef Richard Sandoval Goes Back to Culinary Roots

Chef Richard Sandoval’s latest restaurant, El Centro D.F. (elcentrodf.com) on 14th Street, NW, is as multilayered as Mexican cuisine. A taquería sits on the main floor, and the basement holds a tequilería with 200 tequilas. Oh, and the rooftop ties these elements together under the stars.

 We catch José Andrés in his favorite place, the kitchen. 

Video: Chef José Andrés Dishes on D.C. Dining

How do we even begin to comprehend all that José Andrés has accomplished in the past decade? He has taken D.C. by storm with outrageously good food, including Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel and, of course, the supreme innovation of MiniBar.

Naturally, it took a native of Spain to celebrate the glory of traditional American cuisine. Only July 4, appropriately enough, Andrés opened America Eats Tavern in Penn Quarter space once occupied by Café Atlantico.

Jessica Strelitz

Spending time exploring the best D.C. wine bars is a good way to pass your days.

New(ish) Wine Bars in D.C.

Many restaurants and bars across the region have developed unique and refreshing wine menus during the last two years. But here in the D.C.-metro area, we found five new additions to the wine bar circuit that offer refreshing twists to their lists.

In Arlington, Va.

Kid-Friendly at Twisted Vines