The D.C. Restaurants We Loved in October

I finally got the chance…

… to dine at Dear Sushi on my birthday (it’d been on my list for a while), and I cannot stop telling friends about it. We sat at the bar, got the omakase menu and a bottle of sake, and were walked through a love letter to sushi’s past and present, told through soups, snacks, hand rolls, and sashimi, which highlighted the classic flavors of Japan and brought modern takes that were unforgettable. Standouts included sakura tai (red snapper) with yuzu kosho and bottarga, bluefin tuna with torched uni, and hay-smoked o-toro with miso and shiso. Needless to say, I cannot wait to go back.

— Jillian Zankowski, Restaurant Success Manager

A big thank you to…

… fellow Resy coworker Charles Zhao for putting me onto the El Pollo Rico train — only the best Peruvian chicken spot in Virginia! I’ve gone every visit I’ve made to D.C. since, it’s just so delicious. The dark meat itself is amazing, but with the rice, yuca, and (most importantly) the yellow sauce, it’s life-changing.

— Felicity Lin, Resy Benefit Management Manager

As the weather turns chilly…

… I love dining out at H Street’s Stable DC for Swiss favorites like fondue, landjäger (smoked Swiss-style salami), and the rich and decadent Toblerone chocolate mousse. The restaurant has cozy chalets that make it feel as if you’ve been transported to a village in the Alps.

— Tim Ebner, Contributing Writer, Resy Editorial

The standout dish…

… at Unconventional Diner is the dirty Caesar salad. It’s got a creative twist thanks to soft egg, aged Gouda, and a unique squid ink crumble. For an added treat, you’ll want to pair it with a side of their naan for the complete experience (trust us). And be sure to save room for dessert — the stunning presentation of the sorbets is matched only by the incredible flavors. It’s the perfect end to a meal here.

— Presley Conaty, Sales Account Associate

On a trip to Maryland…

… to visit my suburban-living friends, we tried Aventino, a new restaurant in Bethesda (from the same owners behind D.C.’s The Red Hen), and it was excellent.

The ricotta dish with chickpea ‘panelle,’ whipped ricotta, and wildflower honey was so flavorful and unique, and we also loved the Italian cauliflower. You can’t go wrong with any of the pastas, but our favorites were the cacio e pepe, the lumache with eggplant and lamb sausage, and the pesto trottole with roasted corn. One of my friends is celiac and they were so accommodating towards him throughout the meal. And don’t skip the cocktails, which were fun and creative, too.

— Lindsey Block, Product Designer

I’ve always wanted to try…

… Albi, the Michelin-starred restaurant from chef Michael Rafidi. But for a more casual group dinner, we opted to go to his newer restaurant, YELLOW (not) pizza. (My first visit at YELLOW was during the day, when it’s a café, where I discovered their amazing sweet and savory pastries, infused with Middle Eastern flavors.)

At dinner, the tomato dagga and smoked mushroom (not) pizzas with a side of charred corn labne were the perfect combination of flavors. But I almost regret having Jeni’s pre-dinner because we didn’t have room to try their soft serve and heard amazing things about it. Next time.

— Felicity Lin, Resy Benefit Management Manager