I have yet to go to Le Diplomate, but have read many wondrous things about it. Anybody been?
I'm so tired of the 14th street scene and getting pretty darn close to tired of the H Street scene.
Is there any vetting process done for the restaurants that pop up on these streets or are they critically acclaimed just because they're there? I've had more shitty food on those strips in DC than anywhere else and all anyone does it talk them up... Bunch of over priced crap IMO.
Does H street even have a restaurant scene? I've lived here for several years and eaten at just about every place on H street. The only places I'd recommend to people are Ethiopic and Atlas Room. There are a few other serviceable places, but nothing worth travelling over here for.
A three to four hour wait for a restaurant like Toki on a Friday night = a scene to me.
Ohhh yeah, forgot about that place. It has created a bit of a scene, granted. Went once when it opened and have never been back because it's always a zoo.
I ate at Vendetta a few weeks ago and not exaggerating one bit, it was the worst meal I've had in DC. The burnt my gnocci... it was literally charred, how does that happen?
Ha, I've had a similar experience there; truely baffeling. La Grenier was heavily hyped as well and dissapoitnted with novice mistakes lately as well. I think I agree with you for the most part, there is lots of hype in the press everytime a new place opens. Seems whoever wants H street to progress faster than it is and be seen as a real destination with a plethora of fine dining options, so there are contstantly new places opening and a flood of good press to follow.
As a homeowner here, I wish these places were all great for obvious reasons (property value, ha). But the fact remains, there's good neighborhood food here, but actual fine dining options or really good restaurants are very limited and it's a disservice to advertise the area as such at this point in time.
Oh well. Has anyone tried Mitsitam cafe in the Museum of the American Indian? I've been meaning to for the longest time, but it's elluded me. Have always read good things, but never met anyone who's been.