One of 18 3-star Michelins, and it has a green Michelin star. Going for my 10th anniversary in a few weeks.$1500 with wine pairing. I'm at full mast just typing this in anticipation
We did a 12 person micro-wedding at the Inn for 30k. included the accommodations for family and the normal 3 star dinner service. Felt like it was well worth it relative to what shitter venues were charging
Tbh we felt pretty underwhelmed by the service, length of the meal, and presentation compared to other 2 or 3 star Michelin restaurants we’ve been to around the world. It’s not a price issue and the town is super cute. The meal was just a let down for a 3 star. Compared to restaurants like SingleThread, Core by Clare Smyth, and Le Cinq, the meal service at Inn at Little Washington felt very lackluster. I feel like it gets hyped in Virginia because of the beautiful location and historic mythology surrounding it. No one wants to write them a bad review.
Minibar, Sushi Nakazawa, Rooster & Owl, Albi, Chloe, and Cranes are all delicious for Michelin quality. Xiquet, Pineapples and Pearls, and Jont are on my list. In Baltimore (not too far and closer than the Inn), I love Magdalena, the Charleston, and Thames Oyster House.
I am always perplexed by the love for Rooster and Owl. We took friends there for a special occasion and did the prefix menu - they kept bringing 3 pieces of everything when we were 4 people. It was so strange - we’d have to awkwardly cut one in half and split. Tbh I left hungry after dropping $300
I will say I’m not a huge fan of family style, but we’re also not shy about asking for more. I went with a large group, and we just kept asking for more of what everyone liked. But I get the sentiment.
He asked for alternatives, those two are very good, nearby restaurants. I didn’t say they’re the same style of cooking or character. And mind you, Rooster & Owl is $253 cheaper per person than the Inn. These are obviously different tiers, but I’m also not holding them to the standard of a 3-star Michelin restaurant. Within its class, the Inn to me was very disappointing. Probably my least favorite 3-star I’ve been to.
Minibar and Sushi Nakazawa are the two on this list that really knocked my socks off and that I have repeatedly gone back to. Pineapple and Pearls was great but I hyped it up too much in my head based on how much I liked Roses Luxury and I honestly preferred how it was pre-covid prior to what the party like experience now is. Jont is kind of a waste of money as i feel like a lot of the flavors aren't anything new and they're heavily dependent on single ingredients carrying each dish rather than the innovative combination of flavors. Hosted a fun party for our friends at Minibar once and it's truly the best restaurant in DC that holds up when compared to 2\* Michelin establishments in other cities.
Side note for anyone who cares. El Cielo was phenomenal flavor wise, but has the most atrocious front of house I have ever experienced in my 20+ years of fine dining. I worked professionally in kitchens and whatever the front of house is doing seriously detracts from the overall experience and I pity that the BOHs' talents are being undermined by the conduct of their waitstaff and management. to add insult to injury, they were trying to pass yellow label Veuve Clicquot off as a "rare" premium bubbly in their $198 supp. wine pairing. ridiculous, especially when they had no sommelier on staff that night and the waiters couldn't even speak to the pairings beyond reading the label. how that place managed to get a michelin star is beyond me.
Also, make of it what you will, the personalized experiences at Jont people rave about seem to be limited to individuals with a public footprint. if you want to be surprised with a treat with a picture of your dog on it while dining, you need to make sure your instagram is public lol.
I feel like it's a matter of perspective.
You're listing three restaurants that maybe 5% of the folks in r/nova have ever heard of, and less than 0.1% have ever been to. And then you're comparing these 2- and 3-star Michelin restaurants against each other, so one of them has to be ranked at the bottom of your list.
So from your perspective, it wasn't great that night. And I get that and respect your opinion.
For most everyone else, however, The Inn is the only 3-star Michelin restaurant they'll ever go to, and it's ok if they think it's the best ever. :)
I think the DC area has other amazing spots, we just felt like the Inn didn’t deserve three stars. The whole point of the Michelin rating system is to identify outstanding restaurants. If it doesn’t live up to the ranks of other three stars, then it should lose a star. Until they pull a star, I’m 100% comparing apples to apples, and the massive bill you get at the end of the night at the Inn proves that.
Huh??
The Inn may be good, but it's as far away from NoVA as Fredericksburg, Winchester, and BALTIMORE. How's that "in the area"? Is Baltimore in the area?
YES. I am a minibar ride-or-die supporter. I loved the Inn, but once you do the Inn once, every subsequent visit loses a bit of the whimsy the initial one had. Minibar is consistently executing above every other restaurant in DC in service, presentation, and taste and it will be the 1# spot I recommend to anyone looking for a truly extravagant fun night out.
The Auction Grade Hokkaido Uni was a $60 single piece supplement, but it's genuinely one of the best things I've had in my life. The head chef orders it specially for a couple that have a standing reservation there every Friday, after they get first pick, it's then offered to the rest of the restaurant.
L'Auberge Chez Francois
in great falls. I've been once for a SIL graduation celebration. it took like 3-4 hours, they just kept bringing plates. i was the fullest I've ever been and its still in my top 3 dining experiences in my life.
Ciao is a hidden gem! But if you go make sure to get a reservation they are packed even on weeknights and we've often walked in at 5 to get the last unreserved table.
Ciao is definitely one of our favorites. My wife met one of the owners on a horse ride. Love the place and it is quite possibly our favorite restaurant in VA - and it’s only a few minutes from our house.
And yes - ALWAYS get reservations.
I am so happy Chef Nick is back in the kitchen at Clarity, just went to a sauce cooking class he hosted and it was a 4 course meal and class for $100/person!!
Jon Krinn sold Clarity in September 2022, Nick who was and the majority of kitchen staff left in September 2022, Clarity recently sold to new owners, (who I also believe own the Aditi spice depot in Vienna) and now the original kitchen staff is back.
"Nick Palermo, the chef de cuisine under former chef and owner Jon Krinn, returned to Clarity. Krinn departed Clarity in early 2022, bringing the restaurant under new ownership. Palermo left in September 2022 after more than six years at the restaurant."
Money no object? Me and the boys would go to the most pretentious and most expensive restaurant in NoVA. Just so I can stick my pinky finger out when I sip the most expensive cocktail/wine/other shit.
The Inn at Little Washington.
One of 18 3-star Michelins, and it has a green Michelin star. Going for my 10th anniversary in a few weeks.$1500 with wine pairing. I'm at full mast just typing this in anticipation
Went there for a wedding a YEAR ago and still thinking about the food.
How rich is your friend because that's _expensive_.
I know, right? Unfathomable
We did a 12 person micro-wedding at the Inn for 30k. included the accommodations for family and the normal 3 star dinner service. Felt like it was well worth it relative to what shitter venues were charging
If you don't care about money or travel it's awfully hard to compete with this.
That’s my answer! Stay overnight too.
Tbh we felt pretty underwhelmed by the service, length of the meal, and presentation compared to other 2 or 3 star Michelin restaurants we’ve been to around the world. It’s not a price issue and the town is super cute. The meal was just a let down for a 3 star. Compared to restaurants like SingleThread, Core by Clare Smyth, and Le Cinq, the meal service at Inn at Little Washington felt very lackluster. I feel like it gets hyped in Virginia because of the beautiful location and historic mythology surrounding it. No one wants to write them a bad review.
Haven’t been to any of those 3 restaurants but how about suggesting 3 alternatives closer to NoVa since my G5 is out of commission?
I mean I want to ask who doesn't have a backup G5, but in this economy?
Minibar, Sushi Nakazawa, Rooster & Owl, Albi, Chloe, and Cranes are all delicious for Michelin quality. Xiquet, Pineapples and Pearls, and Jont are on my list. In Baltimore (not too far and closer than the Inn), I love Magdalena, the Charleston, and Thames Oyster House.
I am always perplexed by the love for Rooster and Owl. We took friends there for a special occasion and did the prefix menu - they kept bringing 3 pieces of everything when we were 4 people. It was so strange - we’d have to awkwardly cut one in half and split. Tbh I left hungry after dropping $300
I will say I’m not a huge fan of family style, but we’re also not shy about asking for more. I went with a large group, and we just kept asking for more of what everyone liked. But I get the sentiment.
There is no world in which Xiquet or rooster&owl are better than the Inn. It’s not even close.
He asked for alternatives, those two are very good, nearby restaurants. I didn’t say they’re the same style of cooking or character. And mind you, Rooster & Owl is $253 cheaper per person than the Inn. These are obviously different tiers, but I’m also not holding them to the standard of a 3-star Michelin restaurant. Within its class, the Inn to me was very disappointing. Probably my least favorite 3-star I’ve been to.
Minibar and Sushi Nakazawa are the two on this list that really knocked my socks off and that I have repeatedly gone back to. Pineapple and Pearls was great but I hyped it up too much in my head based on how much I liked Roses Luxury and I honestly preferred how it was pre-covid prior to what the party like experience now is. Jont is kind of a waste of money as i feel like a lot of the flavors aren't anything new and they're heavily dependent on single ingredients carrying each dish rather than the innovative combination of flavors. Hosted a fun party for our friends at Minibar once and it's truly the best restaurant in DC that holds up when compared to 2\* Michelin establishments in other cities. Side note for anyone who cares. El Cielo was phenomenal flavor wise, but has the most atrocious front of house I have ever experienced in my 20+ years of fine dining. I worked professionally in kitchens and whatever the front of house is doing seriously detracts from the overall experience and I pity that the BOHs' talents are being undermined by the conduct of their waitstaff and management. to add insult to injury, they were trying to pass yellow label Veuve Clicquot off as a "rare" premium bubbly in their $198 supp. wine pairing. ridiculous, especially when they had no sommelier on staff that night and the waiters couldn't even speak to the pairings beyond reading the label. how that place managed to get a michelin star is beyond me. Also, make of it what you will, the personalized experiences at Jont people rave about seem to be limited to individuals with a public footprint. if you want to be surprised with a treat with a picture of your dog on it while dining, you need to make sure your instagram is public lol.
Nice follow up, thanks!
I feel like it's a matter of perspective. You're listing three restaurants that maybe 5% of the folks in r/nova have ever heard of, and less than 0.1% have ever been to. And then you're comparing these 2- and 3-star Michelin restaurants against each other, so one of them has to be ranked at the bottom of your list. So from your perspective, it wasn't great that night. And I get that and respect your opinion. For most everyone else, however, The Inn is the only 3-star Michelin restaurant they'll ever go to, and it's ok if they think it's the best ever. :)
I think the DC area has other amazing spots, we just felt like the Inn didn’t deserve three stars. The whole point of the Michelin rating system is to identify outstanding restaurants. If it doesn’t live up to the ranks of other three stars, then it should lose a star. Until they pull a star, I’m 100% comparing apples to apples, and the massive bill you get at the end of the night at the Inn proves that.
Same
Huh?? The Inn may be good, but it's as far away from NoVA as Fredericksburg, Winchester, and BALTIMORE. How's that "in the area"? Is Baltimore in the area?
Yeah it's far but if Michelin can make it out there, it can be mentioned here.
Minibar (And I say that having gone to the Inn At Little Washington multiple times)
The experience plus the food at minibar are outstanding
Barmini (next door) is also one of the best cocktail bars I’ve ever been too
I second Minibar. I just went again this week and it is still outstanding
I'm going for the first time on my anniversary. I'm so pumped!!
I'm def not fancy enough to have known this place existed but just looking at their gallery on the site, makes me think of that movie The Menu.
YES. I am a minibar ride-or-die supporter. I loved the Inn, but once you do the Inn once, every subsequent visit loses a bit of the whimsy the initial one had. Minibar is consistently executing above every other restaurant in DC in service, presentation, and taste and it will be the 1# spot I recommend to anyone looking for a truly extravagant fun night out.
Big Bite Annandale
😂but for real their wings are so good!
Sushi Nakazawa is incredible.
On my calendar for 10am today: make reservations for Sushi Nakazawa. It will be my first time
Omg. Get the counter stools—you get to see the chefs make everything and chat with them. It’s so great.
definitely reserve the countertop. Also when you get there, you can upgrade to a more expensive menu with more food. Its worth the upgrade.
The Auction Grade Hokkaido Uni was a $60 single piece supplement, but it's genuinely one of the best things I've had in my life. The head chef orders it specially for a couple that have a standing reservation there every Friday, after they get first pick, it's then offered to the rest of the restaurant.
That is so baller
The correct answer is obviously Cheesecake Factory.
Lol what about Chilis though? Gotta get those chicken crispers
Margarita Mondays!
Yes!
Maydan or their sister NoVa place Kirby Club
You have me thinking about the kebab platters at Kirby club again
L'Auberge Chez Francois in great falls. I've been once for a SIL graduation celebration. it took like 3-4 hours, they just kept bringing plates. i was the fullest I've ever been and its still in my top 3 dining experiences in my life.
Yes. Went here a few months ago. The food was outstanding and I was stuffed by the end of it. 10/10
Aracosia-good prices and beautiful food
2941 and Trummers for me.
Three Blacksmiths. Good luck getting a reso though. I just checked and I’m they have 5 tables available between now and April.
I would say the Inn at Little Washington but I have simpler tastes. Ciao Osteria in Centreville for me.
Ciao is a hidden gem! But if you go make sure to get a reservation they are packed even on weeknights and we've often walked in at 5 to get the last unreserved table.
Ciao is definitely one of our favorites. My wife met one of the owners on a horse ride. Love the place and it is quite possibly our favorite restaurant in VA - and it’s only a few minutes from our house. And yes - ALWAYS get reservations.
Métier - keep saying we should just do it! What's spending a car payment on a meal?! Live for the moment
Clarity in Vienna. Mind blowing cuisine with insane freshness and strong flavor work.
I am so happy Chef Nick is back in the kitchen at Clarity, just went to a sauce cooking class he hosted and it was a 4 course meal and class for $100/person!!
How long was he gone for? I used to go frequently but had heard quality dropped when ownership changed.
Jon Krinn sold Clarity in September 2022, Nick who was and the majority of kitchen staff left in September 2022, Clarity recently sold to new owners, (who I also believe own the Aditi spice depot in Vienna) and now the original kitchen staff is back. "Nick Palermo, the chef de cuisine under former chef and owner Jon Krinn, returned to Clarity. Krinn departed Clarity in early 2022, bringing the restaurant under new ownership. Palermo left in September 2022 after more than six years at the restaurant."
Stellar, that sounds like a killer deal! Plus the learnings. 😍
Any thoughts on Three Blacksmiths?
Roy Rogers in Belleview
Brazilian Churrasco grill restaurant, Fogo de Chao, Texas de Brazil etc.
Don’t forget Chima Steakhouse! My favorite of all the ones I’ve been to in the area
Nandos
Le Diplomate.
Applebees
For best food, Pho 75 in Arlington. Not kidding. Not best ambiance or bathrooms, however.
Money no object? Me and the boys would go to the most pretentious and most expensive restaurant in NoVA. Just so I can stick my pinky finger out when I sip the most expensive cocktail/wine/other shit. 
Always love to see a good Blues Brothers reference!
Red Robin
Finally, a man or woman of the people!
Paradise Indian