Food Washington

Grillfish
1200 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 - 202-331-7310
www.Grillfishdc.com

 
This might be one of the easiest reviews ever.  Grillfish is exactly what it says it is.  In a town filled with politicians and other people who make their living treading the fine line between one side and the other and dodging labels, Grillfish is a bit of a breath of fresh air.  Unpretentious and cozy, the dining room is well sized and feels cavernous. It seemed like a place where you could go for a casual business outing but also a place where you would feel right at home for a nice family dinner out. I especially enjoyed the fact that their menu was simple. True to the name, there was fish; all kinds of fish, offered grilled or blackened.  For all the non-fish eaters out there Grillfish also offered a fair amount of seafood free dishes. With a name like Grillfish though, you really shouldn’t bother going if you’re not into fish.  I find this place to be a great healthy-ish option around town.  Fish is widely known to be a healthier type of meat rich with all sorts of unpronounceable nutrients, and grilling is widely known to be one of the healthiest ways to prepare food.

 
I don’t want to set a newish precedent and start writing about chain restaurants. Grillfish has locations in Miami and other places on the east coast. I want to make an exception though because this place is worth checking out if you enjoy seafood.  Their options alone warrant a visit, and while it may not be the best fish in town it certainly is a solid experiment in simple dining: The kind of dining this town really needs to start embracing.

Price: $$ (around 20 for an entree)

Cafe Milano
3251 Prospect St., NW - Washington, DC 20007 - 202 333-6183
http://www.cafemilano.net

A lot of DC heavy hitters already know about Café Milano and for good reason.  It is one of the few restaurants in DC where the buzz is actually deserved. It has a nice atmosphere albeit the place can be loud and less than intimate but nonetheless the cuisine is quite good and you’ll be surrounded with some of DC’s most influential. With dishes named Tortelloni Gucci and Ravioli Cavalli it is best to bring someone you hope to impress.  Much like their name sakes the dishes can be a tad on the pricey side and there is no Marshall’s equivalent for Café Milano’s food.  I tried the black bass served with potato, purple cabbage, fennel and a creamy olive oil sauce.  It was quite tasty and sleep inducing.  True to Italian tradition and stereotype the portions are fairly generous and go well with a bottle from their wine list. Café Milano also tends to be a favourite of people in from out of town, think Tom Cruise, Jessica Simpson, Lionel Richie. So it’s great if you want to try your hand at celeb spotting. So fix up. Look sharp. Bring a date. Enjoy.

Price: $$$$  ($30-40 entrees)