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Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime
Etto is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

1. Etto

7.9
1541 14th St NW (at Q St NW), Washington, D.C.
Italian Restaurant · Logan Circle - Shaw · 43 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: Etto's dough is made with freshly milled wheat, a touch of spelt and fermented fresh yeast. Of the six toppings available, my favorite: cauliflower, pine nuts, anchovies and garlicky bread crumbs. Read more.

Ethiopic is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

2. Ethiopic

7.9
401 H St NE (at 4th St NE), Washington, D.C.
Ethiopian Restaurant · Near Northeast · 49 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: ** stars in Tom Sietsema's Fall Dining Guide 2011 ("The city's best source for kitfo -- Ethiopia's fiery, butter-splashed version of steak tartare," writes Tom.) http://wapo.st/pFL1z9

Et Voila is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

3. Et Voila

8.3
5120 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, D.C.
Belgian Restaurant · Palisades · 26 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: Every neighborhood deserves an Et Voila!, a source of Belgian steamed mussels and beer-based beef stew that is priced for regular workdays.

Little Serow is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

4. Little Serow

1511 17th St NW (at Church St NW), Washington, D.C.
Thai Restaurant · Northwest Washington · 58 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: This underground, 28-seat restaurant specializes in the hot, sour and herby notes of northeastern Thailand, doesn't take reservations and offers only a seven-course, family-style menu.

Mintwood Place is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

5. Mintwood Place

1813 Columbia Rd NW (at Biltmore St NW), Washington, D.C.
New American Restaurant · Adams Morgan · 93 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: Ask for the burrata appetizer. Made with 3 kinds of kale (one flash-fried for crunch), sweet apples, smoky nuts and tart tamarind-honey dressing, it's a vegetarian capable of satisfying any carnivore. Read more.

Rasika is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

6. Rasika

9.0
633 D St NW (at 7th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Indian Restaurant · Penn Quarter · 193 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: Rasika's sev batata puri is the real deal. The crispy little rounds of bread are topped with potato, sour raw mango and crunchy threads of fried chickpea batter. Read more.

The Source by Wolfgang Puck is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

7. The Source by Wolfgang Puck

575 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Asian Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 88 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: During dim-sum service, grab the duck bao buns. Slivers of moist duck are tucked into doughy Chinese steamed buns and paired with crunchy cucumbers. The duck takes 3 days to make and it shows. Read more.

Vidalia is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

8. Vidalia

1990 M St NW (at 20th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Southern Food Restaurant · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 38 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: 3 stars in Tom Sietsema's Fall Dining Guide 2011. "The city's most sophisticated Southern lair," writes Tom. http://wapo.st/pqnogz

Woodberry Kitchen is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

9. Woodberry Kitchen

9.0
2010 Clipper Park Rd (btwn Clipper & Parkdale), Baltimore, MD
New American Restaurant · Woodberry · 209 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: The best restaurant in Baltimore gets to that lofty place by not just meeting, but exceeding, expectations from year to year.

Zentan is one of Tom Sietsema: Where I'd eat on my own dime.

10. Zentan

6.9
1155 14th St NW (at Massachusetts Ave.), Washington, D.C.
Asian Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 70 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: Nguyen’s Reuben sandwich swaps duck (“my favorite protein,” says the chef) and kimchi for corned beef and sauerkraut. Sweetly seasoned duck + the fiery slaw mixes pleasure with pain. Hotheads rejoice. Read more.