As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers. This year, we asked the group eight questions; all will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the week. You've already heard them discuss such categories as Best Restaurant Newcomer. Now, they name the Best Dining Neighborhood of 2013. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut and pasted herein.
[Photo: Cork Wine Bar]
Russell Warnick, food writer: Without a doubt it has to be 14th Street, there is no other neighborhood with the number of restaurant openings that has created a huge impact on DC's restaurant scene, even drawing national attention - from out-of-towners such as Stephen Starr and local chefs; Ari Gejdenson, Peter Pastan and Amy Morgan all opening up shop. With the vacant buildings dwindling I can't imagine we're going to see too many more new establishments opening in 2014, I'd reluctantly say a few closures, competition and all, but it's not easy to get a table without a hefty wait, even on a weekday, business is strong.
Michael Martinez, producer, The Kojo Nnamdi Show and The Politics Hour, WAMU 88.5: By my last count, there were 4,396 new restaurants along the 14th Street corridor. It's going to take me a while to eat at all of them, I think. Out of the new ones, I started with Ghibellina this year — and I dug it.
Jennifer Nycz-Conner, editor, Washington Business Journal: Falls Church? :) OK, really, U Street is still the "We're going out to dinner!" place.
Nevin Martell, freelance food writer (@NevinMartell) I feel obligated to state the obvious and say 14th Street. You just can't argue with a dance card stacked topped to bottom with trophy winners like Le Diplomate, G, Ghibellina, Pearl Dive, BakeHouse, Doi Moi, and Garden District. Plus, Ted's Bulletin has tip top doughnuts and there's Peregrine for a killer coffee fix.
Svetlana Legetic, co-founder and publisher, Brightest Young Things: 14th street was pretty unstoppable.
Jenna Golden, EatMore DrinkMore: 14th Street is still exploding, and it doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime in the near future.
Tim Carman, Washington Post food writer and "The $20 Diner" columnist: It's too early to say the 14th Street corridor is the "best" neighborhood for dining. There are too many newcomers who will have to prove they can flourish with the increased competition. But I would say 14th Street is the most exciting dining neighborhood. The best? I'd still give it to Penn Quarter, where you have Jaleo, Rasika, The Source, Minibar, Fiola, Proof, Zaytinya. These are still the thoroughbreds of the scene.
Prince of Petworth Dan Silverman, founder of PoPville: Logan Circle/14th Street
Stefanie Gans, Northern Virginia Magazine dining editor and critic: Dining is a strong word, but Mosaic District is the best of fast-casual with Red Apron, sweetgreen, Taylor Gourmet, Cava Mezze Grill and even the lunch counter at MOM's (insane veggie burger). And Dolcezza for dessert, duh.
Jessica Sidman, Young and Hungry columnist: 14th Street—without question.
Eun Yang, NBC4 anchor and Emmy award-winning host of Foodies DC. 14th Street/Logan Circle
Tom Sietsema, food critic, The Washington Post: Fourteenth St. NW is blessed with Etto, Le Diplomate, Doi Moi, Two Birds/One Stone, Kapnos … need I say more?
Warren Rojas, Heard on the Hill: Logan Circle was certainly the busiest.
Mary Kong-Devito, Girl Meets Food: I know most people will say Logan Circle, and it's true. There are some mighty fine options there —Pearl Dive, Kapnos, Barcelona, Cork, Etto, Ted's, The Pig...the list goes on.
Michael Birchenall, Editor and Publisher, FoodService Monthly: Since my Bowie neighborhood is a food desert, I travel everywhere for food … I'll let the urban food warriors fight for their favorite; does Union Market count as a neighborhood?
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