Call 2016 the year of the tasting menu. Several chefs, both new and veteran, are offering multi-course, prix fixe menus. And no two tasting menu experiences are quite the same.
There's the very fancy and pricey (think Pineapple and Pearls or Metier). And then there are the come-as-you-are "value" meals at places like Boundary Road or Hazel.
While the tasting menu concept is nothing new, it seems more chefs have gotten in on the game. And there's no end in sight. In November, Chef Kwame Onwuachi is willing to bet that D.C. can stomach a $1,000 tasting menu for two.
So why exactly do D.C. chef's continue to gamble on tasting menus? One big reason is control. With a tasting menu, chefs are able to explore food in both a creative and constrained way. It also gives the kitchen time to develop a routine on dishes that may very well come to define the restaurant's reputation.
And whether it's three, six, eight, or 15 courses, chefs are ready to deliver a dining experience driven by their own unique interests. This map focuses on the newest ones in town; looking for something more tried and true? Consider these classics.
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