Tom Sietsema Drops His 2012 Spring Dining Guide

Today was the long-awaited drop of Tom Sietsema's annual Spring Dining Guide for which he revisited 15 restaurants, some that have undergone chef shuffles or revamps and others that Sietsema hadn't reviewed in some time, or, in one case, ever. A third of the restaurants received one star or less, with O'Learys in Annapolis and the Foggy Bottom Founding Farmers location both getting slammed with just a half-star — the latter Sietsema dubs "Alice Waters' nightmare." At the top end, meanwhile, Sietsema awards Blue Duck Tavern three sparklers under new chef Sebastien Archambault's direction, the same rating he gives the newly renovated Jaleo.

Another interesting tidbit from the guide is that Sietsema hasn't visited Le Vieux Logis in Bethesda since he became a critic in 2000 — the last critique the Post has on file is from Phyllis Richman in 1996. That said, maybe the restaurant was better off without a drop-by from Sietsema, nabbing just a single star for food that "tastes dated."

Bar Pilar: 1 star
Bartlett Pear Inn: 2 stars
Blue Duck Tavern: 3 stars
Cork: 2.5 stars
Eventide: 2 stars
Founding Farmers: 1/2 star
New Heights: 2.5 stars
Trummer's on Main: 2.5 stars
Le Vieux Logis: 1 star
Mourayo: 2 stars
Pizzeria Orso: 2 stars
O'Learys Seafood Restaurant: 1/2 star
Passionfish: 1 star
Jaleo: 3 stars
Ray's the Steaks: 2.5 stars

· Tom Sietsema's Spring Dining Guide [WaPo]
· All Previous Tom Sietsema Coverage [-EDC-]