Hospitality Observers Discuss 2017’s Biggest Dining Surprise

As per tradition, Eater asked a group of restaurant critics, journalists, bloggers, and friends of the site to weigh in on the year in food. Here, they discuss the most stunning developments.

Stefanie Gans, Northern Virginia Magazine restaurant critic and dining editor: “Why is poke still a thing? We care about so many other agricultural and animal husbandry practices, shouldn’t we be concerned about the tuna population? Call me when there’s ‘trash fish’ poke.”

Nevin Martell, DC Modern Luxury dining editor: “The fact that people care where Jared [Kushner] and Ivanka [Trump] dine out.”

Laura Hayes, Washington City Paper food editor: “Michelin failing to invest any resources into exploring more of the D.C. dining scene than it did the previous year before proceeding to publish nearly the same text with few updates.”

Tom Sietsema, Washington Post restaurant critic: “Mirabelle opened with such promise, then devolved into something I didn’t recognize as Frank Ruta’s style.”

Lori Gardner, Been There, Eaten That: “Fine/fast casual like ChiKo. And, I never expected to fall in love with the veggie burger at Shouk.”

David Hagedorn, Arlington Magazine/Bethesda Magazine dining columnist: “The swiftness of the Shaw Bijou’s demise.”

Rina Rapuano, Zagat DC/freelance food writer: “An amazing meal in the exurbs of MoCo at Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana; a surprisingly modern and delicious meal at L’Auberge Provencale out in Boyce, Va.; and a wonderfully decadent lunch at Joselito Casa de Comidas.”

Don Rockwell, DC Dining: “Carrot pastrami at Rose's Luxury, which tasted more like pastrami than 95 percent of all pastrami I've ever eaten.”

Jessica Sidman, Washingtonian food editor:: “The downfall of revered chefs because of sexual abuse allegations. Oh wait, I'm not surprised at all.”

Tim Carman, Washington Post food writer: “Sushi Nakazawa, a four-star restaurant in New York, decides to open a second location in the Trump International Hotel. Given the political climate in the country and the allegations of sexual harassment against the president, it seems a strangely risky move. The owner, Alessandro Borgognone, has already had to do a lot of damage control — for the decision on location and for his own disparaging comments about D.C. dining.”