Restaurants Local Chefs Escape to Right Around D.C.

They crave Chinese food and frozen custard, just like anybody else

by Warren Rojas Jun 16, 2017, 5:39pm EDT

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by Warren Rojas Jun 16, 2017, 5:39pm EDT

[Bangkok Golden]

Skipping town to go on some far-flung dining adventure is a luxury most working chefs cannot afford. But hospitality professionals have to eat, too, right?

Eater polled members of the restaurant community about the tried-and-true places they race off to for must-have meals. Some provided rather elaborate eating agendas (stay tuned.)

For this installment, Eater focused on spots within an hour drive from the District.

Grace Garden

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Thip Khao chef and former Eater Young Guns nominee Bobby Pradachith vouched for this unassuming, 12-year-old Chinese restaurant. The Baltimore Sun hailed it as “the best Chinese around” just a few years back.

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1690 Annapolis Rd, Odenton, MD 21113

410-672-3581

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Tail Up Goat

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This year-old addition to Adams Morgan is one of a handful of places James Beard Award-winning chef Mark Furstenberg told Eater he considers a staycation treat. He’s not alone. Tail Up Goat earned a Michelin star last fall and was Eater D.C’s Restaurant of the Year for 2016.

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1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, D.C.

(202) 986-9600

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Mintwood Place

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Another of Furstenberg’s staycation picks, Mintwood Place may currently be his favorite spot. “I go to Mintwood probably more frequently than to any other restaurant,” he tells Eater.

1813 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C.

(202) 234-6732

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Thai X-ing

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Furstenberg said he would gladly spend his time and money at this modest yet award-winning Thai restaurant.

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515 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

(202) 332-4322

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Kinship

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The last of Furstenberg’s staycation picks has quite the pedigree. Chef and founder Eric Ziebold is a fellow James Beard Award winner (2008). And the seasonally inspired half of his two-pronged dining operation — tasting menu-centric Metier resides below — garnered a Michelin star last fall.

1015 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.

(202) 737-7700

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Bangkok Golden

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Chef Tom Madrecki, creator of Chicago-style pizza pop-up Vin and Vic’s, and gourmet supper club Chez Le Commis, tells Eater that Bangkok Golden makes his favorite crispy rice salad.

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6395 Seven Corners Ctr, Falls Church, VA

(703) 533-9480

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A&J Restaurant

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According to Pradachith, dining at A&J is something of a family tradition. “Whenever I have time to go back to visit my parent's house in Alexandria, I always try to make my way to A&J in Annandale,” he said of the Taiwanese stronghold. “It is my favorite restaurant to go to.”

Madrecki seconded the endorsement, billing it as his source for northern Chinese cuisine.