Gridskipper
When I told my friend that I wanted to do a post on DC's most overrated restaurants, he sagely said that there is not enough room on the Internet to list them all. It's a phenomenon I don't understand. Unrelenting praise and enormous crowds in this city are always elevating mediocre, overpriced restaurants. Could it be that Washington as a whole lacks taste? Put down your theories in the comments; in the meantime, here's a list of the worst of the worst.
Lauriol Plaza
1835 18th St NW, Washington, DC
Lauriol Plaza is the mother ship of overrated. The overpriced food here stinks, the lines are atrocious, and the service is abysmal. But this Mexican eatery continues to draw insane crowds almost every night of… the week. Even though I think this place sucks, its existence has allowed me to cultivate one of my favorite pastimes: eating an amazing meal on the roof deck of Straits of Malaya while heckling the crowds across the street. Satisfying. [link]
N 38° 54.54717 W 77° 2.29386
Sequoia
3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
The only thing that works in this Georgetown restaurant is the view. Perched on the waterfront, it's a great place to watch boats mosey down the Potomac, especially on warm summer evenings. But all that's ruined… by terrible food and service with a serious 'tude. [link]
N 38° 54.9357 W 77° 3.32750
Central
1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
Michel Richard is arguably one of the best chefs in the world, and anyone who has dined at his top-notch restaurant Citronelle knows this. So, when… Richard opened Central last year as a more casual, less expensive showcase for his genius, all of DC assumed it would be a knock out. Not so much. One friend went so far as to describe the food as "meh." Any restaurant that charges $16 for a burger and an extra $1 for cheese should not be described as "meh." [link]
N 38° 53.40202 W 77° 1.33603
Bistro Du Coin
1738 Connecticut Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20009
The bummer about Bistro is that it could be really good. The spot is great (right on Connecticut Avenue), the atmosphere is enticing (a strong Parisian feel) and the food sounds oh so appealing (steak frites, mussels,… fried goat cheese). But instead, meals are too greasy and salty, and the service is so rude — I think even most French would be appalled that one server chased me on to the sidewalk to demand a bigger tip after I waited three hours to be served, and even then didn't get what I ordered. [link]
N 38° 54.47521 W 77° 2.44163
Gerard's Place
915 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
vGerard's is "95% pretension and 5% bread basket," as another DC Gridskipper correspondent put it, and I couldn't have said it better. Indeed, a dear male friend… of mine likes to take his ladies here, as he is under the false impression that they will be more impressed by the amount of money he drops on a meal than the actual quality of the food. [link]
N 38° 54.5402 W 77° 2.959
Jaleo
480 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Jaleo is stuck in the 90s. Once upon a time, I believe it was hip place to hang out and get some good tapas. But now, the food is boring, the sangria is dull, and lines are just not worth the wait. So long, Jaleo,… DC is moving on. [link]
N 38° 53.44885 W 77° 1.18826
Comments
Ooh, can we do a similar list for NYC? I'll start: Una Pizza Napoletana has got to be the most overrated restaurant on the east coast.
I've had nothing but good experiences at du Coin...sometimes it takes a while for the waiters to get to you, but I went in expecting a lot more 'tude than was delivered. I guess it's a matter of expectations.
This town NEEDS a list like this. Attention tourists: avoid full restaurants like the plague in this town. Except for matchbox. That shit is delicious.
I'd say the opposite is true of Central. Food rules. Service meh.
Sequoia and all the other "Georgetown Waterfront" restaurants are so full of suck they are the Charybdis of the Potomac.
Sadly, in DC, it takes a new president and all their administration before the food changes. To a wave of better restaurants in 2009 *clink*, you know: CHANGE.
Jaleo? You had to include Jaleo? The tapas are still fantastic (talking 'bout you Pulpo a la Gallega), as is the sangria.
I agree about the wait, however, and that the lack of changes to the menu and ambiance has made the restaurant a bit stale. Recently I've stopped going there for dinner and treat it as a lunch place. It does better in that capacity.
1, 2, and 5 definitely: I've never been to Lauriol without getting sick afterwards, Sequoia is like Smith Point but with less self-awareness, and every time I go to Jaleo I feel like I'm reliving the same bad date from 1999 over and over again. I (heart) Bistrot du Coin, though. The steak maison is fan-fing-tastic.
Lauriol is not just the worst in DC, it may be the worst on the east coast. Yech, that place is bad bad bad.
As far as why, I honestly have no idea. Even Gore and Lieberman showed up there during the 2000 election recount. Maybe there's something in the food that is addicitve? Or it's just a natural place for losers?
I want to know where there Pope goes to eat? The YMCA?
i gotta concur with a number of other comments: bistro du coin is the shizz. tasty food and my service has always been good. there may be a wait to get a table involved, however
In D.C., we definately need to add: Zaytinya (or whatever); Ben's Chili Bowl (no screaming--we love Ben's, but, folks, it's hot dogs and chili!); Perry's (no one we know understands the appeal of this place); Oya (or whatever)--why do people go ther?; Zola (you will want to vomit once you walk through the door); McCormick and Schmick's (this is the place for you if you like $4 cold broccoli sides and $22 small clumbs of undercooked meat); Legal Seafoods (should be illegal); any place that sells "tapas" (is "tapas" Spanish for "rip you off?"); and the Inn at Little Washington (unbelievably over-priced and over-rated; it is NOT worth the trip). Just go to a small, neighborhood mom-and-pop Asian or Mexican restaurant where no entree costs more than $15, and, people, you will be happy! There's about 200 to choose from in the metropolitan area!
I have to admit I really really like Lauriol Plaza's margaritas. I know the place is crowded as hell and the food's not as good as its supposed to be, but around happy hour-time, free chips & salsa and several pitchers of margaritas are heaven - as long as you're gone before the dinner crowds start congregating.
I would have thought the "hip" factor at Lauriol wore off long ago, but apparently there's a never-ending supply of gullible 20-somethings in DC
i'd take out lauriol (their steak fajitas are pretty solid) and replace with either PS7's (bland and overpriced, even during restaurant week) sushi ko, or sette in dupont
You forgot the MOST overrated and vile of ALL DC restaurants. CAFE MILANO. If I could count the number of friends of mine (including myself) who have gotten sick from eating that dump's crap . . . this place needs to be SHUTTERED immed.
@thefrontpage: I had lunch at Zaytinya's yesterday and thought it was fantastic. slightly pricely, but fantastic. What's your problem with it?
@thefrontpage:
What is wrong with Legal Seafoods? I've been there a few times and the food was excellent; the only seafood restaurant in the Southeast that is on par with the types of seafood dishes I can get in places like San Diego/San Francisco. Where I live I'm inundated with deep fried seafood, and Legal's is a good counter to that when I'm in DC on vacation..
@CherriSpryte: Mmm, yes, the food is mediocre but the swirl margaritas are DELISH.
So many good comments! Loggerific, you make a great point about Cafe Milano. I couldn't agree more. Another restaurant I considered including is Circa. I decided not to, however, because I don't get the sense that people even believe it to be very good, thus it's not even overrated to begin with. Thoughts?
If you'd had the bacon-wrapped dates at Jaleo you would hit yourself in the face for including it on this list.
I have never like Old Ebbit Grill. I always fantasize about lynching the person who inevitably suggests it.
Also concur on the Ben's Chili Bowl - Enough Bill Cosby! Aslo - Il Radicchio. Ugh.
@thefrontpage: Why are you against good restaurants but for eating at places that give you the runs?
Raku! Raku is completely hit or miss with service and food quality, yet every time I've walked by there, it is packed.
@mujerpoder: Amen! Raku sucks SO much and you hav e a 50/50 chance of barfing after your meal. How they continue to hold that corner in Dupont is beyond me.
The reason Lauriol Plaza is as hopping as it is, is because it has a relatively clean interior with moderately tasteful decor.Did I mention the free valet parking? That certainly is a huge plus for me. The food isn't bad but then what is the alternative.
Compare it to most other mom and pop latin restaurants in the area. Usually loud mariachi and cumbia (Love this kind of music but not when I am trying to share some time with friends and family) blaring so people can't talk. Terrible service. No attention to detail and rarely do you get someone who speaks the language well enough to get your questions answered (Not a problem for me but certainly a problem for many).
And you might as well forget about good Mexican food at these places. Look Salvadorans (I am half Mexican and Salvadoran), make great pupusas, tamales, etc. But they tend to suck at making Mexican food and other Latin American foods. Why? Because they tend to Salvadoranize the food. Sorry, it ain't the same.
What about El Tamarindo down the street. That place has always been solid. And far fewer popped-collar assholes than at Lauriol.
I whole-heartedly agree with Lauriol sucking. But Ben's Chili Bowl? An African-American-owned institution that survived the riots deserves a little over-loving in my book, even if it is just hot dogs and chili. Don't forget they have tasty vegetarian options, which is a lot more than I can say for a number of other over-hyped DC restaurants.
El Tamarindo is a much better alternative to Lauriol, as is El Sol on 9th and T Sts.
El Tamarindo and El Sol are aight. They are more authentic than Lauriol. But is it really knock your socks off good? I don't really think so. But I agree, it is better than the Lauriol.
If you ask me the best latin restaurants are in the suburbs. They suck in the city.
Why go to shitfood Plaza when you get have tasty Mexican as La Lomitas on the hill (either the original or Dos).
Apart from the oysters, Ebbit is just a Clyde's clone.
Never understood Coppi's. $18 for a small pizza? Oh, it's "organic?" Okay. F*** you, and Polly's too.
Um, if you dislike Jaleo, it's probably because you've never had tapas in Spain. It's easily the most authentic in DC and it definitely rivals the many good options in NY. You're putting it on the overrated list because its food is "boring." Maybe you've become accustomed to the disgusting whorification of "tapas" here in the US, but tapas are typically quite basic - not heavily or complexly seasoned - and involve just a couple ingredients. Jaleo does its gambas in garlic, pulpo a la gallega, lamb, tortilla espanola, and many more quite well. Also, their olive oil is freaking amazing.
If anything, Jaleo could be placed on an overpriced list. Real tapas are dirt cheap. But again, that's in Spain not here.
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