Gridskipper

A few weeks ago I was raving to my father-in-law about Rustico, a neighborhood restaurant in Alexandria, VA, just outside of DC. Between its 331 types of beer and new American cuisine, I figured it'd be a great place to take him on his next visit. But when I said that my favorite meal there was macaroni and cheese, he laughed. "You go to a restaurant for macaroni and cheese? How much is it?" "$16," I whimpered and his laughter intensified. You know, maybe I am a fool. But damn it, ex-editor Chris's write up of New York's best restaurants for mac and cheese was one of the most read posts of 2007 on Gridskipper. So I can't be the only idiot. Maybe as current editor John said, "All these urban sophisticates are just softies once you crack the surface." Regardless, whether you're a fool, urban softy, or yuppie who can't fathom paying $0.50 for something when you could pay $16 for it, here's are DC's best restaurants for mac and cheese. (photo)

Rustico
827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
Rustico recently switched its recipe for macaroni and cheese, going from three small different flavored servings to one larger bowl. The presentation that chef Frank Morales settled on is the best mac and cheese in the area; it includes mushrooms, pancetta, English peas and asiago ($16). Wash it down with one of Rustico's 331 beers. For dessert, try a Young's Double Chocolate Stout. (selsheikh/flickr)

Zola
800 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Don't write off the Zola Lobster Mac & Cheese ($21 as an entree at lunch, $10 as a side at dinner) as just part of the trend of sprucing up standard fare by adding in a touch of a delicacy. It's delicious, and the piece of lobster is substantial. I've often made a meal out of the mac and cheese and Zola's excellent tuna tartare. Both pair well with a martini, but what doesn't?

Equinox Restaurant
818 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006
When I mentioned to friends that I was writing a post about DC's best restaurants for macaroni and cheese, Todd Gray's Equiniox was almost universally recommended. Its baked mac and cheese, served with gruyere, black truffles, and panko crumbs, is served as a side in a small cast-iron pot ($9 at lunch, $10 at dinner).

Hank's Oyster Bar
1624 Q St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
The menu at Hank's Oyster Bar has been overhauled of late, but thankfully its Mac and Cheesy was preserved intact. Served as a side dish for $5, it's macaroni and cheese as it should be: a crunchy outside with a gooey interior. And it goes surprisingly well with oysters.

Vidalia Restaurant
1990 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20036
Despite Vidalia's high prices and stuffiness, its baked macaroni with cave-aged cheddar and smoked shoat ham ($8.50) is worth checking out. Many customers, however, preferred it in its previous incarnation, with goat cheese and truffles. (photo)

Les Halles De Paris
1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Les Halles lays on les pretenses. And its location on Pennsylvania Avenue ("Main Street, USA," as Les Halles's website declares) means it caters mostly to tourists. (Sorry Anthony Bourdain, I want to like this branch of your restaurant, but it's hard to eat there without thinking about what snide comments you'd be making.) Regardless, Les Halles's macaroni and cheese with penne pasta and gruyere with serrano ham ($10.50 at lunch, $12.50 at dinner) makes it worth a visit.

Logan Tavern
1423 P St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Logan Tavern's Crab & Shrimp Mac n' Cheese comes as a side ($5.95) or a meal ($15.95). But the side portion is so large it'll probably suffice — unless you're expecting other people at your table to partake, which is likely once they see how much you're enjoying it. And, unlike most restaurants where large servings means bad food (talking 'bout you, Bucca di Beppo and Maggiano's Little Italy), Logan Tavern's macaroni and cheese is delicious.