Image: Robert Frank. Valencia 1952

This is actually two weeks in review.  Cold and flu season took out the editorial team here at 17 Degrees and we did not post much in the last week, including a week in review for last Sunday.  We’re getting back to full strength and look forward to closing out the year strong.

Updates to the Recommended Restaurant List:

No changes these past two weeks.  There are a handful of places in the queue to add in the next couple weeks.

Reviews:

Osteria Morini – After a tough year, including getting shut down for a few weeks due to fire damage, we are pleased to report that Morini is still a great spot.  The food is indulgent, the wine list is interesting and the staff is industrious.  We think it is worth the trip.

The Pembroke – We did not do a full review, but did check in on the revamped space in the Dupont Circle Hotel.  Harper McClure has taken over as the new head chef and is keeping things on track.

Other News:

The New York Times came to town to review the dining scene.  The lede of Brett Anderson’s story was hackneyed: “District of Columbia restaurants are far more interesting than [its stodgy reputation], and have been for a long time.”  Eventually we’ll be able to skip the set-up that is a decade out of date and move to the meat of the story: 10 restaurants that “serve up the ambitious, wide-ranging cooking that Washington is finally getting credit for.”  We can’t argue with its list that includes some our our favorites like: Rooster & Owl, Thip Khao, Komi, Kith/Kin, Queen’s English, Seven Reasons, and Poca Madre.

Laura Hayes did a piece on the false promise of food festivals that made me feel better for being skeptical.

Chef Johanna Hellrigl, who recently left Doi Moi, is teaming up with the Timber Pizza crew to open a Latin American spot in the West End called Mercy Me.  We expect good things.

You may have heard the Nationals won the World Series.  Along the way, José Andrés continued his trajectory to becoming a transcendent icon.

Have a great week.  And don’t forget if you are looking for a place to eat in D.C. we have 200+ recommended restaurants.  You can sort dining establishments by cuisine, neighborhood, and/or rating.  In both MAP or LIST format.

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