Spanish-American superstar chef José Andrés is busier than ever: his America Eats Tavern opened in June at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, Va. (we’re dying to try his chicken and dumplings, she-crab soup, and foie gras s’mores), and a highly-anticipated Chinese-Peruvian concept, China Chilcano, is in the works for D.C. We were lucky enough to snag a few minutes of his time and ask for his top eats in and around Our Nation’s Capital.
“I usually eat breakfast at home with my daughters, but when I do go out, the Willard Hotel has a great brunch. I remember going there during Christmas for the first time for high tea. The French toast is great there, and I love the eggs benedict.
“I like to go to the oyster bar at Clyde’s. It's a busy place, but nobody bothers you there. I order the Olympia oysters from the West coast, as well as local Rappahannocks.
“For a quick snack, I like to stop at the Bethesda Crab House and have a couple of quick crabs with a beer, about 20 minutes outside the city. The ambience is as low-key as it gets.
“Sweetgreen is a new fast food chain but it serves all kinds of pre-made salads using local greens and produce. This is the kind of restaurant that will stop being called “fast food”—instead, it will be called “fast good.” I also like chef Katsuya Fukushima’s Daikaya—which serves both ramen and Japanese tapas.
“I think we have some of the best ice cream and gelato in America. The place I like best is Dolcezza. They buy a lot of their ingredients in the local farmers markets, and the purity of the flavors is unbelievable. Their salted caramel is to die for.
“David Batista’s All Souls is a great place—it’s the only bar here where you can bring in foods from outside. They’re small, but they’re a hardcore cocktail place.
“The lobster roll from Red Hook Lobster Pound truck. I think the food truck community has been very powerful here. It’s brought so much life to many parks and areas that were dead before.”
