The New York Times has released its list of the top 46 places to visit in 2013 worldwide, and sitting among tropical getaways and exotic locals is Washington, DC—but the reason DC makes the list might surprise you.
The area’s food scene, not its world-class museums, place DC at No. 44 on The Times' list. “A new food scene to welcome a renewed administration,” reads the title on DC’s listing. After years of snarky restaurant competition between the cultural capital of the United States and the country’s actual capital city, has an olive branch been extended?
Times writer Ann Mah points out several DC establishments, including Northeast’s new Union Market, Mike Isabella’s Italian restaurant Graffito, H Street’s Toki Underground and Dupont Circle’s Little Serow. DC museums do get a nod with the mention of the Smithsonian’s new permanent exhibit, “Food: Transforming America’s Table 1950-2000.”
DC is one of seven U.S. cities listed in the rankings—and the last one mentioned at No. 44, so maybe some of that NYC-DC competition is still there.
Do you think DC deserves to be on the list? What do you consider the area’s best food scene?
Ken Goldsmith
6:51 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Yes, Washington belongs on the list. But the list selections overall and the reasons for inclusions are examples why New York Times is no longer the harbinger of the "cultural capital."
Pachacutec
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
When you think of it, we DO have a great variety of places to eat around here, just about every type of cuisine you can think of. And even if the restaurants aren't fancy, we can dine on Salvadorean, Thai, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Indian, etc., and the restaurants are all in town or a short drive away. The article briefly mentions our museums; don't count THEM out if you're in DC, either; my particular fave is the Museum of the American Indian; not only a world class museum, but their cafe is fantastic. A bit on the pricey side to be sure, but when you can dine on planked salmon, grilled bison, etc., well, it's a far cry from those dried-out hot dogs and sandwiches that museums used to serve when I was a kid!
Jenni Pompi
11:51 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I always tell folks how lucky I am to live in such close proximity to great food and great culture in DC.