Best of Arlington 2016
Editor’s Picks
Dishes to Die For
Restaurant critic David Hagedorn recounts the best things he ate in 2015 on our side of the Potomac.
Photo by Jonathan Timmes
The dish: Dry-fried eggplant with Sichuan peppercorns, chilies, cilantro and scallions
The place: Peter Chang Arlington
The verdict: Master chef Peter Chang achieves perfection from the fryer with these batons, which are boldly seasoned and crispy on the outside, pillowy and piping hot on the inside. They’re the potato chips of Sichuan cooking. Good luck eating just one. peterchangarlington.com
The dish: Rabbit duo of braised leg and roasted stuffed saddle with peas and Provencal tomato sauce
The place: 2941 Restaurant
The verdict: This is the kind of dish that makes you appreciate French technique and the finesse of a chef like Bertrand Chemel. Nuanced, sophisticated, seasonal and loaded with flavor. www.2941.com
Photo by Jonathan Timmes
The dish: Carolina trout with chanterelles and hollandaise sauce
The place: Brine
The verdict: Moist, delicate and sweet, the fish tastes like it just came out of the water. The earthy chanterelles and hollandaise sauce are lush bonuses that enhance every bite. www.brinerestaurants.com
Photo by Jonathan Timmes
The dish: Pizza fritta stuffed with fresh mozzarella, ricotta and spicy salami
The place: Pupatella
The verdict: When you cut into this large, crescent-shaped, deep-fried pizza, the cheese oozes out and conspires with the golden dough to render you powerless. www.pupatella.com
Photo by Jonathan Timmes
The dish: Whole spit-roasted lamb shoulder
The place: Kapnos Taverna
The verdict: A massive board of tender lamb, crackly and juicy from the spit, yearning to be stuffed into warm pita and slathered with tzatziki and harissa. It’s heaven. kapnostaverna.com
