washingtonpost.com Presents Tom Sietsema's 2008 Dining Guide

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2008

Guide Lists Best Places to Eat in D.C. Area, Showcases Local Dining Trends

Citronelle Loses Star; Komi Ranks Four Stars; "White Hot" Ray's Hell-Burger Featured in Video

WASHINGTON -- washingtonpost.com, an award-winning news and information Web site, today launches the 2008 Annual Dining Guide from Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema. After visiting over 110 local restaurants, Sietsema reviews more than 40 places in the D.C. area that he recommends as "sound culinary investments" and reports on three major dining trends in the region: wine bars, burger joints and pizza places.

"In this year's Dining Guide, Tom Sietsema presents a snapshot of dining in D.C., giving users the best restaurants to eat at right now," said Nancy Kerr, assistant managing editor for features at washingtonpost.com. "Taking into account the current economy, all of these places are certain bets for a good meal amid uncertain economic times."

The 9th annual Dining Guide features restaurants from across the region that are of varying price, rating and cuisine. Of the restaurants on the list, two fast-casual establishments made the cut: South African chain Nando's Peri-Peri and Georgetown's Tackle Box. Both offer affordable food that is grilled to order.

The list also features two major changes in star ratings. One of the area's most renowned restaurants, Michel Richard Citronelle, moved from four stars down to three due to poor service that overshadowed the meal. Komi, on the other hand, earned a star and joined the ranks of the four-star restaurants in town.

For the first time in the Dining Guide, Sietsema focuses on trends in the local dining scene: reporting on the best wine bars, pizza parlors and burger joints in D.C. A video offers an in-depth look at the patty-making process at Ray's Hell-Burger, one of the burger places described as "white hot" in Sietsema's guide.

Users can also sort Sietsema's top picks in a way that best suits their needs: browsing the restaurants by location, cuisine or star rating. The reviews are archived in washingtonpost.com's City Guide, which lets readers easily make online reservations.

To see Tom Sietsema's 2008 Dining Guide, go to: www.washingtonpost.com/diningguide or pick up this Sunday's Washington Post Magazine.

Tom Sietsema will discuss his Dining Guide on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 11 am ET during his live discussion on washingtonpost.com.

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