DC's Top 5 Restaurants In New Rankings May Surprise You

WASHINGTON, DC -- Restaurant ratings site Renzell has just released their latest listings for 11 metropolitan areas in the United States. You'll notice some familiar names at the top of the list for the District, as well as a few surprises.

Jose Andres' minibar tops the list with a score of 96.14 out of 100, but up-and-comer Pineapple and Pearls is nipping at its heels with a score of 96.04. The restaurants were ranked out of eight categories: cocktails, design, food, hospitality, service, value, vibe, and wine/sake/beer.

Minibar was tops among all D.C. restaurants in cocktails, design, and vibe, while Pineapple and Pearls was No. 1 for food and service.

The top restaurant in terms of hospitality came in 3rd on the list: Plume, which is located in the Jefferson hotel and scored a 95.20. Rounding out the top five were Thip Khao, which was rated the restaurant with the best value, and Fiola.

The last restaurant to get No. 1 in a category -- Decanter, for wine/sake/beer -- ranked No. 25 overall on the list with a score of 89.49.

Here is Renzell's top five, and their brief summary of each:

1. minibar

"Minibar is mini, but it's more than some prepackaged goods in a hotel fridge. The unique science-y approach is all froths and meringues and theatrical presentations that will wow your senses."

2. Pineapple and Pearls

"There are several seating options—dining room, chef's counter, and the bar—at Pineapple and Pearls, but only one meal. The fifteen or so dishes are innovative without being showy."

3. Plume

"We're not sure what was grown at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate, but it was apparently good enough to be the inspiration for Plume's menu in the Jefferson hotel."

4. Thip Khao

"Chef and owner Seng Luangrath fled Laos during the Vietnam war and ended up in a Thai refugee camp. She has subsequently wowed the DC area with Thai and Laotian food."

5. Fiola

"Fabio, who grew up on a poor farm, has turned dirt into gold at Fiola. The sumptuous room is followed by sumptuous prix fixe menu made up of pasta, flora, and sea and land sections."

You can view the full list here.

Image via minibar