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The Occidental
American
Olive-green velvet booths, a room that hums with the particular energy of people who might be somebody, and martinis that make a two-hour lunch feel like a reasonable life choice. Stephen Starr revived this old Washington institution near the White House into a full-service American restaurant with a menu that leans classic without apology: French dip, lobster bisque, oysters in beurre blanc. The champagne layer cake arrives frosted in pink, which somehow feels correct.
Five honors, in evidence:
The record strongest first
- Wine Enthusiast Top 50 New Restaurants
- Washingtonian The Hot List: 10 Restaurants Around DC We’re Loving Right Now
- Washingtonian Oysters With Beurre Blanc · Our Favorite Dishes of the Year in the DC Area
- Washingtonian #66 · 100 Very Best Restaurants
- Washingtonian Where to Eat Near the National Mall
One number, weighted & current 81
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
- Pigs in blankets Washingtonian, 2026
- Oysters in beurre blanc Washingtonian, 2026
- Lobster bisque Washingtonian, 2026
- Champagne layer cake Washingtonian, 2026
Nearby in the record closest first
- Willard InterContinental Stay · 74
- Hotel Washington Stay · 74
- Café du Parc French Eat · 73
- Swing's Coffee Eat · 82
- Old Ebbitt Grill American Eat · 60
- Astro Beer Hall Eat · 79
- Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab Steakhouse Eat · 78
- Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square Stay · 74
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