VA Restaurant Claims First 3-Star Michelin Rating In Region

The acclaimed Michelin restaurant guide has given a Virginia restaurant three stars, the first time a DC area restaurant has received this recognition.

Patrick O’Connell's The Inn at Little Washington earned three stars—the best a restaurant can get—after having two the previous two years. The Inn, an five-star hotel and upscale restaurant, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with various events.

"This is a wonderful distinction for The Inn at Little Washington, which celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year, said Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin Guide. in a statement. "Over several visits, our inspectors were most impressed by the balance of creative, chef-driven cuisine and impeccable technique from chef O’Connell."

The 2019 Michelin Guide for DC gave the coveted stars to 16 restaurants in the region. Other notable ratings were José Andrés' minibar and Aaron Silverman's Pineapple and Pearls maintaining two stars. Bresca and Siren by RW, which opened last fall, got their first one-star ratings.

Michelin inspectors regularly review restaurants and hotels to determine the best experiences to recommend to visitors and residents alike. Criteria include quality of products, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the chef's personality reflected in the cuisine, value for the money and consistency between visits.

DC's Michelin Guide has been published for three years.

Here are all of the DC area restaurants receiving stars in the 2019 Michelin Guide:

Three Stars

• The Inn at Little Washington

Two Stars

• minibar
• Pineapple and Pearls

One Star

• Blue Duck Tavern
• Bresca
• The Dabney
• Fiola
• Kinship
• Komi
• Masseria
• Métier
• Plume
• Rose’s Luxury
• Siren by RW
• Sushi Taro
• Tail Up Goat

Image courtesy The Inn at Little Washington