4 VA, DC Restaurants Among The Top 100 In U.S., New Ranking Says

VIRGINIA — Two restaurants in Virginia and two in Washington, D.C., were among OpenTable’s "Top 100" list, which included everything from a Whiskey and Ramen joint in Anchorage, Alaska, to a large pink tavern in Savannah, Georgia, and even an Eiffel Tower-themed eatery overlooking the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

The list, released Wednesday, features an updated methodology using OpenTable diner reviews and new metrics, the company said in a news release. It includes some of the hottest, in-demand restaurants in the country.

Here are the restaurants that earned a spot from Virginia and DC. One note: If you plan to celebrate at one of the restaurants, make your reservations now.

Virginia

L’Auberge Chez Francois – Great Falls, VA

The French venue at 332 Springvale Road in Great Falls was founded by Chef François Haeringer in 1976, and became a family business. Today, L’Auberge Chez François is family-run, with sons Paul in front of the house and Jacques as executive chef. The restaurant is known for marriage proposals, celebrations of all kinds, and family memories.

L’Opossum – Richmond, VA

Located at 626 China St., Chef David Shannon creates contemporary American and French cuisine with a touch of whimsy in the drink and entree names. A current sample menu includes: Faberge Egg Bedazzled With Caviar & Dill Cured Salmon with Maine Lobster, Vodka Powered Accoutrements et les Jigglés de la Champagne Rose, and the Vegan Orgy On a Texas Beach promises "Totally Baked & Crispy Papadoms with Five Highly Addictive Vegi Spreads ... It's A Banger."

District of Columbia

Caruso’s Grocery – Washington, DC

Located at 914 14th Street SE, Caruso’s Grocery is modeled after the classic, Italian-American "red sauce" joint with red banquettes, a killer chicken parmesan, Sinatra pouring through the speakers. If you’re looking for modern interpretations of a chef's take on the classics, you won’t find them here, the restaurant says.

Filomena Ristorante – Washington, DC

Located in the heart of Georgetown in Washington, D.C., (1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW) Filomena’s doors opened on May 23, 1983. Since that time, people have packed Filomena for its "unparalleled Italian fine-dining experience. ... The restaurant, founded by JoAnnaFilomena in 1983, is heralded for its traditional Italian cuisine, fine wine, and exceptional service. Filomena features a menu inspired by Mother Filomena’s simple, yet creative cuisine, as well as her wonderful old-world traditional recipes."

California and Florida had the highest share of restaurants on the list with 14 and seven, respectively. That includes returning restaurants Bavel and Bestia in Los Angeles, as well as House of Prime Rib and Kokkari Estiatorio in San Francisco.

This year’s list includes restaurants from 63 cities, including Brooklyn, New York; Palm Beach, Florida, and Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Foodies may also recognize some overlap with MICHELIN-starred eateries, such as Lilac in Tampa, Providence in Los Angeles and Girl & the Goat in Chicago.

"This year's Top 100 list features neighborhood gems, hotspots like Bad Roman, MICHELIN-starred venues like Jeune et Jolie, and restaurants new to the list from coast-to-coast," Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, said in a statement. "We also see representation across the culinary spectrum – with cuisines like Mediterranean, French and Japanese included."

See the full list of the Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2023.