Most buzzed about restaurant openings of 2016

The Shaw Bijou is a fine-dining restaurant in Northwest D.C. (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania) — **The Shaw Bijou** After a year and a half of construction, permitting and menu testing, “Top Chef” contestant聽Kwame Onwuachi opened his fine-dining restaurant in November. The 13-course tasting menu doesn’t come cheap. Because wine and drink pairings are not included, the cost per person runs at least $300. Read: (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)

on Nov 1, 2016 at 9:10pm PDT

Pineapple and Pearls聽 Rose’s Luxury chef and owner聽Aaron Silverman opened his all-inclusive fine-dining establishment in early 2016, and the new restaurant is just as popular as his first. 聽Pineapple and Pearls received a from Washington Post food critic聽Tom Sietsema and two stars from . (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)

At D.C.'s new restaurant, Hazel, the focus is on duck. But that doesn't mean you can't find vegetables on the menu. Pictured: barbecued carrots with fennel kraut, hazelnuts and buttermilk. (Courtesy Rey Lopez) — **Hazel** Former Tallula chef聽Rob Rubba is back in D.C.’s dining spotlight with his new restaurant next to the 9:30 Club, . The menu has everything from聽barbecued carrots with fennel kraut, hazelnuts and buttermilk; to Rubba’s grandmother鈥檚 recipe for zucchini bread, served with foie gras mousse, camomile gelee and bee pollen. But the star of the show is the duck. Read: (Courtesy Rey Lopez)

The focus at Smoked & Stacked, a new fast-casual restaurant from "Top Chef" finalist Marjorie Meek-Bradley, is pastrami and milk bread. (Courtesy Smoked & Stacked) — **Smoked & Stacked聽** “Top Chef” favorite聽Marjorie Meek-Bradley opened , a destination for pastrami. The casual Shaw eatery serves breakfast sandwiches and barbecue platters. Fans can also get a taste of聽Meek-Bradley’s famous milk bread. Read: (Courtesy Smoked & Stacked)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Close up of pasta made by Chef Marc Vetri for guests at Lo Spiedo Restaurant during The Impossible Reservation: Philadelphia presented by Audi on April 16, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Audi) — **Sfoglina** Washington’s culinary power couple Fabio and Maria聽Trabocchi debuted their latest concept, ,聽in D.C.’s Van Ness neighborhood in December. The casual restaurant is dedicated to homemade pasta. Read: (Getty Images)

**On Rye聽** Ilyse Fishman Lerner鈥檚 modern take on聽babka聽鈥� a聽babka ice cream聽sandwich聽鈥� wowed crowds at Nationals Park this summer, where she sold them at her pop up stand. Her Jewish deli opened later in the fall near the Verizon Center. There, she sells healthier and updated deli classics, such as a portobello Reuben and a Wagyu pastrami sandwich. Read: (Courtesy On Rye)

**Buttercream Bakeshop聽** Former Neighborhood Restaurant Group pastry chef聽Tiffany MacIsaac opened her Shaw bakery, , in the spring of 2016. The bakery sells everything from stuffed breakfast buns to more grown-up takes on childhood classics (think Hostess HoHos and confetti cake). Read: (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...
— AllPurposeDC (@AllPurposeDC)

All-Purpose Pizzeria聽 Shortly after opened on 9th Street NW, Washington Post food critic Tom聽Sietsema restaurant in the D.C. area. The neighborhood pizzeria offers a selection of antipasti and shareable platters, and a number of pies. You’ll leave asking yourself why you never experimented with honey on your pizza before. (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)

贰补迟蝉补听 The menu may not be anything outstanding, but was the talk of the town for its style of service when it made its D.C. debut. The futuristic restaurant doesn’t have anyone behind the counter to take your order聽鈥� or deliver it when it’s done. Everything is communicated through touch screens. When your food is ready, it appears in an assigned cubby. Read: (AP Photo)

AP Photo

**District Distilling Co.** When opened its doors in late August, it was the first of its kind. There are a number of distilleries in D.C., but it’s first in Northwest. District Distilling Co. is also the first distillery to have a full-service restaurant on site. Read: (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)

碍颈苍蝉丑颈辫听 Former CityZen chef聽Eric Ziebold opened his new fine-dining establishment , and above it, his tasting menu concept聽. Both have received from critics. (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)

RPM Italian is open in the Mount Vernon neighborhood at 601 Massachusetts Ave. NW. (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania) — **RPM Italian** Some restaurants generate buzz for their food; others, for their owners. E! reality stars聽Bill and聽Giuliana Rancic brought their Chicago-based restaurant to downtown D.C. this summer.聽Each day, more than 12 different types of homemade pastas are available, including pappardelle, ravioli and cavatelli. Read: (草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)

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WASHINGTON 鈥� When it comes to food, 2016 was a big year for D.C.

Twelve restaurants were awarded stars in the city鈥檚 , three of which earned two-star status. Bon App茅tit named D.C. , and the Columbia Heights eatery Bad Saint landed in on the magazine鈥檚 list of best new restaurants.

In addition to all the national attention, 2016 ushered in a wave new places for Washingtonians to dine. In fact, Washington City Paper reports that the area welcomed in the past two years.

Here are some of the most talked about restaurants of 2016.

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