Will you visit the nation's capital soon?

Add an international culinary tour to your stay. Washington, D.C., boasts a vibrant, world-class dining community supported by both its residents and visitors alike.

In 1979, Jean Louis at The Watergate became one of the most famous -- and perhaps best -- restaurants in America.

Soon after, the arrival of other celebrity chefs and the growth of local talent led to a huge increase in dining options.

Washington is a great place to increase your knowledge of ethnic foods.

When I first moved to D.C., there were only two Vietnamese restaurants in New York -- compared to 120 here. These days, there are 15 excellent Ethiopian restaurants and countless other international varieties within walking distance of my home.

We call our local cuisine "Southern Regional," and many of our chefs feature the bounty of the Chesapeake and Shenandoah. The following local favorite will give you a taste of what Washington offers:

"The World's Best Crab Cakes"

Makes 4 servings

"The World's Best Crab Cakes" Recipe Ingredients

"The World's Best Crab Cakes" Recipe Preparation

About Chef Marty

As part of the D.C. Dining Society, Chef Marty hosts local television shows, cooking and wine classes, holiday feasts and other events for visiting groups. The 15,000 members of the society recently named Il Mulino New York as Washington's best new restaurant and The PGA Tour Grill as best value. We awarded Tandem Winery our prize as America's finest winemaker and Kluge Estate Wines as the country's most promising. Patsy's, Reo's, Mom's, and Il Mulino were judged as America's best pasta sauces.

Contact Chef Marty at chefmartydc2@aol.com to schedule unique dining tours, banquets, cooking classes, wine and food seminars, meetings or other events in D.C.

More Recipes

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Speed Cook With an International Flair. Mexican scrambled eggs (or Huevos Revueltos a la Mexicana) are flavored to suit local tastes. All variations start with a mixture of fresh tomato and chilies

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Citrus 101: Add Zest to Your Health with Citrus (Rio Star Mini Cheesecakes & Rio Star Grapefruit and Avocado Salad

One of the healthiest kinds of citrus fruits is the grapefruit. In season from October through May of each year, tangy, juicy grapefruit complements many other foods, making it easy to pair with other items.   And while many people choose to eat grapefruit by itself, it is also great when combined with other healthy foods.

Parents Make Time for Healthy Choices

Many health care professionals stress the significance of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and organic food items for children.

"The World's Best Crab Cakes"

We call our local cuisine "Southern Regional," and many of our chefs feature the bounty of the Chesapeake and Shenandoah. The following local recipe favorite will give you a taste of what Washington DC offers