Bravo just voted DC's Jose Andres its "A List Chef of the Year." Andres has built himself a bit of a restaurant empire in the district -- he owns Oyamel, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Cafe Atlantico, and Minibar. Of that group, I've been to Oyamel and Zaytinya, and found them consistently and repeatedly disappointing. Maybe I shouldn't be trying a Spanish chef's Mexican and Middle Eastern offerings. Spackerman says Cafe Atlantico is mind-blowing, and I guess I take his word for it. But for now, I guess this'll have to be the second major award given to a DC chef that leaves me a bit baffled. Hasn't anyone tried Makoto? Black Salt? Chicago's Lula Cafe? Newport Beach's Blue Fin? Hell, Two Amy's?
