Are you planning to visit the capital of the country? Include an international culinary tour in your stay.

Washington, D.C. has a vibrant, international dining scene that is supported by both residents and visitors. Jean Louis at The Watergate, which was established in 1979, became one of America’s most famous and best-loved restaurants. There was a rapid increase in the number of dining options due to the rise of local talent and celebrity chefs.

Washington is a wonderful place to expand your knowledge about ethnic foods. There were only two Vietnamese restaurants in New York when I moved to D.C. Today, I can walk to 15 great Ethiopian restaurants as well as many other international options within walking distance from my home.

We call it our local cuisine “Southern Regional,”Many of our chefs use the bounty of Shenandoah and Chesapeake. Here are some local favorites that will show you Washington’s best.

“The World’s Best Crab Cakes”

Four portions

2 large eggs

1/2 cup mayonnaise

6 crushed saltine crackers

1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

4 ounces of sweet butter for frying

2 scallions

1 shallot

1/4 Red bell pepper

1 pound fresh lump crabmeat

Miller’s Select backfin.

Combine the first seven ingredients in large bowl. Chop the shallot, red pepper pepper, and scallions. Sauté for two minutes and add to bowl. Gently fold crab in. Make patties and fry them in butter on medium heat until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges

The D.C. The D.C. Dining Society hosts Chef Marty’s local TV shows, cooking and wine classes, and other events for visiting groups. The society’s 15,000 members recently voted Il Mulino New York Washington’s best restaurant and The PGA Tour Grill the best value. Tandem Winery won America’s top winemaker award and Kluge Estate Wines took home the prize for most promising. America’s best pasta sauces were named by Patsy’s (Reo’s), Mom’s (and Il Mulino).

Contact Chef Marty @ chef

[email protected]To schedule dining tours, banquets or cooking classes, as well as meetings and other events in D.C.