Where a 2-Michelin-Starred Chef Eats in D.C.
Meet one of the youngest chefs in America to hold two Michelin-starred restaurants
The Relisher is where the world’s top chefs reveal their favorite restaurants in their hometowns. This week, I met with Ryan Ratino, the executive chef and owner of two MICHELIN-starred restaurants in Washington, D.C.: one-star Bresca and two-star JÔNT, as well as the newly opened MAASS at the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“D.C. has a truly singular culinary scene. Unlike other metropolitan cities, you don’t see the same dishes repeated across ten different restaurants. In D.C., there’s a handful of Korean, Italian, French, and even Ethiopian chefs, each with their distinct style of cooking.
It’s also an emerging culinary scene. While people might view D.C. as a big city, it’s quite small. That emerging status creates space for talented chefs to shine without being overshadowed by legendary names.”
Chef Ryan is not only one of the most prominent chefs in Washington, D.C., but he’s also emerging as a major force in American fine dining. At just 33, he is among the youngest chefs in the U.S. to oversee two Michelin-starred restaurants under one roof.
In 2024, he earned a spot on Robb Report’s prestigious list of The 50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining and was honored with the MICHELIN Guide’s Young Chef Award in late 2023.
Below, one of America’s youngest award-winning chefs shares his favorite places in his hometown of D.C.