What common advice is suggested by local chatter regarding how to best evaluate a D.C. restaurant?

Answer

Prioritize places that have a strong neighborhood following.

A valuable heuristic mentioned that originated from local discussions centers on assessing the stability and quality of an establishment based on its customer base. It is recommended to favor restaurants supported by a strong, consistent neighborhood following over those that rely almost entirely on transient business traffic. This is because the latter group is deemed more susceptible to pricing inflation without a corresponding commitment to maintaining quality, whereas neighborhood loyalty implies proven, stable service and flavor.

What common advice is suggested by local chatter regarding how to best evaluate a D.C. restaurant?
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