Michel Richard Citronelle

Michel Richard Citronelle was an American restaurant located in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. The chef and owner of "Citronelle" was James Beard Award-winning chef Michel Richard.
Background and opening.
Michel Richard became a nationally-renowned chef in Los Angeles in the 1980s, and he opened his first "Citronelle" restaurant in Santa Barbara, California in 1989. In 1993, he opened "Citronelle" at the Latham Hotel at 3000 M St. NW in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., hiring Etienne Jaulin as the executive chef. Subsequent versions of "Citronelle" opened in Baltimore, Tokyo and Carmel, California.
A review in the "Washington Post" noted that even though Richard was not regularly in the kitchen, the food had "the brilliance, the originality and the quality of Richard's cooking in California." A "Washingtonian" magazine review noted the "sense of festivity," highlighting the Reuben sandwiche ravioli and Richard's re-envisioning of a Kit Kat bar. The "New York Times" called "Citronelle" "one of the most consistently excellent newcomers" in the D.C. dining scene.
In its early days, "Citronelle" was a regular destination for members of President Bill Clinton's administration. Attorney General Janet Reno was seen there having dinner with Barbra Streisand. Citronelle was also frequented by First Lady Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State Warren Christopher.
Renovation and recognition.
In 1998, Richard renovated the restaurant and renamed it "Michel Richard Citronelle". He sold off half of his interest in his Los Angeles restaurants and moved to Washington, D.C., making "Michel Richard Citronelle" his flagship restaurant and giving it his full-time attention.
In 2002, "Citronelle" was named Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, and Richard was named Chef of the Year. In 2001 and 2006, it was named among the top 20 restaurants in the country by Gourmet magazine. In 2007, Richard won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Chef, and "Citronelle" wine director Mark Slater won for Outstanding Wine Service. "Washingtonian" magazine named "Citronelle" the No.1 Very Best Restaurant in Washington in 2007 and 2008. 
In May 2009, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama celebrated their first date night at "Citronelle".
In July 2012, "Citronelle" closed due to water damage. The restaurant did not reopen.