When I wrote about Blue 44’s opening in April 2011, it was obvious that the new eatery was a customer favorite. Now, as it approaches its first anniversary, Chevy Chase’s popular Blue 44 restaurant is finally getting some serious attention from the food critics.

First, the readers of the City Paper selected the Connecticut Avenue NW eatery as “the best new restaurant” in all of DC—a major upset (and a shock) given the downtown (and decidedly non-suburban) focus of that publication.

Then, Washington Post food critic Tom Seitsema offered a generally favorable review that included an outright rave for Blue 44‘s $19 Monday night blue plate special featuring fried chicken. “Most dishes on the menu aren’t so compelling but if you know how to pick and choose ... Blue 44 can become a reliable answer to what’s for lunch and dinner,” Sietsema wrote.

Meanwhile, even the City Paper's trendy Young & Hungry columnist Chris Shott gave Chris Nardelli’s place a boost in his latest column, noting its “populist and something for everybody” offerings.

Hey, don’t knock it. A joint in Chevy Chase beat out Graffiato and the Toki Underground as the best new DC restaurant for 2012. Not too shabby!