15 ria
1515 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-742-0015

Description: DOWNTOWN. This restaurant has swiftly become a favored stop for downtowners seeking home cooking with an edge. Simple foods such as pork chops, catfish, brussels sprouts, and squash become culinary masterpieces. Seasonally-inspired dishes, like marinated quail, are delightful, and desserts are just as appealing ­ chocolate brownie sundaes and double chocolate cake. The bar specializes in high-end bourbons. Sunday brunch available. Smart casual dress. Reservations accepted.
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Bar Rouge
1315 16th St NW, Hotel Rouge, Washington, DC 20036 202-232-8000

Description: DOWNTOWN. Bar Rouge occupies a long, narrow space and is dotted with armchairs and comfortable seats upholstered in leather and mohair. The modern atmosphere, along with upbeat acid jazz and international music, provides a pleasant atmosphere for sampling the establishment's many cocktails and small-plate offerings (which are great for sharing with friends). The lack of both a cover charge and a dress code make Bar Rouge perfect for impromptu gatherings.
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BLT Steak
1625 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006 202-689-8999

Description: DOWNTOWN. Renowned NYC steakhouse brings premium beef and artful culinary technique to our nation's capitol.
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Bobby Van's Steakhouse
809 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-589-0060

Description: DOWNTOWN. Amid rich colors and polished woodwork, you'll find some of DC's best steaks. Celebrated for its porterhouse, Bobby Van's attracts folks who have access to sturdy expense accounts. They come for prime cuts of meat, shipped to the restaurant and dry-aged on the premises, imparting both flavor and tenderness. Other popular options include the New York strip, short ribs, braised lamb shank, and lobster. While the company's paying, check out the substantial wine list, and take note of daily specials, which showcase a few unexpected treats.
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C.F. Folks
1225 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-293-0162

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. C.F. Folks, which only opens for lunch, attracts hungry folks who jostle for position at open tables in the small, nondescript eatery. Some of Washington's biggest movers and shakers are known to line up at this popular lunch counter to place an order. Be sure to carefully inspect the blackboard's daily specials, because they seem to be the most appealing. The regular menu offers a collection of tasty soups and salads. Casual dress. Outdoor dining available.
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Café Luna
1633 P St NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-387-4005

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Ideal for a leisurely weekend brunch, this café offers classic morning dishes you love, made just like mom used to ­ assuming your mom was a great cook. Traditional eggs Benedict are topped with creamy Hollandaise and served with a flavorful side of onion-spiked home fries. Eggs tomato florentine is terrific too, but the most popular dish is light, sweet French toast, made with batter-dipped, bakery-fresh bread, drizzled with syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Enjoy the vivid, artsy dining room, or head out onto the sunswept patio. Brunch served 10am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.
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Cosi ­ Dupont Circle
1350 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-296-9341

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Cosi is a fun place to hang out and get a great cup of coffee. Grab a tasty muffin, pastry, or brownie, or try a thick slab of cheesecake. Or, for a real treat, relive your Boy Scout or Girl Scout days by making your own s'mores over a small grill set up in the dining room. The drink selection is extensive, with flavorful options such as chai tea latte and caramel iced mocha. There's also a full bar where you can order your favorite cocktail ­ or have a cocktail and dessert simultaneously with the mocha martini. METRO: Dupont Circle
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DC Coast
1401 K St NW, Tower Building, Washington, DC 20005-3401 202-216-5988

Description: DOWNTOWN. Into people-watching? DC Coast's wall of windows overlooks busy 14th Street. As the name suggests, seafood is the specialty. Chef Jeff Tunks is famous for his Chinese-style smoked lobster, and pan-roasted rockfish with polenta cake and lobster corn broth. Popular terrene dishes include grilled NY strip with andouille hash, and marinated free-range chicken with roasted fingerling potatoes and grilled ramps. Portions are sizable, and the ambience is bright and lively. As for finding the place: Keep an eye out for the mermaid marking the entrance to this Beaux Arts-style dining room. METRO: McPherson Square
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Equinox
818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006 202-331-8118

Description: DOWNTOWN. Cleanly decorated and centrally located, this restaurant has earned a loyal following thanks to the inspired efforts of chef and owner Todd Gray. Using the freshest regional ingredients, he creates innovative, satisfying dishes such as grilled wild Alaskan king salmon with caramelized artichokes, or grilled Polyface Farm rack of pork with pickled ramps, spring bean fricassée and apple cider jus. The dinner menu, presented in a chef's tasting format, offers three, four or six hand-selected courses. An excellent list of primarily American wines is also available. METRO: Farragut West
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Georgia Brown's
950 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-393-4499

Description: DOWNTOWN. This upscale restaurant attracts a wide mix of politicos and world citizens longing for South Carolina's Lowcountry cooking. Barbecued salmon fillet, shrimp and grits, Frogmore stew (seafood, no frogs) and Southern fried chicken are menu classics that come with cornbread, biscuits and lots of animated conversation. Vegetarians find warm embrace in meatless dishes like sautéed black-eyed pea cakes. Fried catfish, biscuit-battered French toast, country ham with gravy and other brunch delights also gain wide approval. Some say that this type of food is a bit heavy ­ others simply nod and butter another biscuit. METRO: McPherson Square
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Komi
1509 17th St, Washington, DC 20036 202-332-9200

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. The culinary oasis of Dupont Circle, this is the place for people who truly love dining ­ who will eat up every detail, from the creative garnishes on their plate and the wire-rimmed goblets to the unique wine selection and the homemade lollipops. Your meal starts with fresh baked bread or crackers and a starter course, such as squash soup, on the house. The innovative kitchen staff delivers unusual flavor combinations that are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds ­ poached lamb with lentils and cherry tart glaze, for example. Minimal decor keeps the focus on the food, and space is tight so be prepared to wait. METRO: Dupont Cir
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McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant ­ Downtown
1652 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006-2801 202-861-2233

Description: DOWNTOWN. Elegant and clubby, McCormick & Schmick's has built its solid reputation on fish and shellfish drawn from local and Pacific waters. Start off with oysters on the half shell or oyster stew, and then consider Dungeness crab, parmesan-crusted flounder, seared yellowfin tuna, or sauteed sea scallops. Pastas and steaks also find a place. The well-attended bar boasts an incredibly popular happy hour, and business folks relish its tasty fare and shoeshine service. Business casual dress. Reservations strongly recommended. METRO: Farragut North or Farragut West
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Morton's, The Steakhouse ­ Downtown
1050 Connecticut Ave, Washington, DC 20036 202-955-5997

Description: DOWNTOWN. Convenient to a host of area attractions, this esteemed steakhouse is a Midwest classic that's staked a claim on the Atlantic coast. Known for tableside presentations (yes, that's a live lobster on the cart), Morton's is famous for its 24-ounce porterhouse and hearty portions. Sides must be ordered separately at additional cost, and the menu offers seafood, chicken, and veal for those who don't relish red meat. Wine is available, and expectedly, the atmosphere is plush and enveloping. Reservations recommended.
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Olives
1600 K St NW, World Center Building, Washington, DC 20005 202-452-1866

Description: DOWNTOWN. This appealing eatery serves a host of Mediterranean-inspired entrees from its open kitchen, and a wide, airy dining room washed in earth tones provides an authentic Italian feel. Managed by chef-owner Todd English, the place produces artfully created dishes, including spinach-green Israeli couscous carbonara and truffled ricotta ravioli. Homemade pastas, especially the signature butternut squash-stuffed tortelli, make choosing difficult, and you'll also want to try slow-roasted duckling, pan-seared venison, and bacon-wrapped scallops. Business casual attire.
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Oval Room
800 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006 202-463-8700

Description: DOWNTOWN. A hit with DC movers and shakers, this contemporary restaurant serves Continental and New American fare to eager fans. Dining room walls are adorned with contemporary art, and tables are draped in linen. Service is impeccable. The menu has a wide variety of seafood, beef, and vegetable options, including lobster bisque, NY strip, and pan-roasted halibut. Outdoor dining available. Business dressy or business casual attire. Reservations recommended. METRO: Farragut West
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Sam and Harry's
1200 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036-2412 202-296-4333

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. A little more relaxed than many other Washington, DC restaurants, this genteel establishment offers thick porterhouse steaks and a tender New York strip, served alongside homemade mashed potatoes that melt in your mouth. The masculine, wood-and-leather decor befits a restaurant specializing in steaks and cigars, and the owners are proud that almost every cut is still on the bone, which they say imparts more juiciness and flavor. Considering the consistently packed dining room, they must be on to something. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Sign of the Whale
1825 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-785-1110

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Although it's best known as a local bar for lawyers and other professionals, this place offers a terrific brunch as well. The pub-like decor, rustic but welcoming, features wooden walls, a fireplace, and taxidermy animals. The menu includes waffles, egg dishes, and more filling entrees, such as steaks.
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Smith & Wollensky
1112 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-466-1100

Description: DOWNTOWN. This 19th Street steakhouse is the real deal, and its traditional, masculine decor gives heed that this is where meat-eaters feast. Filet mignons, sirloins, and prime rib are perfectly cured and aged and seem to melt before even getting to your mouth. If seafood is more to your taste, Smith and Wollensky serves delicious steamed lobster, grilled salmon, and other delicacies. Business casual attire. Reservations accepted.
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Tabard Inn Restaurant
1739 N St NW, Hotel Tabard Inn, Washington, DC 20036 202-331-8528

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Within one of DC's oldest hotels, this restaurant plies guests with delicious American cuisine. It places a premium on fresh, regional produce and meats and changes the menu depending on what's available. An apple and walnut salad skillfully mixes flavors and textures. Seafood is the house specialty, and sautéed soft-shell crabs over wilted greens are proof of the attention. Rigatoni with bolognese sauce also delights, as do homemade ice creams and white chocolate cheesecake. If you don't mind waiting for a table, the enclosed courtyard is bliss during mild weather. METRO: Dupont Circle
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The Palm
1225 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-293-9091

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. For a classic fine dining experience in our nation's capital, you can't beat The Palm. While there, you're likely to see scurrying Secret Service agents and legislators recognizable from C-SPAN, and regulars have been caricatured on the walls for decades. USDA Prime steaks are justifiably famous, jumbo Nova Scotia lobsters are delicious, and Italian dishes reflect the restaurant's heritage. Delectable sides include cottage fries, creamed spinach and fried onions. The casual yet refined atmosphere and outstanding service accommodate a relaxed meal or a business meeting with equal aplomb. METRO: Dupont Circle
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