“Eat” listings
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CUBA LIBRE RESTAURANT & RUM BAR
With a theme park-worthy Havana street scene interior, this Penn Quarter restaurant and bar presents nouveau and traditional Cuban food, 70 rums and more than a dozen signature mojitos. Energetic Latin music and the “Rum & Coke” dessert complete the experience. $$ (01/2011)
801A Ninth St NW
202-408-1600
cubalibrerestaurant.com -
P.J. CLARKE’S
A New York institution for more than a century, this venerable saloon concept has set up an elegantly antiqued DC outpost. It brings with it the famously lavish raw bar, dry-aged steaks and juicy patties proclaimed to be the Cadillac of burgers. Downstairs, Sidebar is a reservations-only, wood-lined, deal-sealing den. $$$ (01/2011)
1600 K St NW
202-463-6610
pjclarkes.com -
CASA NONNA
This south Dupont Circle endeavor offers rustic Roman/Tuscan fare. Acclaimed chef Amy Brandwein does everything from anti-pasti platters to gourmet Neopolitan-style pizzas to house-made pastas, served a la carte or family-style. The terra cotta-marble interior resonates with the clink of cocktails. $$$ (12/2010)
1250 Connecticut Ave NW
202-629-2505
casanonna.com -
WE, THE PIZZA
Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn has opened another eatery that adds to the local food scene’s hearty constitution. This time it’s NY-style pizza, featuring inventive pies built on locally sourced ingredients in a clean, lowcontrast tiled storefront. House-made Italian sodas and a signature ginger/cloves/citrustinged lager are great to wash it down. $ (11/2010)
305 Pennsylvania Ave SE
202-544-4008
wethepizza.com -
MUSSEL BAR
Reverberating with lively energy, this Brusselsstyle gastropub is another strong showing from acclaimed Belgian-French chef Robert Wiedmaier. Sturdy pine tables steam with skillets of mussels in nine redolent broths, as well as signature spicy pork belly döner sandwiches, Belgian brews and more. $$ (11/2010)
7262 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD
301-215-7817
musselbar.com -
EQUINOX
This well-loved modern American bistro brings Chef Todd Gray’s power dining back within walking distance of the White House. Whether in the sunny atrium, the classic main dining room or the intimate wine room, wellpedigreed ingredients show depths of flavor in every dish. $$$ (11/2010)
818 Connecticut Ave NW
202-331-8118
equinoxrestaurant.com -
RIPPLE
An intimate wine, beer and small plates restaurant in Cleveland Park, Ripple showcases artisanal American cuisine, including seasonal salads, house-made crackers and charcuterie plates. Food is served along a 40-foot bar or in the linen-curtained back room. $$ (10/2010)
3417 Connecticut Ave NW
202-244-7995
rippledc.com -
AGORA
This boisterous, brick-lined den hosts a culinary tour along the Aegean coast. Charcoal-grilled seafood is a standout, accompanied by an expansive wine list offering “teaser” pours, glasses or bottles to pair with the Turkish-Greek small plates. $$ (09/2010)
1527 17th St NW
202-332-6767
agoradc.net -
PIZZERIA ORSO
Painted in tones of mustard yellow and tomato red, this family-friendly restaurant brings Neapolitan-style, artfully singed, brick-oven pizza to Northern Virginia. Locally renowned pizzaiolo Edan MacQuaid mans the traditional, imported tools. $$ (09/2010)
400 S Maple St, Falls Church, VA
703-226-3460
pizzeriaorso.com -
THE CHESAPEAKE ROOM
Joining the burgeoning Barracks Row restaurant scene, this narrow, nautical-minded eatery offers house-infused cocktails and a surf-to-turf menu of Mid-Atlantic-informed cuisine. Whether you dine in the lacquered maple barroom or on the expansive covered patio, organic, sustainable ingredients shine. $$$ (09/2010)
501 Eighth St SE
202-543-1445
thechesapeakeroom.com -
U STREET MUSIC HALL
Operated by Will Eastman and Jesse Tittsworth, two of the District’s most dependable party promoters, this cavernous club is made for lovers of dance music. There’s a cork-cushioned dance fl oor and top-of-the-line sound system, but no velvet rope. (07/2010)
1115 U St NW
202-588-1880
ustreetmusichall.com -
ROGUE STATES
This concrete-and-wood spot near Dupont Circle stays open until 5am, serving exclusive local microbrews and mesquite-fi red burgers mixed with ingredients like curry and jerk seasoning. $ (05/2010)
1300 Connecticut Ave NW
202-296-2242
www.aburger...company.com