New on Resy: Moon Rabbit, Albi, Mercy Me, and More

Kevin Tien’s deeply personal cooking — blending his Vietnamese American heritage and his upbringing in Lafayette, La. — is soulful, inventive, and unforgettable. For evidence of that, you need only order a bowl of the chao cua (rice porridge). Here, his grandmother’s signature dish, Vietnamese penicillin, reflects that bayou-adjacent upbringing: made with local crab, okra, a dark roux, and Carolina Gold rice.

Because chef Michael Rafidi isn’t afraid to experiment with traditional recipes and techniques for wood-fired Levantine cooking that you’ve likely never quite experienced before. And don’t leave without ordering the brown butter knafeh, a childhood favorite of Rafidi’s that changes with the seasons.

Editor’s note: As of Jan. 24, 2024, Mercy Me has changed owners and rebranded into a new concept.

Mercy Me labels itself as “sorta South American,” but the emphasis at this all-day restaurant and bar is really all about flavor — rather, plenty of them. Whether you stop by in the daytime for one of pastry chef Camila Arango’s guava vigilantes, or at night for executive chef Johanna Hellrigl’s feijoada balls or choripan, you’re guaranteed to want to come back.

In its mission to highlight the food of the Mid-Atlantic region, The Dabney excels fiercely. That most of its hyper-seasonal dishes are cooked in a wood-burning hearth in the open kitchen makes it all the more thrilling. You can always count on chef Jeremiah Langhorne to find some of D.C.’s most incredible ingredients, from wild local hazelnuts and sarsaparilla to local rockfish from the Chesapeake Bay.

In this sunny retreat on 14th Street, chef Wade Hoo Fatt packs powerful flavors into delightful, bright, light, and satisfying Vietnamese dishes like bún chả (a grilled pork platter) and a showstopping Mekong-style whole fried fish.

Because dining here is your personal invite (“makan” translates to “let’s eat” in Malay) to feel as though you’ve landed right in the heart of Penang, even while you’re in Columbia Heights. 

The menu here, an ode to Oaxaca, thrills the senses with crisp tostadas, handmade tacos, and the richest of moles. Don’t sleep on the mezcal selections, either, which change constantly. Espita is guaranteed to have more than 100 bottles to choose from at any time.

From the same folks who brought you The Royal, Lulu’s is an ideal spot to open up that bottle of wine (there are more than 50 to choose from) and snack on delectable spreads, dips, toasts, and burgers in one of D.C.’s most charming gardens.

Housed within DC’s longest continuously operating hotel, the restaurant at the Tabard Inn is a straight-up classic, but also one that’s not afraid to travel the globe in terms of its influences and flavors, from Italy and the Philippines to France and Japan.

Named for the Jamaiacan staple of cassava root flatbread, Bammy’s delivers on making you feel like you’re right in Negril or Montego Bay — and the waterfront views from the Navy Yard don’t hurt, either. The food, from conch fritters and goat curry to the jerk pork shoulder and escovitch, are imbued with warmth.

Come for the reinvented comfort food classics, like hot chicken sandwiches and a steak and cheese sub with galbi. Stay for the creative drinks and lively vibe. And don’t sleep on stopping by for brunch on the weekends.

Because, regardless of the times, rooftop dining will always be in season. From the folks behind D.C. heavy hitters like Tiger Fork, Calico, The Fainting Goat, Hei Hei Tiger, The Royal, and Lulu’s Winegarden, Hi-Lawn has everything you need to feel like it’s endless summer.

The former Navy Yard location of Dacha is now Jackie, named after the resilient, stylish former first lady. Everything, from chef Jerome Grant’s menu and the inventive cocktails to the decor is a cheeky nod to the swinging ’60s, but updated for today.

A longtime wine bar with an incredible array of tapas from an award-winning chef, Slate never disappoints. The menu changes regularly but definitely don’t miss out on a chance to try any of chef Danny Lledó’s tapas, like pan-seared scallops or Caña de Cabra cheese served with housemade bread and a sweet fig jam.

This massive beer hall and events space has something for everyone, and better yet, its decor changes with the seasons. This summer, it was cabanas in the tropics. This winter, it’s a fully realized Viking Village, complete with faux-fur blankets, glowing fire pits, and cozy outdoor huts. The drinks list is extensive, from craft beers and hot toddies to cocktails and wine, and so is the food menu, with comfort classics like pizzas, sandwiches, fries, and wings.

This tiny speakeasy, housed within a donut shop in Alexandria, Va., packs a punch when it comes to its ultra-creative cocktails for which so many of the ingredients — vermouth, bitters, and tinctures included — are all made in-house.