The April Hit List: Petite Cerise, Jiwa Singapura, Tigerella, and More

The second act from James Beard Award-winning chef Jeremiah Langhorne and restaurateur Alex Zink is quickly booking up as one of the hottest reservations in town this spring. Petite Cerise offers breakfast-through-dinner French fare, complete with baked goods and sausages made in-house. Given their track record at The Dabney, you’re not going to want to miss this.

Michelin-starred chef Pepe Moncayo of Cranes Spanish Kaiseki recently opened Jiwa Singapura in the Tysons Galleria mall. It’s a dazzler of a spot that seamlessly merges Singapore-style street food with high-end dining. Highlights include chicken satay with peanut sauce, sardine curry puffs, and chile crab, featuring snow crab with a mantou bun. The latter dish comes with a fancy bib and gloves packaged in an ornate box.

Northeast’s newest food hall, Bryant Street Market, is home to one of the best taquerias in town, plus a new Mexican cantina. The crew from Taqueria Habanero bring an all-day food stall with a bar serving fresh margarita, chips and guac, oysters, and seafood ceviches.

 Walk-ins welcome.

Tigerella recently announced an expanded pizza menu, including New York-style pies, as well as an outdoor patio that can easily accommodate you and a crew for a spritz happy hour. This is the second restaurant from the Ellē crew, located in the Western Market food hall, and it’s an inviting place to dine alfresco or opt for a quick slice. The bottle shop also sells dozens of Italian wines to go.

Critically acclaimed Mexican chef Alfredo Solis (of Mezcalero and El Sol) serves up inventive seafood dishes and pizzas inspired by the coast. Top dishes include chicken mole and chicharrón pies, as well as fresh ceviches, like aguachile with shrimp, and seafood nachos.

Crazy Aunt Helen’s is a sure bet for weekend brunch with a side of live entertainment, including drag performances. This neighborhood restaurant on Capitol Hill’s Barracks Row serves up comfort food, including brioche fried green tomatoes, juicy burgers, and shrimp-and-grits at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Opal recently expanded its reservation offerings with a new lunch menu available from Monday to Friday from noon to 3 p.m. Dishes include an herby grilled chicken paillard, salmon burger served on a potato bun, and mushroom risotto with Parmesan and spring peas. It’s the new spot for Washington power lunch.

From burgers to milkshakes, craft cocktails, or beer, Johnny’s All-American seeks to please. This neighborhood bar, where Bad Saint formerly was located, has established itself as an easygoing sports bar, just in time for the start of Nationals baseball season.

Walk-ins welcome. Find more info here.

Every original hit needs a sequel, and this is why Thompson Italian recently gained a foothold in Old Town Alexandria (in addition to the original Falls Church location). Chef Lucy Dakwar brings together Italian dishes with Middle Eastern influences. Think pomegranate salsa and tahini with the crispy brussels sprouts, plus signature desserts from co-owner Katherine Thompson, like decadent olive oil cake.

Washington’s spring is synonymous with cherry blossoms and SakuSaku Flakerie, with three locations in Tenleytown, Cleveland Park, and inside the National Building Museum, helps preserve the feeling of the season with French-Japanese-style pastries. Yuri and Jason Oberbillig are the owners putting fun and delicious twists on pastries like a za’atar Gruyère croissant, black sesame mochi roll, and cherry cream pan.

Walk-ins welcome. Find more info here.