The November Hit List: Little Blackbird, Dear Sushi, and Charley Prime

Cleveland Park’s newest wine bar is cause for excitement. The menu at Little Blackbird is anything but little — with a solid 100 wines by the bottle, and 12 by the glass, and a focus on  organic, and biodynamic wineries, with a slight tilt toward the East: Lebanon, Israel, Greece, and Morocco. Dishes are served right from the hearth and, as part of the ever-expanding roster of Mediterranean-style menus in town, include haloumi with cherry tomatoes and black olives, and a roasted branzino.

Looking for a place to meet friends for a mid-week meal, or a boozy weekend brunch? This recently opened Gaithersburg haunt comes from the folks behind Bar Charley and Little Coco’s, and they serve up hospitality with generous portions — including pastas made fresh daily, dollar oysters at happy hour, and several cuts of steak. There is also a brunch deal for $35, which includes any entree plus bottomless mimosas or RAR lagers.

The Japanese culinary collection under the Love, Makoto umbrella opened earlier this year between Capitol Hill and Chinatown, and one of the latest pleasures is the brand new omakase menu found at Dear Sushi. Chef Makoto Okuwa shares his interpretation of the bounties of Japan, including skipjack tuna and sujiko, a rich salmon roe that is seasonal to this time of year and imported from Hokkaido.

Cozy, old-school, and dripping with historic Georgetown charm. We know why we love 1789, and we love that it never fails to deliver when we want to feel a bit of history in our bones. The current menu features seasonal ingredients, including a harvest-style feast for Thanksgiving. We suggest a seat by the fireplace to really get cozy, on Thanksgiving or any other day.

Who says beach season is over? This outdoor bar in Navy Yard has all the vibes of Tulum or Bali, and is already a favorite gathering point for game watches. The all-outdoor oasis stays heated through fall and winter, and features riverfront views, yard games, bungalows, and a dedicated snack hut with naan tacos, and dips like guacamole and hummus.

Walk-ins welcome. Reservations available online for private parties.

Whether you’re going for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, probably the best-known dish to order at Pennyroyal is the fried chicken sandwich served with pickles, slaw, ramp ranch, and on a soft bun or biscuit. And as we move into fall, the heated patio is an especially lovely place to linger, to try the new reverse happy hour: Cocktails, like the Green Goddess, made with thyme, basil, green peppercorn, tarragon, and cachaca, are on special the last hour before close.

With the new era of tasting menus in seemingly constant flux, it’s a joy to experience one that has stood the test of time. And Robert Wiedmaier’s spot in the West End is very much that — a classic meditation on the form. Courses lately include French-style boudin blanc with chanterelles, and grilled squab served with sous-vide figs and pickled baby leeks.

In just a few short years, Peruvian Brothers has grown from a food truck to a food stall (found in La Cosecha) and now, to a brick-and-mortar fast casual found at the new Amazon HQ2 campus. Find classic Peruvian dishes including lomo saltado, seafood ceviches, and empanadas, or swing by after work for happy hour including frozen pisco sours.

Walk-ins welcome.

Chef Paolo Dungca is adding to the diverse offerings of H Street with his all-day Filipino cafe that celebrates bayanihan — a Filipino concept that centers on loving community and uplifting others. Dishes sure to brighten your day include the brisket, egg, and cheese served on a golden-brown laminated bun, or the fried maitake and enoki mushrooms served with heirloom garlic fried rice, farm egg, and atsara (grated and pickled papaya).

The heat of the fire is palpable this red-hot restaurant; reservations tend to fill up early. But really, don’t worry, we have some tips for how to get a foot in the door. Plus the bar stays open to walk-ins. As you sit and savor a glass of wine from Georgia, or perhaps Syria, the fire comes, expressed on a platter of shared dishes — from smoked halloumi to charred cabbage, whole roasted chicken, and hearth-kissed Tunisian olives. We’re deep in fall, and the warmth here is welcome.