The January Hit List: Rasika, Red Hen, Grazie Mille, and More

From palak chaat to inventive and flavorful curries, Rasika holds real Beltway influence with its iconic Indian dishes. Try one of the two locations in Penn Quarter or West End, and spoil yourself with lavish hospitality from restaurateur Ashok Bajaj. For those who don’t want to make decisions, a decently priced six- ($88) or four-course ($75) tasting menu includes all the best-of dishes.

Fiery theatrics are the name of the game at this Middle Eastern restaurant from Rose Previte, where open flames are used to prepare nearly every dish. Smoke flavors come expressed on a platter of shared dishes — from smoked halloumi to charred cabbage, whole roasted chicken, and hearth-kissed Tunisian olives. (If you can’t make it to D.C., then maybe swing by Maydān’s part-two act coming to Los Angeles this year.)

Rob Rubba led the way as James Beard’s 2023 Outstanding Chef of the Year, with a sustainability-driven menu including Chesapeake Bay oysters and vegetables sourced from the mid-Atlantic region. This may be the toughest table in town to book, for his $105 per person tasting menu, with the option to add wine pairings at $70 or nonalcoholic beverages at $55 per head. Don’t worry, we have the inside scoop on how to score a table.

Waltz into the Waldorf Astoria in Washington D.C. and snag one of the coveted counter seats at Sushi Nakazawa for what might be this town’s all-out omakase experience. Chef Katsuyoshi Okuna serves the sushi conceived by the restaurant’s executive chef, Daisuke Nakazawa, namely a nigiri-sushi exclusive menu consisting of approximately 20 pieces of fish, priced at $180 per head at the counter. Ingredients are flown in daily, including rare shellfish from Japan.

Fun and bold Italian fare stands up brightly at this dimly lit restaurant that takes the typical red-sauce joint and stretches the concept way, way further. Grazie Mille (from the Grazie Grazie and Grazie Nonna team) delivers a lounge-like atmosphere with extravagant dishes like its mafalde, a next-level pasta with truffled cream, roasted mushroom, and provolone; or a family-style saffron risotto topped with short rib and gremolata. Did we mention there’s a DJ booth? Your weekend is made for late-night dance parties with Negronis.

Cozy vibes are served nightly at this modern French restaurant housed in a historic Georgetown rowhouse. It’s a relative newcomer to the neighborhood, and has quickly won the approval of Francophiles for its neobistro stylings, including exceptional sweetbreads and succulent duck. We also love to nab a seat at the bar for French wine pairings, including nonalcoholic options like a zero-proof Leitz sparkling rosé.

Capitol Hill certainly is a long way from Texas, but this burger bar channels some giddy-up attitude … for several reasons. For starters, look to a selection of American Southwest-style smashburgers, plus ranch-water cocktails. Whatever you decide, be sure not to overlook the fried chicken sandwich. It is a buttermilk-brined and fried chicken thigh topped with country gravy and pickled jalapeños.

Hill East Burger also features a rotating monthly guest chef series, including Perry’s Masako Morishita, to keep the menu fresh and fun.

Walk-ins welcome. Find more info here.

Red Hen welcomes you in like a warm embrace. It’s partly due to neighborhood-style hospitality, and to a wood-fired grill that keeps everything toasty. Mike Friedman’s cooking is among the more craveable in D.C. This includes several dishes like a local spaghetti squash “cremosa” topped with Parmesan, fresh kale, and fire-toasted pepita. Also a certain rigatoni with some noteworthy fans. If the pastas don’t keep you warm, try one of the hot cocktails like the Strega Nona, which calls for bourbon, cinnamon schnapps, orange shrub, and lemon.

Chef Aaron Silverman has been running this Capitol Hill dining room for more than a decade now, and it consistently delivers on an extravagant, choose-your-own adventure menu. These bites are memorable from start-to-finish – from the rye-challah and creamy toasted caraway butter to the poached lobster, a dish that’s modeled off a recipe version created for heads of state at the Royal Palace of Versailles. Save room for dessert, too. You’ll want to double up and try both the baklava sundae and coconut tres leches cake.

There is no better way to enjoy a barbecue feast in Washington, D.C. than with premium brisket, ribs, and pulled pork found at 2Fifty BBQ. Owner Debbie Portillo González is a Salvadoran restaurateur, who along with husband Fernando González smokes some of the finest Hill Country-style barbecue in our nation’s capital. That includes their take on signature Salvadoran dishes like brisket pupusas. The restaurant is open on a first come, first served basis at the flagship shop in Maryland’s Riverdale Park, as well as another restaurant coming soon to Mount Vernon Triangle.

Walk-ins welcome.