Where to Eat in Capitol Hill

If you’re looking for a spot with a side of history, hit up Beuchert’s, named after the establishment with the identical name that a German immigrant opened and operated as a speakeasy in the same location in 1880. The current Beuchert’s has been there for a decade now, and despite its long history the restaurant keeps up with current culinary trends. That means you can get that espresso martini with your brunch, and for dinner expect dishes like creamy deviled eggs, grilled asparagus with lemon-infused ricotta, and pasta with a bright heirloom tomato sauce, with chef Andrew Markert working with local co-ops and farms to get the area’s finest.

If the camera eats first, you would think more places would go back to having house tableware with the name of the restaurant on them, and Bistro du Jour is one of the few that actually does. Everything in the interior of this gem screams Parisian bistro, and the menu doubles down on that sentiment with classics such as fluffy cheese gougères, a creamy house-made quiche du jour at lunch, vol-au-vent stuffed with poached eggs and mushroom ragout for brunch, and gnocchi Parisienne for dinner. Dessert presents an impossible choice between crème brûlée, a gorgeous, caramelized apple tarte tatin, chocolate souffle, and crepes Suzette. You can’t go wrong.

The heart of Pascual’s kitchen is the live wood fire that continuously burns throughout service, adding depth and flavor to each dish on the menu. The food at this acclaimed restaurant mirrors the creative cooking currently found in Mexico City – for example, figs receive the nixtamalization treatment usually reserved for grains, allowing the delicate fruits to retain their shape while their insides are cooked to a custard-like consistency. Served with burrata, the dish is sinfully good. Meanwhile, tamales stuffed with charred eggplant take a dip in brown butter and are topped with parmesan, and a squash tetela is served on a puddle of the richest, headiest mole in town. The cocktail list is equally inventive, leaning heavily on Mexican artisanal products like raicilla (a Mezcal from Jalisco), Mexican aperitivos, and even a Mexican sake.

Omakase at Barracks Row delivers a sublime omakase experience at a with a two-tiered marble counter where diners are treated to a series of around 20 small dishes served on beautiful earthenware vessels of various shapes and sizes. Daily tasting menus are inspired by Japanese otsumami, which refers to small snacks or dishes eaten over drinks, before progressing to nigiri. About as ambitious an omakase spot that’s opened in recent years, menus are seasonally-driven – meaning fish selections often change – but are never less than impeccable. It’s definitely an establishment to make a date for.

Aaron Silverman first came to the D.C. culinary scene doing pop-ups at friends’ venues across the city. That same creative, keep-you-on-your-culinary-toes attitude stayed with the chef when he settled down on the Hill with Rose’s Luxury. The dishes are as whimsical as ever; your five-course menu includes options such as a grilled cucumber salad, calamari-shaped pasta, and mole negro sticky toffee pudding for dessert. And the restaurant is as popular as ever – make sure to know what to expect before you make that all-important booking.

P&P is Rose’s younger, fancier sister, but don’t expect formal service or white tablecloths. Instead, think Michelin-starred dishes in what looks like a Las Vegas nightclub, a Savannah antiques store, and a Bethesda bowling alley were thrown together to create an upscale dining destination. Its inventive, prix-fixe menu of exquisitely cooked (and plated) dishes frequently change, making a compelling case for fine dining being fun. It makes for a memorable night out for anyone lucky enough to score a seat, with plenty of treats and surprises. You won’t even know what’s on the menu until you get there (though be sure to call in dietary restrictions ahead of time), and no spoilers here – just go and see for yourself.

To call Bistro Cacao’s interior romantic is an understatement; there’s so much velvet, burgundy drapery, and ornamentation here it would make Puccini blush. But it works: whatever the reason for your visit to this modern French bistro, as soon as you sit down it becomes a special occasion, and the strategically placed curtains make everyone feel like they’re dining privately with just their table mate(s). Go for dinner, when the crystal chandeliers are working their magic, and order one of chef William Perez’s magical dishes, which includes French onion soup, mussels, mushroom ravioli in a truffle cream sauce, and a trio of crème brûlées.