The D.C. Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now

When the cold weather hits…

… I start craving spice-laden Indian food. Luckily, one of the best South Asian chefs in our region is Rupa Vira, and her fully vegetarian restaurant, The Signature, is my ticket to thali heaven. The trays of petite dishes change daily, but the surprise is just part of the fun.

— Alice Levitt, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

As temperatures plunge this winter…

… I have been returning again and again to Pastis for one dish to keep me warm and cozy: French onion soup. It’s served on the brunch, lunch, and dinner menus and features caramelized onions, a savory broth, and a perfectly melted Gruyère cheese crust. Each spoonful is a hearty reminder that the winter season will be over soon. Until then, find me at the bar with a martini, a side of fries, and dipping said french fries into the soup’s delicious broth.

— Tim Ebner, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

My first memorable meal of the year…

… was at Dupont Circle’s Amparo Fondita. Christian Irabién is a master of Mexican cuisine, and his current winter menu is, quite frankly, mind-blowing. There was a meaty carrot tetela, in which carrots and mushrooms are stewed, tinga-style, and stuffed into a pocket of masa (itself griddled and served with crema). There was an assemble-it-yourself sopecito platter, complete with avocado, black beans, huitlacoche, and queso. There was a chile relleno so cheesy I am still dreaming about it; potatoes fundido that were like a Mexican aligot; and a salad with orange crescents in different shades of the sunset, drenched in a white wine and mustard sauce that was so sweet, tart, and juicy, it stole the show. The warm and inviting restaurant is the perfect backdrop to the cuisine, as is Irabién himself — the ultimate host whose love of Mexican culture is evident in all he does.

— Priya Konings, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

If you like to play with your food…

… (and who doesn’t), Amparo Fondita is absolutely the place to go. The masa program at this intimate Dupont Circle restaurant is the star of the show, and the best way to experience it is by ordering a plate of the sopecitos to share: flash fried masa cakes arrive with a wide variety of accoutrement, so you can build your own adventure, and each bite is a new experience. For the adventurous, add the insects.

— Lulu Chang, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

For an excellent Korean barbecue…

… head to Honest Grill. We ordered their premium beef set and both the rib cap and short rib were super flavorful and beautifully cooked tableside. Shoutout to the salad greens and the white kimchi (very nice co-stars to all the meat), and the great service overall.

— Aggie Chin, Regional Manager, D.C.

My ultimate no-fail dinner spot…

… is St. Anselm. I keep coming back to it: it’s cozy, effortlessly cool, and always consistent. The biscuits are elite, the ribeye is literally butter, and the branzino is light, fresh, and perfectly balanced.

— Carissa Tyson, Senior Issue Resolution Specialist

For a cozy new spot this winter…

…check out Brasero Atlantico. With a roaring wood-fire grill taking center stage, you’re immediately enveloped in the restaurant’s warmth the moment you walk in. And while this is an Argentine steakhouse, the menu goes way beyond grilled meats, with dishes like a provoleta (Argentine’s answer to provolone cheese) cooked on the grill, crunchy empanadas, preserved artichokes, and several pastas (courtesy of Argentina’s large Italian population, which has heavily influenced the country’s cuisine). Not-to-be-forgotten is the wine list, full of malbecs and lesser-known Argentinian wines from Mendoza, and absolutely sensational desserts, like crêpes filled with dulce de leche, an almond ice cream cake, and a special cake of the day — on the day I visited, it was a yellow cake with dulce de leche frosting, which had me swooning with delight.

— Priya Konings, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

I absolutely love…

… Evelyn Rose, a proper neighborhood joint named after the owners’ grandmothers. They offer a fabulous and ever-changing tasting menu (at a super reasonable $65 price) and the wine pairings (an extra $55) are truly incredible.

— Lulu Chang, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

This place is a clear fan favorite…

You see people from all over the world coming through the doors of Cafe Milano in Georgetown. And after eating there, it’s easy to see why: amongst many delicious things, they made the best veal Milanese I’ve had (which paired surprisingly well with an espresso martini).

— Karina Stronciu, Ops Manager

This place never disappoints…

Chef Lonie Murdock moved from Toronto to D.C. to start Isla, and from the over-the-top pink chandelier in the middle of the room to the beef patties and killer rum drinks, it’s impossible to have a bad time here. (And I’ve been many a time).

— Lulu Chang, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

More D.C. staff picks, right this way.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.