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D'Acqua Curiosity might drive you to eat here, to say nothing of the fresh seafood entrees. The new Italian restaurant is housed in the former home of Signatures, part of fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff's toppled empire. Entrees are $21 and up.

801 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
(202) 783-7717
www.dacquadc.com

Oyamel Acclaimed chef Jose Andres' small-plates authentic Mexican restaurant found a home in Penn Quarter in March.

401 7th St., N.W.
(202) 628-1005
www.oyamel.com

Agua Ardiente specializes in tapas-like portions of South American dishes, adding a playful atmosphere to an ambience of romance served within a candlelit setting and lush decor. Choose from lists of empanadas, “arepas” or (corn cakes), “tortas,” potato cake bread as well as tasty ceviches and “cositas ricas” or “tasty little things.” Come hungry to sample the Bolivian Del Mar, pan-seared mashed potato cakes filled with marinated salmon, Chilean empanadas with beef, Spanish olives and raisins, Peruvian torta de choclo, sweet corn patties with green onions and jalapenos, Colombian tamal, corn masa and cumin-spiced chicken wrapped in a banana leaf, plus seven types of ceviches, each served in a martini glass.

The blonde woods, upholstered banquettes, etched glass and faux Frank Lloyd Wright fixtures create a retro chic 1940s-era decor at Ardeo. The food is a pleasant mix of Asian, Mediterranean and American dishes, with a classic French accent. Vegetarians appreciate the grilled Portobello mushroom skewers with aromatic jasmine rice, and meat eaters won't go wrong with the herb roasted lamb loin chops with cannelloni beans or the prime New York strip steak with tempura onions and garlic mashed potatoes. The margaritas are among the area's best. Pop in for one after catching the latest premiere at the Uptown Theater across the street or stroll next door to Ardeo's sister establishment, Bardeo Wine Bar, for a glass and some lighter fare.

Bangkok Joe’s, on Georgetown's waterfront, marries Thai street food to American home cooking. The result: a lively presentation of rice, noodle and grilled items in a trendy but comfortable setting. The oversized windows, high ceilings and cream-colored walls create an airy feel and the booths on raised platforms lining one wall offer cozy seating for four and creates an altogether chic extravagant design to the interior. The must-have item: dumplings. The menu states that “Life without dumplings is not worth living” and the innovative delicacies, available from a menu of more than 12 types, prove the proverb. Choose from such interesting combinations as foie gras and shrimp with balsamic soy sauce and Asian fruit compote or lobster and pine nuts with the fruit plus a spicy ginger soy sauce and tarragon.

The Bombay Club serves impeccable Indian food within an upscale atmosphere. With its potted palms, piano player and leather banquettes, the place feels more like an English club in the Colonial era than a restaurant. The downtown location near the White House, as well as its cuisine, made the Bombay Club a favorite evening out for the Clintons, and it has been the recipient of numerous awards in culinary excellence and service from such sources as Conde Nast Traveler, The Washington Post and USA Today. You won't be able to resist the Lobster Malabar, a fragrant curry of fresh lobster meat blended with spices, and the Bombay Thali, an assortment of seven vegetarian dishes. Cap off dinner with any one of a dazzling display of desserts including the Gulab Jamon, which is a dumpling dipped in rose flavored syrup, or Carrot Halwa, an Indian carrot pudding.

Officially, Cafe Atlantico dubs its menu “contemporary cuisine inspired by the Nuevo Latino cooking style.” That translates to innovative dishes that mix and match the sauces, herbs, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and cooking styles of the Caribbean and Central and South America. Beef might be accompanied by fried yuca with a chile, lime and garlic sauce and a grilled salmon might have a garnish of tropical fruits. Cafe Atlantico, just blocks from the Shakespeare Theater, also offers a nicely priced pre-theater menu as well as an upstairs "minibar" offering an intimate tasting adventure presented by the chef -- advance reservations are required.

At Ceiba, chef Jeff Tunks works his magic on contemporary Latin American-Caribbean cuisine, especially the dishes of the Yucatan, Brazil, Peru, and Cuba. Named after the region’s umbrella-shaped tree, the restaurant has a decor of earth tones—rust, cream, ice blue, and sage—with splashes of color from Mexican tiles, murals of scarlet macaws and banquettes upholstered with a palm frond and orchid print. Standout appetizers include the shrimp, halibut or tuna ceviches, the carpaccio of smoked swordfish, the Jamaican crab fritters as well as the duck empanadas with raisins and olives. Good bets for entrees are the whole crispy red snapper Vera Cruz topped with tomatoes, olives and pickled jalapenos as well as the seared scallops La Planacha served with black bean masa gnocchi and roasted sweet corn sauce. For dessert try the Cuban flan and cinnamon-dusted Mexican churros served with a hot chocolate shooter, and top it all off with an excursion into a Latin American spirit.

Known mainly for its seafood offerings, DC Coast remains one of Washington’s favorite restaurants, and under the direction of executive chef Brendan Cox it continues to serve an inventive menu. The classic Beaux-Arts style architecture makes for a sophisticated environment for the lovely meal to come. Start with the steamed Blue Hill Bay Mussels as an appetizer, or perhaps go for the DC Coast Salad, a clever combination of Benton smoked bacon, hard-boiled egg, radish, and tomato all mixed together with blue cheese and Lorenzo dressing. Or try the classic Caesar salad with a twist, a heap of crispy fried oysters. The mains include a Chinese-style lobster, line caught striped bass and plenty of other options. Classic food in a classic setting—DC-style.

The Dupont Grille, located in the busy Dupont Circle area, sports a glass-enclosed area that’s great for people watching as well as an interior space with butterscotch booths and black-and-white tables. Chef Cornell Coulon, a protégé of Emeril Lagasse, is known for his unlikely but delectable combinations that lend much to this New American bistro style. Such would include graham cracker-crusted flash-fried calamari, grilled ribeye on smoked Gouda with corn polenta and prosciutto and spinach wrapped tuna on grilled eggplant with roasted garlic. It's a flavorful dining experience delivered wtih all the enthusiasm lent from its lively location.

Authentic Spanish tapas, some 60 different hot and cold varieties, are on offer at Jaleo, where Jose Andres directs the menu. In Spanish, Jaleo means “uproar, revelry, merry-making” and that aptly describes the atmosphere of this popular casual, yet upscale restaurant. With Downtown, Bethesda and Crystal City locations, each venue offers a mix of Spanish “little plates” as well as Spanish wines. Happy Hour is popular and fun from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; pre-theater dinners are now offered at the same time on theater nights.

Oceanaire Seafood Room suggests a 1930s ocean liner. Rob Klink, the executive chef, makes sure the restaurant serves “nice, hearty portions of the freshest possible seafood.” Each oversized entree can easily feed two people. Share a salad or soup such as the New England clam chowder, then check into one of the signature items including the pan-roasted Chilean sea bass with cous cous, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes, grilled yellowfin “ahi” tuna with wild mushrooms, whole crispy Icelandic Artic char, and a virtually all-crab Chesapeake Bay crabcake nearly as big as a baseball. The portions are indeed hefty and the price is in kind, but it's all so very satisfying.

With its Art Deco-like curvilinear booths, cherry walls and lighting fixtures, the Palena, located in a strip mall uptown in Cleveland Park, looks plain on the outside, but walk in anyway. The Italian-inspired decor features a well-placed table under a wall fountain in the back room. The restaurant serves a memorable mix of Italian and French-inspired fare from a constantly changing menu that features several non-traditional pairings, which can be sampled with the nightly tasting menu. The gnocchi is to die for. Other specialties include the Arctic char and lobster served over lentils and the squab grilled with Moroccan spices.

Upon entering through the arch of a historic carriageway, over the cobblestones and up to the glass-enclosed entrance that first served as a sorting room of the 1841 General Post Office, one finds an upscale and modern American brasserie with classically rooted dishes. Poste, named for its landmark location, offers such signatures as Virginia kobe beefsteak tartare and wild striped bass, plus, the surprising mix of spices and textures brings out a slight sweetness of the pan-roasted tangerines. For dessert, try the bourbon pecan tart with bourbon caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Adding to the informality, ten booths sit on a slightly raised platform so as to afford a view of the exhibition kitchen where the chefs stir sauces and prepare plates. The motto here is comfort and fun—a good combination for diners looking for casual cuisine with flair.

Georgetown’s 1789 Restaurant has an old-fashioned setting, an old stone hearth and inviting meals. But now, with a young chef, Daniel Giusti, and a young pastry chef, Travis Olson, it’s the place to be today. It’s also a great place for a private meal and traditional fare. Try the classic rack of lamb served with crisp zucchini blossoms, roasted eggplant puree, pattypan squash, olives, and white anchovies or indulge in the Chesapeake Bay rock fish served with crispy pork belly, heirloom tomatoes, local white corn, and Belgian endive. A great dessert choice is honey fritters served with raspberry and vanilla ice cream.

Located in the heart of Washington, D.C. at Tenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, TenPenh is inspired by the bistro-style restaurants of Hong Kong in the 1930s. With a bar shaped like an Asian gate and décor directed by a Feng Shui Master, the owners of this upscale southeast-Asian restaurant also run three other D.C. establishments including DC Coast and Acadiana. Try the signature crispy whole fish with cucumber salad and tamarind dipping sauce or the five spice chili tea rubbed steak tenderloin. For savory side dishes, order the jasmine rice or wasabi mashed potatoes, and don’t overlook dessert especially the Saigon cinnamon sugar dusted donuts.

Zaytinya, a Turkish word for olive oil, is a trendy Penn Quarter restaurant of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine built to handle the crowds that come for Wizards games and rock concerts, yet still manages to feel friendly despite its large scale. Rows of candles cast a soft glow on diners, and the place is atmospheric and fun. It's also noisy and boisterous, especially if you find yourself seated near the bar. Mezze, appetizer sized portions of Mediterranean-inspired food meant for "middle of the day" dominate the menu with hot and cold selections that are both classical and contemporary. The restaurant's rhythm is taste and talk as you sample plates of eggplant with tomatoes and olive oil, rice with pistachios and dates, octopus in red wine sauce, braised rabbit with lentils, spanakopita, zucchini cakes, and lots more. Outside seating is available during summertime.

Zola, located at the Le Droit Building in Penn Quarter and adjacent to the International Spy Museum, receives high marks for its food as well as its decor. The sleek booths, rich woods and well-stocked wine stations would make any debonair double agent feel at home. Chef Frank Morales calls his menu “straightforward American cuisine, food that people can visualize.” But there are still lots of nice surprises. Such would include the chipotle roasted pork loin on sweet potato roll with tomato jam and fried red onions as well as appetizing starters like the smoked beer and cheddar fondue and potato gnocchi with walnuts, tomato, sage, and white anchovies. For dessert, it's tough to choose between the towering chocolate bombe, peanut butter trifle or banana berg. Each dining room features a festive center wine bar adorned with crystal stemware, silver ice buckets and prominent wine bottle displays.