DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

If you want a meal that feels quintessentially D.C., this is a hard one to pass up. Dating back to 1856, the restaurant is filled with history and sits just steps from the White House.

A little taste of Paris in the middle of D.C. never hurts. Le Diplomate has that bustling French-brasseries atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. The steak frites are a classic, the fresh bread is dangerously good, and brunch here is just as fun as dinner!

Come in hungry for this one! Their handmade pasta and generous portions make it easy to see why it has stuck around. Watching the pasta being made in the front window is part of the experience, but sitting down to a big bowl of it is definitely the better part.

Tucked into the historic Blagden Alley, The Dabney feels like a hidden gem in the middle of D.C. The open kitchen and wood-burning hearth immediatly set the tone, with a menu that celebrates ingrediants and flavors from around the Mid-Atlantic.