Your Home Away From Home - Favorite Neighborhood Spots

It's been around for years, but this neighborhood bistro still has the goods, with a solid menu by Chef Hugo Ortega & stellar drinks program by Somm Sean Beck.

This unpretentious strip mall pizza joint is a great family place for New York-style pizza. When it gets busy, the pizza making becomes a show, with a guy in the back pounding the dough, then throwing it up in the air. Romano may be there at the counter with a smile. Meatballs are great.

The decor at this neighborhood bistro is crazy-gothic, but that's part of the charm & food is solid. My fave is their Kobe Burger. The long bar (renovated a few years ago to accommodate more people) is perfect for single diners; happy hour specials and drinks are also solid.

Mom and pop Italia restaurant wins customers with comfortable ambiance, well priced dishes & the best Parmesan butter bread balls ever

This clean modern Vietnamese restaurant in EaDo generally makes great fare, like their pan fried rice noodles (pho ap chao) and duck salad. BYOB.

I loved the designer chic of the Eames-esque dining chairs and Swedish-modern feel of the restaurant. Pastries are excellent, as is the buttermilk fried pork chop and beet salad.

This unassuming wine bar is kick back, with counter service and great patio. Hang out with a glass of wine and some of the great food developed by Chef Erin Smith.

Fresh, healthy wholesome food in a homey Southern- comfort type atmosphere. Chef Jamie Zelko makes delicious shrimp n grits with agave soy is a must try.

Part market, part cafe, u can come here for some coffee or healthy lunch or stop by at the end of the day for locally sourced meats /produce. Chefs source a lot of their product here, so while you're sitting there having your having, you might spy several walking in and out of the kitchen. I certainly did.

Chef Soren Pedersen creates a new farm fresh menu daily in his beautiful open kitchen. The 3- course lunch prix fixe is a major bargain. Try any foie gras dish or one of his poached or pan-seared fish dishes.

Delectable, thin-crust, 12" pizza's so good, you'll want to hoard one all to yourself. Family friendly and byob.

Open from 7am-2pm, this cafe-bar-restaurant has a little bit of everything. Great comfortable Georgetown-esque vibe, delicious cappuccinos -- it's a place you can come to for great breakfast in the morning (corned beef hash or soft tacos), solid lunch in the afternoon (hamburger, sandwich, or salad), afternoon coffee, dinner (steak, seafood), and late night drinks. You could stay there all day if you wanted; it's that kind of place. Free wifi, refillable press coffee, and a good bar where you can dine solo, work on your laptop, or sip on a crafted cocktail.

Southern food goes modern with Chef Chris Williams' touch. Expect classic dishes like fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and shrimp & grits.

Gorgeous murals are the centerpiece of this modern, artsy, Mexican neighborhood bistro. Get the mula de nopal and the mixiotes de camaron. Drinks are fab, get the Paloma.

It's a restaurant within a restaurant, each distinct, and yes, fantastic. The more casual side, Provisions, is a little rock 'n roll, with a lively main dining room playing music that sets an almost rambunctious mood. Pizzas are a must, like the guanciale with uni, or the burrata with tomato. Pastas are house-made and will blow your mind, like the wholly unforgettable cresta de gallo. House made breads, served with a selection of cheeses or charcuterie, are also musts, and the wine list/drink program is already shaping up to be one of the best in the city. In contrast, The Pass is decidedly ritzy and upscale. An exclusive place where you can get dressed up (or not), where the star is the food and the chefs who will come to your table to serve them. Plan to stay the whole night, go for the gold and get the eight course tasting menu with a wine or cocktail flight, and get ready for an experience to remember. Reservations a must.

Lynette's pastas get rave reviews. Decor is super cute and colorful. Order a drink in one of the hand painted carafes to share with a friend.

The thin-crust pizzas are excellent, but the pastas are a must, made with real Italian flour and imported Italian water, it's just like they make it in the old country

Monica Pope's re-imagined restaurant still offers fresh, clean food. Lunch chicken salad is xlnt, charcuterie plate with pickililies are delish. The caramel affogato dessert is to-die-for.

Neighborhood newcomer Roost by Kevin Naderi is reasonably priced &unpretentious. Get the cauliflower w miso cream topped with bonito flakes!

Like the name implies, this gourmet sandwich shop sources all its ingredients locally. Sandwiches with sides are about $10, but worth the price. Truffle egg salad sandwich is amazing.