![Againn, in dowtown DC and Rockville, puts a sophisticated spin on British pub fare.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_againn_073.jpg)
Againn Photograph by Scott Suchman
![The vietnamese subs called bahn mi are popping up at wine bars, Wolfgang Puck restaurants, and Whole Foods stores.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_banhmi007.jpg)
Bahn Mi Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Yannick Cam, who last owned DC's opulent Le Paradou, has opened the more relaxed Bistro Provence in Bethesda.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_bstro_081.jpg)
Bistro Provence Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Bistro Cacao on Capitol Hill eschews trends in favor of generous, simple French cooking.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_cacao_025.jpg)
Bistro Cacao Photograph by Scott Suchman
![The Korean fusion restaurant DaMoim braises succulent short rib with carrots and chestnuts.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_damoim_022.jpg)
DaMoim Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Pheasant breast is paired with a rustic, wintry stew of coco beans and chanterelle mushrooms at Eola in DC's Dupont Circle.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_eola_041.jpg)
Eola Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Traditional Spanish ingredients such as boquerones and roasted peppers accent an arugula salad at Estadio.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_estadio_9836.jpg)
Estadio Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Spain's prized Iberico ham is nudging aside prosciutto.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_ham.jpg)
Iberico ham Photograph by Scott Suchman
![The area's best dim sum is at Hollywood East Cafe, which recently relocated to Westfield Wheaton Mall.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_holly_041.jpg)
Hollywood East Cafe Photograph by Scott Suchman
![The year's hottest restaurant? Kushi, a Japanese izakaya and sushi spot near DC's Mount Vernon Square.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_kushi_083.jpg)
Kushi Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Uncle Liu's Hot Pot in Falls Church features the Chinese answer to fondue.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_lius_042.jpg)
Uncle Liu’s Hot Pot Photograph by Scott Suchman
![At Maizbon, a flavorful meat sauce and drizzle of yogurt cover the Afghan leek dumplings known as aushak.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_maizbon_003.jpg)
Maizbon Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Pedro Matamoros's charcuterie is one the best reasons to grab a table at 8407 in Silver Spring.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_meat-platter.jpg)
8407 Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Bethesda's Mussel Bar is Robert Wiedmaier's latest homage to Belgium.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_mssl_032.jpg)
Mussel Bar Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Pupatella, which started as a Neopolitan pizza cart near the Ballston Metro, has graduated to a restaurant.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_pup_047.jpg)
Pupatella Photograph by Scott Suchman
![If there's a seasonal cobbler on the menu at Ray's the Steaks at East River, don't miss it.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_rays_025.jpg)
Ray’s the Steaks at East River Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Chorizo and mussels are a terrific, Portuguese-inspired pairing at Ris in DC's West End.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_ris_015.jpg)
Ris Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Sabai Sabai Simply Thai does right by vegetarians with excellent chive dumplings.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_sabai_001.jpg)
Sabai Sabai Simply Thai Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Germantown's Sabai Sabai Simply Thai turns out some of the area's best and boldest Thai cooking.](https://www.washingtonian.com/migration/gallery/assets/standard_sabai_028.jpg)
Sabai Sabai Simply Thai Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Southern comfort cooking goes upscale at Sou'Wester. Here, sweetbreads are paired with grits and a poached egg.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_swstr_049.jpg)
Sou’Wester Photograph by Scott Suchman
![The vibe is casual at 8407 in Silver Spring, but the rustic cooking is carefully crafted.](https://www.washingtonian.com/migration/gallery/assets/standard_table.jpg)
8407 Photograph by Scott Suchman
![Spike Mendelsohn's We, the Pizza on Capitol Hill specializes in takeout slices with offbeat toppings.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_wepizza_072.jpg)
We, the Pizza Photograph by Scott Suchman