Chef Justin Bittner serves up artisanal American cuisine in this Silver Spring oasis. It's close to the Metro, so exploring the restaurant's Scotch list or enjoying Wine Lover's Mondays shouldn't be an issue.

The newest eatery in The Yards development focuses on Mexican cuisine with Chef Antonio Burrell at the helm. For those looking to stay warm during the winter months, the restaurant's many tequilas should help with that.

Keeping it fun, this Mt. Vernon eatery has New Jersey hot dogs, red bean pupusas, and mozzarella porcupines on its menu. For those looking for something a bit more classic, the roast chicken for two takes care of business.

Chef Fabio's downtown eatery focuses on Italian dishes with its menu including sections titled "land", "sea", and "family style favorites" for those who like to share. And the in-house pasta is not to be missed.

In Adam's Morgan without being "Adams Morgan", Cashion's is "funky-elegant". The restaurant is all about American cuisine with Mediterranean twists using what's in season.

Woodley Park's District Kitchen has a selection of small and medium plates so diners can make their own tasting menus, including comfort food classics like deviled eggs and housemade pickles.

Tapas is the original small plates. And Estadio does it right. The Spanish restaurant on 14th Street has more than a dozen quesos and a half dozen meats on its menu. So go ahead and create the ultimate charcuterie platter.

While Etto may have small plates, it also has pizza that is the size of a large plate. Its roasted cauliflower pizza is super popular, just like the restaurant. Reservations cannot be had, but it's certainly worth the wait.

It's a traditional Japanese izakaya in a rapidly changing neighborhood. Just north of U Street, the Izakaya Seki has a selection of raw dishes, hot and cold noodle soups, little bites to pair with the restaurant's many sakes, and some fried goodies. The space is in an unassuming rowhouse, so be mindful when seeking out the restaurant.

On the southern end of the Adams Morgan strip, Jack Rose doesn't do frou frou foods. Expect the classics -- mushroom risotto ($20), grass-fed filet ($26), and wild boar ($26). OK, wild boar may not be classic, but it's pretty bad ass. And throw back a few fingers of whiskey (neat) as a digestif.

Chef Michael Friedman's Bloomingdale restaurant made its mark in 2013. And in 2014, expect American cuisine with Italian inspirations, including the dish many rave about -- the rigatoni with fennel sausage. And the sommelier Sebastian Zutant will make sure the perfect wine is at the table. Just ask.

One of the big culinary splashes from 2013, Rose's Luxury at Barracks Row keeps the menu minimal but the dishes creative. Order the popcorn soup because where else will one get popcorn soup in the city?

LeDroit Park's Thai foodie destination is easy to miss. Located in a rowhouse on Florida Avenue, the family-style Thai dishes will keep coming out. And then continue to come out. And then more will come out. And it will feel like being in someone's home in Thailand.