Chef Michael Smith’s namesake restaurant isn’t too stuffy or formal, considering his impeccable credentials as a James Beard Award winner. It’s not inexpensive, but Smith’s kitchen puts out beautiful, extraordinary fare that more than lives up to the price tag. It’s a warm, comfortable dining room with padded tables cloaked in linen and set with heavy flatware. It’s showy enough for special occasions, but Smith and his wife, Nancy, want the dining room to be busy at all times, so the menu puts a creative spin on traditional comfort foods: roasted meats, silky soups, hearty risotto and sinful desserts. — Charles Ferruzza
The dark wood of the bar and booths at Nick and Jake’s gives it a DC-steakhouse atmosphere, one where high-powered businessmen could order a rib-eye and decide the fate of the free world. Or just watch sports. The place is loaded with TVs and subscribes to all the major sports packages (MLB Network, NFL Sunday Ticket, etc.). If sports aren't your thing, a classy patio awaits outside, and a small private room accommodates more intimate gatherings. On Sundays, the regular menu of American classics gives way to something even more American: a brunch buffet.
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