DOWNTOWN. This restaurant has swiftly become a favored stop for downtowners seeking home cooking with an edge. Simple foods such as pork chops, catfish, brussels sprouts, and squash become culinary masterpieces. Seasonally-inspired dishes, like marinated quail, are delightful, and desserts are just as appealing ­ chocolate brownie sundaes and double chocolate cake. The bar specializes in high-end bourbons. Sunday brunch available. Smart casual dress. Reservations accepted.

WOODLEY PARK. This pizzeria stays busy, but don't let that keep you away. While 2 Amys' wood-fired pies are topped with everything from eggplant confit to cockles, their authentic Neapolitan pizzas steal the show. Recognized by the Italian government as Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), Neapolitan pizza is prepared using soft-grain flour, fresh yeast, fresh oregano and basil, Italian plum tomatoes and mozarella di bufala, and 2 Amys proudly displays its Verace Pizza Napoletana Association certification. Hands down, one of the best ­ and tastiest ­ deals in the capital city. METRO: Cleveland Park

FAIRFAX. Don't expect modern decor or newfangled dishes at this traditional diner, which has been around for decades ­ more than five, to be exact ­ and wisely chosen not to fix what isn't broken. Architecture, classic signs, and nostalgic decor appear as they did in the 1940s, and some menu items are the same, too. After soaking in the ambience, fuel up with a hearty breakfast. Enjoy a Western omelet on toast, or try delectable French toast with country ham and home fries. Great for lunch, too, not to mention milkshakes made the old-fashioned way.

FALLS CHURCH. Its office park location may not sound promising, but hold your hat - this suburban gem boasts a lakeside view, impeccable décor and exquisite cuisine. The menu combines French delicacies with the latest culinary trends and includes vegetarian dishes such as wild mushroom risotto with aged parmesan and mascarpone. Roasted fois gras and stuffed quail breast, herb roasted veal tenderloin, and bittersweet chocolate coolant topped with Tahitian vanilla ice cream highlight the ten-course tasting menu, which is enhanced by select European wines. For $87, create your own multi-course meal with an appetizer, two main course items and dessert of your choice.

CAPITOL HILL. A self-proclaimed Pakistani restaurant, this cozy eatery (whose name means "volcano") offers cuisine with a decidedly Indian flair. Its hallmark is food prepared in the clay tandoori oven. Lamb and chicken cooked this way are made succulent and tender, bearing the reddish hue characteristic of tandoori cooking. Aside from these dishes, you can also opt for a spicy vindaloo or lamb karahi, full of vegetables and rich seasonings. With all the thick sauces, you'll do well to sample the range of breads, from classic nan to onion kulcha. A delicious taste of the sub-continent.