Where to Eat around The Westin Georgetown, Washington D.C.

Located along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O Canal), this laid-back neighborhood bakery and coffeehouse is one of my favorite hangouts in D.C. Baked and Wired serves delicious food and drinks in a cozy atmosphere. The space is adorned with works done by local artists and photographers—as well as napkins scribbled with slogans, poetry, and pictures by visitors who wish to leave their mark. Owned by a husband and wife team, Tony and Teresa Velasquez, the shop has been whipping up handcrafted baked goods since 2001. To the delight of the young, the old, the college kids, hipsters, and the “power suit” crowd, the shop churns out a plethora of treats. You’ll find cupcakes (“cakecups”), brownies, cookies, pies, bars, muffins, cakes, quiches, breads, biscotti, and even “zilla bonez” (dog biscuits). They also serve the best coffees including Stumptown, Intelligentsia, Madcap, Barismo, and Ceremony. For tea, try the “Chaider"—a seasonal combo of chai and apple cider. Dine here like a local; upon entering, head to the left side for the baked goods (the “Baked” side) and then to the right for coffee (the “Wired” side). Signature baked goods include: — The Strawberry Cupcake: made from fresh strawberries mixed with vanilla cake batter topped with a swirl of pink buttercream (the local favorite). — Bee Stings: shortbread cookie topped with sliced almonds and honey. — OMG’s caramel s’mores: a layer of graham cracker crust followed by caramel, marshmallow, and chocolate.

We have restaurateur Ashok Bajaj to thank for bringing the cuisine of his hometown, Mumbai, to the D.C. dining scene. Both Rasika and now sister restaurant Rasika West End have received rave reviews from both food reviewers and diners. You can often find me lunching at Rasika West End. To start with, I love walking into the bright, airy, modern dining space that feels very inviting. There are three separate dining areas including one that looks like a library. The only thing giving Rasika away as an Indian restaurant is the large silver hand mudra and the distinctive canopied booths, which are designed to mimic traditional Hindu wedding carriages. On the other hand, the food is Indian through and through, and it’s excellent. The menu offers modern takes on farmana (nosh), sigri (griddle), tawa (barbecue), chaat (snack), entrée, and vegetarian selections. Although Mumbai influences much of the menu, there are also dishes inspired by other regions in India. On a recent visit, I feasted on a Keralan-style fish curry—utterly delicious. Be sure to order the naan. It’s made to order so it comes to the table piping hot, with a very thin outer crust with charred bits from the tandoor oven and an airy, slightly chewy interior. Give me the naan and a bowl of curry or dal, and I’m in heaven. Rasika’s menu changes frequently, which brings loyal diners like me back repeatedly! Metro stop: Foggy Bottom

When the red-meat craving hits, there’s one place that satisfies the need for a juicy fix: Burger Tap and Shake, otherwise simply known as BTS. BTS offers a great selection of burgers made from locally sourced beef that is freshly ground on premises daily. The meat patties are all gently hand formed so the meat is as loosely held together as possible and the cooked burger is served on housemade buns and with housemade condiments including some mighty fine pickles. I have to admit that my favorite burger is the Southern Comfort. There’s something about the warm fried-green tomato patty against the cool pimento cheese sauce is that is truly addictive! As the name of the restaurant implies, there are beers to be had, both bottled and on tap. For lunch, I usually go with a milkshake; try the flavor of the month for a taste of something unique and different. If you really want to indulge, go for one of the shaketails! BTS is a small joint. There is a small bar for seating, and tables inside. During the warmer months, there’s al fresco seating as well. If you come between noon and 1pm, expect a line. It does move quickly and your patience will pay off with a truly yummy burger. Metro stop: Foggy Bottom

Dolcezza is an artisanal gelato company with several locations in the Washington, D.C. area. What makes Dolcezza unique in the world of gelaterias is that the gelato it serves up is made according to the Italian traditions in Argentina. I’m no expert in gelato to be able to tell you what the difference is between Italian and Argentine gelatos but I can tell you that what they serve at Dolcezza is truly scrumptious—creamy and smooth with intense flavor and not overly sweet. The ingredients are locally sourced and the flavors change frequently but there is something that will be sure to tantalize your palate—from the classic gainduia to grapefruit and even avocado and Thai coconut milk! Go for an affogato if you really want to treat yourself. Even if you’re not in the mood for gelato, you can pop into Dolcezza for a cup of coffee and a one of their unique Argentinian sweet treats sitting under the glass domes on the counter. Everything is baked in-house by a Dolcezza employee so it truly feels like you’re eating something home made. Some days you’ll find churros filled with dulce de leche. On my last visit, it was alfajors—dulce de leche sandwiched between two round biscuits made of corn flour and dipped into grated coconut. Yum!!

Farrah Olivia offers a menu reflective of the DC-metro area: international and diverse. Chef Morou fuses seasonal American ingredients with French technique and his Ivory Coast roots to create a playful and inventive menu. This creativity is what lead him to be a competitor on Iron Chef. Dishes can be ordered a la carte, but the 3-course ($60) or 5-course ($75) fixed price menus are a better value. There is always at least one vegetarian choice per course. As a vegetarian, it’s refreshing to be offered options that go beyond the typical standbys of pasta and roasted vegetables. When I ordered grits stuffed with mushrooms, I was surprised to receive a a crisp, tall stack of them over candied red cabbage and a tangy achiote sauce. Our other courses were just as imaginative: a painted curried eggplant and tomato soup; mushroom sausage with date flan and crunchy manioc couscous; gnudi over a bed of arugula and artichokes finished by a green apple essence themed dessert of sorbet, lollipops with caramel and gelée. Finding the restaurant can be confusing. After being forced out of its former Old Town location due to leasing complications, Farrah Olivia was relocated to a special tasting room in the back of Morou’s other restaurant, Kora, in Crystal City. The ambiance is not quite as charming as the previous space, but the food does not disappoint. To get there, take either the Blue or the Yellow line to the Crystal City Metro; free parking in public lots after 6 pm.

Like its sister restaurant Founding Farmers, the Georgetown Waterfront restaurant evokes Americana, farmhouse tradition, and seasonality in both menu and atmosphere. The weekend buffet-style brunches are a keeper that includes breakfast tacos, garden fresh salads, thick-cut bacon, stuffed French toast, and house-baked cinnamon rolls. Enjoy the Bottomless Bloody Mary bar for $10 or share a brunch cocktail bowl with friends.

Little Serow’s northern Thai dining experience is a sensory adventure. The minimalist, cavernous room is a blank canvas for James Beard Award–winning chef Johnny Monis to paint palates with the bitter, funky, spicy, and salty ingredients found throughout the region’s mountainous jungles. There’s no pad thai here. Instead, the staples include laap (a minced meat salad with offal and crispy shallots), si krong muu (fall-off-the-bone pork ribs marinated in Mekhong whiskey), and sides of sticky rice to balance the sweat-inducing heat of dried spices and herbs. The set menu changes weekly, and at only $49, it’s worth queuing up outside.

Sweet Diablo is a secret little European café tucked amongst fast-food restaurants in central D.C. The owners, raised in Portugal, have added a Portuguese twist to typical café and bakery fare. And this is the only location in the US to serve “The Best Chocolate Cake in the World,” a flourless and gluten-free creation by Chef Carlos Braz Lopes that has been franchised in Spain, Australia, and Brazil. Illy coffee is brewed alongside freshly baked bread and pastries such as natas—custard tarts dating back to 1837 Lisbon. On the savory side, you’ll find tasty croissants and paoninis—a fusion of Italian and Portuguese meats and cheeses on ciabatta. It is a delightful spot for a tasty treat while wandering the surrounding neighborhoods of Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and Foggy Bottom.

As with many Chinese restaurants in the U.S., Sichuan Pavilion has two menus. Ask for the home kitchen menu—the one with the authentic dishes. Warning: The chili is hot, and the Sichuan peppercorn used in many of the dishes is tongue-tingling. Keeping with the authentic fare, kick off your meal with the beef and tendon appetizer. If that’s out of your culinary comfort zone, go for the steamed chicken with chili sauce; it’s not too spicy hot. For mains, you must, must have the steamed beef (or pork if you prefer) in chili sauce and mapo tofu—two Sichuanese classics. Both dishes are spicy hot, so if you can’t handle chili, order extra rice or better yet, a plate of the salted fish fried rice! For something less spicy, go with the chicken or shrimp with dried chilies—sounds spicy hot, but far from. Veggies on the menu include the baby bok choy with shitake mushrooms, which is utterly delicious. In fact, SP is as popular with my Indian vegetarian friends as it is with my Chinese friends. SP is the kind of place you want to go to with a group and eat family-style. The place is extremely popular at lunchtime. Try to get there before noon, as the restaurant does not take reservations. Metro stop: Farragut West