Washingtonian by Anna Spiegel

Hazel
808 V St., NW

Former Tallula  chef Rob Rubba is behind the newest spot from the Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Birch & Barley, the Partisan) The eclectic menu centers around “appetizer-plus”-size dishes like gnocchi with kimchi-pork ragu, alongside equally-intriguing sips (i.e. Estonian beer). We have our eye on the beak-to-tail “duck duck” dinner—a family-style feast of duck-fried rice, crispy wings, DIY-bao buns, and much more.

Timber Pizza
809 Upshur St., NW

A popular pizza pop-up goes brick-and-mortar, adding to the burgeoning Petworth restaurant scene. The seasonal menu covers the classics, though look for creative “Neapolitan-ish” pies like The Lot, decked out with slow-roasted pork, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and mango. For dessert: an ice cream “platter” with wood-fired cones.

Slim’s Diner 

4201 Georgia Ave., NW

This isn’t your pricey, “new wave” luncheonette with foie gras French toast on the menu—and we couldn’t be happier. Paul Ruppert (Room 11, Cappy’s Crabs

) opened this classic diner in Petworth with a something-for-everyone mentality: unfussy sandwiches, all-day breakfast, and spiked shakes—most of which are priced at $10 and under.

Pizzeria Vetri
2221 14th St., NW

Philadelphia-based restaurateur Marc Vetri has made it to DC, opening a branch of his casual Neapolitan pizzeria. A few of the wood-fired pies and plates are exclusive to the new location, like a crab pizza and miso-honey gelato. That being said, don’t ignore classics like the signature mortadella-stuffed rotolo, slathered with pistachio pesto.

Homestead
3911 Georgia Ave., NW

Petworth boasts a number of small, casual eateries, but the team behind the Blaguard bring something new to the mix: a 175-seat restaurant built into a former row house, with a big rooftop bar. Chef Marty Anklam is behind the homestyle menu. Dishes like Roseda Farms short ribs and roast chicken can be ordered a la carte, or as part of a family-style meal with salads and sides.

Fare Well
406 H St., NE

DC gets its first vegan diner/bakery/bar, courtesy of Sticky Fingers founder Doron Petersan. The menu is filled with meatless spins on the classics, like truffled mushroom pot pie, tofu-based omelets, and Southern-fried seitan n’ waffles. Washing it all down: dairy-free shakes and lineup of creative cocktails.

RPM Italian
601 Massachusetts Ave., NW

Reality stars Giuliana and Bill Rancic are behind this splashy new Italian in Mt. Vernon Triangle—a sister venture to their Chicago original with Lettuce Entertain You hospitality group. A “celebrity wall” and table-side preparations add to the see-and-be-seen vibe, though there’s a serious executive chef in the kitchen:Gabe Thompson, formerly of the popular Manhattan restaurant trio Dell’Anima/L’Artusi/Anfora. A broad-reaching menu jumps from crudos and steaks to chicken parm and house-made pastas.

Jinya Ramen Bar
2911 District Ave., Fairfax

This California-based ramen chain opened their first East Coast location in the Mosaic District, equipped with 143 seats and a large menu of soups, Asian tapas, and rice bowls. Porky tonkotsu-style ramen is billed as the signature broth, though you’ll find 13 different ramen combinations and 20 toppings for customizing.