In case you haven't heard, Georgetown is back, and Lutèce is partly (largely) to thank. The stylish French bistro from chef power couple Matt Conroy and pastry extraordinaire Isabel Coss (who are also behind Mexican restaurant Pascual, also on this list) is serving insanely inventive takes on mains, apps, and desserts using seasonal ingredients. It's a thrill to sit in the cozy dining room and try to guess how each dish will be presented and each ingredient reinvented.
The menu at Lutèce changes weekly, but one recommendation that stays constant is the sourdough—order whichever permutation is offered when you visit. Try the melt-in-your-mouth Parisian gnocchi and dare yourself not to lick the kombu and miso sauce from the bowl. Even roasted carrots are made special here—Conroy dresses them up with dates, tarragon, and blue cheese in a way that transforms the humble vegetable into a complex vessel of flavor. Definitely be sure to save room for Coss's desserts; the Honey Semifreddo and seasonal financiers are particularly delicious.