Restaurant File: Washington, D.C.

For those days when you and a crew of friends are in pursuit of a lively night out, this stylish Latin-Asian restaurant is your destination. Try to nab the quartet of curvy booths in the upstairs dining room. The menu globetrots from the far east to south of the equator in a single sitting. The eclectic but thoughtful menu offers everything from ceviche to sushi and from wanton tacos to braised short ribs with cheesy potato mash. Just make sure you get them on a good day—service is a bit hit-and-miss.

The folksy Louisiana fish shack gets a sleek east coast makeover at this posh 100-table restaurant from the team behind Ceiba, D.C. Coast, TenPenh. Under the command of chef Jeff Tunks, the menu pays tribute to Southern-style Louisiana fare. In true Bayou fashion, you'll find bisques, po' boys, crispy fried catfish, and oysters galore. Cajun spices are toned down, but the dishes are still full of flavor. Real flair is shown in the sauces. My favorite is the sautéed veal medallions with creamy jalapeño cheese grits and wild mushroom pan gravy. Also, make sure you try the decadent brunch on Sundays.

My friends love this little Austrian café, with its tempting walls of glass dessert cases and arty chairs (although they admit they're a bit hard on the behind!) During an afternoon of retail therapy in Georgetown, stop here to refuel. The fountain-side terrace garden is a favorite chill-out point for the expat set. The food is standard light European café fare and the home baked desserts are superb, especially the apple strudel.

Greek, Turkish and Lebanese flavors are blended here to exhilarating effect. Tiny plates of the tasty appetizers are served as soon as you sit down so you'll have plenty to tide you over as you peruse the list of mezze and surprisingly affordable Greek wines. Sit at the bar and sip on one of the signature strong drinks. It's more romantic at the tables downstairs by the fireplace, but you may want to save the proposal for someplace a bit quieter. The background din here can be a bit overwhelming. The décor is simple but dramatic. Orchid-filled glass canisters and cathedral candles dominate the clean and white space. Book a table or expect to wait.

There's world class Italian cuisine and a well-stocked wine cellar at Café Milano, but we suspect it's the understated but elegant decor—earthy hues and marble and wood accents—that draws the socialites and the Euro crowd. Of course, if the food weren't this good, they wouldn't make this a regular hang out. The pasta dishes, named for fashion designers, are a perennial favorite, and the kitchen will gladly prepare half orders. The thin-crust pizzas are good for sharing. The only problem with the glamorous vibe is that wait staff will abandon you for someone more well-known.

Capitol Hill and steak go together like Maine and fried oysters, and Charlie Palmer's is a fine place to enjoy a solid iconic meal, even if the menu is quite limited. None of the policy wonks who loiter there seem to mind. The cuisine is a range of bold international tastes accompanied by a wine list devoted to American wines. But neither come cheap. Try the cute ice creams and sorbets in a triangular egg carton. Service is attentive, private rooms are available and the views from the rooftop terrace are stunning.