Washington DC

Room 11 feels like a small slice of Manhattan here in DC. Firstly, it is tiny, with only 15 seats. An outdoor patio opens in the warmer months, but mostly this is an intimate, indoor space. It is pristinely, thoughtfully decorated. And it is full of fashionable, intentionally dressed 20- and 30-somethings. There is not even a whiff of arthritis or sweatpants to be found. Although focused on wine, Room 11 also has an expertly curated selection of beers and hand-crafted cocktails; there are no macrobrews or rail drinks. And if you're lucky enough to sit at the bar, the mixologists will explain their process. To eat, there's meat, cheese, small plates, and desserts—from Virginian goat cheese to dark chocolate torte with cherry lavender compote. The menu is on the pricier side, and the portions are on the smaller side--but then it caters to a certain demographic. It's hard to imagine a world where this is the norm, or a full-on drinking session of Lindeman's Framboise, but I think you would be hard-pressed to take a bite or a sip in Room 11 that wasn't absolutely, fantastically divine. Sometimes it feels good to embrace your inner yuppie.

Photo:  Magda Nakassis