This brick building in smart Germantown hides one of the city's best restaurants. The food, cooked in an open kitchen in a former art studio space, is a crackling bang-up of Italy meets New South. On offer are creative appetizers, such as squash soup with hominy, lemon and chilies, and hearty mains, including smoked lamb with grits, spinach and pecorino.
The folk at City House cure their own sausage and salamis, and take pride in their cocktail and wine list. Before you tuck into your meal, try the Percy, an inventive palate-prepping aperitif featuring dry cider, grapefruit and a touch of vinegar. The bar, pizza counter and screened-in porch are saved for walk-ins.