After earning a Michelin star at their upscale D.C. restaurant, Rooster & Owl, Falls Church natives Yuan and Carey Tang returned to their hometown to open a second eatery, which Carey calls “a cooler, calmer version of Rooster & Owl, still very chef-driven, still seasonal, but a bit more family-friendly.” Here, the wildly creative dishes by chef Yuan include a belly-warming soup that marries Vietnamese pho with cheesy French onion, and a riff on Thai larb gai featuring fried oysters dredged in a KFC-inspired spice blend. Ellie Bird also does brunch—a first for the husband-and-wife duo—with unique options such as a dramatic omelet served over kimchi fried rice and a boozy cocktail version of bright purple, ube-flavored bubble tea. –Adele Chapin
Other top vote-getters:
Chicken + Whiskey, Hawkers Asian Street Food, Our Mom Eugenia, Pirouette Café & Wine Shop, Seamore’s