Pulpo, Washington

Executive Chef Billy Klein brings a bit of Spain to Cleveland Park, creating inventive interpretations of tapas that marry traditional flavors with contemporary sensibilities. Befitting the name "Pulpo"—Spanish for octopus—menu prominently features a dish of tender octopus simply prepared with the refreshing citrus-herbal tang of oranges and parsley. Chef Klein and his team also keep the meals close to home by sourcing produce from local farms. This dedication is apparent throughout the drink menu, which features three kinds of sangria, an assortment of international wines, and cocktails made with everything from jalapeño-infused simple syrup to earl grey- and sage-infused vodka.

Washingtonian describes the thoroughly industrial dining room as, "something at once more modern and rustic." Given the worn, black brickwork, well-trodden concrete floors, and caged, warehouse-style light bulbs, this assessment seems especially apt. A three-paneled, black-and-white piece of artwork depicting an octopus adorns one brick wall, and a lipstick-red accent wall flaunts flat-screen televisions and a gurgling aquarium.