Rasika serves exquisite modern Indian food in an intimate, softly lit, shimmering champagne-hued setting, frequented by a who’s who in the capital and the world beyond. Little wonder that Chef Vikram Sunderam took home the prestigious James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic region, in 2014. Rasika's specialties are griddle, open barbecue, tandoori, and regional dishes. The palak chaat (crisped spinach in a yogurt sauce), black cod with honey, duck vindaloo, and tandoori salmon are among the most popular items. Intrigued? Better make a reservation now (tables are bookable up to 90 days in advance). You can dine in the bar/lounge without advance reservations, but that, too, is usually pretty full—and the seating is too low for comfortable eating. Rasika has a sister eatery in the West End, at 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW (tel. 202/466-2500), a larger location with a similar menu and just as popular as the Penn Quarter Rasika.