New & Notable in Dining November 2015

NEW

American Tandoor
Order: Masala Sour (fig-infused bourbon, lemon, garam masala syrup, egg white, aromatic bitters)
Chef Satinder Vij has landed directly from India to execute a unique vision of East Meets West. Gin and Indian food is the Victorian era’s great international love match, and American Tandoor recognizes this with a solid offering of gin-based cocktails. But the ultimate modern fusion challenge in Washington always involves brunch, and American Tandoor is doing it in style with buttermilk dosa waffles and masala bacon. American Tandoor: 7943B Tysons Corner Center, Tysons Corner, VA; 571-633-1820; www.americantandoor.com

Chase the Submarine
Order: Sweet Beef Cheeks sub (beer-braised beef cheek, tamarind sauce, baby Asian greens)
The powerhouse food couple behind Water & Wall teams up with Michael Amouri (Caffe Amouri) for a craft sandwich and coffee shop. Ground lamb, offal, mustard crème fraiche and more are in play, and the results are fabulous. There is also a butcher’s counter. Chase the Submarine: 132 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA; 703-703-7033; www.chasethesubmarine.com

Cooper’s Mill
Order: Plum Manhattan (Copper Fox Rye, sweet vermouth, plum bitters)
Hotel restaurants are also in on this trend away from corporate boredom: between the need to keep increasingly adventurous tourists from leaving and the opportunity to attract curious locals, chefs are getting more freedom from head office dictums and menus are becoming more thoughtful. Cooper’s Mill in the Bethesda Marriott focuses on ingredients from within 100 miles, offers beer flights and imaginative cocktails, and serves it up in a rustic environment. Cooper’s Mill: 5151 Pooks Hill Rd., Bethesda, MD; 301-897-9400; www.coopersmillrestaurant.com

Crust Pizzeria Napoletana
Order: Certified pizza
Crust is certified by the “Associazione Verace PIZZA Napoletana,” the gold standard for authentic Neapolitan pizza, and uses fresh ingredients imported from Naples or Campania, Italy. Maybe you can’t escape far from the office, but your Italian vacation is just down the street. Crust Pizzeria Napoletana: 8415 Old Courthouse Rd., Vienna, VA; 317-810-1777; www.crust-pizza.com

Earl’s Kitchen + Bar
Order: Old Foster (banana chip infused rum Zacapa 23, demerara sugar, fig and cinnamon bitters)
Go for the sophisticated Old Fashioned Bar, hang out in one of the lounge areas and maybe stay for a burger. We love that restaurant chains are reinventing themselves and allowing locations to have their own, local personalities and menus. We’re also fans of the daily specials (Tuesdays: $4 bellinis until 9 p.m.!).  Earl’s Kitchen + Bar: 7902 Tysons One Place, Tysons Corner, VA; 703-847-1870; www.earls.ca

Lincoln Park Kitchen & Wine Bar
Order: Ginny Hendrix (Hendrick’s Gin, Saine Germaine, lemon juice, cucumber syrup, cucumbers)
Don’t be fooled by the name: in addition to wine, this little neighborhood joint also offers a delightful list of creatively-named cocktails. And add it to your list of brunch destinations: they do bottomless mimosas or bloodies for $10. Lincoln Park Kitchen & Wine Bar: 106 13th St. SE, DC; 202-543-0184; www.lincolnparkdc.com

Momofuku Milk Bar
Order: Everything
Let the Milk Bar mania begin. This trendy New York institution and sister-bakery to David Chang’s legendary Momofuku restaurant, has been the object of intense anticipation and lust in DC for months. Go, if only to avoid FOMO. Momofuku Milk Bar: 1090 I St. NW, DC; 855-333-6455; www.milkbarstore.com

Oz Restaurant and Bar
Order: Kangaroo skewers
Haven’t you always wanted to eat a kangaroo? Well now is your chance – though the emu skewers are perhaps the tastier choice (who knew?). Chase it with an Oz Painkiller (silver rum, black seal rum, coconut puree, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime, nutmeg). The range of Australian beers is limited. Oz Restaurant and Bar: 2950 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA; 703-664-0693; www.ozarlington.com

The Public Option
Order: Whatever Mr. Perry is brewing
The Option’s website features an earnest manifesto on “Tipping & Compensation,” complete with historical references and calls for systemic change, which perhaps makes this the “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” of restaurants. Continuing the theme of the little guy standing up to the system, this tiny brewpub features the beers made (a barrel at a time) by co-owner Bill Perry. The Option is open Fri-Sat until it expands its hours sometime in December (the only employees currently are the owners). No tipping is allowed. The Public Option: 1601 Rhode Island Ave. NE, DC; 202-397-5129; www.thepublicoptiondc.com

Small Fry
Order: Patriot Poutine
We love anything that the folks behind sandwhich destination Sundevich do, and Small Fry, a “nontraditional smokehouse and fry shop,” is no exception. The rotating menu will include smoked fish, jerkies, and pickled products in addition to a wide range of BBQ offerings. Companion bar Union Drinkery will open next door in the coming months. Small Fry: 3214 Georgia Ave., NW, DC; 202-808-8572; www.smallfrydc.com

Union Social
Order: The Redline (Fresno-pink peppercorn infused tequila, citrus, angostura meringue)
There are a lot of DC restaurants with “Social” in their names; this one comes courtesy the Wooden Nickel Bar Company (Copperwood Tavern, Mighty Pint) and features the group’s signature attention to décor. The beautiful space is flooded with natural light during the day, and takes inspiration from the nearby metro tracks. The food is meant to be “social” – shared and small plates. Union Social: 100 Florida Ave. NE, DC; 202-652-1844; www.unionsocialdc.com

NOTABLE
The Happy Tart
Why: A second location
The Tart was one of the first bakeries to produce gluten-free treats that were not merely bearable, but actually craving-worthy. Their expansion was long overdue. The Happy Tart: 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church, VA; 571-244-3662; www.happytartbakery.com

NO LONGER
Costa Brava
Jin