FALLS CHURCH. Its office park location may not sound promising, but hold your hat - this suburban gem boasts a lakeside view, impeccable décor and exquisite cuisine. The menu combines French delicacies with the latest culinary trends and includes vegetarian dishes such as wild mushroom risotto with aged parmesan and mascarpone. Roasted fois gras and stuffed quail breast, herb roasted veal tenderloin, and bittersweet chocolate coolant topped with Tahitian vanilla ice cream highlight the ten-course tasting menu, which is enhanced by select European wines. For $87, create your own multi-course meal with an appetizer, two main course items and dessert of your choice.

DUPONT CIRCLE. This festive eatery ripples with laughter and conversation, drawing celebrities and politicians to its doors. Al Tiramisu offers classy Italian cuisine in a pleasant environment and is great for a romantic night out or dinner with a group of friends. Seafood is the specialty, especially when it's grilled and served with olive oil and lemon. Veal, beef, and duck draw rave reviews, too, as do pastas, which include spinach-ricotta agnolotti and lobster-topped linguine with cherry tomatoes. Reservations required for dinner. METRO: Dupont Circle

BETHESDA. Located in a stylish, modern building, this restaurant brings a taste of the Southwest to the suburbs. Fun and casual, it's a good place to meet friends and catch up on the week's events over zesty salsa and crisp chips. Entrees include everyone's favorite, the fajita, and other Mexican standards, such as burritos and enchiladas. The kitchen also has a way with seafood; the crabmeat quesadilla is a particular stand-out. Vegetarian entrees and outdoor dining also available.

DOWNTOWN. This little-known find is one of the top places in town for flavorful Indian cuisine, and its location near the White House means it typically crawls with staffers and political types. Reportedly a favorite of the Clintons during his time in office, the refined, palm-dotted dining room is a combination of British and Indian styles. But the food is authentic Indian all the way, with skillfully prepared tandoori dishes, lamb in saffron with yogurt and spices, and a fantastic array of curries. Vegetarians and carnivores will both be satisfied. Just don't miss the naan, a flavorful, soft bread that's a Bombay Club specialty. Business casual dress. Reservations recommended. METRO: Farragut West

DOWNTOWN. One of DC's first restaurants to offer upscale ethnic cuisine, Bombay Palace continues to exude elegance and traditional style. Popular for power lunches with bankers and lawyer-types, the menu is classic and perfectly executed. Try spicy madras chicken, crispy tandoori prawns, lamb curry, and fish in coconut milk with mustard seed. Slightly more minimal in decor than other Indian restaurants in the area, the place also offers impeccable service and an authentic, varied menu. Reservations recommended; business casual or business attire. METRO: Dupont Circle