Restaurants

It's a little bit of everything -- a neighborhood meeting place, a bar and a cafe with a Scandinavian/Slavic menu.

Just a block from the Howard Theatre, Prague native Jarek Mika opened this cozy 35-seat restaurant and bar in mid-March, serving Eastern European dishes (pierogies, beef goulash, etc.), Pilsner Urquell beer and cocktails laced with absinthe and Czech liqueurs. Crowds begin arriving at happy hour (5-7 p.m. weekdays) and stick around. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.

Central European specialties and homey Italian dishes can stun for their simple excellence in this bare-bones little "hut."

A Bosnian couple offers rare specialties from home in their Alexandria restaurant.

Euro Bistro serves hearty Austrian home cooking along with global tastes including Thai, Scandinavian, Creole and many other flavors.

The all-purpose restaurant serves breakfast Tuesday through Sunday and welcomes customers who just want dessert and coffee. Outdoor patio? Check. Interesting design? The furniture is sleek and Italian.

Find German cuisine, specializing in game (wild boar, roast goose, pheasant sausage); watch for the spring "pound of asparagus" festival.

Traditional Russian dishes accompanied by a fine selection of vodkas from around the world and strolling musicians.

Georgian wines, Siberian-style ravioli, dark bread and more from Russia with love.

A sing-along piano bar with devoted regulars.