At this new restaurant in Shaw from chef Cedric Maupillier (of Mintwood Place in Adams Morgan), dishes are primarily American with a French twist. Take this dessert: The pot of chocolate cake, salted caramel sauce, graham cracker crumble and chocolate ice cream is topped with marshmallow, which gets blowtorched as if this were creme brulee.
$9, Convivial, 801 O St. NW; convivialdc.com.