The Oval Room has been the restaurant of choice for a particular brand of Beltway insiders for over two decades, but like any doyenne worth her salt, this Knightsbridge Restaurant Group gem strives to keep everything fresh. The dining room oozes sophistication with its plush carpeting and museum-style artwork. This elegance also extends outdoors to the chic sidewalk. The food echoes the sophisticated environs with well-prepared classics, such as chicken liver mousse and crisp-skinned Amish roast chicken with Brussels sprouts, wild mushrooms, sweet peas and shaved truffle. Other entrées, such as shrimp and coconut grits with shellfish butter, or even molasses-glazed pork belly with cornbread purée show off a creative and Southern-inspired flair. - MICHELIN guide inspectors