This remains my husband's favorite restaurant in D.C., and he eats at fine establishments nearly every day. In spring 2001, less than a year after opening, Butterfield 9 was chosen by Condé Nast Traveler magazine as one of the top 100 new restaurants in the world. Our current favorite dishes include such appetizers as seared foie gras with duck confit and the golden and red beet napoleon (with goat cheese, endive, almonds, and beet vinaigrette), and entrees such as the pan-seared filet mignon, the horseradish-crusted halibut with leek fondue, and a trio of lamb (chop, sausage, and braised) with parmesan bread pudding. Executive chef Martin Saylor changes his menu four times a year.

The highlight of Butterfield 9's classy decor is a series of large, stylized black-and-white prints of handsome men and women dressed in 1930s, '40s, and '50s fashions. Butterfield 9 is the latest venture of restaurateur Amarjeet (Umbi) Singh, owner of New Heights. A bar menu of about nine items priced from $7 to $13 is available all day, featuring items like the soup of the day, a cheese plate with fresh fruit, fried oysters, duck spring rolls, and gnocchi.