The Red Hen

There are a lot of reasons to like Red Hen. The big bar, open kitchen, and stacked firewood that make the space feel like a cabin, and the generally excellent Italian pasta, cheeses, and meats. But the greatest of all these things is the mezzi rigatoni, which comes with fennel sausage and pecorino, and is one of our favorite dishes in all of DC. After eating it, you will find every excuse possible to have it again. And that’s not a problem, because Red Hen is a place that works for date night, dinner with parents, group dinners, and even solo meals. Just be sure to make a reservation or come early, because most people in the DMV are looking to eat here too.