"Sospeso, which turns five this year at 1344 H Street NE, offers a wide Mediterranean selection of fresh pastas, porchetta sandwiches, branzino, and grilled lamb chops. Some of the same spreads and meze served at the romantic, brick-lined original show up in Union Market. The quick, takeout-friendly menu kicks off with silky hummus bowls starting at $6, garnished with roasted lamb, za’atar cauliflower, or coban salata (a Turkish veggie salad). Smooth labneh and baba ghanoush spreads also come with homemade focaccia. Savory pies include a borek — a Turkish classic stuffed with potatoes and cheese — and the Greek staple of spanakopita, layered with spinach and feta ($4-$6). Chef Michael Rosato, a third-generation Southern Italian, is a vermouth aficionado and makes the fragrant, fortified wine himself using over a dozen different aromatics. He plans to bottle his own line of Sospeso Vermouth down the line. For now, the stall sends out batches of his bianco or rosso varieties in 8-ounce pouches ($16)." - Tierney Plumb
