"Imagine an office filled with people wearing variations on the classic DC work uniform of suits and power dresses. Then, imagine a new employee who just moved to town from a place without a Tuckernuck or J.Crew. That’s Pascual, the resident cool kid of the Hill. The Mexican restaurant from the team behind Lutèce is so cool, with its minimalist interior and limited-seat bar, that it looks a little out of place on the otherwise drab Maryland Ave. The space is about as large as a studio apartment, so you’ll have to battle the whole city for a spot, but it’s worth it for their mezcal-focused cocktail menu and smoky moles." - Madeline Weinfield