"Every now and again a restaurant comes along that feels like an instant institution. Rosedale, from the team behind Rasika, is one of those spots. When it opened in Van Ness late last year, it was almost immediately hard to imagine the neighborhood without it. The space leans into nostalgia without veering into kitsch, with dark wood beams, open shelving stocked with heirloom dishware and toy tractors, and a rotisserie of glistening chickens turning hypnotically behind the open kitchen. The effect is somewhere between a grand country manor and a back-pocket secret. That rotating wall of birds is more than decor. Rosedale’s signature chicken, lacquered in a five-spice red wine jus, is a masterclass in crisp-skinned perfection, each bite juicy, fragrant, and rich with the deep umami of its slow roast. The Tidal Basin pizza, with a sourdough crust that’s been nurtured since 1988, is a serious contender for one of DC’s best. Meanwhile, the butternut squash ravioli is impossibly delicate, swathed in browned butter and blanketed under a snowfall of Reggiano. For dessert, a dark chocolate cake walks the line between bitter and sweet, paired with a brittle cacao meringue and a citrus caramel sauce that lands like a final, unexpected plot twist. Rosedale is the kind of restaurant that feels like it’s always been there. And if there’s any justice, it always will be. Food Rundown photo credit: Greg Powers Rotisserie Chicken If a rotisserie bird can be transcendent, this is it. Crisp skin, deeply flavored meat, and a five-spice red wine jus that deserves its own fan club. Tidal Basin Pizza The 36-year-old sourdough starter in this pizza brings deep flavor to the crust, but the briny clams, tender fennel, and crunchy lemon breadcrumbs take it to the next level. Dark Chocolate Cake Rich, velvety, and cut through with puckering citrus caramel. This cake will linger in your memory for days after the meal is over." - Allison Robicelli
