Sospeso

"During the week, you'll often find couples having heartfelt chats at the bar in Sospeso. You might even feel tempted to pull up a stool and join in as soon as you step into this Mediterranean restaurant on H St. Don't get distracted by the chatter and the blue Spanish tiles, grab a table instead because you don't want to miss out on the branzino which is usually sold out by the end of the night. Sit upstairs by windows that overlook H St. or opt for the alcove on the first floor that almost feels like a private room, which is great if you’re looking for something more intimate. Service here can be a bit unpredictable and will at times require you to flag down your server—admittedly very annoying—but the food is good enough to bring you back. " - Omnia Saed

"During the week, you'll often find couples having heartfelt chats at the bar in Sospeso. You might even feel tempted to pull up a stool and join in as soon as you step into this Mediterranean restaurant on H St. Don't get distracted by the chatter and the blue Spanish tiles that greet you as soon as you walk into the Mediterranean restaurant on H St, grab a table instead because you don't want to miss out on the branzino which is usually sold out by the end of the night. Sit upstairs by windows that overlook H St. or opt for the alcove on the first floor that almost feels like a private room, which is great if you’re looking for something more intimate. Service here can be a bit unpredictable and will at times require you to flag down your server—admittedly very annoying—but the food is good enough to bring you back. " - Omnia Saed

"This romantic brick-lined eatery’s menu evolves from morning house pastries to hummus, halloumi, Turkish lentil soup, and hearty carbonara and grilled lamb chop orders for dinner. Find $6 wines and $5 crispy potatoes from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays." - Mekita Rivas

"After seven years on H Street, romantic Mediterranean kitchen and cozy cafe Sospeso will closed for good in early April." - Tierney Plumb

"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