Maestro

Sometimes in Washington, D.C., you need to watch your pennies, and on other occasions, it's a big celebration. If you've run away to D.C. for a special occasion, Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, where service purrs. A wall of windows offers a quiet view of twinkling D.C. The menu is complex with many options, but you'll get to taste things here that few other places offer. Settle in for a few hours of culinary adventure and spoiling attention, and ask the waitstaff to define menu items that you don't recognize.

Pace yourself here: The cheese cart, the dessert course, and complimentary sweets after dessert deserve your attention.