Coastal Flats   

Looking like a gigantic yellow beach house plucked from the Eastern Shore and plopped smack dab in the middle of the Fairfax Corner mixed-use area, Coastal Flats is a bustling seafood spot. Along with the other massively popular restaurants owned by the local Great American Restaurants (including Artie's, Carlyle and Sweetwater Tavern), the restaurant strikes a culinary chord with families, couples, singles -- truly every group. A mermaid and more than 200 fish dangle from vaulted ceilings, which carry the beach house theme with exposed beams and skylights. A mural of a tropical port stretches 80 feet along one wall of the all-booth dining room. There's a noisy bar in the front of the restaurant, but a porch with some tables and a hopping bar is the next best thing to a summer share at Rehobeth. Much of the same food you'll find at the other outposts of Great American Restaurants is dished out here (hickory smoked baby back ribs and wood grilled filet mignon), but Coastal Flats' menu leans towards oceanic servings (pecan crusted trout with orange citrus butter, fried grouper fingers and a lobster roll). Salads, sandwiches and a kids menu make it an all-bases-covered lineup. You'll find the dessert favorite from the group's other restaurants repeated on the menu at Coastal Flats: warm flourless chocolate waffle. The restaurant, which averages long wait times, doesn't take reservations; but it's strongly recommended you call ahead to be put on a list shortly before you arrive. -- Kathleen Neary