Jaleo   

Situated next door to Washington's Shakespeare Theatre and around the corner from other theaters, Jaleo is the perfect place for a pre- or post-show meal. This tapas restaurant offers up more than 50 bite-sized appetizers, hot and cold, spicy and refreshing. It's easy to slip right into the party atmosphere in the dining room, a sprawling space that includes a raised bar and tables set alongside tall windows overlooking the city street. The original Washington location makes a great date spot, but you can share the tapas in Bethesda and Arlington too. The tapas come out fast, as soon as they're ready, and it's hard to find a bad one in the bunch: Potato and onion omelet and grilled chorizo bedded on mashed potatoes are perennial winners. The best way is to order two or three dishes per diner and share -- that way you get to sample more. Drinks are a big deal here, too -- the bar is always lively and loud. Choose from sangria, Spanish wines by the glass or a good selection of beers by the bottle. -- Jon Bowen