"This Mount Pleasant spot was part of D.C.’s first wave of local Filipino restaurants in an upscale setting. The sizzling, spicy pork belly and pork shoulder sisig remains a favorite dish, along with such staples as longanisa (sweet garlic sausage) and tocino (sweet grilled pork). You also can’t leave without trying an ube-flavored dessert or the ube waffle with fried chicken marinated in soy sauce and vinegar at brunch. Owner Patrice Cleary, who was born in the Philippines, also opened Joia Burger a block away earlier this year, serving up wagyu beef smash burgers with chopped toppings and ube soft serve." - Emily Venezky