Jack Rose

This place has to be seen to be believed. They claim to have the largest collection of whiskeys in the western hemisphere, and there is no reason to dispute them. They have some 1,500 whiskeys, including more than a thousand single malts.

There are helpful whiskey consultants so my out-of-town guest and I each had a flight -- three 1-oz. pours -- of single malts you will never find in a store and would have trouble finding in Scotland. They were without exception outstanding. The one cask strength was very strong, so you should be sure you have acquired that taste before ordering one of those.

The decor, which displays bottles of whiskey in floor-to-ceiling shelves on three sides, is outstanding. It was nice weather for the rooftop patio, but the menu is limited there and the view in the "dining saloon" is too special to pass up.

The New American food was fine: I had the artichoke soup special (lots of cream and salt but all right) and the pork chop, while my companion had the watermelon salad (which I sampled at it was excellent) and the risotto.

But I would return to spend some time at the bar and drink, eating only as necessary to keep tasting the voluminous assortment of whiskey. It is a very special place for whiskey lovers, and right here in DC!