Remember the meals you used to love as a kid, Residences on the Avenue? Mac and cheese? Tater tots? Chicken tenders? Well, Tonic is a DC restaurant that brings you those same foods in elevated, grown-up versions. Take the mac and cheese, for example: At Tonic you can choose a spicy version studded with jalapeno slices and crumbled chorizo, or go for a Southern-style version that features pulled pork and fried onions as mix-ins. There's also an ever-rotating selection of daily and weekly mac specials, so be sure to ask your server about current options.

The tater tots at Tonic are crispy and golden, and come with sophisticated dipping sauces, like chipotle-infused honey mustard and a unique curried ketchup aioli. Pair your tots with a blue-cheese-stuffed lamb burger or a plate of panko-crusted fish tacos and you've got a tasty, hearty meal reminiscent of your childhood, but better in just about every way.

Tonic
2036 G St NW
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 296-0211
www.tonicrestaurant.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr pearlbear78