MARYLAND

ADDIE’S [American]
11120 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301-881-0081; addiesrestaurant.com.
Whether you’re escaping the afternoon rush on the Pike or stopping in before a concert at the Strathmore, Addie’s serene patio is the perfect place to enjoy Prince Edward Island mussels with a glass of Pinot Grigio.

BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE [Seafood]
4958 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, 301-652-3382.
Roll up your sleeves and settle at a picnic table to enjoy some Chesapeake crabs, prepared traditionally with Old Bay seasoning. If down-and-dirty crab digging isn’t for you, the shrimp by the pound is equally delicious.

BICE [Italian]
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, 301-654-2250; bicegroup.com.
For an Italian twist on a Southern classic, head to Bice to try the Sophia Julep martini made with Prosecco, apricot brandy, mint leaves, brown sugar, and lime—a delightful beginning to a traditional Italian meal.

CLYDE’S [Seafood]
5441 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301-951-9600; 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, 410-730-2829; 11905 Market Street, Reston, Virginia, 703-787-6601; clydes.com.
Business-friendly, datefriendly, and family-friendly all describe the well-known metropolitan area franchise Clyde’s. We particularly love these three locations because of their outdoor seating.

M CAFÉ [Italian]
5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301-986-4818; mcafeandbar.com.
Shop till you drop, then take a break in the M Cafe’s courtyard overlooking the fountain and refuel with pizza from the new tapas bar. Later, go upstairs, listen to live music, and enjoy chef’s table programs at Famoso.

MRS. K’S RESTAURANT [American]
9201 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, 301-589-3500; mrsks.com.
Try one of the 45 wines by the glass offered at the restaurant’s wine bar, the Wine Press, accompanied by one of Mrs. K’s popular appetizers—crab cakes, spicy shrimp and scallop ceviche, or octopus salad, for example.

OLD ANGLER’S INN [American]
10801 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, 301-299-9097; oldanglersinn.com.
Sneak away to the Old Angler’s Inn on a Sunday for the $30 prix fixe brunch. Tucked away down MacArthur Boulevard, its shaded courtyard is the perfect place to relax for a few hours.

SHORE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE [Eclectic]
St. Michaels Harbour Inn, Marina & Spa, 101 North Harbor Road, St. Michaels, 410-924-4769; shorerestaurant.net; stmichaelsfoodandwinefestival.com.
With outside and poolside dining as well as an indoor lounge and a second-floor dining room affording a harbor view, Shore Restaurant & Lounge offers refreshing drinks and menu items, including cucumber martinis (fresh cucumber juice, Cointreau, Jose Cuervo tequila, and a splash of sour mix) and a St. Michaels mojito made with Bacardi orange and muddled with a slice of orange. Try crispy fried soft-shell crab with baby spinach and a tomatocaper- garlic butter sauce.

VIRGINIA
CHIMA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE [Brazilian]
8010 Towers Crescent Drive, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Virginia, 703-639-3080; chima.cc.
Awaken your animal instincts at this South American-inspired steakhouse. Enjoy diverse offerings from the salad bar and every cut of meat imaginable, including the specialty, spicy rodizio steak. Wash it all down with a caipirinha, the traditional Brazilian cocktail.

2941 RESTAURANT [Modern French American]
2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia, 703-270-1500; 2941.com.
Enjoy the patio with its soothing waterfall, and share a foie gras torchon with brioche and apricot chutney.

PING BY CHARLIE CHIANG’S [Modern Chinese]
4060 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, 703-671-4900; charliechiangs.com.
Chinese food with a modern American flavor is the bill of fare at this latest offshoot of the Charlie Chiang family of restaurants. The sparkling sake will make your evening positively delightful.

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE [Steakhouse]
8521 Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner, 703-848-4290; ruthschris.com.
The newly renovated Ruth’s Chris in Tysons Corner offers all the things we love about Ruth’s Chris, plus outside seating. Try a Crabtini, served in a chilled martini glass with three ounces of tender and colossal lump crabmeat tossed in house vinaigrette and served with the restaurant’s classic Creole remoulade. Pair that with Ruth’s Black Cherry-tini for the perfect happy-hour snack.

SETTE BELLO RISTORANTE [Italian]
3101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, 703-351-1004; settebellorestaurant.com.
Savor small portions of the best Italy has to offer with Sette Bello’s piattini, the Italian version of tapas. During happy hour, wine and beer by the glass are half price.

VINIFERA WINE BAR AND BISTRO [American]
11750 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, 703-234-3550; viniferabistro.com.
Say bonjour to the list of 300 wines and 16 martinis at this classic French-inspired wine bar.

WILLOW RESTAURANT [American/Seafood]
4301 North Fairfax Drive Arlington, 703-465-8800; willowva.com.
Not only does this spot have an outdoor patio, but it also features a garden for your dining pleasure. Head over to Arlington on a late-summer evening for a refreshing bowl of chilled tomato and almond gazpacho.