It's the brewery D.C. has been waiting for. Neighborhood Restaurant Group's brewery, along with its accompanying restaurant, The Arsenal, came on the scene with a whopping 20 new, ambitious beers and food to match, like fancy tater tots and beef heart tartare.

Osteria Morini is New York restaurateur Michael White's first foray into the D.C. market. The restaurant boasts waterfront views, homemade pastas and elegant Italian dishes, as well as a selection of amari drinks.

Neighborhood Restaurant Group took one of D.C.'s oldest restaurants and made it their own. Iron Gate has a dramatic outdoor space, with a tree and vines climbing the walls. Tony Chittum's cooking leans Southern Italian and Greek, with a complementary wine program from sommelier Brent Kroll, and cocktails from Jeff Faile. There's a big ouzo selection, too. The restaurant is a la carte outdoors, and tasting menu-based inside.

Sure, it's a chain. But that hasn't quelled the anticipation over Joe's Prime Steak, Seafood and Stone Crab (one of the few places in Washington that specializes in that particular variety of crab). The restaurant is looking to establish itself as a new power spot, with its dramatic space and location, private dining rooms and other amenities.

Frederick de Pue has been a chef to watch since he burst on the scene last year with two restaurants, Table and Azur. Menu MBK is the replacement to the now-shuttered Azur, and this is an ambitious project located within the former Cafe Atlantico building. The combination market, bar and restaurant is drawing early attention for its selection, design and even for its cheese chariot.

Bryan Voltaggio's latest project is a restaurant within a restaurant. Aggio serves up Italian and Italian-American leaning fare within the back room of Range. There will be a second version of the restaurant in Baltimore come springtime.

This is the third Red Apron location to hit D.C., and it's Neighborhood Restaurant Group's most ambitious version. The hybrid butcher shop, market and sandwich destination includes a new type of bread, the tigelle, and will emphasize breakfast. The adjoining restaurant, The Partisan, from Ed Witt and Nate Anda, serves up dishes like whole pig's head.

This Pan-Latin steakhouse comes from Richard Sandoval, and one is one of several celebrity chef-helmed steakhouses set to debut in DC this year. Toro Toro focuses on meats carved tableside, as well as a selection of small plates.

Taylor Gourmet does pizza: the sandwich guys transformed their cheesesteak operation, Steak & Ice, into this pizza restaurant. There are pies, as well as options available by the slice, with toppings like meatball and broccoli rabe. Also on the menu: garlic knots and calzones.