Blue Plate050

The closest thing that fashionable Montana Avenue has to a local diner, Blue Plate is a small, bustling eatery with all-day breakfast, terrific salads, sandwiches, burgers, and great-tasting dinners. Weekend brunch always inspires a crowd (and a wait), but the fresh blueberry or strawberry pancakes and the huevos rancheros seem to merit it.

The battle rages over which restaurant on Montana serves up the best sweet potato fries, but our vote lies here. Also memorable are the corn on the cob with citrus chipotle butter, and that crazy, deep-dish mac 'n cheese.

Kids are as welcome as can be, with a variety of kids' meals at $7 and a staff that seems genuinely pleased to see them. Even babies get the royal treatment, with freshly made baby puree for $3.50.

Take-out is available, including family style meals charged per person.