Suecat's

While I am tempted not to recommend Suecats, it is purely out of selfishness. A hidden gem isn't hidden once everyone knows about it. But I love this place so much, I will take the risk, because it genuinely makes me sad and worried every time I come here and it is not packed. I absolutely love Southern cooking. It is hard to find this far North, but Suecats manages it. The head chef grew up with a Southern cooking mom, and takes personal pride in both nailing and expanding on the flavor. His burgers are local beef with both epicurean and down-home options; his seafood and shellfish are made with a local flavor, maybe less spicy but with no less art than I have had in New Orleans; he has playfully made pit beef that measures up to, if not surpasses, any long-standing tradition from here to any coast. Just, regularly, the chef is challenging himself to elevate any Mid-Atlantic to Southern favorite he comes in touch with, while never ever betraying their source. I will add: I have a condition that makes me need to avoid wheat. It genuinely messes me up. But I order gluten free off the menu every time. I trust the kitchen, which has never, ever failed me. If you're gluten free, please re-read that. NEVER FAILED ME. But if you aren't gluten free, just know, that even if there were a risk of days of pain, I would risk it, because, t would be worth it. So, so good. Long story short: I selfishly do not want you to take my ability to walk into my home town restaurant and get a table, but this place is so good, I can't keep it to myself. Please make me have to make reservations. If you remember to say, "Dave sent me," that's awesome, but if you forget, no worries, chances are you'll have added a "little place in the neighborhood that's awesome" to your repertoire. And if, by bad luck, you have caught an amazing place on a bad night and it wasn't awesome, I assure you that it's worth a second try. I have been here more times than I can count with my shoes off and I have never been disappointed.

My wife had the shrimp and grits and I had the osso bucco. Both were excellent. The staff is friendly the atmosphere is great. I expect this will be very crowded as soon as the word gets out. They are celiac friendly and most of their mains can be made gluten free.