B. Smith’s at Union Station, Washington D.C.

Stop by B. Smith’s in Washington D.C.’s historic Union Station for Cajun, Creole and Southern cuisine. Reliable house favorites include jambalaya; Southern fried chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes; red beans and rice studded with andouille sausage, the “Swamp Thing” (seafood served over greens with a mustard sauce). Desserts are comforting, slightly dressed-up classics: coconut cake, warm bread pudding, and sweet-potato-pecan pie. Live, traditional jazz on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday Brunch.

The restaurant is owned by Barbara (”B.”) Smith , a former fashion model turned restaurateur, television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire who is widely regarded as an expert when it comes to casual but elegant living.