Chaat Lounge
Capitol Hill has a new neighborhood lounge "where neighbors meet friends." In India and South Asia, "chaat" usually refers to small plates of savory snacks. Here, "chat" is all about meeting with friends and catching up on lives. Thanks to owners Geogy and Misty Chacko, you can now chat over chaat. This comfortable lounge sports a conversation area with a long couch and pillows, small lounge-type tables and chairs and a counter bar for drinks and food. Fun and tasty cocktails like The Sari, Mumbai Water and Lalita (Goddess of Bliss) join mouth-watering small plates. Who can resist tamarind short ribs, a mango prawn salad or malai burgers (panir-stuffed mini-vegetable burgers with malai dipping sauce)? Always delicious, they're even more enticing when priced for happy hour. The Chaat Lounge is a great place to meet up with family and friends during the busy holiday season. Start at Chutney's for breakfast, gearing up for the day with a masala salmon scramble, eggs tikka (better than Benedict!) or rice pancakes; or head in to relax with a cocktail and bites after a busy day. The holidays never felt so good!

The Chaat Lounge is inside Chutney's Grille on the Hill, 605 15th Avenue East on Capitol Hill. The Lounge is open from 3 p.m.-close every day, with happy hour from 3-6 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. daily. Chutney's is open daily from noon. Saturday and Sunday breakfast starts at 9 a.m. Happy hour 3-6 p.m. daily. 206-957-0001.