When the ultimate destination for a girls' night out is U Street, Logan Circle's Rice is a good place to know about. Low lighting lends a cool, loungey feel to the minimalist space. Exposed brick walls and cushy bench seats help reinforce the theme. Common Thai offerings -- pad Thai, tom yum goong and penang curry -- are available here, but I gravitate toward the restaurant's more contemporary dishes. Squid ink lends a dramatic color and more intense flavor to one pad Thai dish. Green tea subtly scents some of the dumplings. A slow-burning heat lurks in a milky green curry. One-third of the menu caters to vegetarians, and the cocktail list will appeal to anyone with a flair for fruity. (Melon-cucumber mojito, anyone?) Rice doesn't take reservations; owner Sak Pollert recommends arriving between 5 and 8 p.m. to avoid a long wait for a table. -- Julia Beizer (Feb. 19, 2010)
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