Astoria DC is a sultry and sexy Dupont Circle rookie. It stands apart from its neighboring facades by way of gleaming glass panes etched with the name printed in gold leaf. If you can't stand the heat, then shy away from this scorcher, since they dole out some seriously fiery food.

Dan dan noodles are creamy, savory, and rather like those chili wontons in a tongue-numbing sauce that bursts with porky goodness. Tuck into the tender water-boiled beef dish, a brisket with just the right flavor balance, before savoring the well-prepared mapo tofu that delivers less of a kick but all the flavor. While the crunch of the walnut shrimp is offset by a glossy sauce, the sober soup is a deliciously clean bowl of thick broth loaded with cellophane-thin pork wontons.