Glaze

Heather Alcott's Glaze in Congress Park is known for circular cakes called baumkuchen that bake one layer at a time on a horizontal rod. The place opens at 9 a.m. every morning as a bakery cafe featuring tarts, macarons, coffee drinks and of course, baumkuchen -- a Japanese-German hybrid that requires a special oven (Alcott says hers is the only one in the U.S.). Everything that crosses the counter here, as much art as cuisine, demonstrates expertise, quality and sheer fun. With a modern, minimalist dining room and a sleek chef's counter, the restaurant still pulls off warmth and charm in part because of the confidence and sincerity pouring from the kitchen and bakery.