For Dinner Together today, we are on location in D.C., at a place called Nage -- a restaurant that straddles the gulf between kid-friendly and sophisticated better than any other dining establishment I've experienced yet.

The restaurant, attached to the Marriott Courtyard Embassy Row at 16th Street N.W. and Rhode Island Avenue (Scott Circle), was decorated in warm shades of red, with pleasant, prompt service. We chose it in part because it had a menu of decent sounding kids' meals. There was grilled cheese, chicken fingers (not nuggets), a child-sized burger, and an option of greens instead of fries (not that our kids would go for that.)

More importantly for the vacationing adults, there were delicious entrees like the beautiful plate of grilled pork belly above, a special that evening. It came with grits, a fried egg on top with just the right amount of run in the yolk, crunchy kale and a bacon vinaigrette, with a pea-tendril garnish. The pork was deeply satisfying and indulgent, and all those disparate elements came together harmoniously with the leadership of that vinaigrette, which had a bit of heat and a bit of whimsy.

Prices were quite reasonable for this kind of cuisine in the middle of D.C. Service was attentive, with bonus points for the free lemonade refills and the delivery of the kids' plates first. Everyone was very, very happy.

I am going to pick a bone with Nage, though, on one thing....