Best of D.C. 2009

The ingredients of Firefly’s Roasted Portobello Reuben on Toasted Marble Rye ($12) are simple and familiar but so well-made: meaty mushroom seasoned a la corned beef (for real), Gruyère, house-made sauerkraut, Russian dressing. Although the Portobello is not exactly an innovative vegetarian option (and Tackle Box does a pretty great one), Firefly’s version elevates it beyond a meat stand-in. There’s simply no better version in the D.C. region. Thus, it knocks down last year’s No. 1—the gut-busters at Sticky Fingers. The bakery/café’s pre-made vegetarian versions of classics (chicken salad, the club, the BLT) remain damn fine lunch-time staples, however, blending smoky tempeh, creamy fake mayo, and good portions of fake meat.