Eat Well to Help Those Who Can't: The Great American Dine Out

MANY AMERICANS STRUGGLE with the question of giving back — how can we juggle helping with our high-paced jobs? Oh, and with all the leisure activities we enjoy? Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger, has found a way to marry the two.

The Great American Dine Out is a nationwide campaign that recruits restaurants — both chain and independent — to contribute a portion of their profits to Share Our Strength from Sept. 21-28. Several D.C. favorites have jumped on the charity wagon. That's where your appetite and wallet come in.

If you've been meaning to try Rasika, now is the time. It's tough to go wrong, but seafood appetizers, the savory chaats and any of the lamb entrees (the roganjosh, particularly) are all a sure thing.

Also participating are Dino and Sushi-Ko. The former is solid, rustic Italian. The pappardelle ai cinghiale (pasta with wild boar) and pollo al girarrosto (a succulent rotisserie half-chicken) are definite palate pleasers. The latter is, in our opinion, the best affordable Japanese in town. All the maki roles are tasty, but the small plates are the reason to go. Order the Crab Cakes and Salmon Ceviche and thank us later.

If your mouth isn't watering yet, hit up greatamericandineout.org to find a participating eatery that interests you.

» Rasika, 633 D St. NW; 202-637-1222. (Archives-Navy Memorial)
» Dino, 3435 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-686-2966. (Cleveland Park)
» Sushi-Ko, 2309 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-4187.

Photo by Michael Temchine/The Washington Post