There’s a lot of bad news coming out of Washington, DC these days. Hear about the city, and it’s easy to feel negatively. But that’s the opposite reaction I have when I think of this city, full of vibrant restaurants, and one of the best places to start your day, or take a lunch, is just over the line in Arlington, VA. Bayou Bakery is a slice of New Orleans helmed by chef/owner David Guas, someone who’s just as happy pulling an espresso shot and greeting guests by name as he is deftly laminating dough or creating a chocolate ganache with just the right sheen. He started his career at the prestigious Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, he’s penned a James Beard finalist cookbook, and had some TV fun as the host of the Travel Channel’s American Grilled, but through it all he’s remained a loyal participant in Who Dat Nation. And he makes one of the best beignets this side of Cafe Du Monde.