Anyone who has faced hour-plus waits at Granville Moore’s or Sticky Rice knows that H Street NE tends to be long on bars and short on sit-down dining options. But a wave of recent openings that included Ethiopic, Liberty Tree, and new addition Smith Commons, which opened its doors to media for a preview, could help move the neighborhood beyond just a nightlife destination.

The three-story Smith Commons features a heavy dose of exposed brick, a bar on each level and two outdoor patios that surely be well-used come spring. Those looking for a drink will find a sizable wine list and a beer selection tilted toward domestic microbrews on draft ($6-9) and bottled Belgian imports ($5-15). There’s nothing along the lines of PBR or Bud Light on the menu, but fans of Bell’s, Great Lakes, Chimay, and the like will find plenty to quaff.

Smith Commons also offers a series of fruity, quirkily named cocktails ($10), such as the Guava McGuavington (bourbon, ginger liqueur, simple syrup, lime, guava nectar, Angostura bitters) and Felicity Watermelon Smith (tequila, lime, ginger syrup, watermelon, basil, club soda). While these sound delicious, we’re not sure we can order these drinks with a straight face (maybe that just makes us Stuffy McStuffington).

The menu at Smith Commons hews pretty closely to the classics, such as roasted chicken, chops, and steaks. The dishes occasionally veer off into different territory, such as little neck clams with bok choy and miso, mango and duck breast salad with curry dressing, or the inexplicably expensive penne carbonara. Entrees run $14-$25, and appetizers and desserts are $6-$12.