Every neighborhood needs a warm and welcoming restaurant where friends can get together for lively conversation, a few drinks and good food. Centrally located in the middle of the bustle of Columbia Heights, The Heights is the perfect stop-off spot for shoppers, the post-work crowd or stay-at-home parents looking to get a taste of the outside world. Walking in, you feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland since the eatery seems to be scaled for giants. The vaulted ceilings are paired with larger-than-life black and white photos and several oversized rust red North Star sculptures. A giant clock behind the bar is set permanently to 4:40, the same time as the broken timepiece in Cheers. Give it a second though, and The Heights starts to feel downright homey. Chefs buzz about the open kitchen with an orchestrated energy, solicitous servers zip around the dining room and the barkeeps move up and down the rail dispensing drinks and chatting. The generously portioned dishes taste like they were inspired by a grandmother’s recipe book, making this comfort food in the best sense. Delicate white fish is golden fried in a near-fluffy batter, then laid across a substantial pile of slender cut chips. The grilled pork chops come with a hefty side of blue cheese au gratin potatoes. And the signature mango Key lime pie with a crest of whipped cream is big enough for two.  By the time you get the check, you’ll feel like you’re a regular – even if it’s your first visit.