White bean tartine is an open-faced dream at Capitol Hill's Licorous

We don't know a much better way to patiently await this year's summer-come-lately than to slip into the softly lit lounge of Licorous on Capitol Hill and sink our teeth into a smoked white bean tartine ($3 each). Piles of bright emerald greens and chives are like a freshly cut lawn distracting us from gray skies; creamy bean puree with just a hint of truffle butter blankets us like a warm summer evening; crisp toast holds together the whole delicious mess just enough to prevent spilling. Nonetheless, we still find ourselves licking our fingers -- and our plates -- clean.

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