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Winter means icy sidewalks, chapped lips, and frumpy sweaters--all very reasonable excuses to turn to the comforts of mac 'n cheese. The List likes the blue-box variety as much as the next girl, but when temperatures become unbearable, sometimes it calls for bacon. A collection of extraordinary macaroni dishes around the metro area.

1. Capital Grill, multiple locations

   Baked pasta with lobster, mascarpone, havarti, and grana padano cream sauce, topped with bread crumbs and grated white cheddar, $15.

2. Circa at Dupont, 1601 Connecticut Ave. NW, D.C.

   With prosciutto, asparagus and artisanal cheese, $10.

3. Equinox, 818 Connecticut Ave. NW, D.C.

   Vermont cheddar and truffles, $14.

4. Co Co. Sala, 929 F St. NW, D.C.

   Jack and cheddar, garlic shrimp, and jalapenos, $9, or four cheese and bacon, $7.

5. Daily Grill, multiple locations

   Table-sized side of cheddar, gruyere, and fontina, $7.50.

6. Café Delux, multiple locations

   Notable for its gruyere and relatively low price, $5.95.

7. Hank’s Oyster Bar, multiple locations

   White cheddar and smoked gouda topped with bread crumbs, $5.

8. Tonic at Quigley’s Pharmacy, 2036 G St. NW, D.C.

   Bechamel sauce with bread crumbs, $8.99; with bacon and tomato, chicken and jalapeno, or pulled pork for $2 more.

9. Logan Tavern, 1423 P St. NW, D.C.

   Crab and shrimp entree, $15.95; as a side for $6.50

10. Vidalia, 1990 M St. NW, D.C.

    Amish cheddar, goat cheese, and smoked ham, $9.50.