8439 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

This iconic Japanese restaurant pairs its mashed potatoes with pan-fried scallops and yuzu, a type of citrus fruit. The dish is part of the prix fixe "Izakaya" Feast. Katana kitchen manager Raul Salinas says: "The heart and soul of Katana is really Japanese comfort food, and nothing says comfort like mashed potatoes! The scallop is seared just right and adds textural dimension, and the yuzu gravy pulls us back to our Japanese roots. It is the perfect bite!"

Must-Try: Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Yuzu Gravy

By Monica Bhide

616 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL

Executive Chef Dino Tsaknis says: "Our side dishes focus on simplicity to not take away from your main course, but to enhance it. Our basil whipped potatoes are made to be light and are flavorful and creamy, without being too rich." After the potatoes are cooked, they are pushed through a ricer for the best texture, then seasoned and whipped with whole milk, cream and butter until they are light and fluffy. When it's ready to be served, this beautiful dish is topped with coarsely ground black pepper and vibrantly green, aromatic basil oil.

Must-Try: Basil Whipped Potatoes

3512 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Spiced mashed potatoes? Oh, yes! Indique, a restaurant located in the nation's capital, serves up a South Indian specialty: mashed potatoes cooked with coconut oil, shallots, mustard seeds, curry leaves and chili flakes. "What I love about this dish is its simplicity in making it. With the use of six simple ingredients, the end result is amazing ... the harmonious union of these spices with coconut oil takes this potato dish to a whole new level," says co-owner and Executive Chef K.N. Vinod.

Must-Try: Potato Ullarthiyathe

576 Congress St., Portland, ME (original location)

Thought you had seen it all? Every version of the mashed potato? Well, we have one more: mashed potato pizza! "We wanted to stand out and top a pizza with something that a lot of people like, but wouldn't think to put on a pizza. It was a tough sell at first, but now it's our top-selling pizza," says Mike Keon, OTTO co-owner, of his mashed potato pizza. It features a golden crust, a creamy base, mashed Maine potatoes, smoked bacon and freshly chopped scallions.

Must-Try: Mashed Potato, Bacon & Scallion Pizza, affectionately known as The Masher