Places to Eat in DC

Kim Shook · October 8, 2012

I'm an idiot! Of course he meant the 18th of the MONTH :rolleyes: ! Thanks for noticing that. And for all the good information. I'm sorry to take so long to respond, but I've been in an out of town a lot visiting my grandmother in NC who is in a nursing home. I'm going to research everything and ask my friends for input and will pick a place. I really appreciate everything and will report back!

LATER

Ok, here’s the short list:

Mintwood Place

Graffiato

Marvin

Agora

Birch & Barley

This is one of my oldest friends and I know what he wants – he wants to recreate nights out when we were in high school and college and used to wander around Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria, popping into different places for a snack and a drink and finally settling down to eat somewhere ‘cool’. Since we are now older, I do want to make a reservation (which I can do at any of these places), but I know he’ll still want to do a bit of wandering. Are any of these restaurants in neighborhoods that would facilitate that? Thanks so much!

Edited October 8, 2012 by Kim Shook (log)

Hassouni · October 8, 2012

I'm an idiot! Of course he meant the 18th of the MONTH ! Thanks for noticing that. And for all the good information. I'm sorry to take so long to respond, but I've been in an out of town a lot visiting my grandmother in NC who is in a nursing home. I'm going to research everything and ask my friends for input and will pick a place. I really appreciate everything and will report back!
LATER
Ok, here’s the short list:
Mintwood Place
Graffiato
Marvin
Agora
Birch & Barley
This is one of my oldest friends and I know what he wants – he wants to recreate nights out when we were in high school and college and used to wander around Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria, popping into different places for a snack and a drink and finally settling down to eat somewhere ‘cool’. Since we are now older, I do want to make a reservation (which I can do at any of these places), but I know he’ll still want to do a bit of wandering. Are any of these restaurants in neighborhoods that would facilitate that? Thanks so much!

Not sure where the other two are, but Agora, Marvin, and Birch and Barley are definitely within walking distance (17th & Q, 14th & U, 14th & P? respectively). If you want tasty wandering snacks and good drinks I may also recommend El Centro DF (14th btw S&T, next to Black Cat)

Kim Shook · November 7, 2012

Well, we ended up at NONE of the places on my short list :rolleyes: ! He picked Cashion's from some online list of 'must see DC restaurants'! That was fine with me - I love Cashion's and we had a lovely meal and a nice wander around the neighborhood afterwards. Thanks so much - I'm keeping my list so that we'll have some ready ideas for the next time we go up. Thank you again!

Hassouni · November 8, 2012

Well, Mitch, I went to Seki. Had to wait forever, and paid quite a bit, but the food was very good and eclectic - I went with a Japanese friend and she ordered her favorite weird stuff on the menu, like chopped raw octopus with wasabi.....(that was my least favorite). The sake and shochu list were really impressive, I'd go back just for that.

weinoo · November 8, 2012

Sounds good!

There's another brand new ramen place (ramen becoming the new burger maybe) on Columbia Road in Adams Morgan that we tried last night - which looks like it may turn into a zoo at some point, since upstairs is a lounge area. It's called Taan, and it was all high tops and uncomfortable stools downstairs. The ramen was okay, but I prefer Sakuramen on 18th.

And the night before we were at Mintwood, where I had one of the best game dishes I've had on this side of the Atlantic - wild Scottish wood pigeon breast, wrapped in a force of its own liver, heart and dark meat, then wrapped in Savoy and bacon, cooked perfectly rare and a real slam-dunk. Place was packed, as was Cashion's.

Kim Shook · April 13, 2015

Back again! Same group, same request - just 1 1/2 years later. So is this list still good:

Mintwood Place
Graffiato
Marvin
Agora
Birch & Barley

or is there an even hipper and cooler place that I can impress my LA pal with? Thanks!

radtek · April 13, 2015

Amsterdam Falafelshop in Adam's Morgan. Great place for informal quick falafel and frites. The condiment bar is amazing.

Have a beer at the Black Squirrel next door...

weinoo · April 13, 2015

Yikes.

Anyway, our favorite became Red Hen.

We're not in DC at all any more, and haven't been since November, but Red Hen it was.

Alex · April 13, 2015

Amsterdam Falafelshop in Adam's Morgan. Great place for informal quick falafel and frites. The condiment bar is amazing.

Have a beer at the Black Squirrel next door...

Amsterdam Falafelshop is indeed very good, but not what I'd choose per your original request.

Red Hen is very good, too, and is much closer to what you're looking for.

I cannot speak to Agora or Marvin. Mintwood Place and Birch & Barley are casual/hip and are still "in places" to go. For more of "the scene" + good food, I suggest these:

Le Diplomate

Rose's Luxury (no reservations; get in line early)

Also, Eater says these are the hottest restaurants in the DC area this month.

Edited April 13, 2015 by Alex (log)

weinoo · April 14, 2015

Yeah, we ended up liking Le Diplomate more than we thought we would. It's a great version of Balthazar.

Hassouni · April 14, 2015

Amsterdam Falafelshop is indeed very good, but not what I'd choose per your original request.

Red Hen is very good, too, and is much closer to what you're looking for.

I cannot speak to Agora or Marvin. Mintwood Place and Birch & Barley are casual/hip and are still "in places" to go. For more of "the scene" + good food, I suggest these:
Le Diplomate
Rose's Luxury (no reservations; get in line early)
The Partisan
Rasika
Ripple
Iron Gate

Also, Eater says these are the hottest restaurants in the DC area this month.

I have no idea about Ripple but my takes on the places above:

Diplomate is the Frenchiest place on earth, including France. Their bread is the best in the city, their service is exemplary. The food is excellent but not particularly original.

Rose's, I haven't been mostly because of the queues, but it's allegedly "the best restaurant in the country" now, according to some magazine

Partisan - if you're into meat esp of the cured variety, this is the place

Rasika - haute indienne, if you're into that kind of thing.

Iron Gate - chef's tasting menu inside, a la carte menu of very tasty food in the gorgeous courtyard (recommended)

I'd also throw these into the mix:

Daikaya (upstairs) - Another izakaya-type place. HUGE Japanese whisky, shochu, and sake collection

China Chilcano (really new from Jose Andres, quite good) - Asian-Peruvian

Jaleo (still kickin' ass)

Barcelona (Jaleo is better but Barcelona is on 14th st and is quite a fun place)

ETA: THIP KHAO - GO HERE!!!!! No-holds-barred Lao food. Amazing.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Hassouni (log)

Kim Shook · April 14, 2015

Well, crap. They did it to me again. Reservation made by someone else at Founding Farmers. But that's for Thursday night. There will be one other person and I around on Friday and I'm going to offer her your suggestions and let her choose. She's a great person to go restauranting with, so I have high hopes. Thanks so much for the help!

Alex · April 14, 2015

Well, crap. They did it to me again. Reservation made by someone else at Founding Farmers. But that's for Thursday night. There will be one other person and I around on Friday and I'm going to offer her your suggestions and let her choose. She's a great person to go restauranting with, so I have high hopes. Thanks so much for the help!

That's very kind of you to let her choose. Given that it's just the two of you, if money is no (or very minimal) object, I'd recommend Marcel's. It's not hip in the way most of the others mentioned in this thread are, but it's clearly one of the best restaurants in DC. Similarly, if you don't mind a quick jaunt to Alexandria, I'd recommend Restaurant Eve.

What I meant by "money": A five-course tasting menu at Eve is $85; at Marcel's, $110. Seven-course tasting menus are also available: $150 at Marcel's, not sure about Eve. Wine is additional.

Kim Shook · April 14, 2015

That's very kind of you to let her choose. Given that it's just the two of you, if money is no (or very minimal) object, I'd recommend Marcel's. It's not hip in the way most of the others mentioned in this thread are, but it's clearly one of the best restaurants in DC. Similarly, if you don't mind a quick jaunt to Alexandria, I'd recommend Restaurant Eve.

What I meant by "money": A five-course tasting menu at Eve is $85; at Marcel's, $110. Seven-course tasting menus are also available: $150 at Marcel's, not sure about Eve. Wine is additional.

Thanks, Alex. I'll add Marcel's to the list. She's actually eating at Restaurant Eve the night before I get up there! We had lunch there during her last visit and fell in love with it!

Alex · April 14, 2015

Thanks, Alex. I'll add Marcel's to the list. She's actually eating at Restaurant Eve the night before I get up there! We had lunch there during her last visit and fell in love with it!

Cool. I'll be visiting the area soon, and the Lickety Split lunch at Restaurant Eve is already on my way-too-long lunch list. There are similar bar/lounge lunch deals in the area -- for example, Proof and The Oval Room. Graffiato used to have a great lunch deal but I don't see it on their current web site.

cegadede · July 28, 2015

Host's note: this topic was split from Best place for ribs in DC?

Yes, weinoo is right, DC is not a great place for BBQ. Maybe you would like some other recommendations... we do have a lot of good restaurants.

Yes, I'd love other recommendations! In what kinds of food DC excel at? Edited July 28, 2015 by Smithy (log)

weinoo · July 28, 2015

In the district itself, I've always had good luck at places like Estadio and Jaleo.

Once you get into the suburbs, the restaurant scene changes dramatically, and you can find some fine Vietnamese, Chinese, and other se Asian places. Of course, there's Little Serow in the district, usually involves some waiting around.

**curls** · July 28, 2015

What parts of the DC area are you going to be visiting? What sort of food are you interested in? What is your price range? The range of options runs from The Inn at Little Washington to food trucks.

The Washington Post and Washingtonian magazine both have websites with lots of local information, events, and reviews. You may also want to peruse DonRockwell.com (a DC area dining site).

cegadede · July 28, 2015

As I ve never been to DC, I ll be visiting the tourist hotspots and the museums. I like all kinds of food, and I love to try foods I have never eaten.

As the exchange rate between the Real (the brazillian currency) and the dollar is currently very unfavorable to brazillians, I am inclined towards the < $100 per couple meals.

Thanks for your help.

What parts of the DC area are you going to be visiting? What sort of food are you interested in? What is your price range? The range of options runs from The Inn at Little Washington to food trucks.

The Washington Post and Washingtonian magazine both have websites with lots of local information, events, and reviews. You may also want to peruse DonRockwell.com (a DC area dining site).

**curls** · July 29, 2015

The area near the Smithsonian museums does not have any good restaurants that I know of... the cafeteria at the National Museum of the American Indians is supposed to have the best food in the area.

Where is your lodging? Perhaps we can recommend some restaurants in that area. Will you have a car? Are you willing to take the Metro (subway)?

Edited July 29, 2015 by curls (log)

weinoo · July 29, 2015

Agree on the National Museum of the American Indian. It's a super fun place, with good food to boot. Cheap, also.

cegadede · July 29, 2015

The area near the Smithsonian museums does not have any good restaurants that I know of... the cafeteria at the National Museum of the American Indians is supposed to have the best food in the area.
Where is your lodging? Perhaps we can recommend some restaurants in that area. Will you have a car? Are you willing to take the Metro (subway)?

I won't have a car for the full stay, but I'm willing to take the subway or a taxi.

Alex · July 29, 2015

I assume you're staying in DC itself (vs. the surrounding communities -- Alexandria, Arlington, etc.). It would help, though, to know exactly where. For example, if you're staying in the popular Dupont Circle area, we can recommend places that are walking distance from there.

So far, in your price range, I'd recommend:

Rasika or Rasika West End (progressive Indian cuisine; don't miss the Palak Chaat), for lunch, dinner, or pre-theater dinner

Tosca (classic Italian; pre-theater dinner + one glass of wine each would be ~$110 before tax/tip, but I've never had a bad course there)

Corduroy (near the Convention Center; inventive cooking; expensive regular dinner, but a super-bargain three-course prix fixe upstairs in the bar (menu not on web site), plus inexpensive wine by the glass during happy hour)

Le Diplomate (very good, very popular, probably a bit off the beaten track for you, but one of the go-to places if you're in that area)

Zaytinya (Mediterranean -- think Greek/Turkish/Lebanese -- small plates; very popular place)

Birch & Barley (ditto)

La Chaumiere (classic French cuisine, in Georgetown)

Kellari Taverna (Greek)

I think this list of pre-theater options is up to date.

Lunch bargains in the bar area are available at Proof, Oval Room, 701, and many other places.

Indian Buffet Champagne Brunch in a beautiful setting at Bombay Club

Champagne brunch also at Nopa

My two favorite resources for DC are dc.eater.com and the aforementioned DonRockwell.com (register there as you did for eG to access the Dining Guide).

cegadede · July 29, 2015

I assume you're staying in DC itself (vs. the surrounding communities -- Alexandria, Arlington, etc.). It would help, though, to know exactly where. For example, if you're staying in the popular Dupont Circle area, we can recommend places that are walking distance from there.
So far, in your price range, I'd recommend:
Rasika or Rasika West End (progressive Indian cuisine; don't miss the Palak Chaat), for lunch, dinner, or pre-theater dinner
Tosca (classic Italian; pre-theater dinner + one glass of wine each would be ~$110 before tax/tip, but I've never had a bad course there)
Corduroy (near the Convention Center; inventive cooking; expensive regular dinner, but a super-bargain three-course prix fixe upstairs in the bar (menu not on web site), plus inexpensive wine by the glass during happy hour)
Le Diplomate (very good, very popular, probably a bit off the beaten track for you, but one of the go-to places if you're in that area)
Zaytinya (Mediterranean -- think Greek/Turkish/Lebanese -- small plates; very popular place)
Birch & Barley (ditto)
La Chaumiere (classic French cuisine, in Georgetown)
Kellari Taverna (Greek)
I think this list of pre-theater options is up to date.
Lunch bargains in the bar area are available at Proof, Oval Room, 701, and many other places.
Indian Buffet Champagne Brunch in a beautiful setting at Bombay Club
Champagne brunch also at Nopa
My two favorite resources for DC are dc.eater.com and the aforementioned DonRockwell.com (register there as you did for eG to access the Dining Guide).

I'll be at the Hampton Inn near the white house.

Thanks for the tips !

**curls** · July 30, 2015

The Oval Room, that Alex mentioned, is a great recommendation and is near the White House.

Do you think that you will be in the Penn Quarter area or the Dupont Circle area... I can make some recommendations for those areas. Hope you enjoy your trip to DC!

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