Places in DC

I and 10 of my colleagues will be going on a field trip to DC in a few weeks. I was asked to find some restaurants, preferably near the mall. Any suggestions? We're museum people so we're both quirky and poor.

quote:

Originally posted by Cribbage Fiend

I and 10 of my colleagues will be going on a field trip to DC in a few weeks. I was asked to find some restaurants, preferably near the mall. Any suggestions? We're museum people so we're both quirky and poor.

Cribbage Friend

Here are a few:

The cafeteria in the National Gallery of Art, located in the concourse level between the contemporary and traditional wing. A smorgasborg of choice, from sushi, to bbq, to sandwiches, roast beef and chicken, pizza and salad. Prices are reasonable, except bottled soda which for some reason is really expensive. Nice atmosphere too, and a good gelato bar to kick off desert.

Then there is the Main Street Cafeteria at the Museum of American History. This one is good too, with lots of choice, including good bbq, great sandwiches, pizza, etc. A little bit cheaper than the National Gallery place.

The cafe in the Sculpture Garden, located near the National Archives is another fun choice. Not as much selection, but a nice place, even in winter, as it is near the outdoor skating rink.

I've heard the cafeteria in the National Museum of the American Indian is good, but I haven't tried.

Off the mall, there are some good budget places. On 2nd St. NE, (the Constitution Ave side of the Mall), there is My Brother's Place. Good burger joint. There is also a good Scottish pub next door, but the name escapes me.

Moving up to seventh street, near E St. NE, there is Andale, a great Mexican restuarant, named one of the best 100 dining values in DC.

There is a Jaleo just up the block from Andale, a fun tapas bar.

Cafe Atlantico is a little more expensive, but still good value. Most food of South America -- get guacamole done at your table if you dine there.

Tea-ism is a Zen-like Japanese restuarant across the street from Cafe Atlantico (both are on 8th St., near E, I think). Dining is in a casual, relaxing room in the basement. They make good bento boxes.

Bistro D'Oc is a good, reasonably priced, French resturant located near 10th and E, NE and features food from the Southeastern part of France (the Pays d'Oc), with a slight Thai twist (owners are French and Thai). Good wine. Intimate. Never too crowded.

Also there is a good French brasserie near 12th and Pennsylvania, can't remember the name offhand, but good steak frites.

The food court in the Old Postal Building is an ok place to eat too.

For the super cheap place, there is Johnny's, which is tucked away at 6th and C streets, and is a deli that charges by weight.

Finally, there are lots of other very good suggestions on a few older threads. To find them just enter "DC" and search the forum subject field.

Good luck. Hope you have a great time in DC.

Yeah, have a great time! When we go downtown, we usually make a stop at the Chinatown/Gallery Place station and have dim sum. mmmmmm

There have been many postings on where to eat in the greater Washington, DC area. You might want to do a search in these pages for specific areas, including Arlington, Va, Alexandria, Va, Dupont Circle, Bethesda, Maryland, etc.

Where is your hotel location?

Dearfolk,
Y'all left out The Florida Avenue Grill on Florida Ave., N/E over by Howard and Gallaudet Universities.
Washfully Thinking, Ort. Carlton in 30601-land.

We're staying at the International Youth Hostel, the one that is 5 blocks from the mall. All your feedback has been very helpful. The Florida Grill already made my list from going over the Restaurant reviews.

One of the places that one of our party is pressing hard is at the cafeteria in the Senate building. I recognize the value of the experience. But is the food any good? I read ages ago a blurb in Arther Frommers that it was good value.

quote:

Originally posted by Cribbage Fiend

We're staying at the International Youth Hostel, the one that is 5 blocks from the mall. All your feedback has been very helpful. The Florida Grill already made my list from going over the Restaurant reviews.

One of the places that one of our party is pressing hard is at the cafeteria in the Senate building. I recognize the value of the experience. But is the food any good? I read ages ago a blurb in Arther Frommers that it was good value.

I would second Ort Carleton's Florida Grill nod. I was sticking to places near the Mall, but he is right. Go there. It is very good food, but as a party of ten, you will wait a while for your food and you will not be seated together. The place is several small booths and a sit down counter.

Try Ben's Chili Bowl too -- it's also rated here and it's a great place. It can seat a party of ten, and it is a party whatever time you decide to go there. Best part is that it is open until 4am (I think -- the latest I've been there is 3:30am :-)

The Senate cafeteria I've heard is good, but I think you have to have some sort of Senate escort, no? I am not too sure about that one, but I would suggest that one of you call your local Senator to find out for sure.

There are a lot of good restaurants here. There is even a Trolley Ollie's, but I've never eaten there.

A couple of other very worthy suggestions -- they are sub places though and not restaurants. One is Litteri's, near Gallaudet University in the NE section. It's an Italian speciality store with terrific subs -- they'll even make one six feet long. The other place is Mangialardo's located on Pennsylvania Ave SE, which also serves great subs. I always see DC police getting their subs there.

Also, near the Youth Hostel, near 10th and H, I think is a terrific Indo-Pak buffet. Can't remember the name off-hand, but it is right beside an old church and there is not much else around it. Lots of cabbies eat there and business is brisk.

I just looked up the name on local.google.com -- it's called Mayur Kabob house. One of the best deals in the city for under $10.

Also, good bbq at the Capital Q located in Chinatown. If you or your friends are from Texas you might recognize your local member of congress as the Capital Q specializes in Texas BBQ and also has posted the photos of the Texas Congressional Delegation.

Eat First is supposed to be a very good Chinese restaurant in Chinatown.

Regional Food and Drink has hundreds of beers and the food is pretty good -- also in Chinatown. The Irish pub chain Fado's is beside it and it is pretty fun too. Of course there is the world famous Brickskeller, home of over 1000 types of beer.

Also if you are staying at the Youth Hostel they should also have good suggestions for reasonable places to eat.