Washington D.C.

Thursday night I'm taking Picky Peggy into DC to see Barry Manilow Live and in Concert, One Last Time! (the tour's name...)

I need somewhere nice, preferably middle priced, with a decent selection of menu items, near the MCI center. What a list, I know...

Thanks,

MikeS.

Cafe Mozart
1331 H St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-5732
http://www.pubcrawler.com/Template/ReviewWC.cfm/flat/BrewerID=1090

Anyone knows that the District of Columbia's recently revitalized area surrounding the MCI Center offers a wealth of dining opportunities however a new(er) find -- and by the same folks whom brought you DC's Fish, Wings & 'Tings, Hibiscus Cafe and Red Ginger -- is Ginger Cove (upstairs, informal restaurant / lounge) and Ginger Reef restaurant (downstairs, more formal restaurant) located just west of the MCI Center at the s/w corner of 8th and E Streets, NW.

I was just at Jimmie and Sharon Banks's place (http://restaurants.washingtoncitypaper.com/restaurant.php?rID=2285) two weeks ago and it is superb for both drinks as well as Caribbean fare. FYI.

Mike,

There are tons of places just across the street from MCI. Get there early and you can window shop the menus. Some of the best are DC Chop House, Jaleo, Capital Q, featuring Texas style brisket. The latter is on 7th St, maybe H St. which is Chinatown, dozens of places for Chinese. There's a branch of Legal Seafood. Last time I was there I was pressed for time so went to Potbelly Sandwich Works, the Italian was very tasty and it is cheap, but nothing fancy.

I am particulary fond of Legal's fried scallops, taste just like they do in Maine.

Really just try to get there early and you will have your pick of 30 places all within 2 blocks.

There are a number of very good inexpensive (mostly Chinese) and moderately-priced (mostly ethnic) restaurants in the area surrounding the MCI Center. Here are the ones that I have patronized and can recommend, with links to reviews from the Washingtonian Magazine for further information.

CHINESE

Since the MCI Center is in Chinatown, there are some good Chinese restaurants in the area. They are:

Tony Cheng's Seafood Restaurant - Although they specialize in seafood, there are also good pork, chicken and beef dishes here as well. However, if you don't mind seeing your food alive before you eat it, I would order something from the large water tanks in the dining area, if you see something that strikes your fancy. I have had, and enjoyed, the szechuan shrimp balls, and the fresh dungeness crabs and lobster. http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=1142

Full Kee - The things to order here are the meal-in-a-bowl soups, such as the shrimp dumpling soup with or without noodles and the Cantonese roasted meats (pork, chicken or duck). A delicious and satisfying meal for two might include two bowls of soup, an order of bok choy (Chinese broccoli) and an order of roasted pork or poultry if you're really hungry. http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=74

Eat First - The soups here are also good, though not, I think, as good as those at Full Kee. Very good roasted meats and other Cantonese specialties. http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=1769

Lei Garden - The General Tso's chicken is very good. http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=1741

ETHNIC

Jaleo - This restaurant specializes in Spanish tapas. Tapas are appetizer-sized portions of various Spanish dishes, and they are done very well here. Especially good are the garlic shrimp and the omelette with potatoes and onions. Depending on how hungry you are, count on ordering two to four dishes per person. Excellent freshly baked bread and very good sangria. http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=104

Cafe Atlantico and Andale - Very good Mexican (Andale) and Latin American (Cafe Atlantico) food. At Andale, try the leg of lamb. http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=1775
http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=244

BARBEQUE

Capital Q - Very good Texas-style barbeque, which, of course, means a tomato-based sauce, and not the vinegary sauce associated with North Carolina 'Que. The beef brisket and pork ribs are especially good, as is the jalapeno cornbread. http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=1213

A word about price. Moderate, in this area, means that a three corse meal plus drinks will cost you from $50 to $75 for two people. At the Chinese places and Capital Q, you should be able to easily get by for less than $50. Also, try to eat before 7 o'clock. After that time, you're liable to have to wait for a table, especially on weekends and especially at the ethnic restaurants. For some reason, they tend to be more crowded than the Chinese places, perhaps because there are more Chinese restaurants in the area to choose from. Let us know where you ended up going and how it was. Bon appetit!

Forget all of the previous recommendations. Here's where you need to go (and a place which has been previously hailed on this very site):
MATCHBOX
http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/profiles/matchbox.html


Specializing in brick oven pizza, this boutique restaurant has gathered greater attention for its EXTREMELY popular appetizer of hand-packed "mini-hamburgers" served on toasted brioche buns.

Matchbox is located at 713 H Street, NW -- a stone's through from the MCI Center -- and next to the previously mentioned Capital Q (which, IMHO, is definitively overrated).

As a former regular visitor to MCI Center (former because there ain't no hockey this year--grumble) I have only only this to say:

Zaytinya
Zaytinya
Zaytinya

(though Jaleo, Full Kee, and Eat First are excellent recommendations as well)

There is a Teaism nearby as well if you want to get a salty oat cookie and a chai after the concert.

http://www.zaytinya.com/

I love Matchbox as much as I95 (the miniburgers rock!), but you said you wanted somewhere "nice", so I might steer more towards Zaytinya, Cafe Atlantico, Jaleo, or Andale. Or Full Kee. Not that Matchbox is NOT nice, but... well, it's not a white tablecloth kind of place (it's more of a nice pizza place), and the last few times I've been it's been very crowded and a bit loud, which, if you're looking for something relaxing and intimate, might not be the thing for you.
But if you don't care about crowds- go to Matchbox! It's great! Try one of their infused vodkas. Admire the bar's pulley system to the upper levels. (and order the miniburgers!!)

Kurt, wondering where "I" should go next time over there. Do you have a strong opinion about any place?

quote:

Originally posted by signman

Kurt, wondering where "I" should go next time over there. Do you have a strong opinion about any place?

My wall-flower opinions on "Where to Eat in D.C." are here:

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1063

Well I got totally skunked for roadfood. We left home later then intended then got slammed with traffic on the connector road from the toll-road onto I-66 and on I-66 to exit 71. This cost us more then 1 hour

We got to the MCI center about 6:45 for an 8:00 show. So we parked and got into the building to get to our seats. Good thing too since we had a major hassle with the seatiing. They moved us from our purchased seats and it was a mess. Thankfully the MCI staff was great to work with and they bent over backwards to accomadate us. We wound up with some fantastic seats! The show was OK too. Hey, it was Barry Manilow. Did you expects raves from me???

For food we got 2 fish&chips dinners plus a crab cake sandwich from the areana vendors. They were OK, better then expected I guess but still not really good. Expensive as all get out though. I spent 40 bucks for the food and 2 LOUSY tasting sodas. Later I paid 3.75 for a pint of Dasani (tap) water. And they wouldn't even give me a cup of ice... They really should have been brandishing firearms for the prices they charge.

On the way home we stopped for Taco Bell, hey they were open at 12am.

So you see what I mean about being skunked, in a couple different ways.

Next time I get a chance in DC I'm going to try Matchbox. They sounded really good and I love a wood fire oven for my pizza.

Thanks gang for the info.

MikeS.

MikeSh:

If your answer was:

Stadium food
$ 4 tap water
Taco Bell at midnight
and Barry Manilow


Was the question: "In order, name an evening that woes, flows, glows and blows"

quote:

Originally posted by MikeSh


For food we got 2 fish&chips dinners plus a crab cake sandwich from the areana vendors. They were OK, better then expected I guess but still not really good. Expensive as all get out though. I spent 40 bucks for the food and 2 LOUSY tasting sodas. Later I paid 3.75 for a pint of Dasani (tap) water. And they wouldn't even give me a cup of ice... They really should have been brandishing firearms for the prices they charge.

On the way home we stopped for Taco Bell, hey they were open at 12am.

Hey.............I thought you said Peggy is picky. She sounds like a darn good sport to me. By the way, thanks for telling us about your evening. It is always nice when people respond as to where they ate after asking for suggestion.

The food isn't too bad in the MCI center. There is some bbq there. But I would second Cafe Atlantico and Andale. Both are very good -- Andale has been listed as one the best deals in the capital. Capital Q is fun. Jaleo is ok, and good for Tapas. My Brother's Place is tucked away and a bit of a walk but it is fun, as is the new Scottish pub next door.

2 cents

quote:

Originally posted by chezkatie

quote:

Originally posted by MikeSh


For food we got 2 fish&chips dinners plus a crab cake sandwich from the areana vendors. They were OK, better then expected I guess but still not really good. Expensive as all get out though. I spent 40 bucks for the food and 2 LOUSY tasting sodas. Later I paid 3.75 for a pint of Dasani (tap) water. And they wouldn't even give me a cup of ice... They really should have been brandishing firearms for the prices they charge.

On the way home we stopped for Taco Bell, hey they were open at 12am.

Hey.............I thought you said Peggy is picky. She sounds like a darn good sport to me. By the way, thanks for telling us about your evening. It is always nice when people respond as to where they ate after asking for suggestion.

Ohhh she is very picky. She ate the crab cake, mostly but stopped after about 80% because she said it had too much shell in it. She didn't even touch the fish or chips. At Taco Bell she orders 2 taco supremes w/o tomato or lettuce.

She is very lucky, I've taken her to Manilow 4 times now.