Dining Recommendations Washington DC

[flafan]

Hi DIS Friends

Can anyone out there recommend somewhere to eat in Washington DC. We are visiting the Smithsonian Museums and would love to get some ideas on where to eat.

My husband and I are not foodies by any means but love a good meal especially when on vacation and it must be OK to bring the kids.

Thanks everyone any ideas would be great

 

[laurie31]

Nando's isn't far, and is very yummy. If the kids don't like spicy food, just order it mild. If I can eat it, anyone can - lol

http://www.nandos.com/

http://www.nandos.com/sections.html#Our Food

There are counter service places in the museums themselves as well, which are pricey but not bad. We went to the one in the Natural History museum amd it had a nice assortment of wraps, pasta salads, etc.

http://www.si.edu/dining/

Here's a map you might find helpful.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/7/1313...n-National-Museum-of-the-American-Indian.html

 

[Shugardrawers]

This may not be what you're looking for, you can take the kids but it's definitely a fine dining establishment. Some people might find it We didn't and we're your average blue collar folks.

http://www.1789restaurant.com/main/index.shtml

I recommend them because we went to DC for our 6th wedding anniversary 2 years ago. I was dying to go there but they were booked solid. We were celebrating not only our anniversary, but my 5 year survival of a rare cancer my Dr had said had a 100% mortality rate within 5 years. This was a VERY special occasion to us. I had asked to be put on the waiting list in case of cancellation and the lovely lady I spoke with was quite chatty so I wound up giving TMI about us. She promised to do everything in her power to get us in. This with less than a week notice.

On a whim, I called her from a museum to see if there'd been an an opening. She asked if this was Mrs. Drawers and when I said it was she said she'd been trying to call my cell all day, that she'd MADE an opening and could we be there in 3 hours?

She asked where we were staying and said someone would call for us at 7pm. Imagine our surpise when a LIMO driver came to pick us up and took us to dinner! They called us by name (I'm sure they let each other know who we were since we'd never met), treated us like royalty, gave us a bottle of their best champagne with their best wishes and priinted a copy of the menu with our names on the bottom and the date. Service was excellent, food was great, and for all we got the price was surprisingly reasonable. We never felt out of place even though we recognized a couple WA DC big wigs in the room.

As it turns out, the mother of the woman I spoke with died from the same cancer I had and she said her mom would want her to do something nice like that. Her mom would be proud. I sent a heart felt thank you note and this photo of us at the B&B taken by the limo driver as we were leaving for dinner.

We go there every time we get to DC. It's worth every single cent.

 

[boltfans]

I agree about 1789. We have only been there once but it was great. And what a great story the PP has about it!

Oceanaire Seafood Room if you like fish. It's a great place. And the desserts are incredible. Not so much a kid place, but we've taken our kids and it's never been an issue. It's on, hmm, 12th and F I think.

This is not at all a fine dining establishment, but if you like Mexican food, Cactus Cantina is awesome. Very kid friendly, great margaritas , and really good food. We take all of our friends there when they visit and everyone has loved it. Everyone in DC loves this place, it crosses all boundaries. The address is Macomb and Wisconsin.

I Ricchi is great for Italian and they do have highchairs so kids are welcome. It's on 19th Street by Dupont Circle. Filomena in Georgetown (Wisconsin and M Sts) is pretty good also. And if you like pasta specifically, Pasta Mia in Adams Morgan is the best. They only sell pasta (and some appetizers and desserts), but they make it all fresh on site and it's great. It's really tiny and doesn't take reservations so it's advisable to be in line by 6pm for the 6:30pm opening, but definitely worth it if you have the time.

Kemble Park Tavern (not a tavern in the true sense of the word) is pretty good too, though definitely off the beaten tourist path.

Oh, and I know this will sound insane cause it's pizza, but if you want great pizza, 2Amys is phenomenal. Being from NJ, I am very, very snooty about pizza as I feel NJ makes it best, I won't eat chain pizza, etc. 2Amys is actually certified by Naples for authenticity. So freaking good. It's right next to Cactus Cantina, and incidentally, that is across from the National Cathedral if you plan to visit there. Also not far at all from the National Zoo if that's a stop for you.

A good resource is http://www.opentable.com/start.aspx?m=9 . You can search for places on there, see menus, ratings, and book a table.

 

[flafan]

THANK YOU Shugardrawers, what a great story you told. I love when people go the extra mile to make someone's day like they did for you and your husband. I am so glad that you found my post to share your story. God Bless you and Thank you.

Thank you Boltsfan - We love Mexican Food, so I will add that to the list. I love these boards I have never been disappointed and always get my answers quickly.

Have a great night all

Diane

 

[akhenaten]

This may not be what you're looking for, you can take the kids but it's definitely a fine dining establishment. Some people might find it We didn't and we're your average blue collar folks.

http://www.1789restaurant.com/main/index.shtml

I recommend them because we went to DC for our 6th wedding anniversary 2 years ago. I was dying to go there but they were booked solid. We were celebrating not only our anniversary, but my 5 year survival of a rare cancer my Dr had said had a 100% mortality rate within 5 years. This was a VERY special occasion to us. I had asked to be put on the waiting list in case of cancellation and the lovely lady I spoke with was quite chatty so I wound up giving TMI about us. She promised to do everything in her power to get us in. This with less than a week notice.

On a whim, I called her from a museum to see if there'd been an an opening. She asked if this was Mrs. Drawers and when I said it was she said she'd been trying to call my cell all day, that she'd MADE an opening and could we be there in 3 hours?

She asked where we were staying and said someone would call for us at 7pm. Imagine our surpise when a LIMO driver came to pick us up and took us to dinner! They called us by name (I'm sure they let each other know who we were since we'd never met), treated us like royalty, gave us a bottle of their best champagne with their best wishes and priinted a copy of the menu with our names on the bottom and the date. Service was excellent, food was great, and for all we got the price was surprisingly reasonable. We never felt out of place even though we recognized a couple WA DC big wigs in the room.

As it turns out, the mother of the woman I spoke with died from the same cancer I had and she said her mom would want her to do something nice like that. Her mom would be proud. I sent a heart felt thank you note and this photo of us at the B&B taken by the limo driver as we were leaving for dinner.

We go there every time we get to DC. It's worth every single cent.

what a wonderful evening!!!

 

[pjm-guy]

Back in April, we stumbled upon a corner place called "Harry's" that was near Ford's Theatre and the Hard Rock Cafe. The food was good, they gave you a huge portion, the prices were good and it was kid friendly. Not sure of the exact address, but worth checking out! And not just because every dinner platter gets an Oreo cookie either.......

 

[minniebeth]

My favorite is upscale and casual all at the same time with history and moderate prices (for Washington), great food and just fine for kids too...
Old Ebbitt Grill
675 15th Street NW

We will be there next week, I can't wait!

 

[flafan]

Thanks Laurie31, pjmguy and minniebeth. I can not wait to go explore somewhere new. I love these boards. You guys are great

 

[clutter]

Nando's isn't far, and is very yummy. If the kids don't like spicy food, just order it mild. If I can eat it, anyone can - lol

http://www.nandos.com/

http://www.nandos.com/sections.html#Our Food

There are counter service places in the museums themselves as well, which are pricey but not bad. We went to the one in the Natural History museum amd it had a nice assortment of wraps, pasta salads, etc.

http://www.si.edu/dining/

Here's a map you might find helpful.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/7/1313...n-National-Museum-of-the-American-Indian.html

Ok, I can't believe that someone from Alabama is recommending my favorite lunch spot!!!

Another good one is Moby Dick's in Dupont Circle. Wonderful kabobs, rice, salads. Not a sit-down, but good eating. For pizza, I recommend Luigi's on 19th/L streets. Seafood, love Oceanaire, but also love Kincaids. Mexican closer to the mall - Austin Grill. Wolfgang Puck has an asian restaurant on PA ave called the Source. I don't know the price, but I had some dumplings from there that were out of this world! Of course, there's always Clydes.

Enjoy, DC has some good food! It would be a good idea to narrow down what kind of food you would like, and how fancy.

 

[schmitty]

Ben's Chili Bowl

 

[mikehn]

There are so many restaurants in DC, its ridiculous. Here is the 2009 list of the 100 best restaurants in DC, from Washingtonian magazine

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/restaurants/11527.html

 

[golfgal]

Ben's Chili Bowl

We tried to get there but never made it over.

We ate at the Library of Congress cafe-great choice with the kids. It was cafe style and had a lot of variety. We tried to eat at the Museum of the Am Indian but got there too late-not a great choice if you have picky eaters though. We also at at ESPN Zone. Typical burgers and sandwhiches but if the kids are sports nuts, they would like that. If you find a 5 Guy's hamburger place, eat there--GREAT french fries. We also ate at the Old Post office food court. It is your typical mall style food court but you can take the elevator up to the tower for a great view of the city.

We just got back from DC a few hours ago.

 

[HOGFAN]

Olde Europe in Georgetown. worth the taxi fare.