Suggestions on dining in Washington DC and zoo question

[pas2]

Well we chose a hotel and now we would like suggestions for dining in DC. We are staying on Rhode Island Ave NW only a few blocks from the white house. We are interested in resturants in the Downtown/Mall areas. Does anyone have some favorites?

Next question, I am receiving mixed opinions on whether to spend a day at the zoo. I always thought the zoo was really nice but now I am hearing it is run down and not worth the trip. If anyone has been to the Philadelphia (not my fav) Zoo or the Pittsburgh (nice) Zoo, how would this zoo compare???

Kids are 9 & 10 girls.

Thanks for any and all suggestions in advance.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I was not impressed at all with the zoo in DC. It was surprising to me because I assumed it would be a first rate zoo because it was in DC, but it wasn't. There is so much to do in DC I wouldn't waste my time going to that zoo.

 

[Saffron]

I've traveled all over the country and where ever I am, if there's a zoo nearby, I visit it. I live outside of Philadelphia and I NEVER go to that zoo, I despise it that much. It's the first zoo ever built in this country and I think some of the exhibits prove it. The animals are cramped and kept in un-natural cages. It's my least favorite zoo in all the country. (Well no, my least favorite is the Norristown Zoo, but that's a whole other thread.)

That being said, I think the Washington DC zoo is just a cut above the Philadelphia Zoo. I think if you have never been before, you should definitely go. It's worth seeing once, maybe even a couple of times. No where else can you see anything like "The Think Tank" for the orangutans (special exhibit where orangutans, on their own volition, work with zookeepers and scientists in language experiments, you can see them at work if one of the orangutan feels like it, they never are forced to participate). They also have species of animals that you may not be able to see anywhere else, such as Singing Dogs, Pandas (I think the zoo aquired a new one, not sure), Suluwasi macques and many more animals and many, many bird species I had never seen before. But -- the zoo is outdated and in need of better homes/exhibits for the animals. I don't feel the same about it as I do the Philadelphia Zoo, but it is in definite need of improvement. I believe they even have Asiatic lions, which have long thought to be extinct in the wild, but I may be wrong. (Wouldn't be the first or the last time. )

Your children will like it, (although I don't remember a Children's Zoo). I took my niece two years in a row and she loved it! She was 10 and 11 at the time.

 

[Cindy B]

I, like Saffron is from Philadelphia.. and despise the Philly zoo.

Our family actually enjoyed the Washington DC zoo much better. My kids loved the orangutans.. and the butterfly exhibit. We loved the pandas and the elephants.

Its a fun place, and the price can't be beat...

 

[pas2]

Thanks for the comparison on the zoo. Talked to the kids and they really want to see the pandas so I guess we will go.

Can anyone tell me if we should avoid the Smithsonian eateries or are they ok? Anyone eat at the food court in the Old Postal Building, the one with the bell tower? How about the cafe in the International Spy Museum?

 

[delikado]

I don't know much about dining in DC, but you should check out the message boards at www.chowhound.com, because these folks know they're food! I'm actually going to DC over Labor Day weekend, and I already have a bunch of places I want to try!

 

[caitycaity]

the cafeteria at the spy museum is GREAT!

the food court at the post office pavilion is fine -- just like an average mall food court. not anything special, but it's fine.

the food courts at the smithsonians are also average. they're not bad but there just your standard food court.

the zoo is ok. i've been to better, but i've also been to worse.

as for restaurants i would try the following:
america at union station
old ebbitt grill http://ebbitt.com/main/index-flash.cfm
old glory http://www.oldglorybbq.com/

 

[frndshpcptn]

Went to school in DC. Fav eating places:
Old Ebbitt Grill
Old Glory
America at Union Station
Clyde's
Filomena (its in Georgetown--AMAZING Italian food)
A mexican place in Dupont whose name is escaping me right now

 

[Flower4Pwr]

I wouldn't really recommend eating in the Smithsonian eateries. They are really nothing but super expensive McDonald’s (meaning they have big Macs for almost 5$)! Or at least that’s how it is at the Air & Space museum.
I would only eat in one of those if you were starving; otherwise I say save yourself a fortune and pack a lunch. There are a million places on the mall where you can sit and people gaze, especially if it's a nice day! I would really recommend this when you go to the zoo. Pack a lunch and use the money you save to buy dessert and souvenirs. IMO, The food in the zoo is awful!! But they have animal shaped Ice creams that kids love! Of course this can be difficult when you're on vacation but there is a CVS or Giant on every corner!

 

[Bob O]

I thought the National Zoo was a DISGRACE!!!!!
For being a national zoo i found it below average in quality/selection of animals and had little of any type of natural seetings that are quite common in most zoos' today, just animals stuck in cages with little roaming room!!!

 

[ILUVDXL]

I won't gove you any advice on the Zoo since we haven't been there in a long time, but here are some of our favorite eating spots.

The Wright Place at the Air and Space Museum is always a lunch must for us.

The Old Ebbitt Grille is a great place.

Try Red Sage, Very good food.

Have lunch or cocktails on the roof terrace at the Washington Hotel.(this is where we usually stay)

The Occidental at the Willard Hotel has great steaks.
Hope this helps.

 

[caitycaity]

They are really nothing but super expensive McDonald’s (meaning they have big Macs for almost 5$)!

really!!! that's a bargain here! real big macs go for more than $5 in the mcdonald's downtown.

i wouldn't pack a lunch unless you have some place you can leave it and come back to it easily. most of the smithsonians do bag checks and won't allow you to bring in food and drink.

 

[Regina]

We took a quick trip to the zoo when we were in DC. I was absolutely shocked.

I never expected to see the old enclosures that many zoos have done away with. There are caged pens and some with plexiglass with limited space for the animals to go outside. The stench inside was overpowering in both the large mammal and monkey exhibits. I can only imagine how much worse it is in the summer heat. (No A/C when we were there.)

We did enjoy seeing the Pandas. After that, we left.

 

[pas2]

Thanks everyone for all your input, especially about the smithsonian and bag checks/food.

 

[caitycaity]

pas2 --

just to give you some more info on that front, i don't think it would be a problem if you had a couple granola bars individually wrapped in your purse (and didn't opne them while you were inside) or something if you guys wanted a snack.

they wouldn't let us bring in bottles of water though, and there was a sign saying no food/drink.

this was in may at american history.

have a great trip!