Washington DC

[tiggerlover]

We are heading to DC for a two days and I am looking for some restaurant ideas. We aren't looking for anything too fancy, just some casual good eats. (We are also looking for some good sushi).

Also, anything offbeat and exciting that we should see or do? We have been there before and have done the museums and the monuments, so if there are any must-dos please let me know what they are.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Whenever I visit my sister, I make sure to eat at Joe Theismans's in Alexandria. Casual and good food, I'm a fan of the crab cakes and the lobster bisque.

As for offbeat things to do, I would recommend O Street Mansion. It's a private club/hotel that has public events on Sundays and Mondays. I've done the brunch, which has three rooms dedicated to the food (including an entire room for dessert). A little pricey, but the food is good. The interesting part about this place is that it is actually a bunch of rowhouses that are connected by secret passages that you are free to explore. All the rooms are decorated differently in themes and anything you see in the place is for sale (except for the signed guitars). You can spend hours here - they even encourage you to eat, explore, and then eat some more.

 

[mikki'smom]

Don't leave DC without eating at Old Ebbitt Grille....we also enjoyed the restaurant that was on the premises at Mount Vernon...

 

[golfgal]

Whenever I visit my sister, I make sure to eat at Joe Theismans's in Alexandria. Casual and good food, I'm a fan of the crab cakes and the lobster bisque.

As for offbeat things to do, I would recommend O Street Mansion. It's a private club/hotel that has public events on Sundays and Mondays. I've done the brunch, which has three rooms dedicated to the food (including an entire room for dessert). A little pricey, but the food is good. The interesting part about this place is that it is actually a bunch of rowhouses that are connected by secret passages that you are free to explore. All the rooms are decorated differently in themes and anything you see in the place is for sale (except for the signed guitars). You can spend hours here - they even encourage you to eat, explore, and then eat some more.

I wish we knew about this place-we would have done this in a heartbeat. HOW FUN.

Don't leave DC without eating at Old Ebbitt Grille....we also enjoyed the restaurant that was on the premises at Mount Vernon...

We liked the Mount Vernon restaurant too.

We also liked the 5 Guys Hamburger place. We had never eaten at one and they have the BEST french fries.

If your family is into sports the ESPN restaurant near the Ford Theater is fun.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Our favorite restaurants are Rosa Mexicano and 2 Amy's Pizza. If you're looking for something more low key, Union Station has an enormous hallway of food. It's on the bottom level. The levels above have lots of shops. And for something interesting to do, try to DC Duck Tour. It's really cool and it leaves from Union Station.

Oh, when are you going? The cherry blossoms will be out soon and they're breathtaking to see. It's usually the end of March till mid-April.

 

[Cee]

www.nationalharbor.com

 

[solotraveler]

Jaleo has EXCELLENT Spanish tapas. One of my absolute favorite restaurants. The Crystal City location is always less busy than the Penn Quarter location but you really can't go wrong.

I'm starting to fall in love with the CoHe (Columbia Heights) restaurant scene... Commonwealth and Policy are two great gastro-pubby sort of places.

I always recommend DC visitors try Ethiopian food while they are in town. There are some fantastic places on the U Street corridor.

Hope this helps!

 

[tiggerlover]

Some great ideas, thanks. Keep the suggestions coming!