I really enjoy going to the Brickskeller but I’m beginning to sour on it. It seems that while they boast a good selection, what they actually wind up having in stock is quite a bit less and it seems like it’s gotten worse lately. I think I average having 2-3 beers shot down because they don’t have it in stock on each visit. Have you tried Birreria Paradiso yet? I think it’s better (lots on tap). Of course, it’s in Georgetown so not really germane, I suppose. On a related note, Pizzeria Paradiso is pretty good and there’s a location in DuPont (although I’ve only ever been to the Georgetown one).
Captian Amazing mentioned “Pizzaria Paradiso,” and I tell you: It is absolutely worth a look.
I met some fellow Dopers there for dinner during a DC visit a couple years ago and I could not forget it. The pizza was the most scrumdiddlyumptuous true-to-form Italian pizza I have ever had, and they also served imported pints of Italian and English beer.
An awsome place, just a block or two up P Street from the circle.
I too have noticed the Brickskellar’s selection tightening up in the last several years, but you stil can’t beat the atmosphere, IMO.
When I’ve been to Lauriol the food’s been extraordinary, but YMMV. Of course, the wait is interminable, but maybe it isn’t as bad on weekdays.
–Cliffy
That is definitely true. When I first went there several years ago, it was like a wonderland of beer with all the cans and stuff, plus the selection.
I’ve never had a problem with the wait, even on weekends. The trick is to get there a bit early like around 5 or so and down margaritas and snackies for a while before eating.
All the suggestions here are good. I’d recommend just walking up and down Conneticut avenue, seeing what appeals to you.
A second vote for Bistro du Coin for a sit down dinner, a second vote for Moby’s for a quick bite, especially if you like red meat. If you’re not so much into the meat thing, try Teaism, just down R street west of Conneticut.
There is an ethnic eatery, middle-eastern?, upstairs on the left side of P street as you walk to Georgetown, around 21st St., that looked good. (I was with my daughter who doesn;t like lamb, which was in most of their dishes.) On the other side of P Street a little further down towards Georgetown, there’s a place called Mimi’s American Bistro, where we ate. It was little pricey, by my standards, and had performing waiters but the food was pretty good (25 bucks apiece for my daughter and me, no wine, no dessert. Is that pricey? For us, yes.)
Also if you like used book stores, there’s Second Story books just off Dupont Circle on P that’s just wonderful.
You sure you don’t mean Skewers? That’s on P and 17th though.
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It was near the Phillips.
Now you’ve lost me. The only Phillip’s I’m aware of is the one on the river in southwest. Do you mean Johnny Halfshell’s? Is the place you are talking about in one of the rowhouse restaurants between the Circle and Brickskeller?
No, I know which one he means. I can’t think of the name, though.
As to what’s been said before, C.F. Folks is good, but it’s only open for lunch. There’s also the Well Dressed Burrito, by the same people, also only open for lunch (it’s out of the way, in an alley, actually), and (again, just for lunch), Dutch Mill Cafe, which has some very good specials, on Connecticut right by the circle. You also might want to try the recently reopened Cafe Luna (it was closed for renovation), especially if you’re a vegetarian, because they have a large vegetarian menu. Try their chili fries or sweet potato fries.
The Brickskeller is good, but I’ve always found it loud.
Luna’s still closed – or at least it was as of about 26 hours ago, when I walked by.
–Cliffy
It wasn’t as of 4 hours ago when I was walking back to my office in the building Luna’s in, though. 
The Phillips Collection, at 21st St, just off P.
Ha! I was still in restaurant mode and it didn’t even occur to me that you were talking about the Phillips Collection. :smack:
My bad.
Since nobody has mentioned 17 Street, I’ll chime in. There are about a dozen restaurants on 17th between P and R. Ranging from the bottom of the barrel (McDonalds) to a bit pricey (Annie’s Paramount Steak House).
Here’s a list. Italian Kitchen is a popular local favorite and gets my vote for “best bang for the buck”.
Here’s a list of Washingtonian Magazine’s best restaurants in Dupont Circle:
HANK’S OYSTER BAR
HERITAGE INDIA
JOHNNY’S HALF SHELL
KOMI
MOURAYO
OBELISK
PESCE
PIZZERIA PARADISO
RAKU
TABARD INN
Thanks, everyone. You’re giving me lots of places to consider.
RE: the Brickskeller - I used to have a copy of their beer menu, thinking I’d someday be able to visit this beer mecca, but somewhere along the line I lost it - now perhaps I’ll actually be able to go!
Obelisk is really good. Might be pricier than you’re looking for; it’ sbeen a long time since I’ve been there.
–Cliffy
Do you want to do a Dopefest and have some of us meet you at a Dupont Circle restaurant one evening while you’re in D.C.?