My wife and I will be spending a few days in DC over the 4th (figured the holiday would be a slow tourist time, nyuk nyuk), and I am open to ideas, notions, recommendations and advice for dining in our nation’s capital.
I’m not particularly looking for expensive, extravagant, “foodie” type places necessarily. We’d prefer more casual, somewhat easier-to-get-into places. Popular with tourists or hidden treasures, I will take 'em all!
We’re staying in Arlington, if that makes a difference, right next to the Roslyn metro station. Obviously the metro is going to be our primary way to get around (once we deal with the repairs/closures going on), but we can also cab it somewhere not convenient to the metro.
Thanks for any advice!
In Arlington, just a metro stop away in Ballston, is a very good American Brasserie style place called, Rustico. Well worth the visit.
In DC proper, at the Dupont Circle metro, there is a great Country French restaurant that I like very much, called Bistro du Coin. Casual atmosphere, not stuffy. They have fantastic menu selections including their own country pate, rabbit stew, steak frittes, on and on… my mouth is watering just typing this.
If you like family style Italian, try Filomena, in Georgetown, M street and Wisconsin (also on the Metro line). Russian ladies make their pasta by hand in the restaurant window. Not my thing as I prefer lighter Italian fair, but others seem to enjoy it.
In Bethesda, I recommend Jaleo. It’s tapas by Jose Andres. Also right on the metro line and lot’s of shops and other restaurants.
Speaking of Jose Andres, in DC proper try his other more trendy restaurant called, Zaytinya.
And do not leave town without trying Momofuku CCDC in Center City district (also right on the metro line). I know it’s a bit warm for ramen, but they have this incredible chilled noodles bowl that is spicy & sweet & fresh… it’s absolutely one of the best things I ever ate. Oh, and bahn me… Just go!
If you’ve never had it, visiting DC is an excellent opportunity to try out some Ethiopian food. I can’t recommend you a place in the city, but they’re everywhere, both in the city proper and throughout the Maryland and Virginia suburbs; you can practically toss a rock over your shoulder to find one.
Thai X-ing is outstanding. The menu is always prix fixe, but be aware Sundays and Tuesdays are vegetarian (w/ fish on Tuesdays). It’s still excellent, I’ve gone on vegetarian night, but just FYI.
If you’re staying in Arlington you have to go to Ray’s Hell Burger. It’s only a few blocks from the Rosslyn Metro. You’re welcome.
One to skip: Ben’s Chili Bowl. Walk up to it, stick your head in the door and take a real good look, take a selfie out in front of it, just don’t go inside and order food. Trust me, you will be disappointed. Seriously, ask anyone.
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If you want to go to Jaleo, don’t waste time going all the way to Bethesda. Go to the Crystal City location-it’s just a metro stop or two from Arlington.
Just checked-4 stops-but still much closer than Bethesda or downtown.
If you find yourself out at the Tysons Corner malls, there’s a Lost Dog Cafe about a half mile from McLean station. DC’s answer to California Style pizza.
There are three Jaleo restaurants in the D.C. area (all owned by Jose Andres):
Bethesda: 7271 Woodmont Avenue (36 minutes from the Rosslyn Metro Station by Metro)
Arlington: 2250 Crystal Drive (15 minutes from the Rosslyn Metro Station by Metro)
D.C.: 480 7th Street NW (17 minutes from the Rosslyn Metro Station by Metro)
All those times come from Google Maps.
Andres owns other restaurants in the D.C. area. One is China Chilcano at 418 7th Street NW (18 minutes from the Rosslyn Metro Station by Metro). I tried that a month or two ago and found it interesting. It’s Peruvian cuisine, taking into account the fact that there have been lots of Chinese and Japanese immigrants to Peru.
Another of his restaurants is Zaytinya at 701 9th Street NW (13 minutes from the Rosslyn Metro Station by Metro). That’s been recommended once already in this thread. I liked it when I went there, but it’s been years now since I was last there. It’s a Greek/Mediterranean tapas place.
Ben’s was great when it was 2am, you were leaving the original 9.30 Club and you were 25. Now it has expanded all kind of ways and is a brand instead of a restaurant. For decent halfsmokes, I’m partial to the ones you can buy from carts downtown. The rest of their menu is just diner food.
The neighborhoods you want to try are Adams-Morgan (18th St. NW between U and Columbia) and its poorer-but-sexier twin, Mount Pleasant (18th St. just north of Columbia). Follow your nose, there are no wrong choices. When I lived there, Adams-Morgan had five wonderful Ethiopian restaurants; I think they’re down to two or three now (Does Eritrean count as Ethiopian, gastronomically speaking?). The city, hell, the region, has an embarrassment of wonderful Peruvian chicken joints and a chain called Pollo Campero (Guatemalan, I think). Imagine Gus Fring’s fictional chicken joints, I think this beats them.
In Silver Spring/Chevy Chase, a few hundred yards from the northernmost point of DC proper, is my favorite Jewish deli (not kosher, let’s make that clear right now) in America, the Parkway Deli. You might need to take a taxi from the Silver Spring metro.
Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper has fantastic fish and chips, and they make their own sauces. In Old Town Alexandria, a 20 minute walk from the King Street Metro (Yellow Line).
Others have beaten me to Ray’s the Steaks and Ray’s Hellburger. We had our wedding dinner at Ray’s the Steaks and made a point to eat as many meals as possible at Ray’s Hellburger while we were in town for our wedding. Seriously, if you eat beef, do not miss these.
Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken near Metro Center (Red Line).
Boccato Gelato in Arlington near Court House Metro (Orange Line). Try the pineapple basil, and/or the blood orange. Marvelous. Pretty sure they also serve Julia’s Empanadas, an excellent fast food.
Pizzeria Paradiso has several locations, and is great if you like beer. Each location has at least twenty taps and a cask. The pizza is ok, but the beer is the main event.