DC Recommendations

[charbie]

I'm headed to DC and Richmond for the weekend for a little getaway and to go to DHs cousins wedding. I haven't been there for a few years but wanted some good food and sites recommendations. We are getting there Thursday morning and staying through the long weekend. I know DH wants to see the monuments...he's never been. As for food, we prefer more American fare...he isn't too advenurous on the food front. I on the other hand wish I could judge Top Chef.

Any suggestions???

 

[kelpie]

The gem collection at the natural history museum! The freer and sackler galleries...The Jefferson memorial is by far the most beautiful IMO, also a drive up the GW parkway offers great views.

 

[vc10um]

Charbie...where are you going to be staying? It'll be easier to give you food options that way! But for delicious American fare, regardless of where you are staying, you MUST go to Old Ebbitt Grill which is about a block from the White House. I would make reservations through OpenTable.com. I have been there dozens of times and have never been disappointed. And save room for dessert!!!

As far as things you must see...I would recommend taking a walk along the Georgetown Waterfront. You can also take a water taxi from there to Alexandria, where you can wander through Old Town Alexandria which has a ton of cute shops and restaurants (I'm a bit partial...that's where I live!). You can also access Old Town by taking the Metro to King Street.

 

[stone-cold11]

Maybe plan for rain?

Earl has a slight chance of hitting the east coast from NC all the way up to MA.

 

[charbie]

Kelpie: love the sound of the national history museum, and I bet DH would, too!
vc: we are staying in the Foggy Bottom area, which seems close to everything you mentioned! I'm off to make reservations! Yay!
Stone: DH said the same thing. We had plans to head to VA beach on Sunday. But those may be thwarted by Earl. Grrrr.

 

[sillyberry]

I hate to disagree with vc10um, but I'm not a big fan of Old Ebbitt. A fun place for drinks and atmosphere, especially if you want to view the White House or stroll the mall since the location is great, but I wouldn't spend money on dining there.

Last summer I had one of the best meals in some time at The Oval Room. Really delicious, definitely upscale. For something American that will please him, but be interesting to you, Birch and Barley in Logan Circle has been getting great reviews (sadly it opened after I left). Boyfriend loved brunch at Clyde's in Chinatown - lots of dark wood, feels very old DC - but it isn't super unique. I'm a really big fan of the pizzas and miniburgers and other eats at Matchbox. They do a great brunch, too (oh, the cinnamon rolls...). Jaleo, Zaytinya, and Oyamelare all Jose Andres restaurants, and they are all awesome. Jaleo is my favorite of the three, but you really can't go wrong at any of them.

If you're looking for some cheaper eats, BGR: The Burger Joint in Dupont makes amazing burgers - I highly recommend The Greek. I've never been to I really like Nooshi for pan-Asian in a casual environment. The margherita pizza at Potenza is quite yummy.

Oh, and Pitango is amazing gelato (edit: apparently they have a few locations now). I lived near there last summer and it was hard not to stop by every night after dinner...and sometimes before, too.

(sorry I have no suggestions for places to visit that aren't restaurants...most of my recreation involves eating )

 

[April20]

I really like Clyde's in Georgetown- they have a butternut squash ravioli that I just cannot stay away from. Love.it. Go grab a cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake as well. They do a nice red velvet.

We were in DC in February- we did the Museum of Natural History so I could see all the bling and the Holcaust Museum as well as the American History Museum. We also did the old post office- free elevator ride to the top and a great city view.

 

[heb1976]

I love DC! My must see recs would be the National Archives (Declaration of independence, Bill of rights and the Constitution), National Museum of Art and the Library of Congress. The line for the National Archives is usually very long so I would get there early. There is a fantastic Brazilian Steakhouse on Pennsylvania Ave called Fogo de Chao. Have fun!

 

[Clio]

I agree with Sillberry about Jose Andres' restaurants. They're all fantastic. Zatinya is one of my favorite restaurants ever. I also love Central, which is right on Pennsylvania, across from the Old Post Office. Also on Pennsylvania, Ten Pehn is good for Asian Fusion (there's also Asia 9 in Penn Quarter, but I don't like it as much). If your husband is up for Indian, Rasika is amazing. Seriously amazing. AndCorduroy is really good American food.

I'll agree that Old Ebbitt isn't the most creative restaurant out there, but I love the old Washington atmosphere, and I've had some very good meals there. Also like Clydes quite a lot.

 

[charbie]

Wow! Silly- u could be a restaurant reviewer! You gave me so many suggestions, I'm going to have to report back where we go!
April: yum! And now that Geogretown Cupcakes is on TV, gotta go there!
Heb: good call...I'm going to hit up the Archives...DH LOVES the movie National Treasure!
Clio: may need to go to Central then take Aprils suggestion to go to the post office! If anything, we are going to EAT some good food on this trip!

 

[onedrop]

Charbie, I agree...Sillyberry gave some great restaurant suggestions. I'd echo her suggestions of Matchbox and Clyde's. I go to both on a regular basis and have never had a bad meal at either place!

Wanted to caution you about Georgetown Cupcakes: you will more than likely find a very long line when you get there so be prepared! Make sure you have a lot of time to spare if you decide to go there, but everyone says the wait is worth it!

 

[Clio]

I dunno, the times I've had Georgetown Cupcakes, they were very good but not really any better than any other good bakery. I don't think I would wait in line for them.

 

[vc10um]

I hate to disagree with vc10um, but I'm not a big fan of Old Ebbitt. A fun place for drinks and atmosphere, especially if you want to view the White House or stroll the mall since the location is great, but I wouldn't spend money on dining there.

Last summer I had one of the best meals in some time at The Oval Room. Really delicious, definitely upscale. For something American that will please him, but be interesting to you, Birch and Barley in Logan Circle has been getting great reviews (sadly it opened after I left). Boyfriend loved brunch at Clyde's in Chinatown - lots of dark wood, feels very old DC - but it isn't super unique. I'm a really big fan of the pizzas and miniburgers and other eats at Matchbox. They do a great brunch, too (oh, the cinnamon rolls...). Jaleo, Zaytinya, and Oyamelare all Jose Andres restaurants, and they are all awesome. Jaleo is my favorite of the three, but you really can't go wrong at any of them.

If you're looking for some cheaper eats, BGR: The Burger Joint in Dupont makes amazing burgers - I highly recommend The Greek. I've never been to I really like Nooshi for pan-Asian in a casual environment. The margherita pizza at Potenza is quite yummy.

Oh, and Pitango is amazing gelato (edit: apparently they have a few locations now). I lived near there last summer and it was hard not to stop by every night after dinner...and sometimes before, too.

(sorry I have no suggestions for places to visit that aren't restaurants...most of my recreation involves eating )

sillyberry...did you know Old Ebbitt is owned by Clydes???

I want to come back and "third" any and all of Jose Andres' restaurants. The one missing from the list is Cafe Atlantico. I'd give a thumbs up to all of them, but since I'm partial to Greek/Lebanese/Turkish food, I recommend Zaytinya over the others...plus the bread they give you is TO DIE FOR. The only reason I didn't mention them in the first place was because you had mentioned American food!

Oh, and I'd also skip the line for Georgetown Cupcakes. If you're a cupcake kind of girl, I'd recommend Red Velvet Cupcakery between Chinatown and Penn Quarter (http://www.redvelvetcupcakery.com/) or Baked and Wired in Georgetown (http://bakedandwired.com/)

Oh, and Clio's recommendations of Rasika for Indian food and Corduroy for American are SPOT ON. Corduroy is a bit pricey, but if you're looking for a great night out with the hubs, this is it!

 

[dcgator]

I dunno, the times I've had Georgetown Cupcakes, they were very good but not really any better than any other good bakery. I don't think I would wait in line for them.

Hey Charbie - Yeah for coming to DC, my 'hood. Let me know if you want to meet up or something while you are here, I would love to meet a felllow TTC/House Hunter/PS friend

As for rec's a second Clio's idea to stay away from G-town Cupcakes. Ever since that show came out, the line runs about an hour, and they even have bouncers to keep things moving. Not worth it. Red Velvet is pretty good though. All the other ladies had some great rec's, but I would also add that you should check out:

- Georgia Brown's: Southern cooking (McPherson metro)
- Rasika (Amazing) Indian (Archives metro) * Kinda pricey, and you MUST get the spinach appetizer
- Acadiana - Creole/New Orleans food (Convention Center metro) *same restaurant group as Ten Pehn (which I also recommend)
- Ray's Hell's Burgers - (between Rossyln and Courthouse Metro) - Amazing burger and mac and cheese, but only takes cash
- Ray's the Steaks - (Courthouse metro) Awesome steak place and much cheaper than any place in the city
- Good Stuff Eatery - (Capital Hill Metro) Burger joint owned by Spike from Iron Chef
- Central - (Federal Triangle Metro) 2nd this rec
- Rosa Mexicana (Chinatown Metro) - Great mexican food

If you want to hang out at night for drinks or people watching, they just openend a Buddha Bar (Chinatown area) and also POV on the top on the W hotel (Metro Center metro) is supposed to be pretty cool with a great view, but expect a wait if you don't make a reservation. There are some great cheaper bars too, like Rocketbar (in Chinatown) if you want to keep it more low key.

If you want a great brunch, as previously mentioned, Matchbox (Chinatown) is great, and also Whitlow's (Clarendon Metro) is an all you can eat for $16.

I would also recommend you check out the Spy Museum. You go have to pay for that one, but it's pretty cool (Chinatown metro)

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[sillyberry]

sillyberry...did you know Old Ebbitt is owned by Clydes???

Yep. But I think the quality of the food at Clyde's is better - I think Old Ebbitt gets away with too much because of their prime location (and it is prime!). Unless you're at the oyster happy hour, which is a great deal. But, to be fair, boyfriend loves Clyde's far more than I do, so he might love Old Ebbitt, too.

The Spy Museum is super awesome, but super crowded. If you want to go you need to buy tickets in advance, and try to go early. If you go mid-afternoon...yikes! By the Spy Museum is one of my favorite bars - Poste in the Hotel Monaco. PS7 is another place with some of the best cocktails in the city.

And I want to throw my hat to Hello Cupcake.

 

[vc10um]

sillyberry...did you know Old Ebbitt is owned by Clydes???

Yep. But I think the quality of the food at Clyde's is better - I think Old Ebbitt gets away with too much because of their prime location (and it is prime!). Unless you're at the oyster happy hour, which is a great deal. But, to be fair, boyfriend loves Clyde's far more than I do, so he might love Old Ebbitt, too.

The Spy Museum is super awesome, but super crowded. If you want to go you need to buy tickets in advance, and try to go early. If you go mid-afternoon...yikes! By the Spy Museum is one of my favorite bars - Poste in the Hotel Monaco. PS7 is another place with some of the best cocktails in the city.

And I want to throw my hat to Hello Cupcake.

If you're going to pay for a museum, I like the Spy Museum, but prefer both the Crime and Punishment Museum and the Newseum. All are fairly pricey (especially compared to the FREE Smithsonians) but worth it if any of them is "your" thing.

I love Poste and PS7! And Zola has some yummy cocktails as well! Check out Cork or Proof if you're a big wine drinker!

 

[charbie]

You all are wonderful! We now have so many options, ill have to see what we come up with! I think we may to to RHINO on Thurs night bc it is Ohio States home opener and I hear that's where alums go for the games. I enjoy watching with other fans of my team!

I've heard the spy museum is great...and something DH will enjoy. Hope we have time.

Dc: id love to meet up! Thing is, we are watching the game Thurs, dinner with DHs family Friday, wedding Saturday, Williamsburg Sunday, and headed home Monday ...

 

[vc10um]

Charbie...the Rhino in Georgetown is definitely the OSU bar...which is why I have NEVER set foot in there. Ever.

Also, if you go down the street to Mr. Smiths, which is a piano bar, the guy that plays piano knows "Hang On Sloopy"...complete with spelling, and there's usually a few Buckeyes in there to request it.