Now that my thread (Regal Movie Theaters and the Metro in urban Washington, DC) has revealed that Gallery Place Regal Theaters is the Regal most convenient to Metro (and thus Crystal City Sheraton), I wondered if folks could give me pointers on restaurants around the Gallery Place Metro stop.

We will be there this coming Friday, August 11th. We will spend the morning at the zoo and then afternoon at National Portrait Gallery. Want to see a movie that night at Regal Gallery Place. Any good restaurant ideas (not especially interested in Chilis, Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Bennigans or other similar chains).

Now that my thread (Regal Movie Theaters and the Metro in urban Washington, DC) has revealed that Gallery Place Regal Theaters is the Regal most convenient to Metro (and thus Crystal City Sheraton), I wondered if folks could give me pointers on restaurants around the Gallery Place Metro stop.

We will be there this coming Friday, August 11th. We will spend the morning at the zoo and then afternoon at National Portrait Gallery. Want to see a movie that night at Regal Gallery Place. Any good restaurant ideas (not especially interested in Chilis, Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Bennigans or other similar chains).

http://www.zaytinya.com/ perhaps? It's trendyish-popular still.

The list is as long as your arm. Zatinya is great. Many others depending on what you are looking for. Can you give any more specifics? i.e. do you have kids, prefer something very trendy or just looking for good food, etc. (And don't worry, other than a Legal Sea Foods the area is actually pretty light on chain restaurants)

Matchbox :D ^

I've heard Matchbox is good. Of course if your into Chinese food, you've got many many choices. I would suggest Andale, about 3 blocks south of the Metro station, I think the cross street is D. Mexican/various other Spanish speaking peoples' cuisines.

Now that my thread (Regal Movie Theaters and the Metro in urban Washington, DC) has revealed that Gallery Place Regal Theaters is the Regal most convenient to Metro (and thus Crystal City Sheraton), I wondered if folks could give me pointers on restaurants around the Gallery Place Metro stop.

We will be there this coming Friday, August 11th. We will spend the morning at the zoo and then afternoon at National Portrait Gallery. Want to see a movie that night at Regal Gallery Place. Any good restaurant ideas (not especially interested in Chilis, Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Bennigans or other similar chains).

Well, strictly speaking, the closest Regal Theater to the Crystal City Sheraton is about a mile down the road at Potomac Yard. Unfortunately, it's not metro-accessible. You could certainly catch a cab -- probably an $8 ride each way and I'm sure there are buses.

If you do go to the theater at Gallery Place, though, I second the Zaytinya recommendation. Andale closed suddenly this week, so that's out. There's the always good Jaleo (tapas; and they also have a Crystal City location). If you want something a little more formal (but not stuffy), there's Zola (www.zoladc.com; contemporary American) and Poste (www.postebrasserie.com; calls itself "an upscale contemporary brasserie) (both on F Street) and Rosa Mexicano (www.rosamexicano.com).

Enjoy your trip!

The list is as long as your arm. Zatinya is great. Many others depending on what you are looking for. Can you give any more specifics? i.e. do you have kids, prefer something very trendy or just looking for good food, etc. (And don't worry, other than a Legal Sea Foods the area is actually pretty light on chain restaurants)

I guess Chinese/Vietnamese or Italian or German even would be nice.

I guess Chinese/Vietnamese or Italian or German even would be nice.

There's no good Vietnamese around there, at least in my opinion. For Chinese, there's a few choices, but not immediately around there that have got me saying "must go". The Chinese restaurant that was sort of the "in" place for Chinese food -- in a non-trendy but more upscale-ish way (of sorts) -- is in Falls Church (Virginia) and called Peking Gourmet Inn. I haven't been there in years but without a car I'd skip it.

That same crowd that would come from DC to go to Peking Gourmet Inn in Virginia would often gravitate toward the Chinese restaurant of Full Kee in more recent years; and Full Kee is in Chinatown.

Matchbox! Matchbox! Matchbox!!!!!!!!!!

Matchbox makes fabulous thin delicious pizzas, amazing mini-burgers and onion straws, and a feast of other delicacies - but those are the two reasons we go.

Also in the neighborhood is a 5 guys if you want bugers and fries (that's pretty much it, but its tasty! and there are peanuts in bins).

On 7th Street there are a variety of chains...

There's also a wide variety of things within walking distance depending on what you're looking for.

The area has recently undergone (is undergoing) a huge change and influx of businesses.
Be warned that anything closest to the movie theater has the possibility of a HUGE wait if there's an event at the MCI/Verizon Center that night. If there is it is suggested you radiate your search out a few more blocks. (But then there's an Ella's - also pizza but not as good as Matchbox, fabulous sangria), a Gordon Biersch which is a brewery and has tasty food - technically a chain tho.

Zengo is an interesting place. Just down the street from the movie theater. Hard to desribe but they call themselves "Latin-Asian". Its sort of trendy and a little on the expensive side but fun as well. Also, they take reservations, probably a good idea.

Zengo (http://www.modernmexican.com/zengodc/index.htm)

I have not been to Tony Cheng's in a long time, but that is around the corner in DC's ever-shrinking Chinatown.

Tony Cheng's (http://washington.dc.diningguide.com/data/d100412.htm)

All the recommendations above are great, personal favorites include Rosa Mexicana and Jaleo's. (If you go to Rosa Mexicana, order the guacamole side dish / appetizer).

There is also a Clyde's (Clydes's) (http://www.clydes.com/main/index.cfm) right next to the movie theater. I probably wouldn't go there because there are so many other good places to eat, but if you were looking for pretty straight-forward american food its a good local chain that is one or two notches above a Friday's, etc. but not as expensive as a steakhouse.



Also - reservations generally not required at these restaurants but if you know when you want to eat based on the movie schedule, you would be better off making a reservation. You can also check the Verizon Center web site www.verizoncenter.com to see if there will be any events the night you will be there.

Strongly agree with the Matchbox rec.

Notes for the zoo - the Woodley Park/Zoo elevator was broken again this morning, so even if they get it fixed it will be due to break again by this weekend; best option (as always) is just to go via Cleveland Park. (better places than Woodley to grab a quick bite to eat, too - e.g. a slice of pizza from Vace)

Huge wait to see the pandas yesterday, but great view of mom/cub interaction in the yard from the "Panda Cafe" overlook above the panda house. No line because it's not well marked.

If you want to go to a real divey hole in the wall Chinese place, which has great fresh noodles and dumplings, Chinatown Express on 6th St is your spot.

You also mentioned German food. The only German restaurant I know of in downtown DC is Cafe Mozart, though it is closer to Metro Center, not Gallery Place. Still, if that were what you wanted, it's there.

Strongly agree with the Matchbox rec.

Notes for the zoo - the Woodley Park/Zoo elevator was broken again this morning, so even if they get it fixed it will be due to break again by this weekend; best option (as always) is just to go via Cleveland Park. (better places than Woodley to grab a quick bite to eat, too - e.g. a slice of pizza from Vace)

Huge wait to see the pandas yesterday, but great view of mom/cub interaction in the yard from the "Panda Cafe" overlook above the panda house. No line because it's not well marked.

Made DC trip and all went well. Did try Vace hoagies while there and they were excellent.

The Cleveland park Metro Exit for zoo access is really a winner. No hill to climb (like Woodley Park) and closer. We got to the zoo at 8 AM and stoof atop the Panda Cafe to watch mother and baby cavorting in the grass. Very nice . . . !

Did end up eating at Natl Portrait Gallery cafe which was a pleasant experience. The Portrait Gallery is great, very nice time.

Matchbox :D ^
A newly renovated adjoining space doubles the seats and adds an outdoor patio with a decorative fire pit to ignite romance on autumn nights; brick-oven-baked flatbreads and skillet desserts are also being added to the menu at Matchbox