Kind of an embarrassing question, especially on an expert travel forum, but whenever I travel I usually either use Mass Transit or rent a car. But in this case I am going to be staying in the outskirts of Washington DC, and want to try out a few restaurants in the burbs. Since car rental costs are so high, and parking exorbitant, I figure a taxi is the best bet.

I know how to get a cab from the hotel, but once I have had my dinner and want to get a cab back, how do I do that? I figure there are likely no cab stands in the area - do I have to call and wait? Do I make pre-arrangements? honestly, I have never done this before!