I actually quite like the IAD lounge, it's a decent size, lots of places to sit and perfectly located by the gates and directly above where you enter this part of the terminal (think it's B?). Agreed however that too much of it is taken up by the restaurant area for Golds only. If not travelling anything above WTP (which I rarely am), you shouldn't really ever expect much in terms of substantial food in a North American BA lounge. No idea if frowned upon or not, and frankly not that I care, another big plus to me about the IAD lounge is there's a Chipotle opposite. If no time to eat in the City before the flight, I'll go in there, grab a burrito bowl and enjoy a nice glass of red with it upstairs in the lounge.