I'll be in DC next month for the MR seminar. What do you suggest Downtown, near the White House on a Sunday night? That'll be the last night of Restaurant Week. Should I choose a restaurant on that list or the DiRoNA list (OpenTable.com)? Or should I try a funky hole-in-the-wall with character?

Thanks for any help!

Restaurant Week
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=9&ref=299&pid=68

Distinguished Restaurants of North America
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=9&ref=727&pid=118

The most comprehensive, detailed information on restaurants in DC metro, including access to hundreds of local opinions can be found at DonRockwell.com. I'd be surprised if you don't find quality answers there. And personally, I think only a small handful of those restaurants on the DiRoNa list are worth going to. Most have been clearly surpassed in food quality and service. I guess it all depends on what kind of experience or food you're looking for and what your budget is.

One of the restaurants on the list, Taberna del Alabardero, is one that I enjoy:
http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/...ail.asp?id=213

If you like hole-in-the-wall kabobs, try Mayur Kebab House: http://tinyurl.com/baqp4

If you want sort of the classic DC experience, try Old Ebbitt Grill.

Save old Ebbitt Grille for boy's night out, try Kinkaid's (sic) on Penn. Ave. or I Ricchi.

It is extremely interesting to me that two of the restaurants already recommended in this thread are two that are most dumped on in prior threads

THE DUMPER.

What size your budget? What kind of food. Look in Midatlantic. Sunday is a funny restaurant day in DC. It is frequently the chef's day off, along with Monday.

One of the greatest things about D.C. is the diversity of the population resulting in virtually all the world's culture/cuisine represented very well in the Metro D.C. Area.

Some good info in here.

http://www.gmu.edu/jbc/Tyler/ethnic.html - mostly standard to good to excellent places.

If you want to stick to D.C. - Adams Morgan has a great mix of Hole in the Wall , small boutique type restaurants from varying cuisines.

Bon apetit!

I'm a fan of IndeBleu, open ~ 6 months ago, it's French-Indian fusion with decor and atmosphere of a W hotel. A bit pricey, though I prefer to do a (3) items from the first and second course selections and skip the entrees.

Best fine dining IMHO is Maestro at the RC Tysons Corner, followed by Citronelle which can be a bit spotty. steve-o's suggestion of Kinkead's is reliable, also pricey.

DC has some very good Ethiopian restaurants, also some great Vietnamese options especially in Northern Virginia.

Thanks for all the helpful info, everyone. Greatly appreciated. ^

Quite a few years ago, my son lived in D.C. and when last I was there, he recommended Jaleo. It has wonderful tapas and is always on the 'lists.'

From the Restaurant Week list -

1789 - Excellent food & superior service. It'll be a cab ride

Bombay Club - Good Indian food w/classic service

DC Coast - haven't been in years, used to be a see & be seen place with good food

Kinkead's - some of the best seafood on the East Coast. Stick with the classic section of the menu for tried & true. The fried clams followed by the cod is sure fire good eatin'

Oceanaire - also haven't been here in a few years. Think seafood served steakhouse style

Ortanique - Love this place, a good carribean restaurant, good food, good service

Taberna del Alabadero - popular, food is ok, service can be spotty

TenPenh - upscale chinese, good food, fun drink menu

Caucus Room & Capital Grille - best choices for steaks

Sam & Harry's - dined there on Saturday for their 1/2 price wine deal. Service was friendly, but the first bottle of wine was turned, steaks came out overcooked and then undercooked.

Zola's - more of drinks place, but the food is very good.

Cheers,
FreakWF