DC restaurant(s) to avoid!
 

Maylasia Kopitiam (near Dupont Circle)

I made the mistake of ordering the Roti Canai, which I love ... I swear they must've opened up a tinned product and nuked it! The accompanying roti was more like a Chinese pancake than "roti". Mee Goreng main dish was fair/okay/mediocre.

Wow, I was staying at the Renaissance DP Circle last weekend until Tuesday and almost stopped there for dinner to try it. Glad I didnt.

Any of the touristy places downtown. I'm talking to you Old Ebbitt Grill.

My coworkers and I have been eating at Kopitiam since it opened up (back around 2002 or so). We do not hesitate to go back once a week...

J&R Steakhouse at the W Hotel (which is close to Old Ebitt) was fantastic for lunch.

Also avoid the Hotel Restaurant at the Renaissance Mayflower.

**brunch

Yep, surprisingly good and not as expensive as one would guess.

Gonna have to go along with ITRADE here--I'm a big fan of Kopitiam. Yeah, it's a greasy spoon, not fine dining, but it's friendly and reasonably priced. I usually end up with a selection of appetizers rather than a main course, and I've rarely been unhappy.

On my avoid list in that neighborhood is Beacon Bar & Grill. Terrible service (on two occasions--I'm not willing to give it a third try) that's not at all compensated for by mediocre food.

Avoid Jandara on Connecticut Ave NW in Woodley Park.
Overpriced and awful. My lunch came with several hairs in in and I sent it back and asked for a new order to go.

Instead, ,they took my original hair-laden meal and threw it into a to-go box.

Avoid Sake Club in Woodley Park (across the street from the Wardman) - far too expensive for what you get (mediocre sushi or other japanese fare). Tono Sushi a couple doors down in light-years better.

The service at Beacon really is hit or miss. They do have a decent Sunday brunch though if you have a large group of people and like to drink a lot.