48 Hours in DC for a first-time Visitor
Jun 18, 2014 | 9:46 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Not at all! The rstaurant scene is booming, especially along 14th street. Only problem is long, long waits and difficulties getting tables. But as someone said, not a lot of dining options near the W -- but central DC is small, so they're within an easy cab or Metro ride (or walk, if you're so inclined).
Jun 18, 2014 | 2:51 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 10,978
One obvious exception to the no ethnic restaurants in central DC are all of the ethnic Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. Or at least the ones I have eaten at seem authentic to me -- many more Asian diners than Caucasians.
Jun 19, 2014 | 7:42 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: united, american, alaska
Posts: 1,847
I would argue that there are actually plenty of interesting restaurants in DC.
Ghana Caf on 14th Street, for example, is definitely authentic (yes, I have spent time in Ghana) though they don't always have Ghanaian beer. There are still Salvadoran dives in Columbia Heights which, while admittedly not tourist central, also has the Museum of Unnatural History. (Be sure to check out their gift shop, which has formaldehyde, semi-formaldehyde, and business casual-dehyde).
There are also places like Teaism (several branches, including one right in Penn Quarter) which provide a solid, cheap meal.
And don't miss brunch at Market Lunch at Eastern Market, which has the best people watching / eavesdropping mix in the area.
Ghana Caf on 14th Street, for example, is definitely authentic (yes, I have spent time in Ghana) though they don't always have Ghanaian beer. There are still Salvadoran dives in Columbia Heights which, while admittedly not tourist central, also has the Museum of Unnatural History. (Be sure to check out their gift shop, which has formaldehyde, semi-formaldehyde, and business casual-dehyde).
There are also places like Teaism (several branches, including one right in Penn Quarter) which provide a solid, cheap meal.
And don't miss brunch at Market Lunch at Eastern Market, which has the best people watching / eavesdropping mix in the area.
Jun 20, 2014 | 9:25 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
I would argue that there are actually plenty of interesting restaurants in DC.
Ghana Caf on 14th Street, for example, is definitely authentic (yes, I have spent time in Ghana) though they don't always have Ghanaian beer. There are still Salvadoran dives in Columbia Heights which, while admittedly not tourist central, also has the Museum of Unnatural History. (Be sure to check out their gift shop, which has formaldehyde, semi-formaldehyde, and business casual-dehyde).
There are also places like Teaism (several branches, including one right in Penn Quarter) which provide a solid, cheap meal.
And don't miss brunch at Market Lunch at Eastern Market, which has the best people watching / eavesdropping mix in the area.
Ghana Caf on 14th Street, for example, is definitely authentic (yes, I have spent time in Ghana) though they don't always have Ghanaian beer. There are still Salvadoran dives in Columbia Heights which, while admittedly not tourist central, also has the Museum of Unnatural History. (Be sure to check out their gift shop, which has formaldehyde, semi-formaldehyde, and business casual-dehyde).
There are also places like Teaism (several branches, including one right in Penn Quarter) which provide a solid, cheap meal.
And don't miss brunch at Market Lunch at Eastern Market, which has the best people watching / eavesdropping mix in the area.