Memorable Dining in DC
Dec 24, 2006 | 10:42 pm
#91
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- Known as one of Bill Clinton's favorite restaurants.
- Homemade pasta has an excellent reputation.
- Brunch is rated very highly (high quality, large variety/portions, reasonable price)
Nevertheless, the Daughter believes it is basically overrated, particularly for dinner ... that there are better places in Georgetown.
Dec 24, 2006 | 10:53 pm
#92
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We'll be in DC in January. What's your opinion on Filomena Ristorante.
1063 Wisconsin Ave. NW
(bet. K & M Sts.)
Washington, DC
202-338-8800
I've been researching many of the restaurants already written about. Some of them are a little pricey ie $100 a person; and, some of them get just passable ratings from Zagat.
I'd like to have dinner in Georgetown.
1063 Wisconsin Ave. NW
(bet. K & M Sts.)
Washington, DC
202-338-8800
I've been researching many of the restaurants already written about. Some of them are a little pricey ie $100 a person; and, some of them get just passable ratings from Zagat.
I'd like to have dinner in Georgetown.
Second hand (from our daughter who graduated from Georgetown last May) regarding Filomena:
- Known as one of Bill Clinton's favorite restaurants.
- Homemade pasta has an excellent reputation.
- Brunch is rated very highly (high quality, large variety/portions, reasonable price)
Nevertheless, the Daughter believes it is basically overrated, particularly for dinner ... that there are better places in Georgetown.
- Known as one of Bill Clinton's favorite restaurants.
- Homemade pasta has an excellent reputation.
- Brunch is rated very highly (high quality, large variety/portions, reasonable price)
Nevertheless, the Daughter believes it is basically overrated, particularly for dinner ... that there are better places in Georgetown.
I used to go to Filomena pretty routinely about 5-15 years ago and then stopped going entirely as the food started being really inconsistent sometimes. (It used to be Helmut Kohl's favorite restaurant in DC too .... even after he had retired; also, Clinton doesn't end up there like he used to, and not with Helmut Kohl any longer.)
What kind of food do you want and what kind of environment? Whatever you do don't end up eating in the Harbor at Sequoia's.
Dec 25, 2006 | 12:16 pm
#93
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I'm open to just about any type of food. My budget is $100-$125 for both of us.
Trendy is ok. Down and dirty with outstanding food would be better.
No steak places. No pub food.
FYI, I spent time researching just about most of the places listed in this thread. I also read tripadvisor. The only general opinion I can make is that everyone seems to like poorly rated restaurants.
Or, maybe it's Zagats problem.
Also, I'm not married to dinner in Georgetown. And just as an FYI, we're staying in Alexandria's Old Town.
Thanks.
Trendy is ok. Down and dirty with outstanding food would be better.
No steak places. No pub food.
FYI, I spent time researching just about most of the places listed in this thread. I also read tripadvisor. The only general opinion I can make is that everyone seems to like poorly rated restaurants.
Or, maybe it's Zagats problem.
Also, I'm not married to dinner in Georgetown. And just as an FYI, we're staying in Alexandria's Old Town.
Thanks.
Dec 26, 2006 | 3:18 pm
#94
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Alexandria is much less expensive than georgetown. I think that with a few exceptions, voiced earlier in this string, Zagat is pretty accurate for the dc area. just add or subtract 2 or 3 or 5 points from all ratings to get your number.
in crystal city try jaleo
in alex try bistro layfaette(1/2 price wine on mon), evening star(buy wine at the tied in liquor store), vermilion, stardust(really exotic cooking).
in crystal city try jaleo
in alex try bistro layfaette(1/2 price wine on mon), evening star(buy wine at the tied in liquor store), vermilion, stardust(really exotic cooking).
Dec 26, 2006 | 4:11 pm
#95
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Because of nostalgia is the primary reason to end up there.
I used to go to Filomena pretty routinely about 5-15 years ago and then stopped going entirely as the food started being really inconsistent sometimes. (It used to be Helmut Kohl's favorite restaurant in DC too .... even after he had retired; also, Clinton doesn't end up there like he used to, and not with Helmut Kohl any longer.)
What kind of food do you want and what kind of environment? Whatever you do don't end up eating in the Harbor at Sequoia's.
I used to go to Filomena pretty routinely about 5-15 years ago and then stopped going entirely as the food started being really inconsistent sometimes. (It used to be Helmut Kohl's favorite restaurant in DC too .... even after he had retired; also, Clinton doesn't end up there like he used to, and not with Helmut Kohl any longer.)
What kind of food do you want and what kind of environment? Whatever you do don't end up eating in the Harbor at Sequoia's.
I'm open to just about any type of food. My budget is $100-$125 for both of us.
Trendy is ok. Down and dirty with outstanding food would be better.
No steak places. No pub food.
FYI, I spent time researching just about most of the places listed in this thread. I also read tripadvisor. The only general opinion I can make is that everyone seems to like poorly rated restaurants.
Or, maybe it's Zagats problem.
Also, I'm not married to dinner in Georgetown. And just as an FYI, we're staying in Alexandria's Old Town.
Thanks.
Trendy is ok. Down and dirty with outstanding food would be better.
No steak places. No pub food.
FYI, I spent time researching just about most of the places listed in this thread. I also read tripadvisor. The only general opinion I can make is that everyone seems to like poorly rated restaurants.
Or, maybe it's Zagats problem.
Also, I'm not married to dinner in Georgetown. And just as an FYI, we're staying in Alexandria's Old Town.
Thanks.
(It wouldn't be the first time.)DC restaurants' food ratings in Zagat seem to me more tied to perception about the crowd that goes there and the perception of professional service than necessarily tied to quality of the food as far as I can tell. (Fortunately, that only yields somewhat higher ratings than deserved.) People seem to bounce up the food ratings as price rises too up to a point too.
I'd go with gleff's recommendation ..... or end up at the typical DC places with sufficiently edible food but more an emphasis on "atmosphere" (of some sort or another) than on food and service.
I've been eating a lamb steak of some sort at Peacock Cafe in Georgetown quite a bit as of late. I don't know exactly why -- it's certainly not the service, nor is it my scene, nor is lamb usually my kind of meat -- but an associate got me hooked to it.
Dec 27, 2006 | 4:49 am
#97
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Don't expect anything creative -- just good examples of classic dishes without additional creativity.
Jan 28, 2007 | 4:00 am
#98
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I have to second Jaleo, but I prefer the original in DC next to the Shakespeare Theatre. I took my folks there when they were visiting me while I was living in SW DC in 1995 and they STILL talk about it. Went there on a date a few months back and it's still as good as it was then.
Feb 1, 2007 | 5:12 am
#101
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When we went to Jaleo, the chef was being interviewd at the next table by a writer from Gourmet. We had the same waiter. Nevertheless, he paid great attention to us and we had a memorable meal. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Feb 9, 2007 | 11:32 pm
#102
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Down and dirty with outstanding food would be better.
http://www.oldglorybbq.com/
Never has let me down for good BBQ and decent conversation. Definitely not trendy but well within, if not below, the price range given.
If BBQ is not your thing, I'd say Jaleo.
BTW, Where'd you end up going?
Jun 26, 2007 | 4:32 pm
#103
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I disagree with everyone in this thread except for Podroza
mrs gleff used to cook at both Maestro and Restaurant Eve, and are definitely recommended. Restaurant Eve won't be convenient to where you're staying, but is worth the trip.
We recently had dinner at minibar, my extensive review (with pictures) is here:
http://blogs.flyertalk.com//blogs/vi...ar_at_caf.html
2941 is definitely good but prices are up about 25% or more over what they were a year ago. This used to be my favorite regular spot (I'd go every month or two) but is no longer worth it. It's in Northern Virginia and not at all convenient to where you're staying.
The best meal in the city proper is without a doubt CityZen... review here:
http://blogs.flyertalk.com//blogs/vi..._at_the_m.html
Citronelle can be good but also erratic, and service is so so. Amex can sometimes get you a table when otherwise unavailable.
Indebleu is another good spot, French-Indian fusion and decor is a bit W-esque.
Not at all a fan of TenPenh, thoroughly unimpressive. Galileo is fine, but I like Tosca better. I haven't had a better than average meal at Vidalia in years.
Whatever you do, avoid Poste at the Hotel Monaco.
mrs gleff used to cook at both Maestro and Restaurant Eve, and are definitely recommended. Restaurant Eve won't be convenient to where you're staying, but is worth the trip.
We recently had dinner at minibar, my extensive review (with pictures) is here:
http://blogs.flyertalk.com//blogs/vi...ar_at_caf.html
2941 is definitely good but prices are up about 25% or more over what they were a year ago. This used to be my favorite regular spot (I'd go every month or two) but is no longer worth it. It's in Northern Virginia and not at all convenient to where you're staying.
The best meal in the city proper is without a doubt CityZen... review here:
http://blogs.flyertalk.com//blogs/vi..._at_the_m.html
Citronelle can be good but also erratic, and service is so so. Amex can sometimes get you a table when otherwise unavailable.
Indebleu is another good spot, French-Indian fusion and decor is a bit W-esque.
Not at all a fan of TenPenh, thoroughly unimpressive. Galileo is fine, but I like Tosca better. I haven't had a better than average meal at Vidalia in years.
Whatever you do, avoid Poste at the Hotel Monaco.
Also, Cafe Atlantico itself is to be recommended ... and for those who can't get a reservation (only two seatings, with 6 seats, per day, they get booked fairly quickly, 30 days in advance), the next-best thing you can do is the "dim sum tapas brunch" they have on Saturdays and Sundays. This is also a huge bargain, with little delightful dishes for $2 to $5 each. You can get a 15-course tasting menu (with a few overlaps from Minibar) for a bit over $30 ...
I would also
Jun 26, 2007 | 4:50 pm
#104
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Peking Gourmet Inn
If you're a fan of chinese, the best I've ever had is Peking Gourmet Inn, tucked into the front of an unassuming shopping center on Route 7 (King Street) just past Bailey's crossroads, about 5 miles out from Old Town Alexandria. The locals agree - it's typically an hour wait for a table without a reservation on weekends, and the walls of the entire _huge_ place are covered with photos of pretty much every member of congress, the local media, and more. It was GB's favorite place when he was in the White House, and they built a special room with bullet-proof glass for him. You can't go wrong with the peking duck, and make sure to try the garlic sprouts (home-grown by the owners on their large farm) if they are in season.
$100-$125 should be just right for two people, including drinks.
$100-$125 should be just right for two people, including drinks.
Jun 26, 2007 | 5:06 pm
#105
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DC food
Recommend DCFoodies.com for good reviews of many of the restaurants on this list. I haven't gotten around nearly as much as I'd like to, but I'll put hats in the ring for Komi, Brasserie Beck, Equinox, Merkado...
I used to be a big fan of Viridian, but they made a lot of changes and I'm not so impressed anymore.
I used to be a big fan of Viridian, but they made a lot of changes and I'm not so impressed anymore.