the november oyster pig out is noteworthy. other than that, it is just another Clyde's. but then again, DC loves all the steak houses.

Most Bang for the Buck
 

These are all great suggestions. With such a wide variety of tastes, plenty to choose from.

What about best cheap meal? Where can I get the most meal for the fewest dollars? I do need to concentrate in the tourist areas (restricted by public transportation).

I am a teacher, so money is hard to come by. For our one night splurge, we will try out CityZen.

Thank you all for the suggestions!

Kevin

I don't know what others think makes a great steakhouse, but I think the Capital Grilles in DC are great steakhouses. I've never been disappointed with any aspect of my dinners at both the PA Ave & Tyson's locations. The dry aged steaks are the best cuts of steak I've ever had.

Hank

for the price of city zen, you can probably eat well for a whole week.

instead of city zen, i would recommend you consider blue duck or obelisk for about half the price. i have not been to seasons in years. they might also be worth a look.

You might also want to try Ray's the Steaks in Arlington just a few blocks hike up Wilson Boulevard from Rosslyn Metro station.

I'd say that the obvious cheap places are some of the Chinese restaurants, some in Chinatown (Gallery Place / Penn Quarter / Chinatown). Chinatown Express is one example in Chinatown. For a moderately-priced meal, there are some reasonably priced tapas places, such as La Tosca and Jaleo also in this area.

Real cheap: Julia's empanadas, but more of a take-away place, not sit down.

Malaysian Kopitam, downtown, is also reasonably priced and is a regular sit down restaurant.

The Cosi chain is in D.C. (higher end sandwiches). There's Five Guys (hamburgers, etc.).

Luna Grill in Dupont Circle.

Check out Ben's Chili Bowl - it's a DC institution for good eats at a great price.
http://www.benschilibowl.com/

If you are spending any time at the Smithsonian, grab lunch at the Mitsitam Café in the National Museum of the American Indian for good food also at reasonable prices. They serve native American indigenous cuisines.
http://www.nmai.si.edu/index.cfm

You may also want to check out the Breadline - a couple of blocks from the White House. Fabulous sandwiches.
http://thebreadlinedc.blogspot.com/

If you're in the Georgetown area and like Lebanese food (falafel, shwarma, etc.) I'd recommend George's Townhouse - The King of Falafel
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...ile&id=1084393

Another good falafel shop is in Adam's Morgan - Amsterdam Falafel - much more limited menu - falafel and french fries, but tasty.
http://www.falafelshop.com/

Finally - here's a link to the Washingtonian Magazine's list of cheap eats - generally reliable, however, be warned that their 'moderate' priced restaurants are moderate in terms of the range of DC restaurants and can be a bit pricey.
http://www.washingtonian.com/restaur...s/3/index.html

Enjoy DC!

Cheers,
Jeff

I went to Rays the Steaks for my birthday last year and the steak was great. You can also try Rays the Classics in Silver Spring for the same meat but you can get a reservation. Steaks has a no reservation policy.

For cheap eats I love Two Amys near the Cathedral for their pizza and wine bar; be prepared to wait but it is worth it. I also enjoy Kabab Palace in Crystal City; it is two Afghan restaurants one is a take out place open 24/7/365 and where all the cabbies eat. The other one is a sit down restaurant a couple of doors down and the food is quite tasty and reasonably priced; you can do dinner for ~$25-30 for two; just be prepared for slow service.

We were just down in DC for the Cherry Blossom festival over the weekend.

For dinner we went to Woo Lae Oak in Vienna, VA for Korean BBQ and it was very good. A bit pricy, even more than NYC but Korean BBQ is always about that much. Free valet parking.

For Sunday brunch we went to the Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center. Very good quality food, reasonable price for a Sunday brunch. Lots of old dressed up people though. The views were also nice, but a little cold that weekend. You can go up to enjoy the view for free however.

I do not think they are a tourist trap. Their house special, cannelloni, is the best I've ever had. Their salads, chicken, steak, and hamburgers are all good.

It is also nice to see the same waiters there, year after year.

For a truly memorable evening, dine in the Willard Room at the Willard Hotel.

Without a doubt, the Willard Room is my favorite restaurant in DC. The atmosphere, service, and food are exceptional. I recommend the rack of lamb and prime rib.

The menu changes slightly each year and surprisingly this year's menu is cheaper than in previous years.

And after dinner take a stroll through Washington's most historic hotel.

Gotta respectfully disagree with a few of these sugesstions. As I noted in another thread, Jaleo (and, for that matter, La Tosca) doesn't hold a candle to Zaytinya (same neighborhood, both have tapas, so easy comparison). Also, Cosi is a chain and not worth going to if you want to sample a unique DC experience. Julia Empanada's is late-night after leaving the bar food.

Blue Duck Tavern
 

My wife and I have reservations for Friday night and I was curious if anyone had eaten there recently and had any comments to add.

mcbride cooks like a dream, and the hired help does not know wine from whine. i had made a complaint that may create an adjustment.

agree. food is exceptional but the service is terrible. Hosts are rude and would rather talk to one another than figure out why you have been waiting 30 minutes past your reservation. Waiters are basically college students that don't know much about what their kitchen creates.

It has kept me from going back until I hear it has improved. I hope your complaint does not fall on deaf ears.