175316 Fri Aug 19 10:37:55 -0700 2005 12 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 942830 Hello, My wife and I have plans to meet my parents in DC for a weekend in September and I'd love some restaurant suggestions. I'm an NYC hound and haven't been to DC in years, so really don't know where to start looking. We are staying in Dupont Circle, but will certainly travel for food. On Friday, we're hoping to find a DC institution with great burgers. Saturday is a little more flexible. We're looking for top-notch food in an unpretentious environment (if you're familiar with NYC, I'm thinking something Blue Ribbon or Gramercy Tavern). Probably American, but French or Italian would be good too. Any thoughts? Thanks, Brendan Fri Aug 19 10:37:55 -0700 2005 0 Brendan T. 1 942833 For Saturday's dinner, I'd recommend making a reservation for Komi. Great food, definitely not pretentious. It's located in Dupont Circle, too. 1509 17th St NW (202) 332-9200 Fri Aug 19 10:48:53 -0700 2005 942830 0 AngelV 2 942922 OK....IF U CAN ACCEPT BURGERS OR PIZZA, THEN I WOULD DEF. SAY GO TO PIZZERIA PARADISIO OR SETTEOSTERIA FOR AMAZING WOOD FIRED PIES.(BOTH IN DUPONT) BURGERS....THERE IS A PLACE ON CONN. AVE THAT HAS KOBE BEEF CHEESEBURGERS THAT ARE INCREDIBLE!! WHAT IS THE NAME??!!!....UMMM OHHH YESSS.. HERE IT IS, GO HERE FOR THE BURGER...Palena, 3529 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-537-9250...U OWE ME FOR THAT ONE!! VIDALIA IS GREAT AND ANOTHER AWESOME PLACE IS THE OCEANAIRE SEAFOOD ROOM, GREAT SERVICE AND FRIENDLY PLACE; RETRO 20'S OCEANLINER FEEL. Sat Aug 20 19:42:35 -0700 2005 942833 0 CAGNEY 1 942840 For burgers try 5 Guys a locally based chain, see website for locations. But a true DC institution is Ben's Chili Bowl for a half-smoke with chili. Near the the U St Metro station. www.fiveguys.com www.benschilibowl.com Fri Aug 19 11:42:20 -0700 2005 942830 0 chris f 2 942845 You should at least see Ben's, and maybe have something small there, a half smoke for instance. Better fare right around there is Fla Ave Grill and Oohs and Aaahs, though I'm sure you can find great soul food places with atmosphere in NY, up to the north. Ethiopian is probably one fare that excels in DC over anywhere else, including NY, and plenty is also in the same area (U Street). Others may post here about that, but there are plenty of recent posts to search for. Fri Aug 19 12:11:59 -0700 2005 942840 0 Dennis S 3 942875 I would definitely recommend Oohhs and Aahhs if you like soul food. We had fried chicken (breast), fried lobster, and mac & cheese. They were the best I've ever had. We couldn't believe how big the breast was and there were no bones. I thought this place was much better than Fla Ave Grill. Fri Aug 19 17:23:45 -0700 2005 942845 0 Twee 1 942842 mmmmm....you'd have a hard time dragging me away from Vidalia if I was looking for great food in the Dupont Circle area. Perhaps a fancier setting than Gramercy Tavern, but I would not call it pretentious. Service is top notch, the room is lovely and the High Class Low Country cooking is superb. Fri Aug 19 11:50:28 -0700 2005 942830 0 Tha Groovin' Gourmet 1 942849 You may have a problem with dinner in Dupont on a Friday night. Most places in Dupont will be packed. In that area, I'd suggest the burgers at Sign of the Whale or The Brickskeller. The former cooks them to order; the latter has the largest beer selection in the country. The burgers at Stoneys are also pretty good. I'm not a big fan of Five Guys. They cook all their burgers welldone, and press the heck out of them on the grill. Mine have been pretty dry. Sign of the Whale will definitely give you a rare burger if that's what you want. Fri Aug 19 12:26:19 -0700 2005 942830 0 WG 2 942852 Do not, under any circumstances, order food at the Brickskellar. It *is* a local institution, but *only* for the beer list. Fri Aug 19 12:53:16 -0700 2005 942849 0 cm 3 942853 I agree in general. However, the brat and warm potato salad is very good. Best PS I've ever had (though I'm not a big PS fan - but maybe that's a testament) Fri Aug 19 13:04:39 -0700 2005 942852 0 Dennis S 2 942886 Sign of the Whale does have good burgers, also a tasty Crab Reuben and great fries. I suggest not going too late, as it gets a very large bar crowd. I have to second CM's warning about Brickskeller food, it is extremely bad. I will never forget those gray crabcakes (shudder). The Childe Harold is a DC-Dupont institution, and they have excellent burgers and other sandwiches, but please avoid the pasta. They serve food very late, however, I suggest going early, as the crowd gets a little interesting later in the evening. :) Fri Aug 19 22:08:00 -0700 2005 942849 0 gina 1 942857 For wonderful dinner right in Dupont, consider Obelisk. As you'll see from other posts on this board, truly one of the best restaurants in the District. What I've enjoyed about it is the combination of expertly prepared, straightforward food, friendly and understated but spot-on service, and a warm, totally unpretentious atmosphere. Fri Aug 19 13:53:17 -0700 2005 942830 0 Geoff 1 942926 Timberlakes on Conn. Ave has great grilled burgers. Not really a DC institution, but it's right there in Dupont and it's a decent low key bar. Sat Aug 20 21:52:46 -0700 2005 942830 0 MarkF