visiting soon

[deltagirl]

We'll be in Washington from 7/19-7/26. My husband being the planner that he is has made reservations at these restaurants: Ten Penh, Curry Club, 21P, B Smith and Acadiana. I like fine dining just fine but I'd like to balance our meals with a taste of the little hole-in-the-wall, mom/pop ethnic types of places....where the locals hang. We'll be staying near Dupont Circle, it's a first trip for both of us, I have more day time to explore because he's at a conference. Any comments on the restaurants above and/or suggestions on adventurous and tasty less expensive places? I'm told that the Adams-Morgan neighborhood is a great place to explore. Thanks in advance.

[leah]

In Dupont Circle: I really like Bistro Du Coin for a casual french meal day or evening - I also like Pizzaria Paradiso and Sette Osteria. They both have websights. For fine dining, you should consider KOMI, I have not been there, but from what I know it sounds good - the chef is young and the place is small and in a little rowhouse.
In Adams Morgan, I like San Marco for decent Italian food - its casual.
If you want to taste what locals say is the best pizza around, it would be 2 Amy's in Cleveland Park.
There are so many little restaurants around... these are just a few of my suggestions, I am sure others will second some of these and add to the list for you.

[Geoff]

Just a friendly alert re Bistro du Coin - if you search this board for past posts, you'll find many, many negative ones re this place - food isn't special, and their attitude is, well, lousy. I've always wanted to like this place, but after a few negative experiences, I'm done with them.

[laurentobias]

In Adams Morgan, I'd recommend Jyoti for great Indian and Bardia's for Louisiana grub. It's an underrated but yummy place to grab a sandwich by yourself. Same with Busboys and Poets, which is up 14th Street (at V/W) - great atmosphere to sit in on a hot afternoon.

I'd add Tabaq to your list as well, which is on U Street at 13th or 14th. Much more a local place than some of your choices. Curry Club is supposed to be EXCELLENT.

Of your five, the only one I'd question is B Smith. While it is fine, it's a chain and kind of out of the way (at Union Station). I'd recommend Vidalia or Georgia Brown's over B Smith for similar Southern-style foods.

[monkeyrotica]

Not a fan of either B. Smiths or Georgia Brown's: both are overpriced and rely heavily on the sodium.

Since you're not averse to mom-and-pop hole in the walls, you should try Ooohs and Aaahs on U Street (10 minutes by cab from Dupont, or just take the Metro). Excellent southern food, much better than the above at half the price. Not much to look at and seating is limited, but you can carry it back to your hotel and everyone will ask what's in the bag.

[Rosco1]

I would drop B. Smith's. I make a point of not eating at chains on vacation - although as mentioned it's not bad, it's just that so many other places which are much better.

If you have reserved there because you'll be in the Union Station area, then consider Bistro Bis (about 1-1/2 blocks from Union Station) instead. It's about the same price as B. Smith's but has much better food.

http://vidaliadc.com/bistro/index.asp

[Geoff]

Definitely check out Teaism. I'm partial to their breakfasts (cilantro scrambled eggs, french toast (perhaps weekend only?), chai, and i love love love their sausage, which they cook in their naan oven. Yummy bento boxes, stir fries etc for lunch or dinner.

[Adam23]

I'd personally drop 21P and B Smith. Otherwise, your choices are great.

I'd check out Pizzeria Pardiso as mentioned above, but if you have a car, i'd recommend 2 Amys on Wisconsin Ave over it.

For brunch or lunch, i'd recommend Kramerbooks right off Dupont Circle. Heritage Indian right off Dupont Circle has excellent Indian food.

If your around Dupont for lunch and want some tasty take-out Greek food, there is Greek Deli on 19th St (I gotta double check) which is great.

[cleveland park]

Greek Deli is on 19th b/w L and M its only open weekdays from 7am to 4pm. Its excellent by the way.

[subinai]

There is a really cool bar called Brickskeller. I believe it is near Dupont Circle. It has the Guinness Book of World Records for the most variety of beers served in a bar (or it did at one point).

[Steve]

I would say your list is no better than blind luck. Where is it culled from? Please search this board for the following restaurants.

Jaleo (no reservations, can be a wait)
Etete (no reservations necessary)
Colorado Kitchen
2 Amys (no reservations, will be a wait)
Mendocino Grille
The lounge at Citronelle (no reservations, generally not needed)
The osteria at Galileo (no reservations, generally not needed)
The bar at Palena (no reservations, can be a wait)
Nam Viet

Midweek lunch:
Breadline
cf folks (this is your chance for a great crabcake, sit at the counter)
the grill at Galileo - call that week for the grill schedule
Oohs and Aahs - hole in the wall
Pyramids - hole in the wall

Please search for specific recs.

[MrsCommanderson]

Thanks to all the DC Chowhounders who have posted about Colorado Kitchen – it was the only Chow-approved stop on a quick weekend trip from New York and did not disappoint in the least.

The made-to-order donuts (we had the chocolate-glazed) were truly outstanding with the perfect fried crust giving way to the tender cake inside, we loved the surprise orange glaze on the French toast, and the crab cakes in the crab benedict special were all crab (big meaty chunks) and no filler. My only regret is not having enough room to try the garlic cheese grits.

[deltagirl]

You're absolutely right...it's dumb luck! The restaurants I listed were either mentioned here or found surfing, with the exception of B Smith...it was recommended by someone who's been! But I agree with Rosco1...I prefer not to eat at chains at any time. We're frequent visitors to New Orleans during Jazz Fest and have found that advanced reservations are pretty much a requirement. But all of your recommendations & comments are extremely valuable. Like I said, we really want a full-spectrum and eclectic Washington experience. Looks like there's much to explore.

[Rosco1]

<<we really want a full-spectrum and eclectic Washington experience>>

If you see soft-shell crabs on the list of specials at any of the places you end up, get them.

[Steve]

One thing I don't understand: I'm not sure why B. Smith's is considered a chain. There is a location in Manhattan and one in Long Island, but my understanding is that the menus are very different. The Union Station location features almost exclusively Southern cooking. The Swamp Thang here is a delicious selection.

[deltagirl]

Just back from a great, and steamy hot, 8-day trip to your beautiful city. We ate our way through many of the Chowhound's recs. My very, very favorite meal was at Acadiana, the best fried green tomatoes next to K-Paul's in New Orleans and excellent, and authentic, New Orleans style bbq shrimp. We also had great meals at Jaleo's, Curry Club, Hank's Oyster Bar (tasty fresh oysters, though the lobster bisque was a bit flat), and Ten Penh (great Asian inspired gazpacho and a great tuna roll). A so-so meal at Old Ebbitt Grill (kind of standard dinner house fare we could get anywhere). Teaism is a treasure--loved their cilantro scrambled eggs & bento lunch. Our first meal was at Johnny's on the Half Shell, a nice and cozy old-time place. We found ourselves at Union Station waiting for a moonlight tour of the monuments (a zoo, by the way, but it was the coolest, literally, way to see most of them and they were pretty amazing; it was especially eerie seeing the Wall at night) so we ate at the food court. I had a lousy Caeser salad but my husband enjoyed his burger! A highlight for him was a dog at Ben's (I watched), a very unique place. Breakfast at Afterwords was a big disappointment. But we loved CF Folks...yes! that crab cake sandwich was divine. We had lunch there twice because my husband fell in love with their corned beef sandwich.

All in all, it was a fabulous trip highlighted by some truly memorable meals. Thanks to you all for the tips!

[Steve]

Wow, you win the prize for your dedication - you hit so many highlights.

No Chowhound should ever mention Old Ebbitt Grill, although some go there for the happy hour raw bar deal. It's food, yes, and it isn't awful. Same thing can be said for Afterwards.

Thanks so much for your report.