335551 Thu Oct 19 20:00:27 -0700 2006 3 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 1958267 Hello, I'm visiting Washington DC for the first time since I was a kid with my parents, and they're strictly chain restaurant people. I'd love suggestions on great places to eat from local Chowhounds. Anywhere you consider a can't miss would be great. My tastes are varied so I'm open to almost anything (food-wise). The only cuisine I’m not interested in is Italian because I live in South Philadelphia and get too much of it as is. Price range I’m looking for for dinner is anywhere from $25-$30 for an entrée on down to cheapo greasy spoon-type joints (I’ve heard good things about Ben’s Chili Bowl). I’ve gotten some great ideas just looking through the threads here but would love more. I'm also very into breakfast and beer (not at the same time, usually) and would love suggestions about places to get my fill of those as well. I'm staying in the Dupont Circle area, but am willing to travel by cab or Metro to get good grub. Thanks much! JG Thu Oct 19 20:00:27 -0700 2006 47894 jmgst71 1 1958386 Skip Ben's except to walk by and see it. Oohs and Aahs is better for soul food, and while in decline I still like Fla Ave Grill. They're all in the same couple block radius. The Ohio is another one that I've not been to, but Steve, a DC board mainstay on good cheap eats (as well as other things) speaks well of it. For beer hit the Brickskellar, but outside of the Brat and hot potato salad, don't go there to eat. They have something like 900 beers from around the world (yet can't seem to ever stock Boulevard from KC). There's a diner at 18th and U for breakfast - this is just a few short blocks to the north of where you'll be. Other highlights of DC (standard routine for this board) are: - Ethiopian, though I can't fill you in much beyond telling you to search for that here. - Vietnamese; either Nam Viet in Cleveland Park or Clarendon (both easily metro accessible) or Eden Center for an experience broader than food. It's a whole mall by and for the vietnamese community. - Thai; for this I strongly suggest going to the Pentagon or Pentagon city metro stop and grabbing a bus that goes out Columbia Pike to Walter Reed and Glebe Rd. Between these two roads are two of the top level thai places we have - Thai Square (incredible food, no ambience) and Bangkok 54 (great ambience way above average food). Thu Oct 19 20:41:18 -0700 2006 1958267 11368 Dennis S 1 1959208 Go to Ben's. Over the decades that Ben's has been serving chili dogs, dozens of places like Oohs and Aahs (which does have better food) have come and gone, but Ben's survives because it is part of the political, civil rights and entertainment history of Washington. You still never know who will be holding court in the back room. You can find a better breakfast than the Fla Ave Grill too but it's also an institution. Places like this are dying out and you should experience them while you can. For some election season excitement - since you are, after all, in DC - hit the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Capital Hill. Young staffers will be at the Hawk and Dove, Capital Lounge, and Tune Inn (one of the city's great greasy spoons) drinking, eating, playing pool, and worrying about their jobs. The upscale Sonoma restaurant has a great bar and good small plates. Penn Quarter is a favorite with the 20- and 30-something crowd especially Jaleo and Zaytinya for tapas and mezze. There's so much in Penn Quarter that you won't need to venture to the 'burbs on a short trip to DC. Lots of ethnic nearby. Spy Museum beats the Smithsonian hands down for a fun afternoon. There's a new-ish entertainment district (near the Ohio Restaurant referred to above) on H Street, NE, but it would probably be more fun and safer if you go with friends. Palace of Wonders, The Red and the Black, Argonaut, Martini Lounge. Cabs are cheap as long as you stay inside DC. The Metro works great. You'll find plenty to do without ever crossing the River. Fri Oct 20 02:18:40 -0700 2006 1958267 32444 MakingSense 1 1959441 Only go to Ben's for Breakfast, when Oohs and Aahs is not open. Florida Ave Grill is depressing nowadays with even the regulars staying away. Also in the same nighborhood is Pyramid (Moroccan), one of the best meals in the city, and Etete for Ethiopian food. Jaleo for Spanish tapas, especially the spinach, patatas bravas, asparagus, and tortilla espanol. Chinatown Express for Xiao long bao, and Nam Viet for Hue Spicy beef noodle soup. Fri Oct 20 04:39:10 -0700 2006 1958267 10156 Steve