Mediocre meal in Dupont/Logan Circle?

[WestIndianArchie]

I'm definitely trying to *not* impress someone, and as part of the nights "festivities" I need to go to a so-so/mediocre restaurant.

Not a bad restaurant, just a mediocre one. Like the middle ground between The Diner and Tryst.

And preferably not a chain.
And money is no object.

aiming to underwhelm,
WIA

[arugulafilesdc]

Seriously, it's hard to avoid mediocre in Dupont and Logan Circle. You are better off asking what the good restaurants are and avoiding them. Although, I would say that some of the places listed here--fox and hounds, front page, dupont italian kitchen, among them---are not mediocre; they are disgusting.

Try Laurial Plaza or Sette Osteria.

If you are in the mood for the absurd head for Bucca di Peppo. Now that is some mediocre food.

[WestIndianArchie]

The replies have been great so far.

This will be a night to not remember.

[aburkavage]

It's gotta be Front Page!!! That place is mediocrity (bordering on awfulness) at its finest. It even has a back exit if things get really bad...

[flavrmeistr]

I think we have a winner with Front Page. A dreadful parody of a Washington "power spot".The crowd is obnoxious, the noise is intolerable, the service non-existent and the food...well, how can you miss? Deliciously hateful!

[hill food]

"Deliciously hateful"

I'll have to steal that phrase BTW.

[Elyssa]

Ooooo good call! How could I forget about Front Page? I've been living less than 1 street down from there and have yet to even step in for a drink. I left my Front Page days behind way back when I was an intern.

[MikeR]

Five Guys?

[hill food]

La Tomate's not very exciting, not bad in any way, just...

I'd say the same for Rosemary's Thyme and City Lights unless things have changed.

HA! Lauriol on a Friday or saturday night - added discomfort of a long wait!

[Jeserf]

Lauriol mid-week, outside...it's actually really nice.
The food is what it is, but it's a great place to sit and chill, and enjoy tasty chips and 'ritas

[hill food]

yeah, I went to a nice office lunch on the roof once at Lauriol. but then again the place was practically empty.

[MizYellowRose]

Yeah...enquiring minds want to know :)

[Jacey]

You have so many choices in Dupont/Logan! I think this area is very lacking. Here are some suggestions...

Luna Cafe (the one on P & 17)--I always describe this place as so-so, eh or medicore
Dupont Italian Kitchen
Logan Tavern
Osteria
Pasha Cafe
Jack's
Cosi ( :) )
Johnny Rocket's

I can go on and on...

Please tell us why...a date you feel obligated to go on? Trying to end things with someone? My nosiness is kicking in!

[Elyssa]

Oooo Logan Tavern...perfect for this!

[Jacey]

Yeah, the food pretty much sucks. LT and all the other restaurants in this group basically have lousy--uninspiring--dishes. It's the same menu at all these places with a twist. However, the owners are smart because they create cozy atmospheres, and go into locations with very few other options around them (and move in early on...Logan Circle, Columbia Heights, West End). Thus, out of default and building an early connection to the restaurant--not to the bad food--people come back.

[Jeserf]

The worst part of LT is the service.

If I want an eye roll and someone to plop a plate down in front of me, I'll cook at home

[deangold]

There must be an interesting story here...

[Elyssa]

This is one of the more bizarre requests I've seen on here :)

How about Vapiano, Grillfish (I get take out from there a lot but its nothing overly special and the service is usually pretty disappointing), Luna (is it Grill or Diner?) or Mei Wai. All are so-so, nothing special, but not a total waste. I go to all of them because they are in my neighborhood....but I would never expect to take anyone to any of these places, especially if I wanted to impress them.

[Elyssa]

I thought of another one....Fox and Hounds. The food is just so-so at best and you get the added benefit of getting slammed on their super strong drinks :)