Weekend Breakfast/Brunch place near National Airport

[leija]

Okay, here's the deal:

I have a family member coming into town next Saturday for a 3 hour layover at DCA, and I want to take them out to breakfast - but hopefully not at a crappy airport chain restaurant.

I don't have a car, so I was planning on taking the Metro down to the airport and meeting them there.

My question for the Chowhounds is this:

Is there a good breakfast/brunch place next to a metro stop that is within 2/3 stops of the DCA metro stop?

We don't need fancy, we just need interesting. And hopefully, good and quick service.

Thanks in advance!

[Sam Fujisaka]

Just got back from DC (again). There is no work scheduled on the blue line between the airport and Pentagon City. There didn't seem to be any delays. For a layover, one can get off the plane and onto the metro in minutes. Going back through security seems to take a long time, but 10 minutes is the longest it will take.

[theoneontheleft]

Ahem. Caps on. And...go: DON'T LEAVE THE AIRPORT!!!!

You'll create too much stress for your visitors and for yourself.

By the time they get out of the terminal, you'll have less than 2 hours to go somewhere, order, eat, and get back. The blue/yelow line is under construction for the next month or so. And, you live here, you know: Even when Metro isn't under construction, there can be unexpected delays.

Mayorga Coffee and Einstein Bagels are both in the airport. Hardly a gourment meal. But, grab something simple, sit in the seats mid-terminal (in what used to be the main terminal of the airport, before the new part was added 10 years ago), and enjoy a stress-free couple of hours.

[alkapal]

oh, i'd even forgotten about the construction because i'm not a regular metro rider! plus, looking at metro's site http://www.wmata.com/ , i realize the entire system is "disrupted" and slower because of concerns about safety procedures for braking, switching, etc. since the terrible accident.

i'd stay in the airport, eat, leisurely visit, and walk around and shop or just window shop. there will be less stress and you can discuss real things instead of tapping your foot or checking your watch waiting for metro; plus it's all air conditioned!!! finally, walking around the terminal (with very cool artwork, mind you ****) will be welcome on a layover.

*****
""">>>>Ronald Reagan Washington National Art Program

In 1997, a major transformation was completed of Washington National Airport (later renamed, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). Part of that modernization program was the construction of Terminal B/C which now houses the majority of the airline operations at the Airport. In designing the building a decision was made to make an architectural and artistic statement. As Architect Cesar Pelli put it, “When the new Terminal opens, it will be a rich sequence of visual experiences.”

[imbedded here in the article are links to Browse by Thumbnail
Browse by Location -- do check them out!].

The Architectural Enhancement Program (AEP) integrates commissioned artworks in the architecture of the Terminal. Each piece is integral to the building. The 30 individual works have been executed in a great variety of materials: stained glass, marble and glass mosaics, terrazzo, cast bronze, hammered aluminum and copper, painted steel, porcelain enamel and traditional paint on board and canvas. Numerous local and national organizations were contacted to reach out to the widest possible variety of artists for the program.

The sites for the artwork include 10 floor medallions on the Concourse; 11 balustrades that overlook the Concourse; 5 murals; 1 bridge sculpture; 1 sunscreen panel on the south wall of the ticket level lobby; and 2 stained glass friezes on the concourse-airside curtainwall."""<<<<

http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/dca_art_program/art_program
i had the pleasure of a guided tour during the airport's rededication. the art is really innovative.

~~~~~~~~
here are the airport restaurants (though some aren't accessible unless one goes through security, which one can't do without a boarding pass...) http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/shopping_dining_3/dining/on-site_business_meetings

here's a map: http://www.metwashairports.com/_/File...

[hoorah]

I'd take Metro if you're coming from Terminals B/C. The construction on the blue/yellow line is a non-issue, since that will be at night.

A cab will speed you up if you're coming from Terminal A.

I noticed you said breakfast, not brunch.... but if the layover is late enough, Jaleo in Crystal City (1 stop from the airport) opens at 11:30.

If you luck out with weather, consider picnicking at Gravelly Point. (I'd take a cab to the park, and walk back to the airport. It's a 30+ minute walk if you get lost, so be careful w/ that!)

[alkapal]

construction on metro is not the only "delaying factor" on metro, however, as i noted.

and, with due respect, picnic at gravelly park? in august, humidity, bugs? with planes zooming right over your head? adjoining the parkway with the many cars fuming by? that's the *last* place i'd want to be on a "layover."

[hoorah]

I'd be more worried about the waits at the security line. Metro will be fine. If it's not, take a cab. You can even walk to parts of Crystal City from the airport.

[alkapal]

again, i just would NOT want to deal with the august heat and humidity by walking anywhere from the airport. but that's me. 90 plus degrees plus 80 per cent humidity..... nah!

if it's cabs vs. metro, i'd actually go on metro to pentagon city -- IF i were intent on going out of the airport <again, i'd stay>. crystal city metro and the "exit" or "directions" always give me a little headache for navigation (and i'm usually a good navigator).

my choice IF i went out of the airport would be the ritz-carlton brunch. count on good service and good food. plus with a buffet (like at the ritz) -- if you desire that option there -- you don't have to wait on servers, for the most part.

ok, leija, that's my input. have fun.

[alkapal]

legal seafoods is in the airport. i don't think that's a crappy chain, but you might disagree.

pentagon city metro stop takes you to a bunch of places there in and adjacent to the mall. this place called "fyve" at the ritz-carlton looks interesting http://www.fyverestaurant.com/ , though i've never been. a breakfast buffet with all those goodies is a bargain at $22: http://www.fyverestaurant.com/pdf/breakfast.pdf breakfast is from 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., at which time lunch is served, until 2:30 p.m.

harry's tap room in pentagon city opens at 11 am on saturdays: http://www.harrystaproom.com/files/HP...

but this is just some unsolicited advice: maybe 1/2 of that 3 hour "layover" will be consumed by re-checking through security and waiting for/riding to and from any place on metro. but that still gives you an hour-and-a-half to eat and visit, i suppose.