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Got to hit Ben's Chili Bowl. Been there for 50 years or close to it. It survived the riots in the 60's when all buildings in that area were vandalized or worse. They haven't changed a thing inside or out. Their chili half-smoke is one of the true tasty treats in the country.
U Street corridor and metro accessible.›1 Reply-
re: jac0077
i like Ben's Chili Bowl, I really do. My problem is that out-of-towners go out of their way to get there, and in the same neighborhood they could instead be eating fantastic soul food at Oohhs and Aahhs. Have you tried the grilled shrimp at Oohhs and Aahhs? Or the lemon pepper wings? Compared to this, the food at Ben's is pretty lame. Some of the better street vendors in DC serve a chili halfsmoke 100% as good.
Nice ambience though at Ben's. I recommend eating at Oohhs and Aahhs, and then poking your head in at Ben's.
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ktmoomau
Sep 21, 2009 07:02 AM
You might check out the top ten thread here on the board it lists a lot of peoples favorites.
Where are you from that might make a difference in what you want to eat... I am thinking LA?
I love Central I go quite often- pretty obvious, but I really enjoy it.
Rays Hellburger is really good, my favorite burger. I really like the au poivre burger.
To me breakfast or lunch at the Market Lunch is a must do for visitors the blueberry buckwheat pancakes and crab cakes are so good.
If you want a great view of the city you might make a reservation for the bar at the top of the Hotel Washington now the W Hotel.
I also think if you are from anyplace that isn't known for great Indian you should check out Rasika it is a favorite of mine too.
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"Hidden finds"
Follow these specific recs, you will do some fantastic eating:
Thai X-ing: Only a couple of tables here, so getting seated is sometimes difficult..A unique experience. Everyone goes for the red curry salmon, a MUST ORDER. More like eating in someone's home rather than a restaurant. Maybe call first. Opens at 4pm. For a rounded meal, go for the tofu soup and the pad kana. Don't expect spicy food here. Just expect it to be great.
Oohhs and Aahhs, at 10th and U Sts, NW. A soul food kitchen with four stools, plus an eating area upstairs. A real dive. Conveniently located, though, across the street from the U St/Cardozo Metro stop. Get the grilled shrimp, the lemon pepper wings, or the broiled crabcake, in that order. Greens and rice with gravy as sides.
El Rinconcito, 1129 M St., NW. Salvadoran. Carne Deshilada - order this with egg. Very good tamales also. Loroco papusas to round things off.
Higher class stuff:
Brasserie Beck., Belgian, go for the potato gratin with pork belly, the brussels sprouts, and the liver parfait. Rochefort Trappistes #10 to drink, of course.Central: The combination duck rillettes/faux gras appetizer. Food here (as for BB above) is very filling. Softshell Crabs if they have them. Fried chicken or the tuna burger if not. House wines are more expensive than good. Go for something else.
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re: sarcasmsk
I love Cafe Atlantico, but confess I've only been for brunch. The brunch is awesome, and really different from anything I've ever had. Have heard it compared to his very exclusive, very innovative, Mini Bar (in the same restaurant, just 6 or so seats in front of the kitchen, have never been myself, so again, can't compare). The brunch is known as latino dim sum and is a selection of a lot of small plates. When I've been we've ordered a la carte (about 3-5 dishes apiece), but I think a good way to go is the prixe fixe offering. I think it's about $35 and they pick the most popular dishes to serve so kind of takes the guess work out. Anyway, it's a fun experience, in Penn Quarter.
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re: sarcasmsk
DC is a Jose Andres playground.
Cafe Atlantico was his first place. The regular menu is only ok. Inside, there is Minibar, which is only six stools, VERY expensive, and difficult to get a reservation. On Sundays, there is a Latina Dim Sum Brunch where you can order a la carte or a 14 course brunch for $35. Both Minibar and the Brunch are fantastic.
Jaleo (Spanish Tapas) was his next place, and it is my favorite. Rustic European cooking. So simple and very well executed. Search for my recs.
Zaytinya is pan-Hellenic tapas. Also a very good restaurant, a bit more pricey and fancy than Jaleo.
Oyamel is Mexican. Well researched, good food, though I think the antojitos are below par, especially for an Angeleno.
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re: sarcasmsk
Exceptional. And a good value to boot. Huge burger, soda, and side of corn for $10. Located about four blocks east of the Courthouse Metro Stop in Arlington, VA. If you go, I advise getting nothing on your burger, no cheese, nothing, and don't put any condiments on it either. Also do not order more than medium rare as it will come out well done. But this is a burger worth going out of your way for.
If you don't mind going to this very close-in neighborhood, then right across the street is a casual but very nice Kazakh restaurant called Cafe Assorti. Excellent stuffed breads with egg and scallion, cabbage, or ground pork. Also very good soups, manti (enormous stuffed dumplings, get the pink sauce). Plain tasting, but deeply satisfying and hearty fare.
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re: sweth
The only reason why I suggest not getting toppings on the burger, at least once, is to go ahead and taste the burger by itself. It's fantastic and doesn't need toppings.... but maybe some of them are very delicious. The only one I've tried is the bone marrow, and I think it detracts. Of course, it's more expensive as well.
I'm sure I'll go ahead and take your 'au poivre' suggestion for the next time.
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