Visiting DC at the end of September

[mpollmann]

My wife and I will be in the DC area at the end of September for a friend's wedding. We already have reservations at Farmers and Fishers, Founding Farmers, and Sou'wester. Are there any other places we should hit while we're there? Most interested in the really local places where you can get food that you don't normally see in the Midwest (we're from KC). We're staying in Arlington, and the wedding is in Georgetown. I think we mostly need breakfast and lunch spots, and nothing too expensive.

thanks for the help!

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Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006

[Steve]

Founding Farmers is the opposite of what you are searching for. What do they serve that you can't get? Farmers and Fishers is upscale American - of course specific menu items will be unique to that restaurant, but it is certainly the same type of food that is available elsewhere.

There are probably a ton of great choices for food you may not have in KC. My top casual/upscale choices would be Lyon Hall in Arlington for Alsatian, Againn in DC for an Irish gastropub, Jaleo for Spanish tapas (locations in DC and Arlington), and Etete for Ethiopian.

Do a search for specific menu recs.

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Etete
1942 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006

[Dennis S]

I haven't had Minh's yet, but have to represent for Nam Viet - which is also in Arlington and is Vietnamese. Coming from the Midwest myself (Columbia, MO 11 years ago) the most impressive was Eden Center, which is a mall by and of Vietnamese locals, including restaurants. Walk around to take it in and then get some food. A car is helpful, though.

DC also has good representation in Sichuan fare, which is outstanding, imo. Hong Kong Palace is my current leader, and is not far from Eden Center. If you had an afternoon, getting bahn mi at Eden Center, then walking around and then scooting to HKP would be a great outing.

I second El Pollo Rico as well. Don't be daunted by a long line - it'll move fast.

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Hong Kong Palace
6387 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22044

Eden Center
Falls Church, VA, USA, Falls Church, VA

Minh's
2500 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Nam Viet Restaurant
3419 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., washington, dc, DC 20008

[Raids]

Yeah, I would scratch that and start over. 1789 and Bourbon Steak get rave reviews if you can splurge, and if not, Bistro Lepic is a little cheaper. Also, Pizza Paradiso is really great.

in Arlington, you've got Bangkok 54, the Carlyle (good for regular American fare and brunch), and Ray's the Steaks. People seem to like Lebanese Taverna, also, but I haven't been yet. And isn't there a Jaleo over there somewhere? They do brunch, also, as well and lunch and dinner. Apparently Eventide does brunch also, but I haven't been yet either.

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Jaleo
480 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004

Bangkok 54 Restaurant and Bar
2919 S Columbus St, Arlington, VA 22206

[mjhals]

Where in Arlington are you staying? Frankly, there's probably better recommendations in Arlington than there are for Georgetown, especially ethnic. I'd definitely second the rec for Minh's (close to the Courthouse metro stop in Arlington), as well as Liberty Tavern which has fresh, local ingredients (I loved their gnocchi the last time we went).

Also in Arlington, for brunch I've really like Restaurant 3, which has a great southern version of eggs benedict, with tasso ham and cornbread.

Some recs for Georgetown- I recently was very impressed by the sushi at Chopsticks on Wisconsin Ave., and I'm always a big fan of the tapas and sangria at Bodega (on M). If you're looking for a big splurge, Bourbon Steak in Georgetown is amazing, but if you're looking for a more reasonably priced steak house- Rays the Steaks in Arlington is a local favorite.

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Minh's
2500 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Restaurant 3
2950 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

The Liberty Tavern
3195 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201

[jp1717]

i think Sou'Wester is the worst restaurant in DC. it is overpriced and living off the Chef's rep from Cityzen, but the food is horrible. the Service is awful and they just slapped a new name on the place when the previous restaurant went out of business. there really are a lot of better places in DC if you are coming for a short visit.

[Steve]

Thou doth protest too much.

The food and service I had was all good at Sou'Wester. But I don't recommend it as one of the best experiences in DC.

[Indy 67]

The three places you've listed don't get a lot of love on this board. Is there a particular reason you chose them?

If you want food you normally don't see in the Midwest, you'll probably want to consider eating ethnic, specifically our excellent Ethiopian or Vietnamese places. Specific restaurant recommendations would depend on whether or not you will have a car.

Seafood is typical of our area but tends to be pricey. I'd rather eat a meal at at low-end place like Myanmar (Burmese food) or Rose's Cafe (Persian food) than eat at the pricier Sou'wester to be able to splurge on a quality fish and seafood place like Black Salt.

If you've never eaten Neapolitan pizza, you might want to consider restaurants like 2 Amys (in DC) or Osteria Orso (in Falls Church) . It's quite different from the pizza you're possibly used to.

[ktmoomau]

Farmers and Fishers and Founding Farmers are owned by the same group and there may be some overlap. For very fresh local seafood I like Blacksalt (you would have to cab). Or Minh's for Vietnamese which is very DC (also open for lunch).

In Georgetown you might try Tacklebox for a casual seafood lunch, I love the grilled bluefish with asparagus or broccoli.

In Arlington Liberty Tavern is a great spot for lunch. Eventide has very good brunch. And I think they feature a lot of seasonal and local items. So does Harry's Tap Room, but it is more normal breakfast (but the crabcake benedict is good). If you want really cheap and DC you could go to El Pollo Rico for Peruvian Chicken for lunch at Virginia Square.

I also think American Flatbread is neat since they use all local ingredients.

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Minh's
2500 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006

The Liberty Tavern
3195 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201

Pollo Rico
7643 New Hampshire Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912