Leaving tomorrow! staying near capitol hill. Where to eat.

[TVC15]

Hi. I will be in DC for three days starting tomorrow.I haven't been there in 20 years. I'm looking for solid, simple restaurants,not too expensive, close to the area I'm in. The type of cuisine doesn't matter.
I just don't want to wander around and make an uninformed decision. Thanks
PS Are there any "You have to eat at" places as well in DC?

[kris9]

Good Stuff is worth the trip if only for the Toasted Marshmallow shake. The burgers are also good, but skip the fries and save the calories for the shake!

[henmonster]

i'll second a few of the aforementioned eateries and throw in a couple commentaries of my own:

Good Stuff (not the best burgers, but yummy/greasy nonetheless and has the rockstar quality thanks to Top Chef contestant, Spike Mendelsohn)
Montmartre for real French bistro fare
La Plaza for great representation of Salvadoran fare (pupusas, tamales, etc.)
Peregrine (best coffee and tea, hands-down, ground and poured to order -- chain or no-chain)
Market Lunch and Canales Deli in Eastern Market (one is known for fish fry and crab cakes, the other for fresh meats, empanadas and hand-carved sandwiches made to order)
Tunnicliff's Tavern - for solid pub grub and the off-chance of drinking a pint next to Rahm Emanuel
Hawk and Dove -- it's sort of gross and the food's not amazing, but it's an institution, sells pitchers and has a tiny dance floor
Banana Cafe - cuban so-so, but upstairs piano bar is great for happy hour -- very inexpensive
The Chesapeake Room - local, sustainable seafood -- really delicious and classy
Lola's -- small, dark bar -- a place you'd unwind after a day on the Hill - order a shot, a pint and a wonderfully, grilled burger on excellent bread

there's a lot more - but that's what i got for now

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Hawk and Dove
329 Penn SE, Washington, DC

Montmartre
327 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Market Lunch
225 7th St SE Ste 12, Washington, DC 20003

[TVC15]

Thank you all. As always, this has been very helpful!

[katecm]

Just as an aside - where you're staying, you'll be closer to Penn Quarter (just west on E seven blocks or so) than you will be to a lot of the SE parts of Cap Hill that people have been referring to.

[Elyssa]

There are lots of "you have to eat here" places in DC...it's just depends on what you are looking for.

Some places on Capitol Hill that I enjoy: Bistro Bis, Art and Soul, Market Lunch, Bistro Cacao, Good Stuff Eatery (I love their turkey burger), Zest, and Cava.

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Bistro Bis
15 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Good Stuff Eatery
303 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC

Market Lunch
225 7th St SE Ste 12, Washington, DC 20003

Art and Soul
415 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001

Bistro Cacao
320 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002

[ktmoomau]

No idea what your definition of not too expensive is, or where on the hill you are, but:

I second Cava, Matchbox (I am one of those people who adore it), Montmartre.

I would add Sonoma price can vary depending on what you get, Taylor Gourmet on H ST., Brasserie Beck isn't on the hill per se, but isn't too far. They have huge portions, normally I could be full with just an appetizer and maybe dessert.

Also you aren't too far from Penn Quarter/Chinatown if you want even more options.

Bistro Bis is really good, but on the higher price side.

Oh and Charlie Palmer has really good sliders at the bar. There is also Taqueria Nacionale.

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Bistro Bis
15 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

Sonoma Restaurant
223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003

Montmartre
327 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Taylor Gourmet
1116 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

[TVC15]

We live in Manhattan. So food can get pricey.I am hoping to dine (2 adults 1 adventurous child) for between $50-$100 for the three of us.
Thanks

[ktmoomau]

Good then my recs should be pretty good, excpet Bistro Bis.

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Bistro Bis
15 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

[katecm]

Art and Soul just started doing a very generous happy hour. The menu is on their Web site. I was shocked at how much food comes out on a $5 plate of calimari. The duck wings are awesome. That way you get some really good food for a good price.

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Art and Soul
415 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001

[jenniferpdc]

Where on the Hill are you staying? If by Union Station, not many decent options and tons to stay away from. Charlie Palmer's is excellent, but pricey. There is a new restaurant called Bistro du Cacao on Mass which is a vast improvement over most things in the area. Although at 2nd and F St, NE, Toscana is a very good...

If on the other side of the Hill, Montemarte on 7th by Eastern Market or Matchbox on 8th on Barracks Row I think are the best options. Market Lunch in Eastern Market itself is also a great option if you are looking for breakfast or around lunch time. I like La Plaza for mexican (the american kind). Ted's Bulletin, also on 8th is also a nice addition to the Hill (although I definitely like some dishes better than others)

I find Good Stuff highly mediocre (small, overcooked burgers) - I think Five Guys is better, but We the Pizza is beginning to grow on me. The sodas though seem to be entirely dependent on who's making them based on my experience...

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Market Lunch
225 7th St SE Ste 12, Washington, DC 20003

Toscana Cafe
601 2nd St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

[woodleyparkhound]

In my post above, I said, "Eastern Market is also there - you really shouldn't miss this. They are known for breakfast on Sat. morning, but arrive early if you want to avoid a 30 min. wait." -- when I said "they" in that post I was referring to "Market Lunch", as noted by jenniferpdc. Tons of people love Matchbox for pizza and sliders; I don't get it, but they are reasonably priced, I give them that.

Good Stuff burgers are on the small side, I agree. I think they are good though, especially when I substitute their homemade sriracha mayo from the mayo bar for the sauce they put on behind the counter. There are small handful of places in DC that do better burgers; no one does better shakes.

[TVC15]

We are at the Liason. I believe its on New Jersey. I know its 4 blocks from Union station.

[Steve]

There are a few selections near you, but nothing too thrilling. The other side of Capitol Hill has more choices, but you are far enough away that you'd have to take a taxi. At that point you could consider the Penn Quarter neighborhood which has many wonderful choices. Spanish tapas, Mexican, Greek, Indian, spicy Mozambiquan chicken (fast food, but very good), wine bars, cacao-inspired cuisine, Chinatown, Cajun, Belgian, Gastropub.

My favorite is Spanish tapas at Jaleo, corner of 7th and E Sts., NW. Especially the many great vegetable dishes.

[woodleyparkhound]

Near the Capitol South Metro at 3rd and Penn SE are Spike Mendolsson's two places, Good Stuff Eatery (very good burgers and the best shakes in town) and We, The Pizza (excellent homemade sodas and good pizza).

Near Eastern Market Metro there are tons of places - especially on 8th St. SE. I haven't been to Cava or Belga Cafe yet, but I've read lots of good reports - same for Levi's Port Cafe (soul food/cheap eats). Ted's Bulletin is fun; they have an old fashioned American menu. Eastern Market is also there - you really shouldn't miss this. They are known for breakfast on Sat. morning, but arrive early if you want to avoid a 30 min. wait. I love the $2.00 hot half smoke that is sold by a meat purveyor there - and there is never a massive line to get one. Gorgeous produce, cheeses, baked goods, etc.

Near Eastern Market is Peregrine - arguably the best coffee shop in town. If you are a coffee drinker, you really shouldn't miss it. 7th Hill Pizza is near there as well. It's good, but I'm not as enamored of it as others have been. Montmarte is a nearby French place that is well regarded.

There are plenty of "you have to eat at" places in DC. There is a healthy disagreement on what those places are though! For me, it would be Rasika - a very inventive and modern take on Indian food in Penn Quarter.

Have a great visit!

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Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Good Stuff Eatery
303 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC

Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003