Good eats near the Washington Convention Center

[AnjLM]

I'm flying in to DC from Boston this coming weekend to attend a conference. I'll be staying near the Washington Convention Center and I'm looking for some good restaurants within walking distance (or an easy cab ride). I'm looking mostly for places on the cheaper, more casual side but would maybe splurge one night on something more expensive (entrees low 20s). I'd be interested in cuisine unique to DC, something that I couldn't find in Boston. Thanks in advance!

[namret]

Corduroy...excellent!

[AnjLM]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Can't wait to check some of these places out, especially the Ethiopian restaurants!

[justaddwater]

You really should try Ethiopian while here. You do not have to hop on a metro for it. Two blocks up from the Convention Center on 9th St. is Queen of Sheba. I've had the vegetarian platter w/ fish side there, as good as any place on U St. You might also try the tibs or doro wat, would recommend the doro with breast meat or you'll get a drumstick (unless that's your thing). For dessert, walk down 9th back towards where you came from and stop at Chatman's Bakery in the Convention Center for any baked good. They are all great--southern themed (baker is from NC). Chatman's also has some sandwiches at lunchtime that are highly touted, but I've never had them. Both of these places are real "houndish."

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Queen of Sheba
1503 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

[fishie]

surprised no one has mentioned corduroy. very close to the convention center. Not a fan of Againn-I think the food is ordinary...

[Raids]

It's pretty well out of the price range he listed, no? If not, yes, add that. I can personally attest to non-ordinariness of the charcuterie at Againn, and I think the sandwiches are great. Some of the stuff varies though, since they make it in-house, e.g. the bangers.

[DanielK]

Corduroy is definitely above the price point specified by the OP. However, I think they still have a 3-course bar menu for $30, which is an insane value.

[crackers]

Yes, walk across the street (literally) from the Convention Center to Corduroy, go upstairs and sit yourself down at the serene bar, and order off the bar menu's prix fixe. And if you are there in time for happy hour drink specials (I think half off wines by the glass - maybe other things, until 7pm - on weekdays) so much the better. (Closed Sundays)
http://www.corduroydc.com/index.html

[Raids]

I second Kushi, Beck, and Againn. All very unique places. I'd sit at the bar at Beck if you can, and go when you can get beer. I love flemish red ales, and I actually have multiple choices of them there. I know! I think Kushi would be the most expensive of those options, but you'll spend more than $20 at all of them. They are, however, on the lower end of "nice" for D.C.

Also, PS7 is really close, but I haven't been yet - anyone have thoughts on that? Or the bar food at the Passenger, which is *right there*?

On the cheaper side...I second Taylor Gourmet. El Rinconcito, too. Mmm, papusas. Both are within walking distance. On 7th you've got all the Chinese places. People like Full Kee, so give it a shot if you want, but it's not my thing. I like Urfa Tomato Kabob over there, and Thai Chili in the Verizon Center. I also (can I admit this here?) kinda like the wings and pizza by the slice at Bistro Med. In a pinch, you can also grab lunch at Busboys and Poets.

Basically, you're heading east to 4th and K or straight south to 7th, with some forays over to 9th and 11th.

And it would be *easy* to get to U St - the green/yellow line to U St is *right there* NE corner of the Convention Center.

[woodleyparkhound]

Ooh yes! Pupusas at El Rinconcito! There is something cheap and delicious that you probably won't find in Boston!

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Rinconcito Cafe
1129 11th St NW Ste Lowr, Washington, DC 20001

[hamster]

If you are really adventurous, check out Akosombo for lunch. West African food, delicious. Total hole in the wall atmosphere, in fact there isn't even a sign out front. It is right near the Convention Center.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/1672...

I second Taylor Gourmet - get one of the roast pork sandwiches, I particularly like the one with broccoli rabe and provolone. One of my favorite meals in the last few months. This is also right at Convention Center.

You could easily walk to Proof in Gallery Place/Chinatown and enjoy their weekday lunch special at the bar - one entree and a glass of wine for $13 IIRC. This place has extremely high-quality food, I guess "New American"ish. Would also be worth considering for a splurge dinner.
I also like Zaytinya (Turkish/Greek small plates), Zengo (Asian/Latin fusion), or Rasika (fancy Indian) for dinner in that neighborhood.

I recommend Etete as well for Ethiopian. So reliably good, and it's a *very* short bus or metro ride to U Street.

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Etete
1942 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

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

Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Taylor Gourmet
1116 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Akosombo Restaurant
613 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Zengo Restaurant
781 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

U Street Cafe
1301 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

[monkeyrotica]

Kushi is a short walk. Izakaya style meats and vegetables grilled over Japanese charcoal, as well as sushi. Also an excellent sake and Japanese beer selection.

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Kushi Izakaya
465 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

[Steve]

As I just posted on another thread, sometimes you can eat cheaply in an otherwise expensive restaurant.

At Brasserie Beck (11th and K), a Belgian bra, go for the potato gratin with pork belly. It's enough food for a full meal at only $12. Also good are the brussels sprouts and the liver parfait.

If you wan to go totally downscale, then take the green line metro to U St for Oohhs and Aahhs, a soul food joint with 4 stools in front of a tiny kitchen. Go for the lemon pepper wings, the broiled crabcake or the grilled shrimp, and definitely get the rice with gravy.

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

[woodleyparkhound]

I second Brasserie Beck and Oohs and Aahs.

Just a couple of blocks from you is Againn, a British gastropub with great food. Entrees are in the 20's, but you could come in under $20 if you got my personal favorite thing on their menu, the potted pork (it's much better than it sounds, trust me!) and a soup or salad. http://www.againndc.com/dinner

"Unique to DC" for me means Ethiopian, the epicenter of which is at 9th at U (take the U St. Metro, green line headed north in the direction of Greenbelt from the Mt. Vernon Square Metro stop, which is near you -- exit at 10th and U.). I like Etete best but there are other good ones in that neighborhood. The above-mentioned Oohs and Aahs (soul food) is very near here as well. Both of these places are within your budget, as is DC Noodles at 14th and U. (same Metro station - 13th St. exit) http://www.dcnoodles.com/pages/dcn_di...

Also near you at 4th and K is Taylor Gourmet, which does good Philly-style hoagies.

You are in a very central location, close to lots of places. If you walk south on 7th St. you hit the Verizon Center/Chinatown (7th and H). One dirt-cheap meal that I really enjoy is the "noodles in soup" or the pork dumplings at Chinatown Express (6th and H). Each is enough for a meal and each costs $5.

Have fun!

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Etete
1942 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

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

Taylor Gourmet
1116 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Chinatown Express
126 Carroll Island Rd, Baltimore, MD 21220