Family of 8!

[Chefmyron]

Our manager is coming to DC (staying in Arlington ) with her six kids (11-18) and husband. They do not have an unlimited food budget and as you might imagine, lots of taste/dietary preferences. Where would you tell them to eat?

[Benquo]

Since you're trying to accomodate lots of different tastes, with a limited budget, that probably means you want to stick with good-but-safe options that cater to lots of different taste profiles. I'd recommend checking out one of the Busboys and Poets locations; I know the 5th and k location can easily handle large parties like hers.

Clyde's is also a good safe option.

[Chefmyron]

Thanks all for helping with this. They ended up taking some of your suggestions and I can tell you they didn't look hungry when they returned.
Ah Chowhounders, what a great resource.

[Dennis S]

Where did you go?

[Raids]

Carlyle. In the city, Clyde's. If they want to sit down and have table service. Is that what you're talking about?

Also, there are buffets everywhere, but they are pay by the pound. I personally kind of like the Eye St Grille by my office (by the White House). But I don't think they have any tables for 8. I don't think I've been to an all-you-can-eat anywhere - I've seen City Buffet, but no way am I eating there.

Paradiso is fun, but they are going to probably have some serious sticker shock over the price of each pizza. Hopefully they get over that, though, and it is some freaking good pizza.

I've said it once already today, but if they can agree on a couple entrees, Carmine's in Penn Quarter, also a very nice neighborhood.

[chowser]

Carlyle is a good suggestion in the Arlington area. It would suit a variety of tastes.

http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/Carlyle/menu_dinner.php

In the same area is also Aladdins which is perfect for a group w/ a vegetarian.

http://www.aladdinseatery.com/

[Steve]

You have a manager?

[Elyssa]

Probably at work, yes.

Unless Chefmyron is part of a pop group. :)

[katecm]

If they're in Arlington, they can get to Georgetown easily. Even though I don't love most places there, it's gorgeous this time of year and would appeal to teenagers. Pizzeria Paradiso would be a good option for them. If they wanted more of an upscale meal, they could go to Filomena and share entrees, which already seem to have a full pound of pasta per platter.

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Pizzeria Paradiso
3282 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

[Elyssa]

Are there certain areas where they will be? Anything in particular they like or don't like? You say they don't have an unlimited budget but what does that mean?

A few more details would be helpful.

[chowser]

Exactly. The problem is there are hundreds of possibilities. The OP could help him/herself by giving us more details of what "not have an unlimited food budge" and "lots of taste/dietary preferences" mean because to me, that means anything but the Inn at Little Washington.

[Chefmyron]

How about a your favorite Chinese restaurant which will have some traditional (authentic) and some American/Chinese menu selections? I remember one in Chinatown where they made their own pulled noodles with an old guy in the window pulling them but that was a long while ago (or was that in Baltimore?).

[Steve]

That is Chinatown Express. It is still there. The noodles stir-fried are terribly oily and nothing special at all. But the roast meats are fine and the baskets of steamed dumplings are made fantastic with the dipping sauces provided at the table.

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Chinatown Express
126 Carroll Island Rd, Baltimore, MD 21220

[sweth]

The noodle soups there are also good.

[woodleyparkhound]

I second the dumplings and noodle soups and especially the green sauce and pickled garlic on the tables.

[MandalayVA]

This is a VERY vague question. Everyone has a different idea of budget and you say they have "lots of tastes/dietary preferences" but don't list anything.

Only-in-DC experience? Ben's Chili Bowl. You can even make the vegans happy there and it's cheap. Other than that, list some specifics.

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Ben's Chili Bowl
1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

[Elyssa]

I really don't think that Ben's Chili Bowl is the only "In-DC Experience" worth going to. It's a greasy spoon---not in a good way. There are plenty of other choices that can fit a variety of tastes without having to get a nasty hotdog with bad chili.

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Ben's Chili Bowl
1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

[MandalayVA]

If you don't give me a price limit and a preference, then off to Ben's you go if you ask me. And one person's nasty is another's delicious. Asian food grosses me out but I'm not going to dis an Asian restaurant because I don't like it.