Restaurant in Foggy Bottom?

[somervilleoldtimer]

Next week I'll be at a conference at Georgetown University Conference Center on Reservoir Road in Foggy Bottom. Where shall I have dinner (on a limited budget and without dress clothes)? I won't have a car, but I don't mind a walk. Thai? Indian? Really great American? It has to be bright enough that I can read during dinner, and I want a glass of wine too. Thanks!

[somervilleoldtimer]

Dear Hounds: You guys are the best! I had a great time, with your helpful input. I did end up walking up to Surfside, where I had truly terrific shrimp tacos with lime-cilantro sour cream and spicy slaw, on flour tortillas, and a glass of wine. The next day I ate burgers and fries at Five Guys on Wisconsin (which I had discovered thanks to y'all) and then jumped on a D6 bus that took me downtown to a walk along the mall. When I was stuck eating at the hotel, I kept to the Cosi signature salad (romaine, mesclun, grapes, pistachios, dried cranberries, pear) which is satisfying every time.
Thanks to Chow, it was a successful trip! And Georgetown is lovely.

[donaldbabb]

To cut down on the walking, take the # D6 bus from the stop at Reservoir Road NW and the entrance to GW Hospital (the conference center is on the hospital grounds) in the direction of Stadium/Armory, It will taike you to Wisconsin avenue in Georgetown. Walk downhill towards M Street for many dining options. Or you can take the same to Q St and 22nd Street NW in DuPont Circle, about two blocks from the Dupont Metro stop, for many more dining options. . Fare is #1.75 cash, Ask the driver where to catch the bus to get back to Gtown.

[somervilleoldtimer]

And a second thought -- I've never tried Five Guys burgers, so maybe for lunch while I'm on my way out.

[somervilleoldtimer]

Well, thanks to all for the thoughtful input. I'll fill you in when I get back.

[nytdct]

One other thougth - Georgetown runs shuttle busses from campus to areas like Dupont Circle (higher density more restaurant choices) - don't know if those are accessible to you if you are at a meeting at GU but might be worth checking

[hamster]

Yes, anyone with Georgetown business can take the shuttle. They run every 20 minutes (and more frequently during rush hour) and leave from a building right next to the conference center. The ride takes about 15-20 minutes, and takes you to the corner of Massachusetts and 20th. They don't run as frequently on weekends.
http://otm.georgetown.edu/guts/index....

[nytdct]

Also runs a loop out to Wisconsin Ave as well as Dupont

[hamster]

Yeah, but note that the Wisconsin loop only runs till 7 pm. And doesn't run on weekends.

[somervilleoldtimer]

That's great information! Thank you!

[somervilleoldtimer]

Or, it just occurred to me, that everyone in DC drives everywhere all the time. In past visits, I've found myself the only person walking around a neighborhood (well, me and the homeless folks.) Here in Boston, people walk all the time, including to their neighborhood restaurants, at least until you get out to the suburbs where it's a different matter.

[nytdct]

Really depends on the neighborhood - as said by many you are in walking distance of a number of choice

[somervilleoldtimer]

I have to say that I'm surprised there aren't a ton of choices in the immediate neighborhood. Most of the time, universities are surrounded by cheap to at least moderate restaurants within a couple of blocks. Interesting that it appears not to be the case for Georgetown.

[agarnett100]

You have to remember leasing space in and around Georgetown is very high.

[Jay F]

You're pretty far north and west in Georgetown at 3800 Reservoir Road.

http://maps.google.com/maps?num=100&a...

Wisconsin Avenue is to your east. M Street is to your south. Those are the main streets in Georgetown. I haven't lived there in some time, so I'm not going to recommend specific restaurants.

You can walk over to Wisconsin Avenue and take a bus south to Georgetown and back, or north up to Glover Park.

It also occurs to me that you can walk to the southeast edge of campus and eat at 1789 at Prospect and 36th. I haven't eaten there in forever, so I can't vouch for the food, but it's a pleasant enough place, and not that far away.

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1789 Restaurant
1226 36th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007

[nytdct]

OP indicated limited budget and casual clothes - 1789 doesn't meet either requirement

Unlike GW (which is downtown among the office and apartment high density areas) Georgetown means walkiing through a low density residential neighborhood to get to areas with restaurants - there may be places on campus or in the hospital but doens't sound like what you are looking for

I think that within a 15-20 minute walk you have lots of options

[hamster]

It's going to be a considerable walk if you choose to walk to Glover Park (20 minutes sounds about right), and also considerable but a bit shorter if you walk down to M Street (15 or 20). If it's snowy and Georgetown is again struggling to plow its streets, it won't be pleasant. I have spent a lot of time in that neighborhood over the last few years, and believe me, I know.

Cafe Divan would actually be the shortest walk, since it is actually between Glover Park and M Street. I think the atmosphere there is actually what you are looking for. Very bright, not fussy. I have not been super impressed by the food there, but it's alright. I prefer the Turkish at Morso on M Street, but I have a feeling the restaurant is quite dark.

Heritage India is very good, but it's not exactly cheap. I was just there a few night ago, and entrees are basically $14-20. And that doesn't include naan or anything. There is a sampler option for $20 which gives you teeny little portions of 4 different dishes, and rice.

You might consider Blue Ridge in that neighborhood. The emphasis is on craft beers, but I have heard good things about the food, and I think the atmosphere will be comfortable. Taking a look at the menu online, prices look pretty good. Give them a call to make sure they're open, though, since I heard rumors they're renovating.
http://www.blueridgerestaurant.com/

On M Street, I recommend Pizzeria Paradiso. Really good wood-fired pizza, nice atmosphere. Definitely not dark, so you'll be able to read. Also consider Leopold's - not sure if the prices would work for you, they're definitely over $15/entree.
There is no good Thai or Indian in that neighborhood, sadly. Actually, if you're okay with merely serviceable Thai, you can go to Bangkok Bistro on Prospect St. It's a little closer to campus than M St.

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Pizzeria Paradiso
3282 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Heritage India
2400 Wisconsin Ave NW Ste A, Washington, DC 20007

Bangkok Bistro
3251 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Blue Ridge Restaurant
2340 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007

[somervilleoldtimer]

Wow -- thanks for the detailed response! I wil check out all of these. Also, I'm from the Boston area so the snow doesn't faze me, although I may end up laughing at the attempts to clear it. Last year Boston-area plow companies with nothing to plow up here went to DC to help dig out.

[Ellen]

You're actually closer to Palisades. Try Black Salt on MacArthur Boulevard. Happy hour seafood specials are worth the trip. Very good food overall. Don't even think of Blue Ridge. Seriously on the way down, if not already at bottom. The restaurant has devolved into a burger and beer joint. The last meal I had there was awful as was the service. Bistro Lepic on Wisconsin is good for classic French fare but it's not cheap and you will likely need a reservation. A better buy is Bistro Le Coin on Connecticut Ave. Excellent mussels, good rabbit, overall a very reasonable and solidly good French Bistro for the money with good service. You'll more than make up for the cab fare if you don't feel like walking both ways. Somerville, NJ?

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Blue Ridge Restaurant
2340 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007

[DanielK]

I adore BlackSalt, but it's a solid 30 minute walk from the Georgetown Conference Center.

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BlackSalt
4883 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, DC 20007

[nytdct]

Glover Park extends down (as used in other threads) to the area around Heritage India and from there pretty far up WIsconsin - so will pick up places within the 15-20 minute walk OP is OK with but need to parse teh addresses fo specific restaurants to decide what si (and is not) in range

Isn't there also a seafood place up by Heritage (maybe one block further up)?

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Heritage India
2400 Wisconsin Ave NW Ste A, Washington, DC 20007

[hamster]

Yeah, Surfside. Very good fish tacos, and also a pretty pleasant place to sit. It's a little more casual than what he's looking for, I think.

[nytdct]

yep that is what I was thinking of

[somervilleoldtimer]

Hmmm. I love fish tacos! I'm tempted, but please tell me this isn't McDonald's-level casual, is it?

[hamster]

No, it's not that casual. You order at the counter (no table service), but the seating is pretty comfortable. They do have beer, so I assume they also have wine.

[DanielK]

Do a board search for Georgetown. There's nothing closer to you than about a 15 minute walk, but anything in the Georgetown area will be no more than 20 minutes.

[nytdct]

Some relevant listing may be under Glover Park as well (though Cafe Deluxe/Two Amy's may be a bit far to walk and will show up in those searches)

[nytdct]

Not really Foggy Bottom - you will be in Georgetown - if you like French food I'd say Bistro Lepic

[somervilleoldtimer]

Ah. Thanks for the geographic correction. And I do like French food!

[nytdct]

You mentioned Indian as well - Heritage Indian is walking distance though I've not eaten at the Georgetown branch - the only Thai I knew in the neighborhood has closed - Divan maybe (Turkish)

[woodleyparkhound]

I've eaten at the Georgetown Heritage Indian a couple of times and would recommend it. IFor me, it's the 3rd best in DC (after Rasika and Masala Art).

I like Cafe Divan as well.

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

Cafe Divan
1834 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Masala Art
4441 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, MD 20016