first time to DC

[mnags]

My husband and I are rendezvousing in DC at the end of Oct. He is deployed to Afghanistan for a year and has to be back stateside for a conference in DC, so we have 4 days to eat. I am just beginning to research the city and where to eat. I am flying in Thursday pm and leaving Monday am. So I am looking for any best eats….not really looking for $200 tasting dinner or super chic places. Really we just want really yummy food at really fun lively places. Any and all suggestions would be great…from breakfast to snacks to the best dinner in town. Thanks in advance!

[Steve]

One meal should be an easy one to figure out: Jaleo for Spanish tapas is right in Crystal City and one of my favorite places in town. All of their vegetable dishes from patatas bravas or spinach with raisins, to grilled asparagus with romesco sauce and baby cucumbers stuffed with tomato and cheese are great.

You should hit one of Michel Richard's places for the best food around: Central is a bistro which has great French classics and American ones as well. Fried chicken and mac n' cheese take equal attention with 'faux' gras and short ribs with syrah sauce. Corned beef at lunch is wonderful. OR go to the Lounge at Citronelle. Citronelle is a formal restaurant, but the lounge is informal, no reservations, a la carte. Oyster shooters, green onion soup, tuna napoleon, mushroom cigars.

http://www.jaleo.com/

http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/eat/

http://www.citronelledc.com/cuisine/

[ktmoomau]

It wouldn't be too far to metro or cab up to Clarendon, both Liberty Tavern and Lyon Hall are very good and lively. Ray's the Steaks is great for a reasonable steak dinner.

The suggestion for Old Town was good, there is also Hank's Oyster Bar, Majestic, Virtue Feed and Grain that are all good. Rustico has a great beer list and isn't too far either.

If you go into DC there are so many options it all depends on what you want to eat.

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Rustico
827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314

Hank's Oyster Bar
1026 King St Ste 1, Alexandria, VA 22314

The Liberty Tavern
3195 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201

[Jeserf]

My husband is currently in Afghanistan (Marine) so I'm sure you're thrilled - I get WAY too excited just to get a phone call, so a visit? Have fun!

Since you'll be in Virginia. I'd recommend exploring places like Jaleo in Crystal City (tapas, fun environment, good sangria). Make a reservation for Sunday brunch in Old Town at Vermillion - it's REALLY good. Not "lively", per se but very good and Old Town is lovely to walk around.

For (in my opinion) great American fare, Founding Farmers in Foggy Bottom is one of my hubby's favorites. I like it for dinner more than brunch.

You can metro on the yellow line to Old Town and blue line to Founding Farmers. I'd make a reservation at both if you plan to visit.

If you want to make your way in to the city, a lovely, sexy place is CoCo Sala near gallery place - it's a "chocolate themed" restaurant. It's also convenient to a movie theater, something they also can't do in Afghanistan.

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

[hill food]

when you check back in on this thread scroll to the bottom and there are more than a few shortcuts to threads with good ideas for folks with similar questions (on my screen anyway)

[hill food]

we can help fill those criteria, but a few questions first; what neighborhood are you staying in? is his conference at NDU or the Pentagon or one of the forts? do you need solo ideas while he's there? or somewhere convenient to any of those? will you be cab/metro-ing it or driving? any food you absolutely and completely hate?

we can be a LOT more helpful that way. (and props to you both for the service commitment - I truly hope your reunion is great)

[mnags]

We are staying at the Doubletree Hilton---Crystal City….what neighborhood is that? The conference is at the hotel. We will be cab/metro-ing while there. I would love some ideas of where to go/what to see/do solo. The only thing we absolutely don't eat is offal other than that we are really open. Just want some really great fun food experiences. Thanks for the help!

[hill food]

Crystal City is a bit sterile (developed in the 60's and 70's, favored among defense contractors) but this is changing and you'll have excellent and easy access to the District and Alexandria. Yellow will take you fast into all the new and hopping places in Penn Quarter/Gallery Place/Chinatown, Blue will take you to the more intimate places in Foggy Bottom and Downtown.

solo, I always wanted to try the Lickety Split lunch special at Restaurant Eve.

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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314