Capitol HIll with kids

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Hi all. Our family of 4 will be staying at the Hotel George this weekend, and I'm looking for family-friendly spots. The kids are 8 & 11, well-behaved, and reasonably flexible eaters. I've done a little research and I'm looking for confirmation, plus some additional info.

-Is Zaytinya ok to bring kids? The menu looks like it's got stuff they'll eat, so I'm mostly wondering about atmosphere. If we have an early Friday dinner there, would that work?

-Good Stuff Eatery looks perfect for my gang. How is it for a Saturday dinner?

Any ideas for breakfasts or lunches? We may not be in the hotel area for lunch, but just in case, it would be good to have some ideas. Otherwise, we'll be around the Mall/Smithsonian and I know what the options are there.

Thanks!

[hill food]

I'd have no hesitation taking kids that age to Zaytinya (heck I've taken toddlers to Cava and no worries) the only thing about Z is they have a weird reservation policy (something like none after 5, but that's when they'd be handy) and it can fill up fast on a Friday night but tables turn fast.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Thanks again for all of the replies! I'm sure we will eat well. I am thinking we will try Zaytinya based on what folks here have said, and I'd rather have that than burgers. We will have a car, though I wasn't planning to use it much. How's the parking around Eastern Market/Matchbox, etc.?

I'd love to spend some time walking around Eastern Market. I love Philly's Reading Terminal Market, and it is always fun to compare. Alas, the kids are angling for the zoo. I'm thinking we will check out of the hotel and head to Ted's Bulletin Sunday morning, walk around the market a bit, and then go to the zoo before heading out of town.

[woodleyparkhound]

I think you would really like Zaytinia. I like Good Stuff as well - especially their shakes, which I think rank among the best I've ever had anywhere. The Black and White is a big favorite of mine - lots of people like the Toasted Marshmallow as well. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Parking is horrible - avoid it if you can.

I love Eastern Market, but it's very different from RTM. RTM sells more prepared foods you can eat then and there (LOVE the hot Amish pretzels!) and EM sells more foods that you can prepare at home. If you do go to EM, don't miss the hot half smoke in natural casing at the meat store in the middle of the market. No seating - you add your own condiments and eat it standing up. For $2, it's my favorite snack/light lunch in DC.

There is a great pizza-by-the-slice place near the zoo - highly recommended. Vace in Cleveland Park. Take the Metro to Cleveland Park and walk downhill, past Vace on the left to the get to the zoo. After the zoo, continue walking downhill to Woodley Park to come home.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Great! Thanks for the pizza place recommendation. We've never had much luck finding good eats near the zoo. We'll probably have the car then, because we'll be heading home from there. We've never had too much trouble parking in that area.

[Steve]

FYI: No seating at Vace, strictly to-go.

Eastern Market is mostly produce and butcher shops and is tiny compared to RTM. there is an outdoor flea market there which provides more excitement.

[ChewFun]

The parking around Eastern Market isn't so bad if you're a local (and I mean a Hill local and know the layout). Otherwise, there really isn't a reason to drive in DC. Take the metro and save yourself some headaches.

Peregrine Espresso at Eastern Market is crazy good.

[drewpbalzac]

If you don't mind grazing you can pick up little things around Eastern market, like bread and cold cuts to nosh on. (Canales Deli stocks Jomon Iberico and you can get as little as 1/8 of a pound.)

Also - Market Lunch at the Northern end of the hall is a destination breakfast establishment for hung-over hill denizens on Saturdays and Sundays, although finding a place to sit and eat can be a drag. I dig their fried seafood options jammed into soft buns with lots of Tartar Sauce and hot sauce for lunches now and then.

If you have been to the zoo before . . .I guess you know what you are getting in to. I think our zoo is a national disgrace and if you have been already maybe you could talk your kids into on of the museums they haven't been to before. My kids like the Asian art at the Sackler and it usually isn’t packed with kids screaming to see the airplanes and dinosaurs.

[Elyssa]

I was just at the National Museum of Natural History for the first time in probably close to 15 years and had an awesome time with my bf. We went to the IMAX and saw a great movie on the corral reefs. Then we spent 1+ hours in the butterfly pavilion where they have live butterflies flying around, landing on you etc.

Fun lunch options in that area include lunch at the American Indian Museum, which we actually really love. It's a nice way to learn about different regional cultures. Heading closer to Chinatown/Gallery Place you can check out Hill Country for BBQ, Central for a higher end lunch (although still moderately priced) with likely something for the whole family, or Cal Tort for a casual tex-mex style lunch.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Ha! You guys are funny. My kids like the museums and the zoo, so we will do both. My son wants to check out the Freer, and Sackler is a good idea too. We've been to air & space and natural history a couple times. They like the Hirshorn too, but we were ther the last trip. The cafe at the National Gallery is our usual lunch spot, but maybe well venture out. The kids love BBQ.

I was mostly interested I the area around the hotel because we haven't stayed ther before. Still looking for ideas for one breakfast if anyone has any suggestions.

[hill food]

it sounds like your kids are really good sports! Jimmy T's on East Capitol and 4th (4th-ish?) is a diehard greasy spoon (packed on some weekend AMs) but a classic. doesn't Bistro Bis do B'fast? - sorry I'm not much of an AM person. s'pose right around there you could always troll the offerings in Union Station, but that's not very notable.

[sarichardson]

Chinatown may be a closer walk for you from there, not a super pleasant walk, but it's ok, I do it with kids. Zaytinya totally great for that age kids, took my own 3 there a couple weeks ago. They loved it. Earlier better with kids. Good Stuff, meh, 5 Guys has better burgers, but no shakes. Ted's Bulletin and Matchbox, meh. Jaleo is Spanish small plates in Chinatown. Go off site a little near the mall and find a food truck near L'Enfant Plaza (http://foodtruckfiesta.com/). The hot dog vendors are gross directly on the Mall. If you are eating at the museums, the best one is the National Gallery cafeteria. The American Indian one has ok food, but too expensive. If you're near the hotel on a weekday, the Taco place near Johnny's half shell is good (Taqueria Nacional). Also in Chinatown that are big hits for treats with my kids are Red Velvet (cupcakes) and next door, Tangysweet.

[agarnett100]

FYI-Jaleo is closed for Renovations until March 26

[drewpbalzac]

Zest on Barracks Row (8th St. South East) has a nice casual brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. . . nothing super "foodie" about it but they do a nice job. It also has a pretty good dinner menu and the owners have young kids of their own so they are super welcoming to families. Cava and Matchbox are also good options along the same strip.

You should save some time on Saturday or Sunday to stroll up and down 8th St. and over to Eastern Market. It is one of DC's best neighborhoods and a pretty cool foodie/crafts market scene.

[Elyssa]

I think Zaytinya and Good Stuff Eatery would work for your family. If you like the med/Greek style small plates and don't want to go to Chinatown, Cava in the Eastern Market/Capitol Hill area is also great and kid-friendly.

I also would recommend Matchbox for pizza and mini-burgers.

If you are looking for something a little Southern I would recommend Art and Soul, which is right near your hotel.

Also one of your lunch or dinner options near the Mall can be Central, which has a delicious gourmet menu that can work for the whole family.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Thanks Everyone! Looks like there are plenty of good options. Matchbox looks great. Is there any difference between the Chinatown and Capital Hill locations? Chinatown looks closer to the hotel.

Ted's Bulletin looks like a fun breakfast spot. Is it crazy crowded early on a Sunday morning (say before 10), or are we likely to walk in easily?

[Jeserf]

it's a crapshoot on a Sunday - people might go there before Eastern Market or after. I think if you're patient, you'll be ok - turnover is not too long there.

Capitol Hill Matchbox is, I think, less crazy.

[ChewFun]

I've been to Zaytinya with a picky little kid. He was happy there.

[Steve]

Expect a long wait at Matchbox. Allow for 45 minutes.

Personally, I don't think it's worth the wait. If you go, focus on the miniburgers, but don't order them more than medium rare or there's no point.

I don't think there's a difference between the two locations. Both get crazy busy.

[Steve]

8 and 11 would be no problem at Zaytinya. It is a big, noisy, casual (though spiffy) space. Nobody would blink an eye.

Good Stuff is counter service. Can't get more casual than that. Do not miss the toasted marshmallow milkshake.

[Jeserf]

Good Stuff would be a good choice, seating on the second floor.

I wouldn't go to Zaytinya with kids - but maybe I don't know what "well behaved and flexible" means with kids - it's a pretty complex menu and I don't think it's worth it (not a huge fan, personally).

Definitely try Teds Bulletin - it's great for kids and adults. Weekends, you can eat from Eastern Market or Le Pain Quotidian, both popular with families. There is also Tortilla Cafe ( http://www.tortillacafe.com/ ) that might be a good spot for a family.

If you want to try Zaytinya, maybe try lunch because you can eat light if you'd like.

[ForFoodsSake]

Matchbox would be a good fit for kids -- they've got good non-pizza food, and will let you order their specialty pizzas as half and half on the pizza so that you can try multiple varieties.