Five days, many meals, special snowflake details.

[Peaches to Poutine]

My husband and I are coming to DC to not only celebrate our 3rd anniversary, but to see a few friends who live in the area. I'm searching for additional recs in addition to some we've received from said friends (nothing overly specific, more along the lines of "If you like Ethiopian, we should eat Ethiopian"). We're coming from Quebec--I'm an American, but my husband is from Ontario--and mainly I'm excited about food trucks. Ohhh, the possibility of food trucks.

Special snowflake details!

*I'd like many affordable options for during the day whilst I drag my husband around our nation's capital.

*I'd like to ask if anyone can suggest a romantic restaurant for our anniversary night.

*A restaurant to take our friend (who is graciously allowing us to stay with her for a night or two) out to dinner as meager repayment for her generosity.

*And...sorry...I'm vegan. My husband keeps kosher at home but I don't demand nor expect him to when we're traveling. So anything where all parties could be happy is a double, treble, quadruple bonus.

We're staying at a B&B on R Street for the first couple of nights, my friend's place in Columbia Heights for the remainder and will be using the Metro for getting around.

I thank you in advance!

[mdpilam]

Ok, this has been eating at me... what is a "special snowflake"?

[Peaches to Poutine]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define...

Hope that helps!

[mdpilam]

My two favorite places in Columbia Heights (-ish) are Room 11 and Radius (which is in Mt Pleasant, but close to CH). Good small plates at both and Room 11 has pretty good beer/wine selections (it's a tiny space though). Radius has good pizzas also.

[Jeserf]

Adding one more thing - Founding Farmers has a good number of vegan options. I personally really like the restaurant (and they are very accomodating), but I know it gets mixed reviews here

you need a reservation.

[Hobbert]

Have you been to Eastern Market? It's a huge farmer's market style area in a fun neighborhood in Capitol Hill. Tons of restaurants nearby and Eastern Market is a laid back way to spend a few hours. www.easternmarket-dc.org

[kathleen440]

Equinox is worth a look for your anniversary dinner - one of the owners is vegan, and they do a great job with dietary restrictions in general (call in advance to see if they'll do a tasting menu for you). I'm not vegan but have had some great vegetarian and vegan dishes there.

[Elyssa]

I actually think their owner is vegetarian, not vegan. But either way, if you give them a call they might be able to create a vegan menu for you. This is a high end restaurants with prices to match but 100% worth is.

You can do the same thing with Rasika at a more moderate price point.

[kathleen440]

Ellen is definitely vegan, I know her :) But either way, they're super accommodating with vegetarians and vegans alike.

[katecm]

Call Rasika and make a reservation for your anniversary! You'd have to confirm the lack of butter, but I imagine that much of their food is vegan. The dal is amazing, as are many vegetable dishes - just assuming there's not butter or cream. They should be able to let you know.

[Jeserf]

you won't have much luck on the kosher front - Eli's is really the only full service kosher spot in the city. Soupergirl in Takoma Park (right across from the metro) is both vegan AND kosher, and while I love it, I'm not sure it's a destination spot. But if want to please both of you, that's a spot for it.

Meridian Pint has good vegan options.

While you're on R Street, Teaism would be a nice spot for breakfast/lunch with their vegan options.

While you're in Columbia Heights, DEFINITELY hit up Sticky Fingers bakery - vegan treats (and food, but I'm not judge of good intentionally vegan food). The Covin Cake and Little Devil are both deeeelicious.

[Peaches to Poutine]

When I meant kosher, I meant that he sticks to a vegan diet when at home! Sorry for the confusion!

[eam531]

Jeserf has some great suggestions. Soupergirl is great (I take the Takoma Metro every day); it isn't a destination; but there are wonderful soups and salads and it's all vegan.

Teaism and Sticky Fingers are excellent suggestions too.

You could also try Jaleo (Spanish tapas) and Zaytinya (Middle Eastern small plates/tapas)--both of these restaurants have vegan options.

Another thought is Java Green. There is one in downtown DC and they have a sister establishment called Cafe Green in Dupont Circle. These are basically cafes, but they have vegan and raw selections.

I'm vegan myself, so these are the places I enjoy going.

Have a great trip.

-----
Jaleo
480 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004

Sticky Fingers Bakery
1904 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Teaism
2009 R St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Java Green Cafe
1020 19th Street N W, Washington, DC

Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Cafe Green Java Green
1517 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

[Steve]

Jaleo in DC is closed for renovations. It's worth it to take metro to the Crystal City (Arlington, VA) location for vegan choices. Go for the beet salad with citrus, the baby wrinkled potatoes, cauliflower with dates and olives, roasted peppers and eggplant, grilled asparagus with romesco sauce, pan con tomate, and the spinach with raisins. Patatas Bravas (hold the aioli) if you can accept that the potaotes are cooked in the same fryolator that they use for some non-vegan items.

Estadio in DC is also Spanish tapas, though I don't know if their 'verduras' are as varied and successful.

Java Green is mostly a quickie lunch place and not as good as going to a straight-up Asian restaurant and ordering vegan. I'd much prefer to go to The Great Wall and get a plate of baby bok choy and ma la noodles. Excellent wok skills.

[Jeserf]

Soupergirl is at the Dupont market on Sundays selling hot soup - so if you're in town for a Sunday, it'd be a nice lunch to have - vegan and inexpensive.

I'd also recommend Juice Joint during a week day for lunch (VT Ave) if you'll be headed that way to sight see - great vegan lunch food.

I believe Yola in Dupont has vegan offerings too (vegan yogurt? hey, whatever floats your boat)

[Steve]

Default Ethiopian food uses butter. Make sure to ask about vegan preparation.