Where to eat in DC?

[shocksyde]

Jaleo (tapas) is AWESOME. The service can suck when it's busy, but the food makes up for it.

 

[richardycc]

I was in DC last month, sad to say, but the whole DC is a tourist trap. Everything is about 20% more expensive and food portions are 20% smaller. The Chinatown there is a joke, don't bother go there if you are looking for authentic Chinese foods.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: JS80
i saw this place on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations http://cafeatlantico.com/miniBar/miniBar.htm looked kind of awesome

You need to make reservations 1 month exactly before you go.

 

[Tiamat]

bookmarked! I just moved to Alexandria, and I love food. I'll be keeping tabs on this thread!

 

[skim milk]

Ray's hell burger is worth the trip
They have homemade root beer too

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: JS80
i saw this place on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations http://cafeatlantico.com/miniBar/miniBar.htm looked kind of awesome

You need to make reservations 1 month exactly before you go.

No, they only ACCEPT reservations one month out. Actually getting on the phone in time to get it is another story

I have yet to get a reservation, but I haven't been calling every day or anything. Still, for someone coming to visit, it's too short notice. I do think they keep a waiting list for cancellations though.

Have you been there? How was it?

 

[MiniDoom]

el pollo rico or super pollo in arlington. best chicken ever! anthony bourdain went to el pollo rico.

 

[acheron]

Originally posted by: richardycc
The Chinatown there is a joke, don't bother go there if you are looking for authentic Chinese foods.

Basically all the Chinese people moved out of DC's Chinatown decades ago. It's just the name that's left. No one expects real Chinese food there, except tourists who haven't done any research I guess. So maybe that part is a bit of a tourist trap.

Anyway, OP, try Matchbox.

LOL at the Minibar suggestion. Good luck with that! (There's no way you'll get in.)

If you want to spend a lot of money, try Komi. One of the best meals I've ever had. I found Citronelle a bit overrated, and even the Post food critic has said it's not as good as it used to be.

Speaking of the Post, their reviews are pretty good. Someone already linked to the Washingtonian.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: acheron

Originally posted by: richardycc
The Chinatown there is a joke, don't bother go there if you are looking for authentic Chinese foods.

Basically all the Chinese people moved out of DC's Chinatown decades ago. It's just the name that's left. No one expects real Chinese food there, except tourists who haven't done any research I guess. So maybe that part is a bit of a tourist trap.

Anyway, OP, try Matchbox.

LOL at the Minibar suggestion. Good luck with that! (There's no way you'll get in.)

If you want to spend a lot of money, try Komi. One of the best meals I've ever had. I found Citronelle a bit overrated, and even the Post food critic has said it's not as good as it used to be.

Speaking of the Post, their reviews are pretty good. Someone already linked to the Washingtonian.

Agreed on Tom Sietsema's reviews (Washington Post). Citronelle is said to not be what it was, but the meal I had was worth every penny. The gripes about the restaurant aren't with the food not being what it was, but the service. The night we went, the service was nothing less than impeccable. But yes, Komi is also fantastic. CityZen is also highly recommended, but I've never been there.

If you want authentic Sichuan, Hong Kong Palace at Seven Corners Center in Falls Church, VA is where you want to go.

Also, check Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Food Guide if you want that sort of thing in the DC area.

 

[EngenZerO]

zengo, matchbox, zola, zatinya, paulo's, sequioa, bombay club, landini brothers... some of my favs...

 

[oznerol]

As a follow-up - way too many suggestions here for a weekend trip, but thanks to everyone.

We ended up catching the Nationals game on Saturday by chance - dugout box seats from a scalper for $13 each. Guess the quasi-rain deterred a lot of people.

Went to Ray's Hell Burger - definitely a good recommendation. Really easy to get to, too. Amsterdam Falafelshop was also pretty awesome. Thai Chilli was decent Thai food - but their sticky rice with mango dessert was the best I've ever had. We also met up with a friend who took us to Kramerbooks, which caught me off guard as it just looks like a book store from the outside but has a nice little restaurant in the back. The food there was mediocre, but the place was nice.

Tried to be a little bit of a tourist and eat at the Mitsitam Cafe in the American Indian museum, but it was closed when we got there so we didn't bother.

Going to Florida in a few weeks - this worked out pretty well, I might need to make a new post asking where to eat there.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

One of the best dive Mexican restaurants in the world is up in Adams Morgan, Mixtec. I highly recommend the tacos al carbon.

 

[polarmystery]

tagged for future travels.