Food in DC

Union Station Opened on October 27, 1907 and completed
in 1908, Union Station is considered to be one of the finest
examples of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture. Following
3 years of renovation at a cost of $160 million, it reopened
on September 29, 1988 - restored to its former glory. With
over 100 shops and eateries I think some time here might
be fun. http://www.unionstationdc.com/intro.html

Corner Bakery 6 locations including Union Station for Soup,
Sandwiches, Salads and Baked Goods
http://www.cornerbakery.com/locations/default.asp?state=DC

CAPITAL Q 707 H Street, NW • Washington, DC in the
heart of Chinatown - 1 block from the MCI Center
phone: 202-347-8396 Open: Monday-Thursday 11:00 am
- 7:00 pm Friday-Saturday 11:00 am-8:00 pm Closed Sunday http://www.capitalqbbq.com/menu.html

Paris on the Potomac lasts until May 31 so maybe check
out the food and martinis here?
A Taste of Montmartre - National Gallery of Art
4th St. and Constitution Ave. NW nga.gov 202-737-4215
Museum-goers hungry for the tastes of Paris can enjoy a
buffet-style brunch influenced by the flavors of France
Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am - 3 pm. Visitors can
continue to enjoy live jazz performances during Sunday
brunch. Event will be held at the Terrace Café, fourth
floor, East Building. Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial;
Judiciary Square.

The Very French Martini - Brasserie Les Halles
1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW 202-347-6848
http://leshalles.net $6.50 - A French Martini with
Grey Goose Vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord.
Offered 11:30 am - midnight daily. Metro: Federal
Triangle; Metro Center

Tea here - Garden Terrace Restaurant
Four Seasons Hotel 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
http://fourseasons.com/Washington 202-342-0444
Featuring specialty cocktails, selected French wines
and champagne by the glass and a variety of Parisian
inspired menu items. There will also be a George V tea.
Offered for dinner and tea. Price based per menu item
selected. Metro: Foggy Bottom - GWU.

Mie N Yu 3125 M St. NW 202-333-6122
http://mienyu.com French Kiss $10 - How could one
pass up a little desire? This libation is made with Stoli
Razberi, Cointreau, pineapple and cranberry, finished
with a splash of lime juice and sparkling wine. Metro:
Foggy Bottom - GWU.

http://www.washington.org/parisonthepotomac/Food&Wine.htm

Another restaurant page with many links to yummy
stuff (yes I see we are too late for Cherries) http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=614

Restaurant locator with address keyed to a map, phone
number, dress, and cuisine
http://www.kennedy-center.org/visitor/otherrestaurants.html

French food with good pricing but the website is old???
Café La Ruche 1039 31st Street, NW Tel: 202-965-2684
http://www.cafelaruche.com/ Under $6

Bread Line 1751 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC,
(Downtown)Phone: 202-822-8900 Crowded, quirky,
sometimes chaotic, this restaurant specializes in breads
and bread-based foods and makes not only the city's best
baguette but also some of its best sandwiches. Owner Mark
Furstenburg makes everything on the premises, from the
breakfast bagels and muffins to the ciabatta loaves for the
tuna salad sandwich with preserved lemons. It's best to
arrive early or late to avoid the noontime rush. Outdoor
seating is available in warmer months. Reservations not
accepted. AE, MC, V. Closed weekends. No dinner. Metro:
Farragut West. -Fodors

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Capitol Hill Under $6
Horace & Dickie's 809 12th St. NE, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-397-6040 If you've ever had a craving for
fried fish, then this is the place for you. The self-proclaimed
home of the jumbo fish sandwich, this small, crowded
restaurant has a loyal flock of regulars willing to wait in
long lines for the $4.35 sandwich that's made up of four
pieces of fried fish on white bread. Make sure to pick up
some of the Southern-style sides like macaroni and
cheese, or get a slice of bean pie for dessert. The restaurant,
which is takeout only, is open until 2 AM Monday-Saturday
and until 8 PM on Sunday, but use caution and visit during
daylight hours. The neighborhood can be rough. No credit
cards.-Fodors

Jimmy T's 501 East Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-546-3646 Five blocks from the Capitol, this
D.C. institution is quietly tucked in the first floor of an old
Capitol Hill row house. The small diner is packed daily with
sassy waiters, talkative regulars, and its two boisterous
owners, who run the grill. Soak in the local culture or read
the paper as you enjoy favorites such as grits, bacon, omelets,
or the homey eggs Benedict, made with a toasted English
muffin, a huge piece of ham, and lots of hollandaise sauce.
Breakfast is served all day. No credit cards. Closed Monday
and Tuesday. Metro: Eastern Market.-Fodors

The Market Lunch North end of Eastern Market, 225 7th St. SE,
Washington, DC, USA Phone: 202-547-8444 (All prices from
under $6 to over $12) A walk around the Capitol, a stroll
though Eastern Market, and then a hefty pile of blueberry
pancakes from Market Lunch make for a perfect Saturday
morning or afternoon on the Hill. Locals wait in long lines
to dine on ham, eggs, grits, or pancakes in the morning or
crab cakes, fried shrimp, or fish for lunch. But don't be
mistaken: eating here is not a leisurely experience. On
Saturdays you must be in line by noon. Follow custom
and order quickly, eat, and give up your seat for the next
customer. No credit cards. Closed Mon. No dinner. Metro:
Eastern Market.-Fodors

Tortilla Cafe 210 7th St. SE, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-547-5700 Across from bustling Eastern Market,
this small take-out restaurant, where there are just a few
tables, serves the best pupusas (rounded cornmeal dough
stuffed with meat, cheese, or corn) in town. The menu is a
mix of mostly Salvadorian and Mexican fare with favorites
such as tamales, Peruvian seviche, and fried plantains
served with sour cream and refried beans. If it's available,
don't miss the homey Salvadorian Stew made with large
chunks of beef, celery, carrots, and potatoes. The café is
open 10-7 weekdays and 7-7 weekends. Reservations not
accepted. AE, D, MC, V. Metro: Eastern Market.-Fodors

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Chinatown from $6 and up

Full Kee 509 H St. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-371-2233 Many locals swear by Full Kee,
which has a competitive assortment of Cantonese-style
roasted meats. Order from the house specialties, not
the tourist menu; the meal-size soups garnished with
roast meats are the best in Chinatown. Tried-and-true
dishes include the steamed dumplings, crispy duck,
eggplant with garlic sauce, and the sautéed leek flower.
No credit cards. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. -Fodors

Hunan Chinatown 624 H St. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-783-5858 One of Chinatown's most attractive
and most attentive restaurants, Hunan uses fresh
ingredients in its piping hot versions of familiar dishes.
Try the fried dumplings, the tea-smoked duck, the
Szechuan eggplant, and the crispy Hunan-style whole fish.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. -Fodors

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Downtown from $12 and up
15 Ria Washington Terrace Hotel, 1515 Rhode Island Ave. NW,
Washington, DC, USA Phone: 202-742-0015 Ever since
it opened in 2002, this small, cozy space with a fireplace
and just over a dozen tables has attracted a heavy after-
work crowd and a neighborhood following. Chef Jamie
Leeds's fresh style of cooking, which emphasizes local
ingredients and no-fuss preparation, sparkles in dishes
like the four-inch-tall pear salad with aged goat cheese
and the grilled fillet of rockfish (from Maryland's Eastern
Shore). Take a chance and order the daily special. AE,
DC, MC, V. Metro: McPherson Square. -Fodors

701 Pennsylvania Ave 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW,
Washington, DC, Phone: 202-393-0701 Cuisine drawn
from Italy, France, Asia, and the Americas graces the
menu of this sleek restaurant, where an elegant meal
might begin with tuna tartare topped with caviar or
salmon seviche, progress to veal and sweetbreads with
carrot-apple puree or linguine with duck confit, and finish
with the cashew bar with banana ice cream. In the Wine
Bar, sample from caviar and tapas menus and more than
30 types of vodka. The three-course fixed-price ($24.95)
pretheater dinner is popular, and convenient if you're
attending a performance at the Shakespeare, National,
Warner, or Ford's theater. Live jazz plays nightly.
Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.
Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial. -Fodors

Café Atlántico 405 8th St. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-393-0812 The menu is always exciting and
often adventurous at this nuevo Latino restaurant with
friendly service. Guacamole made table side by your
waiter is unmistakably fresh. If they're available, try
the scallops served with coconut rice, ginger, squid, and
squid-ink oil. The bar makes mean pisco sours and
caipirinhas, made with cachaça, a rum-like liquor made
from sugarcane. Check out the wines: you're unlikely to
find a more extensive selection of South American wines
anywhere else in the city. Café Atlántico offers a "Latino
dim sum" option on weekends: for $35 you can get 30
tapas-size portions of dishes like duck confit with passion
fruit oil, pineapple shavings, and plantain powder or you
can order the small plates, which range from $3 to $9,
à la carte. Reservations essential. AE, DC, MC, V. Metro:
Archives/Navy Memorial. -Fodors

Café MoZU Mandarin Oriental, 1330 Maryland Ave. SW,
Washington, DC, Phone: 202-787-6868 In this newcomer,
the dishes are served in a restful dining room with an
outstanding view of the Washington Channel, which feeds
into the Potomac. The menu is primarily American, with a
heavy dollop of Asian ingredients and cooking techniques.
Dishes might include Kobe-beef steaks, or lobster fricaseed
with sweetbreads and served with a Sauternes sauce. For
desserts, the ice cream, made in-house, is a good choice.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. -Fodors

Ceiba 701 14th St. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-393-3983 At this very popular Latin restaurant,
you will probably want to start with a mojito or pisco sour
cocktail, then nip into the sampling of four seviches, a
carpaccio of smoked swordfish, Jamaican crab fritters, or
empanadas filled with duck confit, currants, and olives. This
is a menu as much for grazing as it is for full-fledged dining,
though you can certainly eat well on the main courses, which
include crispy whole red snapper with pickled jalapeño and
capers, rib eye with chimichurri sauce, and a feijoada made
from pork shanks. The desserts are also stellar: Mexican
vanilla-bean cheesecake with guava jelly, housemade sorbets
in flavors like salty pineapple, and cinnamon-dusted churros
to dip in Mexican hot chocolate. Island murals, angular cream
banquettes, an open kitchen, and vaulted ceilings make the
ideal stage set for this restaurant. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed
Sun. No lunch Sat. Metro: Metro Center.-Fodors

Georgia Brown's 950 15th St. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-393-4499 An elegant "new South" eatery and a
favorite hangout of local politicians, Georgia Brown's serves
shrimp Carolina-style (head intact, with steaming grits on the
side); horseradish and peppercorn fillet; thick, rich crab soup;
and such specials as grilled salmon and slow-cooked green
beans with bacon. Fried green tomatoes are filled with herb
cream cheese, and a pecan pie is made with bourbon and
imported Belgian dark chocolate. The airy, curving dining
room has white honeycomb windows and an unusual ceiling
ornamentation of bronze ribbons. Reservations essential.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch Sat. Metro: McPherson Square.
-Fodors

Jaleo 480 7th St. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-628-7949 You are encouraged to make a meal
of the long list of tapas at this lively Spanish bistro, although
entrées like paella are just as tasty. Tapas highlights include
the gambas al ajillo (sautéed garlic shrimp), fried potatoes
with spicy tomato sauce, and the grilled chorizo. Don't miss
the crisp apple charlotte and the chocolate hazelnut torte.
Dancers heat up the restaurant on Wednesdays. AE, D, DC,
MC, V. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. -Fodors

Les Halles 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-347-6848 This is about as close as you can come
to a Parisian bistro without going to France. The cooking is
plain and hearty, and the portions are large. The best first
course is a sensational salad of frisée (a bitter salad green),
bacon, and Roquefort cheese. Steak is the recommended
main course, either the onglet (hanger steak) with the best
fries in town or, for two, the gargantuan grilled rib. If you're
lucky enough to visit in February, don't miss the Choûcroute
Festival, when four different versions of this hearty meat-
and-sauerkraut dish are offered. Reservations essential. AE,
D, DC, MC, V. Metro: Metro Center. -Fodors

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Downtown From $20 to over 30
Morton's of Chicago 1050 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington,
DC, Phone: 202-955-5997 Enjoy a steak on the patio at the
downtown location of this national chain, one block from The
Mayflower, a D.C. landmark hotel. In classic steak-house
tradition, the emphasis is on quantity as well as quality; the
New York strip and porterhouse steaks are well over a pound
each. If you have an even larger appetite (or you plan to share),
there's a 48-ounce porterhouse. Prime rib, lamb, veal, chicken,
lobster, and grilled fish are also on the menu. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Metro: Farragut North. -Fodors

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Capitol Hill from $12 and up
B. Smith's Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE,
Washington, DC, Phone: 202-289-6188 If you're in the mood
for shrimp and grits, Southern-influenced B. Smith's is the spot
for you. To start, try the jambalaya, but skip the overly bready
fried green tomatoes. The Swamp Thing entrée may not sound
pretty, but this mix of mustard-seasoned shrimp and crawfish
with collards is inspired. Seafood and anything with barbecue
sauce are highly recommended, as are the red beans and rice.
Desserts are comforting, slightly dressed up classics: coconut
cake, warm bread pudding, and sweet-potato pecan pie.
Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Metro: Union Station.
-Fodors

Barolo 223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-547-5011 Chef Enzo Fargione, former sous-chef of
Galileo, created this small restaurant's menu around the cuisine
of his native Piedmont, in northwest Italy. Fargione has a sure
hand with pastas (fettuccine with asparagus and black-truffle
sauce), fish (baked salmon on a bed of asparagus), and game
(quail with truffle-shallot sauce and a red pepper timbale). To
end your meal, try the panna cotta, a creamy, gelatin-thickened
dessert. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.
No lunch Sat. Metro: Capitol South. -Fodors

Charlie Palmer 101 Constitution Ave., Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-547-8100 It's hard not to feel like a master of the
universe when ensconced in this coolly elegant dining room
with a drop-dead sweep of the Capitol. Oversized florals, tones
of blue-gray, a dramatic glass-enclosed wine cellar, and furniture
that's a close cousin to Danish modern form a backdrop to the
contemporary cuisine served here. Dry-aged rib eye, marinated
hangar steak, and filet mignon with roasted shallots are the
meaty choices. But soft-shell crabs and butter-steeped lobster
make a good showing, too, as do sides like mashed Yukon Golds
and goat cheese tubetti that seems like deluxe macaroni and
cheese. The lemon pound cake finishes things off nicely. AE, D,
DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. Metro: Union Station.
-Fodors

La Colline 400 N. Capitol St. NW, Washington, DC, Phone:
202-737-0400 Chef Robert Gréault has worked to make La
Colline one of the city's best French restaurants. The seasonal
menu emphasizes fresh vegetables and seafood, from simple
grilled preparations to fricassees and gratins with imaginative
sauces. Some additional choices include duck in an orange
sauce and veal with chanterelle mushrooms. AE, D, DC, MC,
V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. Metro: Union Station. -Fodors

Monocle 107 D St. NE, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: 202-546-4488 The nearest restaurant to the Senate
side of the Capitol, Monocle is a great place to spot members
of Congress at lunch and dinner. The regional American
cuisine is reliable though rarely adventurous. The crab cakes,
either as a platter or in a sandwich, are a specialty, and you
might encounter specials such as pot roast or a first-rate fish
dish. Still, the draw here is the old-style Capitol Hill
atmosphere. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed weekends. Metro: Union
Station. -Fodors

The Capital Grille 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington,
DC, Phone: 202-737-6200 Just a few blocks from the U.S.
Capitol, this New England steak house is a favorite among
Republican congressmen. Politics aside, the cuisine, wine list,
and surroundings are all top-shelf. Don't let the meat hanging
in the window distract you from the fact that this restaurant
has a lot more to offer than just meat and potatoes (though
there are fine dry-aged porterhouse cuts and delicious cream-
based potatoes). Don't miss the pan-fried calamari with hot
cherry peppers, for instance.

A second location in Tysons Corner has the same menu but
a slightly different wine list. www.thecapitalgrille.com.
Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch Sunday.
Metro: Navy Memorial/Archives. -Fodors

Two Quail 320 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-543-8030 A welcome respite from the men's-club
surroundings of traditional Capitol Hill eateries, this floral-decor-
infused tearoom allows for power dining in almost romantic
surroundings. The seasonal menu has both hearty fare --
Muscovy duck, pork loin, chicken stuffed with corn bread and
pecans, game meats, filet mignon -- and lighter seafood pastas
and meal-size salads. The signature dish, Two Quail, is a pair
of quail stuffed with raspberries, Brie, and French bread.
Service is sometimes leisurely. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch
weekends. Metro: Union Station. -Fodors

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Georgetown from $6 over $20
Paolo's 1303 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-333-7353 At one of Georgetown's busiest corners,
this bright and airy restaurant is always buzzing with activity.
It's great for people-watching from the outdoor patio or inside
looking out of the large French windows next to the brick pizza
oven. The modern Italian menu has daily specials as well as the
standard fare of pizzas, salads, and homemade pastas. For a twist,
try espresso-rubbed steak salad. AE, D, DC, MC, V. -Fodors

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Georgetown From $12 to over 30

Cafe Milano 3251 Prospect St. NW Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-333-6183 By night you're likely to rub shoulders
with local socialites, sports figures, visiting celebrities, and the
Euro-crowd at Cafe Milano's cheek-by-jowl bar. Expect authentic,
sophisticated Italian cooking and a pricey wine list. Specialties
are fried stuffed olives and smelts, thin-crust pizzas, pasta dishes
like lobster with linguine and orecchiette with anchovies, air-dried
ricotta, and beautifully composed and dressed salads, favored by
ladies who lunch. AE, D, DC, MC, V. -Fodors

Bistro Français 3128 M St. NW, Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-338-3830 Washington's chefs head to Bistro Français
for its minute steak or the sirloin with black pepper or red wine
sauce. For many, the big draw is the rotisserie chicken. Daily
specials may include suprême of salmon with broccoli mousse and
beurre blanc. The restaurant is divided into two parts -- the café
side and the more formal dining room; the café menu has sandwiches
and omelets in addition to entrées. The Bistro also has fixed-price
lunches ($14.95), early and late-night dinner specials ($19.95), and
all-you-can-eat brunches on weekends ($18.95). It stays open until
3 AM on weekday mornings and 4 AM on weekends. AE, DC, MC, V.
-Fodors

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Georgetown From $20 to over 30
Morton's of Chicago 3251 Prospect St., Washington, DC,
Phone: 202-342-6258 A national steak-house chain that
claims to serve the country's best beef, Morton's is always
jumping. Other options include lamb, veal, chicken, lobster,
and grilled fish. Morton's has additional branches downtown
and in Vienna, Virginia. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC,
MC, V. No lunch. -Fodors

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Arlington from $6 and up

Red Hot & Blue 1600 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA,
Phone: 703-276-7427 Ribs are the specialty at this Memphis-
style barbecue joint. They come "wet" -- with sauce -- or,
when simply smoked, "dry." The delicious pulled-meat
sandwiches and low prices lure hungry crowds. Barbecue
memorabilia and blues tunes help make the place fun for
the kids. Red Hot & Blue has additional locations in Annapolis,
Fairfax, Gaithersburg, and Laurel. Reservations not accepted.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. Metro: Court House. -Fodors