Places to Eat
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Only in Washington, DC
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Fast Food: Ben’s Chili Bowl
In business in the same location since 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl is not just a restaurant; it's a U Street institution, a living artifact. During the years of the civil-rights movement, Ben's, a short hop from Howard University, was a gathering place for many of the movement's leading figures. A young Bill Cosby courted his future wife, Camille, at Ben's. Rioters devastated U Street after Martin Luther King was assassinated, but they spared this restaurant. Location: 1213 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 Metro Stop: U Street Phone: 202-667-0909 What to get: Half-smoke "all the way" (a sausage topped with chili, cheese, and onions); for breakfast, bacon or sausage with two eggs cooked to order, grits, and a biscuit is a deal for $5.99; the pancakes and eggs are good, too. |
 In January 2009, President Obama dined at the famous Ben's Chili Bowl with DC's Mayor, Adrian Fenty. |
Inexpensive Sit-Down Restaurant: Etete (Ethiopian Food)
The Washington, DC area has the highest concentration of Ethiopians in the U.S., with a metro-area population estimated at 150,000 to 200,000
Location: 1942 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Metro Stop: U Street
Phone: 202-232-7600
What to get: Sambusas—crispy turnovers of lentil or beef; hearty stews called wats, including chicken-and-egg doro wat and peppery yebeg wat, a lamb stew; vegetarian sampler of azifa (green lentils in a spicy mustard sauce), yekik alicha (yellow-lentil-and-onion stew), and yemisir wat (red lentils in a rich, fiery sauce).
Nice Restaurant: Old Ebbitt Grill
A hundred yards from the White House, this 152-year-old institution has been a favorite of several Presidents. You will probably see some of Washington’s most powerful people sharing a meal and a drink.
Location: 675 15th St., NW, Washington, DC 20005
Metro Stop: Metro Center
Phone: 202-347-4801
What to get: The oysters are some of the best in town. The historic saloon is also dependable for its “buffalo wings” (i.e., spicy chicken), crab-and-artichoke dip, crab-cake sandwich, and cheese plate. If it the restaurant is crowded, ask to be seated at the bar – you can eat there too.
The Washington, DC area has the highest concentration of Ethiopians in the U.S., with a metro-area population estimated at 150,000 to 200,000
Location: 1942 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Metro Stop: U Street
Phone: 202-232-7600
What to get: Sambusas—crispy turnovers of lentil or beef; hearty stews called wats, including chicken-and-egg doro wat and peppery yebeg wat, a lamb stew; vegetarian sampler of azifa (green lentils in a spicy mustard sauce), yekik alicha (yellow-lentil-and-onion stew), and yemisir wat (red lentils in a rich, fiery sauce).
Nice Restaurant: Old Ebbitt Grill
A hundred yards from the White House, this 152-year-old institution has been a favorite of several Presidents. You will probably see some of Washington’s most powerful people sharing a meal and a drink.
Location: 675 15th St., NW, Washington, DC 20005
Metro Stop: Metro Center
Phone: 202-347-4801
What to get: The oysters are some of the best in town. The historic saloon is also dependable for its “buffalo wings” (i.e., spicy chicken), crab-and-artichoke dip, crab-cake sandwich, and cheese plate. If it the restaurant is crowded, ask to be seated at the bar – you can eat there too
Mist ge frieten?Belga Café
Location: 514 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 Metro Stop: Eastern Market Phone: (202) 544-0100 Brasserie Beck Location: 1101 K Street, NW, Washington DC, 20005 Metro Stop: Metro Center Phone: (202) 408-1717 Granville Moore’s Location: 1238 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002 Metro Stop: Union Station – NOTE: Take a taxi instead. The area is not as safe as the rest of DC. Phone: (202) 399-2546 |
 Drinking Kasteel Rouge at Brasserie Beck |
Our Favorites & Suggestions
Pizza: 7th Hill
Location: 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Metro Stop: Eastern Market
Phone: (202) 544-1911
Sushi: Kotobuki
Location: 4822 Macarthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
Metro Stop: No metro – take cab.
Phone: (202) 625-9080
Salad & Frozen Yogurt: SweetGreen
Georgetown Location: 3333 M Street Northwest, Washington, DC - (202) 337-9338. Metro: Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom – Note: You will have to walk from Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom to Georgetown, which takes about 10 minutes
Dupont Location: 1512 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC - (202) 387-9338. Metro: Dupont Circle
Thai: Bangkok Bistro
Location: 3251 Prospect Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn – NOTE: You will have to walk from Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn to Georgetown, which takes about 10 minutes
Phone: (202) 337-2424
 At the Tombs on Nick's birthday. |
College Atmosphere / Bar: Tombs
Location: 1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007 Metro Stop: Rosslyn -- NOTE: You will have to walk from Rosslyn to Georgetown University, which takes about 10 minutes Phone: (202) 337-6668 Gastropub: Commonwealth Location: 1400 Irving St NW, Washington, DC 20010 Metro Stop: Columbia Heights Phone: (202) 265-1400 |
Cupcake: Georgetown Cupcake
Location: 3301 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn – NOTE: You will have to walk from Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn to Georgetown, which takes about 10 minutes
Phone: (202) 333-8448
American BBQ / Backyard Patio: Old Glory
Location: 3139 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn – NOTE: You will have to walk from Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn to Georgetown, which takes about 10 minutes
Phone: (202) 337-3406
Nice Restaurant / Seafood: Pesce
Location: 20th & P Street, NW
Metro Stop: Dupont Circle
Phone: (202) 466-3474
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Romantic / Italian: Filomena Location: 1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007 Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn – NOTE: You will have to walk from Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn to Georgetown, which takes about 10 minutes Phone: (202) 338-8800 California-Mexican Food: Surfside Location: 2444 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom – NOTE: You will have to walk from Foggy Bottom to Upper Georgetown, which takes about 20 minutes. You can also take a cab. Phone: (202) 337-0004 |
 We had our first date at Filomena, and then went back a year later on Valentine's Day. |
Burger Joint: Good Stuff Eatery
Location: 303 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003
Metro Stop: Capitol South
Phone: 202-543-8222
Indian: Heritage
Location: 2400 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom – NOTE: You will have to walk from Foggy Bottom to Upper Georgetown, which takes about 20 minutes. You can also take a cab.
Phone: (202) 333-3120
Italian al fresco: Posto
Location: 1515 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Metro Stop: McPherson Square or Dupont Circle -- You will need to walk from the metro about 10 minutes.
Phone: (202) 332-8613
 At Lola's on Capitol Hill |
Pub / Wine-bar: Lola’s
Location: 711 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 Metro Stop: Eastern Market Phone: (202) 547-5652 Inexpensive Breakfast/Lunch near the US Capitol Building: Pete’s Diner Location: 212 2nd St SE, Washington, DC 20003 Metro Stop: Capitol South Phone: (202) 544-7335 |
