steve

Years ago there was a restaurant on Maine Avenue famous for its seafood. I think it was Hogates. Is it still there and is it to touristy for a quiet dinner for two?

Any other suggestions for dinner for two - just driving through DC with a couple of hours to spare.

Mike

Hogates is gone, I believe, but it would be one of the last places I would reccomend. Terrible food and too many tour buses. If your driving through the city, I would consider something in Dupont Circle

jb

I love Red Sage for dinner.

TexMex

I like Adams Morgan area. Multi-cultural area with restaurants of all types. One of my favorites is the Grill from Ipanema (Brazilian). It has been longer since I ate at Rocky's Cafe (Carribbean) in Adams Morgan. It was good then. In Georgetown area, Old Glory Barbecue, Bistro Lepic (french) both were good on my last trip. If you like to be challenged selecting a beer from about 900 choices, the Brickskeller (near Dupont Ci.) is fun. They have food that is just fine if you are concentrating on the beer menu.

Christina

I ate at Hogates once some years ago because I worked near there, and I have to agree -- the food was awful, as was the service. It would depend on your route as to what might be easier, as well as your budget. There is one nice restaurant in Union Station, Southern, B Smith, but it isn't cheap. There are also some decent restaurants along Pennsylvania or 7th/8th which might not be too far out of your way (eg, Les Halles, Jaleo, Kindkead's, Cafe Atlantico), and there are La Colline and Bistro Bis on Capitol Hill near Union Station. It really depends on what type of cuisine you want, your budget and how much time you're willing to spend to get there out of your route.

I think Red Sage is not a bad choice, also, and there are lots of good smal ethnic restaurants on upper Connecticut avenue near Woodley Park metro. Personally, if I were on a trip just driving through DC, I would not want to spend the time to go to restaurants in Adams Morgan or Dupont Circle, although there are lots of good ones.

Jen

Another vote for the Grill from Ipanema and for Jaleo.

In Dupont Circle for Chinese - City Lights of China.

lola

Hogates is terrible. Stick with Du[port or Adams Morgan for good, interesting restaurants. I would recommend that you STAY AWAY

Roger

Don't go to Taberna del Alabadero on 18th and I Street. They have stiffed me over $ 800 on a job and I have sent it to a bill collector. Taberna is a dishonest group of individuals.

Pad

If you're just driving through, try Marcel's on 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. Easy to access from either the Key Bridge or the Memorial Bridge. Sorta Belgian French, everything's good, and great desserts!

jmh

There are so many good restaurants in D.C. it's hard to pick. What type of food do you like? Some of my favorites include:

1. Cashions - Eclectic American and European eats.

2. Georgia Brown's - specializing in southern cuisine
http://www.gbrowns.com/

3. Kinkeads: high-quality seafood
http://www.kinkead.com/

4. Jaleo: Tapas downtown.

5. Olives: New England-Italian.

Check out www.washingtonpost.com. They have reviews on all the restaurants. www.opentable.com is also helpful.

dctosun

you may have also been at phillips steve (which i didn't hate as much as everyone else here! )

i live in dupont/adams morgan and agree wholeheartedly with grill from ipanema and kinkeads (best brunch ever). I also like mccormick and schmicks (though yeah it's a chain)

eek, just read the date of your posting... if you or others are still intersted, message back and i'll post more... nice to be able to repay the favor after reading about the carribean/mexico all day. (anyone who has tips on a warm jan 2003 trip, lemme know )

j

jw

My wife and I had a very enjoyable meal at Butterfield9 last month when we were in DC. The food was very good, and our waiter made the experience very nice for us.

donnabee

The Grill in the new Ritz Carlton on M Street is the best!

MileKing

Market Inn, a personal favorite of Mrs. MileKing and myself. Off the beaten path and from the outside doesn't look like a place you would want to go to. Inside, however, great food (seafood and steaks), service, and atmosphere.