Since you're visiting during the Cherry Blossoms you would be well advised to make a booking at any place that will take them and I would recommend making advance reservations for every place you've listed (except Ben's) to assure you're not eating before 5pm or after 9pm.

Founding Farmers, Blue Duck and 1789 - All wonderful choices.

Ben's Chili Bowl - A DC institution which is more about the legend than the food. Totally worth the trip there for a good but not brilliant chili dog. The place is a hoot, always busy but packed to the rafters late at night into the early AM. Speaking of which, one of DC's best small music venues, the 9:30 club, is a five minute walk from Ben's. Your kids, (20 and 24) should check out the offerings during your visit. Also if you are interested in Ethiopian cuisine, this neighborhood has a cluster of some of the city's best.

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace - I love this place. It doesn't get a lot of mention here. Also good in the same neighborhood are Masa 14 and Posto.

Other places to check out are any of Jose Andres restaurants: Jaleo, Zatinya and Oyamel.

Neighborhood places in Foggy Bottom: Circa, CharmThai and District Commons. Trader Joes and Whole Foods are in the neighborhood too.

I have the Food Truck Fiesta app too -- my favorites are Phonation (best banh mi sandwich available inside the District) and DC Empanadas.

Obxgirl - Thank you for taking the time to respond. Guess I better start planning which one, when. I appreciate your comments

Hi, Lizzy--

Blue Duck Tavern is really good, but not inexpensive; I haven't been to 1789 in ages and ages, but it's also pricier. I assume these are the splurgey ones on your list!

In the more reasonably priced category, I would add Oyamel and Jaleo, especially Jaleo. The small plates can add up, but it's a fun, boisterous atmosphere, family-friendly, and delicious. Oyamel is similar, I just, for some reason, have never had great food there. But it's very popular, and even I would say the food is good.

In the Dupont Circle area I like Bistro du Coin for an authentic French/Belgian bistro menu.

If you pass a Firehook Bakery on your peregrinations, you must go in Ditto Pitango Gelato. In fact, you must try to hit Pitango, it's awesome. http://pitangogelato.com. Paul, near the Archives Metro stop, is also a lovely little bakery, fancier and more French than Firehook, which is homier. http://www.paul-usa.com Both are good for a pick-me-up.

Friends recently recommended Bistro du Coin to us, but we haven't tried it. We loved Central on our last visit.

Lizzy87, here is a link to my DC trip report, which includes links for most of the places we ate. http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/the-pickles-visit-our-tax-dollars-at-work-in-washington-dc.cfm#last-comment

I started a thread about inexpensive places to eat in DC, but Fodor's is moving pretty slow, so I can't find it right now. Some of the places people recommended to me are mentioned in this thread as well.

Lee Ann

With such a large gourp I would make reservations in advance for anyplace - even if you just call as yo head over - so they have 30 minutes or so of warning.

Newbe - Yeah, Rick and me have time/budget for one great, only the two of us, night out. I'm definitely leaning towards Blue Duck Tavern. I'm waiting on Rick to look at the menus and reviews.

Thanks for all the other recommendations, I'm going to check them out.

SF7307 - Bistro du Coin and Central going on the list too check out.

Mrs. Pickles - Thanks for the link to your trip report. I'm going to check out Bread line and Potbelly.

I started making reservations. I wanted Founding Farmers for breakfast on while we're there and it's either a little too soon, or they are completely booked for the week. Made reservations at both Blue Duck Tavern and 1789, but will end up canceling one.

Also have rsvp at Ted's Bulletin. Planning on going to Shake Shack and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace who don't do rsvp.

Nytraveler -Thanks. Your post convinced me to start nailing down some places.

Potbelly is a chain sub shop but would work for lunch. I enjoyed Good Food Eatery from Mrs Pickles list. It is up behind the Capital. Upstairs they have a large table that would fit your party.

I've eaten at Blue Duck Tavern now a couple of times and am in love with their ice cream, not to mention the rest of the food. But it's a pricey place to eat, 1789 even more so. The rest of the places on your list are more moderate. If you don't drink wine, you'll keep the prices down considerably, but both have very pricey wines even by the glass.

I do think it's wise to have made your reservations. Both Blue Duck and 1789 can be hard to get at prime times.

Just got back from D.C. and while I can't say it was inexpensive, we enjoyed Filomena's and I would certainly go back!

http://www.filomena.com/

gardendiva - Yeah, I checked out Potbelly's website and I'm sure it's fine, but I think we'll pass for food truck or maybe something more along the lines of Good Food Eatery. Thanks for your comments.

Doug_Stallings - We did decide on Blue Duck Tavern for Rick and my Special Night out and the menu looks so good we ended up making reservations there for brunch later in the week and plan to take the whole gang for that. I know it's going to be pricey, but that's why I'm having ceral for lunch today, so I can splurge when I am on vacation.

I will be canceling the reservation for 1789.

Patandhank - Thanks for the tip, I'm going to check their website out.