DC Next Week - Need Restaurant Suggestions and A Few Good Activities
 

We're traveling to DC next week and will be there for two nights. We'd love some restaurant suggestions that have delicious food (any cuisine), are not too too expensive, and that would satisfy NY foodies. Also, any suggestions on jazz clubs post-dinner would be greatly appreciated. Although we have meetings to attend, we're also looking for some suggestions for sights to see. We've been to DC several times before and have seen the major sights and museums, but would like some other suggestions.

What nights next week will you be in town?

I will make club recommendations based on who is playing where on those nights. Even good clubs sometimes book acts that are not so good. I can also make dinner recs close to the clubs. Also, what hotel will you be at (or at least what neighborhood)?

Off the beaten tourist track would be dinner at one of DC's many ethiopian restaurants and a visit to Twins Jazz Club (twinsjazz.com). It's not officially known as Little Ethiopia but there's a major cluster of restaurants, including the club, in the 9th and U Street area.

Etete (on 9th St) is now or has recently been in Washingtonian Magazine's top 100 restaurants. We really enjoy the food there. Twins Jazz is around the corner a couple of blocks on U. Dukem is also very popular and recommended. It's on U not far from the club. For clarity, only had it once, but found the food at Twins Jazz just ok.

If you haven't been to the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum since they were restored a few years ago, they are absolutely worth a return visit. Jaleo is just down the street and serves a fantastic tapas menu.

When we only had 2 nights in DC (long weekend), we ate at Jaleo (Spanish/tapas) & the Old Ebbitt Grill. Yum!

<<<National Portrait Gallery>>>

We've been to DC a number of times, but it was only this past summer that we went to the NPG for the first time. It is a fantastic museum. We had a very short time there -- I spent my time in the Presidential Portraits gallery, my DH spent his time in the current exhibits (I think it was Norman Rockwell) gallery, and we met up in the fabulous glass-covered courtyard. Can't wait to go back.

Thanks for the great suggestions. We'll be there next Wednesday and Thursday nights, leaving Friday mid-afternoon. No worries on location - we're willing to go far for good food and music.

>>we're willing to go far for good food and music.<<

The ethiopian places I mentioned are all in immediate walking distance of the U Street/Cardozo metro station! I meant the area isn't on the normal tick list of Washington tourist spots!

Have a great trip!!

Try the Hillwood Estate which is Merriweather Post house. It is not far from the National Zoo and is a 25 acre estate with a gorgeous mansion, great art collections, and a wonderful set of gardens.

If you haven't been to the Newseum, check it out.
Haven't been yet but getting good press is Estadio in Logan Circle area
http://estadio-dc.com/.
Another new place is Agora in Dupont Circle which has Middle Eastern-Turkish food.
Marvin's in the U Street corridor has good food and is generally buzzing. http://www.marvindc.com/

A short taxi ride from the heart of DC is the Kreeger Museum which is fabulous http://www.kreegermuseum.org/

Here was my suggestion that Fodors so nicely honored:

Dear 1JAR,

Congratulations! You were quoted in Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2011 along with other travelers like you as a part of the guide's "Word of Mouth" feature.

Each title in the Fodor's Gold Guide series includes "Word of Mouth"—suggestions and tips from travelers on the Fodors.com forums and member reviews sections. We believe that the first-hand experiences of our members are a valuable addition to our guides. These stories and recommendations are a part of what makes Fodor's guides unique.

Your quote appears on page 149 and reads as follows:

"Just finished watching C-SPAN and the reading of the names at the Pentagon Memorial. . . We are a military family and knew some who lost their lives as well as those who lived and suffered. Our hearts will forever remember."

A strong third for Jaleo - especially if you go to Nat'l Gallery of Art, American Portrait, American Art, or the Archives (or even if you go to none of those places). As local restaurant reviewer Tom Sietsema said just today: "Jaleo is the best tapas restaurant in the US - period." And it's not too expensive (about $50/person for 3 tapas each plus deserts, drinks, etc.).

Old Ebbitt - it's "OK", but I am VERY particular regarding all things food...

Another great Ethiopian spot in the U st. area is Dukem - http://www.dukemrestaurant.com/

Also in the U St. neighborhood - http://www.saint-ex.com/

And my favorite BAR in the area is The Saloon (at 1205 U St - proudly not present on the internet). FANTASTIC beer selection and very nice, friendly, relaxed vibe. Food's "OK" - beer is stellar.

Other places I REALLY like (for lunch or dinner):

Montmartre by Eastern Market Metro http://www.montmartredc.com/
(expensive but not "too" - check prices online)

Tabard Inn close to Dupont Metro http://www.tabardinn.com/restaurant

To clarify re. Jaleo - $50/person INCLUDES tapas, deserts, drinks.

Montmarte is great! Also Oyamel down the street from Jaleo and same owner, Jose Andres, has excellent Mexican food.

Taberna del Albardero is also excellent if you want more than tapas. If they still have that 3 to 7 happy hour weekdays in the bar it's a good value. If budget is an issue I'd stick with that (and call to make sure it still exists).

I may be wrong but I believe the U Street corridor was historically an African-American neighborhood with a very strong jazz presence so it would be cool to experience jazz there. That being said, I like the Blues Alley in Georgetown.

http://www.bluesalley.com/index.htm

It is a supper club but we went to the late show and only ordered pretzels and beer.

Check Maitaitom's trip report of DC.

Don't know your age,but for us seeing the Vietnam Memorial was something to remember. Also the National Archives, to remind us of the treasures we are sharing.

Thanks all! Any thoughts on Blue Duck Tavern and Founding Farmers? Got a few recommendations elsewhere on those two restaurants.

Founding Farmers I'd give a 3*+. It's dedicated (as it seems many restaurants in the area are) to local sourcing. The food is good, not great, but we enjoyed the place, and the service. Some people think it's very noisy, but our experience was that it wasn't. Some dishes really hit the mark, and nothing was bad.

I'd give it a lower score. Very noisy, a little too smug and overpriced. For great locally sourced food, you can't beat Restaurant Nora. Nora Poullion started the whole organic/local movement here in DC. And another vote for Montemart. And for middle eastern mezze, Zaytina. ( but very noisy)