MikeT,

Interesting, because in Baltimore, there are many excellent diners in the burbs and county, but def. slimmer pickings in the city proper. L.A. is good for that.

I think the reason its like that in DC is b/c for many years DC really was sort of a small city, and its only in the relatively recent past that its grown alot and added many interesting dining options outside of Georgetown. In the interim, that discount to middle market has been in large part filled by many national chains. (Whereas in NYC, those chains are still kind of a novelty in many respects.)

I think you hit on the other thing. In NYC, people live everywhere. In DC, there is less residential density that can support those neighborhood diners.