Christina -- Are you this dour in real life?

KB&A is a wonderful little indie bookstore and cafe with a breakfast through late night menu. It's in a lively neighborhood, it's great people watching, and a very nice place to have something to eat, a coffee or a glass of wine.

My god you could suck life out of anything,.

I was thinking how lucky you are, to live near a lot of great bookstores! I remember when I did, too, and even then, Kramerbooks was unusually well curated; to call it "just a small bookshop" is to miss that most towns--not cities--in America don't have a single bookstore half as good.

Plus, at this point, it's been there long enough to qualify as an institution, no?

I digress, but I used to make an afternoon of hitting Second Story Books, Kramerbooks and Lambda Rising (no longer there), all in Dupont Circle. Politics and Prose was great then and now, too, but it was a bit of a haul for me from Georgetown.

obxgirl, don't hold back, now!
BTW I adore KB&A, it is a gem of a place. Used to be a regular there in the 70's and now try to stop in on just about every visit to DC, usually not to eat but just to browse and people watch.

obxgirl, I agree, especially since real bookstores are few and far between these days and KB&A is a gem.

I just had tapas at Jaleo the other night and it was a treat as always. We started with delicious gazpacho, followed by asparagus with a purée of red pepper and paprika, and baby octopus from Cadiz with white beans, which was outstanding.

We like Matchbox for dinner in Penn Quarter. Eclectic menu, not too rices, good service, good food, fun place. Also, love the bar at Fados! Wonderful Irish. It's like walking into an underground version of the Hobbit.

We like Matchbox for dinner in penn Quarter. Not too pricey, eclectic menu, good food and service, fun place. Also LOVE the bar at Fados. Wonderful Irish! it's like walking into an Irish version of the Hobbitt. All the bar and wood is from Ireland. Good live music there also.

I think this person is already on their trip with no smartphone, etc. to look at the Fodor's postings.

vjpb, I'm sure the OP is traveling or has already traveled but it's still current and a good thread to top.

"I can't imagine why a tourist would want to go there. Unless you've never seen a bookstore, but I don't get it."

A tourist would want to go there because, as others have stated, most bookstores in this country have closed. Also, after seeing the sights it is nice to just spend a few quiet minutes looking at something that is not history/government related. I am not one to purchase souvenirs but I do like to find magazines or books on my hobbies that are not available in my home town. When I read them at home, not only do I get to enjoy my hobby but I also remember where I bought the book, etc.