oops--"Laymen" - Mexican should be Oyamel

FYI - "Mesherem" - Ethiopian It's Meskerem and it may be closing. The owners put the bldg up for sale.

Founding Farmers is about a block from the White House. However, we did have to have reservations for a Saturday brunch.

If you'd like to feel as though you had a meal in Paris during your DC trip, consider Bistrot du Coin at 1738 Connecticut Av NW just up from Dupont Circle. www.bistrotducoin.com/

Good Stuff Eatery made the list of best burgers by state. They seem to like the Obama burger.

https://www.yahoo.com/food/are-these...531678216.html

And if the crowd at Good Stuff is too much, We the Pizza (reputedly Mrs. Obama's favorite pizza in DC) is right next door. Been to both, enjoyed both. Ate too much at both. ;-)

<i>FYI - "Mesherem" - Ethiopian It's Meskerem and it may be closing. The owners put the bldg up for sale.</i>

I hadn't heard this news. While sad, at least understandable if the owners are ready to cash out and retire.

<i>Founding Farmers is about a block from the White House. However, we did have to have reservations for a Saturday brunch.</i>

Founding Farmers has a sister restaurant in Georgetown - Farmers Fishers Bakers which is also well worth a trip. That group has also expanded to Bethesda and Tyson's.

<i>If you'd like to feel as though you had a meal in Paris during your DC trip, consider Bistrot du Coin at 1738 Connecticut Av NW just up from Dupont Circle. www.bistrotducoin.com/</i>

Or Spike's Bearnaise which recently landed one of the Best Of lists.

More than a couple of places mentioned so far here (not the burger joints) require reservations -- either everyday of the week or prime dinner hours Tues-Saturday. Always worth checking ahead of time if you've got your heart set on something.

Yes, read about Meskerem on Popville I believe. Also La Fourchette in AM is up for sale. They are definitely wanting to retire. Not sure of the story with Meskerem.

Maybe Good Stuff for lunch and a pizza to go! That's what my husband would vote for. Do these happen to be close to the Newseum?

They are a little more than a mile apart. As a map would tell you. A pretty nice walk through Capitol Hill to the Mall. And maybe a necessary one if you've just eaten a burger and a pizza.

La Fourchette, too? Yikes - have not been in a while, must get back there before it goes away.

obx - have you been to Bearnaise?

Also, have yet to try Le Diplomate but thinking about it for a dinner with some friends, one of whom strongly dislikes places where the noise level interferes with conversation. Can anyone comment on Le Diplomate in this regard?

Of course, they both need buyers. la Fourchette has an apt above it and not sure if that will help or hinder a sale. Haven't been to LeDiplomate, but have read it's pretty noisy. My new favorite restaurant in DC is Red Hen. Aside from really good food, it's possible to hear conversations.

<i>Haven't been to LeDiplomate, but have read it's pretty noisy. </i>

I concur with that. I've only been early on in the evening and it's bustling loud. A bit more amped up than Bistro du Coin on a busy night. And I agree with you about B du C -- it's a sweet place.

Have not been to Bearnaise -- it's on the list but my heart and cholesterol insist I stagger my pricey rich meals.

Heard great things about Red Hen -- also tough to get a booking?

Anyone here read eater.com for DC? I like it.

"Haven't been to LeDiplomate, but have read it's pretty noisy ... A bit more amped up than Bistro du Coin on a busy night." OMG, in that case, I'm crossing it right of my list! I've never been able to tolerate the noise level even on the sidewalk outside the Bistro du Coin! =-O

Bistro du Coin is horribly noisy. I don't go there because even with shouting you can't converse with the people you are with.

Red Hen is hard to get a reservation with. They do have online reservations but appear to only take a limited number of reservations thru it. I've called both times I went. Once three weeks in advance for a Saturday and the other a few days out for a weeknight, you need to plan way ahead to get in.
I look at eater.com occasionally.

OK, guess Le Diplomate is off the list for this go 'round. Open to suggestions for a place suited to three <strike>old queens</strike> discerning bachelors of a certain age with a bit of a foodie bent who wish to be able to converse over their meal? This will fall on <b><green>St. Patrick Day</green></b> if that matters.

@ Seamus -- are you willing to pay for the privilege? If so, you might consider either La Taverna del Alabardero
http://www.alabardero.com
or Tosca
http://www.toscadc.com

or, for a slightly more affordable (and casual) experience, you might consider Petits Plats
http://www.petitsplats.com

<A bit more amped up than Bistro du Coin on a busy night. >
I always find Bistrot du Coin (which is Belgian, btw) super noisy. Le Diplomat on a weeknight was bustling but not mad. I bet they could find a quieter table, but the problem is that they're always so packed, they may not want to try.

Still, if you want quieter than that, how about DBGB at City Center? Also at City Center (we have friends who live nearby, lol), Del Frisco's is a fancy steak house ( as mall chain, actually) that has that hushed, clubby feeling. And really good food. Kind of pricy, though.

Was there a neighborhood or cuisine preference, Seamus?

I was trying to type "a small chain" about Del Frisco's--sorry!

Agree with kja's suggestions. I'll take a shot too:

<b>Award winners:</b>

Fiola Mare (Gtown river front) Seafood/Italian, very expensive

Vidalia (Downtown nr West End) American Southern, very expensive

West End Bistro - (Ritz Carleton, West End) Originally Eric Ripert’s place, electric menu has not dipped a bit in quality since his departure a couple of years ago, moderate

Rasika West End - Indian, not as bustling as the Penn Quarter place, moderate


<b>Excellent food, more traditional menus:</b>

Le Chaumiere (Gtown) traditional French Bistro, very old school Gerogetown, moderate

Tiramisu - (Dupont Cr) traditional Italian, moderate

Siroc - (Downtown) Mediterranean, moderate


<b>Seamus Takes One for the Team:</b>

Crane and Turtle (Petworth) French/Japanese - It's received tons of buzz and I've been dying to try this place. You could go and do a trip report for the rest of us? :)

Oh boy, what a great list! I adore Rasika.