Yeah, Debit - I just want to know who doesn't like Martin Heinrich at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! :-))

I'll Google Breadline, bardo1. And somewhere along the line I'll want to go back to the hotel and get my purse. I can't take it to the White House, and I'm sure I'll want it later.

Lee Ann

In case you are interested in Teaism (see my earlier post), there's a branch a block north of the White House on H Street (just across from Lafayette Square). Maybe you can eat there after the White House tour.

Any ideas for an early dinner near the Library of Congress?

I should have included this in my subject line, but how about dinner ideas around the Crystal City area in Arlington? Something we can walk to from the Americana Hotel?

Lee Ann

This is from my report four years ago so there may be changes, but for what it's worth
Central DC restaurants that I enjoyed (in order recommended) were:
Taberna del Alaberdero, 18th& I. Happy hour M-F 3 pm to 7pm, half off tapas and sangria in the bar. Beautiful décor and delicious authentic Spanish fare (they are a branch of a Spanish chain). Recommended: Quail (cordoniz).

Zatinya, Metro Gallery Place, at 9th Street & G just across from the Gallery Place Metro exit and the National Portrait Gallery. Recommended: Kofte sandwich, Maroulosalata, pistachio ice cream.

Jaleo, Metro Archives. West side of 7th Street at E St. Walking distance from National Gallery. Recommended: Lamb sandwich Bocatade cordero asado.

Buffet at the National Gallery Garden Café, National Gallery. $18.95. Changes seasonally, I am a buffet-holic and liked everything on the menu, especially the smoked salmon, heirloom beans, roasted beet salad, and roasted apple dessert. Hours 11:30-3pm daily. Service can be patchy.

Le Bon Café, 2nd and Independence. Convenient to Library of Congress and Supreme Court. Metro Capital South. Casual café with good lunch values, I had a ½ chicken panini, roasted cauliflower soup, and a pumpkin gingerbread for around $10. The sun came out and so did the sidewalk tables. I thought this place was really good, it’s only at the bottom of the list because the others were even better.

>> but how about dinner ideas around the Crystal City area in Arlington? Something we can walk to from the Americana Hotel?<<

The drawback to CC is that it's not exactly a dining mecca.

There are hundreds of restaurants in CC, most of them chains from the pricey ones like Morton's down the line to Subway. Lots are clustered in Pentagon Centre and Pentagon Row. There's a Harris Teeter grocery at Pentagon Row. (15 min walk)

A couple of exception, IMO:

Kabob Palace - Cheap and really really good. There's a group of restaurants in a couple of blocks on 23rd St that bill themselves as a "historic restaurant row" or something like that. The Kabob Palace is probably the one you'd be least likely to pick based only on appearance. But check it out.

http://www.kabobpalaceusa.com/ (the website is a hoot)

Jaleo - CC has a branch of this fabulous tapa's place. It's often easier to get a booking here than downtown. You'll have to cross Route 1/Jeff Davis Highway to get there. That's doable and it's worth it. (Jose Andres, same owner of Zatinya)

Oh, we love kabobs! That sounds perfect. Thanks, obxgirl.

Lee Ann

(Using my DH's keyboard, hit the wrong key and blitzed my response! Here goes again.)
We took our oldest grandson (12) to DC in July, had a great trip and excellent weather. We had booked a tour of the Capitol through our Congressman, and it was excellent. We finished up with a very good lunch in the Congressional cafeteria -- busy, but well organized and good food. Not sure if you can access the cafeteria if you are not on a tour... We were disappointed that we booked too late to get on a WH tour, but will save that for next time!

I don't think anyone mentioned Bus Boys and Poets -- great cafe/eatery, and they have several locations in DC and Arlington I believe. Open from breakfast till late, and you might find they are doing a poetry slam or movie showing while you are there. I'm a total fan of their Mekhleme at weekend brunch -- spicy Iraqi hash, wish I could find a recipe.

Enjoy your visit. We've been there often since our daughter moved down there, and find something fun to see/do every time.

I knew Fodorites would come through with great suggestions! Thanks so much. So far we're planning to try Breadline, Le Bon Cafe, Kabob Palace, and Merzi.

One last (maybe last) question - where can I find good coffee? Starbucks is fine, and I see they're all over the District, but what about locally owned places?

Lee Ann

Try the cafeteria in the Rayburn House Office Building at
45 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20515. If I remember correctly there are two. You want the cafeteria. Also, the Regan Building cafeteria is not bad. The breakfast buffet at the Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard is really good. I do not know if you have to be a guest to eat there, but the food is wonderful, and at 9.00 for all you can eat . . .it would be worth an email or a phone call to find out. If you can find a 5 guys hamburger joint, and want a good hamburger and great fries, there are several in the DC area.

Caribou (another chain) has much better coffee than SB. They, also, are all over town.

Peregrine Espresso near Eastern Market is tops but no place (to me, anyway) is really worth a detour just for a good cup as there are goods cups to be found all over. If you are truly wanting the perfect coffee (which means an espresso - no milk/cream/foams/flavorings, of course) then a cup at the Willard can't be beat, IMHO.

Without knowing where in DC you'll be at "coffee hour" (3:30 for me), it's hard to suggest local, non-chain, coffee bars.

M E Swing near the White House is very good.

Mudd House (near the National Geographic Museum) is good if you're in that area.

Capitol Grounds at 21st & Penn. Ave. if you happen to be close by.

Most, however, are in residential areas with no tourists sites or points of interest.

bardo1, I'm mostly thinking about coffee in the morning to help me wake up. :-) I'll check out Caribou.

Lee Ann

Crystal City has at Caribou Coffee and at least a couple of Starbucks.

Firehook Bakery and Coffeehouse is a local has a number of downtown DC locations. Illy is on New Hampshire Ave in between Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom.

For disclosure, I like very bold coffee & espresso but after that I'm not very picky.

Congrats on the white house tour! Have fun - we really enjoyed it when we were there. Do try to do a sandwich in a quite look or on the lawn as others have suggested. You will begin to experience fatigue around the 4th day of running from morning to night trying to cram in all that DC has to offer!!

It may be classified as "touristy" but we were tourists and really enjoyed Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner. I know it's not a $10 lunch spot but thought I'd throw it out there.

Not lunch, but we really enjoyed the Oyster Happy Hour at the Old Ebbitt Grill, Monday thru Thursday 3 - 6 PM, when everything on the raw bar menu is half-price. Great way to enjoy the atmosphere and people watch while slurping some super-fresh oysters and a great Bloody Mary.

Last time we were there there was a McDonlalds outide the Air and Space musuem . . quick and filling

Paul and Teaism are both close the Mall (Archives metro). If you're in Dupont Circle, Julia's Empanadas is good take-out food and very cheap.

Hazel...we were also there for happy hour and DH was thrilled! It is a fun place and I love to people watch. Make sure to sit in the restaurant part and not the atrium.

Lee Ann,

Where did you end up eating for lunch and dinner? Would you recommend them?

Let's see...we did takeaway from Kabob Palace in Arlington the first night. Thursday's lunch was at Potbelly, and dinner was at Capitol Q BBQ courtesy of a Scoutmob deal. Friday we had lunch at Merzi and dinner at Ollie's Trolley. Saturday lunch was at Quick Pita in Georgetown; dinner was a teriyaki place in the Union Station food court. Sunday we went to Jimmy T's Place for lunch and went to Merzi again for dinner, and Monday lunch was at Au Bon Pain in Union Station.

More details in my upcoming trip report!

Lee Ann

Hi Lee Ann, I am looking forward to your report when you get around to it. We have booked a cruise for next year and will have a few days in DC at the end so I have been checking on your progress. Interested in your stay at the Americana as that is No.1 on my hit list.

You have been very helpful to me in the past, I always enjoy your reports.