Kennedy Center Eats?
 

I'm going to be attending a performance at the Kennedy Center next weekend and would like to go out for a meal beforehand. Anyone have any reccomendations other than the restaurant on the roof of the Kennedy Center, which I'm sure is overpriced. I hear that there isn't much within walking distance.

It depends on what you consider walking distance. I am an avid walker, so I consider Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, and Dupont Circle to be within walking distance. You can always take a cab if it's too far. What kinds of food are you looking for and in what price range? You are correct that the rooftop restaurant at the KC is pricey.

I consider a mile about walking distance, I didn't consider a cab...as that is a good option. I was hoping to spend about $80 for 2. Thanks.

There's a restaurant right in the Watergate Hotel (or is it the Swisshotel now?). But that may be a little pricey, too. Heard it's good, though.

You won't have a problem with an $80 limit, but there is a lack of good restaurants within walking distance of the Kennedy Ctr. I have two main recommendations, both very good. First, Marcel's which is Belgian/French at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave--they have a special pre-theater dinner for $35 and give you a free ride to the theater. Second, the West End Cafe in the One Washington Circle hotel (that's its address) is very good with a variety of good choices and two dining rooms with slightly different ambience, but both nice (one has a piano bar and is dark, as I recall, one has nice big windows looking out), dinner there might be about $30 each for everything. Aside from those two, there is Dominiques at 600 NH Ave which is okay but more expensive (about $45 probably--which is about the price at the Kennedy Center). There is a good cheap Japanese restaurant nearby also, Zuki Moon at 824 NH Ave, but it is more rudimentary in style and comfort, and not as nice an experience as Marcel's or the Westside Cafe.