Sam

We are staying at the Loews L'Enfant Hotel in Washington D.C. over the Christmas break. Any recommendations as to great restaurants nearby for a nice elegant Christmas dinner. Also has anyone stayed at the Loews? Any comments would be welcome.

r-travels

The good news is that it's close to the best Metro connections - all except the Red Line come thru the L'Enfant Plaza stop. The bad news is that it is located in primarily a business area, so little is open evenings and weekends. It is very close to a number of the Smithsonions, Holocaust Museum, and Bureau of engraving & Printing.

While I've not stayed there, correspondance with those whom have has made favorable impression with me.

Please use the Metro when you're in DC, you'll find it safe, clean, and efficient.

Gary

Exactly as above. Loews would die on the vine on weekends if it were not above a metro stop.

It's not near much of anything, but the metro is so easy to use and clean and safe that there's just no reason to limit yourself to Loews' area.

kayd

Re: restaurants near L'Enfant Plaza -- by all means avoid the restaurants on the waterfront. Take Metro or a taxi to almost any other area of town. Dupont Circle is a good bet for variety of prices and cuisines. Look at washingtonpost.com for guidance.

x

L'Enfant Plaza is a wasteland for food. You are in for a real hunt if you're looking for elegant dining on xmas day.

kayd

Elegant dining on Dec 24-25: elegant hotels such as the Mayflower or Willard. Those restaruants are probably not the first choice for Washington foodies, but they offer decent holiday fare in beautiful settings. Melrose, the restaurant in the Park Hyatt, gets high markd from the Post's restaurant critic.
I've been pleasantly surprised with the banquet fare at the JW Marriott on several occasions, so I might be inclined to try its restaurant on a big holiday when all other places are closed (except Chinese restaurants, where folks who do not observe Christmas go).

chloe

I stayed here for several days in early October. Great location if you are an avid Smithsonian viaitor as I am. It was a long block to the Smithsonian Headquarters, where we enjoyed a lovely Sunday Brunch. The Freer Gallery was next to the Headquarters and had some beautiful art to enjoy. The hotel was fine, though our view was that of a large next door office building. The hotel was booked and we couldn't change rooms. We didn't expect too much as we paid only $119 per night. The restaurant was a pleasant surprise, service was a bit lacking but the food was very good. I'm sure it was seasonal , but we enjoyed a memorable gazpacho. There was a good downhome meatloaf and roasted chicken. Great creme brulee. For Christmas dinner you should probably go elsewhere, but one meal there is fine.Enjoy!

ddd

Try this url which includes some of the restaurants already noted:

www.washingtonian.com/dining/critics/1200.html

My vote would go for the Morrison Clark Inn. Book ahead but you probaby already knew that.

Have a great trip.