My husband and will be visiting DC next week. We would like to find a pub-type restaurant in the Georgetown/downtown DC area that has good food and a fun "after work" crowd. Also, we like Mexican food (how is Tortilla Coast?) and pizza. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

Never been to Tortilla Coast but love Lauriol Plaza (18th St) and Cactus Cantina (Wisconsin Ave) for Mexican. My absolute favorite though is Austin Grill (E St between 7th & 8th Ave) but that is Tex Mex. For a pub atmosphere and happy hour hangout, try Clyde's in Georgetown on M St by the shopping mall.

I am also going to DC and needed a great place in Foggy Bottom - I was referred to Nectar -- the reviews sound wonderful but getting a reservation was not easy - www.egullet.com was my source for reviews (check out the DC region under Forums and then regions) I had problems making a reservation directly but I had no problem getting a seating through www.opentable.com

Good Luck!

My husband and I were in DC the last week of August. We stayed in Georgetown. Try Pizzeria Paradiso on M Street. Austin Grill is also great. We really liked The Daily Grill for breakfast and lunch. It's not cheap, but we shared meals and had plenty of food so that helped keep the cost down. For BBQ try Rocklands on Wisconsin (we did take out as it's mostly standing only to eat). For Italian, Filomena is very nice and is a cozy place downstairs in the basement (very nice lunch buffet).

Nectar is a wonderful suggestion, but certainly not casual or cheap, if that's what you're looking for. Pizzeria Paradiso is great, and there's one in Dupont Circle as well as G'town. Don't go to Tortilla Coast! If you want Mexican on Capitol Hill, try La Lomita Dos on Pennsylvania Ave. Otherwise, Lauriol Plaza is pretty good (altho not good enough to explain the non-stop crowds) or you might try Rosa Mexicano if you want something downtown. Drinks and appetizers are better than entrees there - definitely a fun place to grab a drink and snack for happy hour.

If you like tapas, Jaleo on 7th St. (sort of b/w downtown and the mall) is excellent and fun. And if you're looking for a pub feel, you might like Old Ebbitt's by the White House - it's very touristy, but can still be fun all the same.

One last suggestion - Matchbox in Chinatown. Very cute, casual place with good pizza and lots of other choices as well.

Have a fun trip!

asia nora on m street nw, at 23rd. was great when we viisted DC last year.

Brickskellar's in Dupont Circle would be my first choice.

Lauriol gets REALLY crowded. I still don't understand the draw of Austin Grill. The food is average at best.

I also like sitting in the back at Mr. Smith's in Georgetown (right on M Street).

Two Amy's for pizza.

I would also suggest Facia Luna on Wisonsin Ave.

Red Sage still open?

Always had a good meal there.
Tex/Mex-Southwestern.
Good chili and great black beans.

Some exotic meats, too.
Great Appletinis.

Ditto Clyde's in G'town. It's also been beddy beddy good to us.
There is an Italian restaurant on the corner a few doors down from Clyde's on Wisc. near Blues Alley, but I can't recall the name. Good wines.

Another for the traditional Ebbitt's.

Red Sage is still open and is still very good. If you go, ask to sit upstairs. ThHe downstairs is much more expensive and while the food is ggod, I don't think its worth what they charge down there. The upstairs is a decent value.

Good!
Very nice decor too.

Except with all that good chili, black beans and peppers, better go with a REALLY good friend! :-"

Thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions. We went to Pizzeria Paradiso (Dupont Circle location). It was very good. We went on a Wednesday night, so the wait wasn't too long (about 20 minutes at 8:30). We also opted for the Austin Grill, and had the fajitas. They were good, but the tortillas were a big disappointment (very dry!). Also tried J. Paul's (my husband liked the menu there better) and it was a fun, lively place on a Friday night. Next time, we will have to try Clyde's to compare. We also tried Le Madeleine for brunch today before we left. It was quick, with good omelets. Overall, had a great trip. Of course, because of all the food I just described, we did a lot of walking all over the city and visited most of the monuments and museums. I hadn't visited DC since high school (which is a very long time ago!) and would definitely recommend this city for a mini-vacation. The fall is a good time to visit - the crowds have thinned and the weather was great!

I'm sorry that Austin Grill had dry tortillas! Usually they are fantastic, as is the salsa. J Pauls was a great choice. And I love Le Madeleine. I've since moved away from the DC area and I long for a potato gallette...