wonderful Emd3!

We had a great time in DC yesterday. Sort of some funny things:

Went to take the Metro to the smithsomiam <SP> and the tracks were under construction so we would have had to take the bus from Foggy bottom adding an additional "at least" 30 minutes to the commute - the weather was calling for possible rain/snow - so we decided to drive in... I was pretty nervous as I drove in DC in 08 right before the election and it was CRAZY - husband had not drove in DC in 30 years since he worked for the FBI...and had a different memory.

We drove in and it was honestly pretty quiet yesterday for the most part. We had little issue finding parking - except it was 2 hour timed still on Sat. - we ended up having to leave the Holocaust museum and move the car and return. We got to walk around a little before the rain started later in the afternoon.

My husband wanted to go to Georgetown to have dinner and I am an excessive planner and he is the exact opposite (see: he had no idea where to eat, how to get there) and as we were driving there via our Iphone map - streets were being closed off right and left by the police - no idea what was going on and we were getting lost with the "circles" - we ended up at Smith & Wollensky ~ which was good - more than I wanted to spend ~ but we were starving and my husband said that he had been there a few times in New York and felt it was good. The food was excellent but it was pricey.

I should add we have gone to the Silver Diner in Tyson Corner twice for breakfast -it is right by our hotel - the service and food has been EXCELLENT. It is just a little place but very fresh and good service. http://www.silverdiner.com/restauran...r-silver-diner

The Marriott is fine. NOthing I would rave about - good service, decent room - it was supposed to be the Ritz at Tyson corner so I guess I was just a little bummed over that - but no biggie in the big scheme of things!

My husband has a lot of work today and I have just been doing homework.

On Tuesday night we are going to some hockey game?

If the hockey game is downtown at the Verizon Center you are going to be steps away from Jaleo -- fantastic tapas and small plates. If that is appealing to you by all means book right away for an early table. Lots of other good restaurant choices in the Penn Quarter area.

>>streets were being closed off right and left by the police - no idea what was going on and we were getting lost with the "circles"

Hi OB! Yes, I just asked my husband and he said Verizon Center - he is entertaining 15 dealers so not sure if we will be going out to eat or not? I will look and see what the deal is. I LOVE Tapas and small plates!

Not sure where you were when you ran into closed streets but you might have run into closed streets because the police were clamping down on the Occupy protesters in several different areas this weekend, at Freedom Plaza, McPherson Square, etc.

emd3 - I am glad they were - I was sorry to see them camping EVERY place. Very sad imo.

Wanted to share we had dinner last night at Lebanese Taverna and it was excellent - my husband gave it two thumbs up as well - and continues to say "those travel people have good recommendations"

I also had forgot to say in case it is helpful to someone else - I ended up using a car service from the airport - it was a flat rate of 35.00 and I had checked a bag - and did not want to deal with public transportation. It was a good service that the Marriott recommended - I will use them to go back as well. 703-256-1333

You didn't miss much at the Ritz. My mom and I stayed there a few months ago and paid full price for a rather small nothing room. (probably smaller than most hotel rooms). I found it was not the Ritz I was expecting. Glad you had fun!

GOTG - I just wanted to be connected to the galleria ;-)

We stayed there when DD was in college and our room was big and fabulous...I wonder if it's one of those luck of the draw things.

The Lebanese Taverna was excellent....mmmmmmmmmmm.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestion on my trip to Mclean. The ride to the airport both ways was simple - the car service was great and thankfully there was no traffic mainly due to the times I am sure that I booked my travel (I left for the airport yesterday a little after 11:00 am) and my arrival was about 2:00 pm or so.

The Verizon Center for the hockey game was GREAT. It is right in downtown DC and we were lucky not to hit traffic headed in. The suite we were in was something else - I guess the "largest" one at the center and it was very hooty tooty - no eating outside of the suite needed.

I did eat again at the Lebanese Taverna and would recommend it - the service the second time was just as good and the food was too. Janet drove up from Richmond and we shopped a little at the galleria and then over at Tyson Corner. - Had to go in the American Girl doll store and show her what she is in for if her Grandbaby is a girl! : ) -

For the record my husband also had dinner at The Capital Grille and said it was excellent and at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse and said it was also very good.

I think he is going to try a different hotel next time - the Courtyard right across from the Galleria looked very nice - this full service Marriott was just "okay" - he is a platinum member of Marriott so he gets use of the concierge lounge which is nice but the hotel itself was just "okay" the room was pretty tired, it appears some of the areas have been updated - they did have free laundry for guests which I was surprised at (meaning free use of a washing machine no coins to put in) and there is an indoor pool which was closed the one time I went down to swim. grrrrrrr - the gym was so-so - anyway - the hotel was just okay.

If he liked Capitol Grill, tell him to try Flemings (in the Courtyard hotel bldg.) next time. We live in the area and Flemings is our favorite for steaks.

emd3 - we love Flemings! I think he may stay at the Courtyard on his next stay - (he will be there often) and will most likely eat at Felmings. I believe he and the above mentioned poster ate at Flemings when he was in Richmond and he went to dinner with Janet and husband.

my mom and I ate at flemings in the courtyard while there! It was a good meal. I think the flemings in Richmond is a nicer atmosphere, but the food was just as good!

I believe he and the above mentioned poster ate at Flemings when he was in Richmond and he went to dinner with Janet and husband.
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We had a great time with him at Flemings

I just noticed this thread about my former hometown. Good to see that you got great reccos for Tachibana and that you took that advice.

Well of course it was mrwunrful and kuranosuke who took me to Tachibana. I need to go back there. We have a very good suchi restaurant close to our house, but Tachibana is worth going to tysons for, even w/all that awful beltway construction in that area. Mrwnrfl, you left Tysons at the right time, IMO. The traffic is worse than ever there now, and it isn't going to get better either. But there is good food and shopping in that part of Northern VA, that is for sure.