Hi - going to DC for a weekend getaway this weekend and am looking for some recommendations on where to get a good dinner. Staying on PA Ave. near the White House, but not adverse to traveling somewhere Metro convienent. Prefer good Italian, American or Seafood fare, moderate expensive to cheap (not looking for super-expensive.. no more than 17-25 an entree)

Thanks!

Erika, you need to start with the Zagats for DC ... that'll handle your basic needs. You didn't mention asian ... which we have a lot of ... espcially Thai and Vietnamese. A suggestion: when someone mentions seafood, someone always suggests Kinkeads. Fine but a bit expensive. You can do just as well in Old Town Alexandria. Zagats really will help you a lot!!! Make the investment. And whatever you do, don't automatically settled on Old Ebbett's Grill (the ultimate tourist destination) .. it's near where you're staying. Have a nice trip to DC. Ciao

I've lived in the D.C. area for fourteen years. My husband and I recently "discovered" Old Ebbitt's Grill a couple of years ago and make it a regular stop whenever we are in DC. At Christmastime, we make a special trip to the city to see the National Christmas Tree and then a hot toddy at Old Ebbitt's. Just because it's known as a tourist spot doesn't mean it isn't worth going to. To really get the flavor, sit at the bar so you can socialize with others. Lots of locals go there for Happy Hour because the deal on oysters on the half shell. Yum!

Hanna, I'm happy you like Ebbitt's ... but really, try some of our other places when you come here next time. You are just not giving DC a chance. This restaurant is not even in its original location, which was historic. Now it's right there on 15th Street, across from Treasury, and the food is so-so, believe me. And it is always crowded and noisy. Give Erika a break and stop the hard sell on what is just a tourist spot ... there are others that are better. Ciao

LEONE

you are really annoying.. very controlling. opninated.

why dont YOU make suggestions about restaurants in DC rather than putting down the person recomending Ebbitts?

Thanks for the support. Since Erika is staying so close by, ONE visit to Old Ebbitt's is in order, right?

Erika, there are SO many good restaurants in the area. For example, some of the best Vietnamese food can be found at Taste of Saigon, in Rockville, MD. They have a location in Tysons Corner, VA, as well, but I haven't been there personally. The one in Rockville is right off Metro's redline, too. An excellent source of restaurant reviews is our local magazine, The Washingtonion. I'm not sure if they're available on line or not. In any event, my husband and I are in search of a new "favorite" Italian restaurant as our old favorite burned down. Any suggestions out there from other locals?

Hi, XXX, forgive me, but I did recommend a good strategy. Controlling ... LOL ... anything but. Opinions, well sure ... lifeblood of the thinking person. But to the issue: Hanna says she's a DC area resident, and that she discovered Ebbitts, and has now made it a holiday tradition. But does she go there to celebrate our holy Festival of the Tourists?. Anyway, surely you must be smiling by now ... this testimonial to Old Ebbitts. My god, next someone will chime in about the fine dining at the Post Office Pavillion. I've taken too much of you time ... have a nice day. Ciao

For goodness sakes, "L" -- stop being such a jerk and stop putting words in my mouth. If you don't have anything useful to say, don't post. And where do you get off with the "Holy Festival of Tourists" comment anyway? If you think DC is too "touristy" why don't you move?

Well, Erika is in DC for only one weekend, so why not suggest restaurants actually in DC? Why send Erika miles and miles outside DC to Rockville, Md. for asian, or to Tysons Corner, Va. (which has no subway service and nothing, and mean nothing outstanding in terms of restaurants ... trust me, I know TC like the back of my hand after 30 years here). Well, Erika, at least look at a map before you buy in. Sorry, I don't mean to be uncivil but it could be Hanna lives someplace outside DC. As for Italian places, look at Zagats ... there are at least two nice ones in Adams-Morgan and two others at Dupont Circle, both just 5 minutes by taxi from your hotel. There are two on Pa. Ave. only five blocks from Treasury. Look at Zagats, or an Access Guide for DC, by all means. Ciao

check out

Kinkades
Vidalia
Bis

L - I don't mean any disrepect, but I am fully aware that I can look up restaurants in any guidebook - as well as have the concierge book reservations at his/her personal favorite. I am kind of looking for someone who has had first hand experience at a particular restaurant that they would like to recommend. While Zagats and Washington Post reviews are fine as guides - they can never replace first hand knowledge. Is there no one out there who has actually EATEN at a restaurant they would like to recommend. -At least in that regard Hanna has one upped you in that she has actually dined at her recommendation.

I recently ate at a Vietnamese restaurant name Saigon something in Adams Morgan. Good restaurant, but wasn't thrilled with the neighborhood. I don't know why Adams Morgan gets all the hype, there wasn't anything more than restaurants and a bookstore.

Sigh. "L," if you actually READ my original post, I never said I lived IN the District, but in the area. Gaithersburg, to be exact. At least I actually ate at Old Ebbitt's and found it to be actually quite good. I was really hoping some other local DINERS would make some personal recommendations, as that is probably what Erika is really after.

Well, Erika and Hanna, I'll leave it with you. But FYI, Erika, your assumption is wrong. I "discovered" it in late 1967, in its old location around the corner on F Street. I've eaten in most of the restaurants in this city, and nonetheless, I keep a copy of the latest Zagats and Access at my fingertips. If I need them, perhaps someone not as familiar with the DC scene might find a tiny bit of value in them too. Or perhaps not. Either way, welcome to DC. Ciao

Well, it looks like the DC non-experts are really out in force today. Now we learn that Adams-Morgan is no great shakes, just restaurants and a bookstore. Wow, Mary, tell it to the 25,000 who live and play there ... I know they'd be interested to hear your reinterpretation of their neighborhood. Well, good luck, Erika. BTW, you know Zagats is for free on the internet, at least in abbreviated form. Ciao

One of my favorites is an Italian restuarant called La Tomato (I think that's how it's spelled). It's about a block from the Dupont Circle metro stop. It fits your price range. There are a ton of restaurants in this area. Within walking distance of your hotel on F Street is The Oceanaire - a seafood place. Lunch is within your price range - not sure about dinner. On F St there are several restaurants between 15th & the Oceanaire. Red Sage (upstairs fits your price range), M&S Grill (which maybe seafood), a very good Spanish one (can't remember the name). For a great view, the rooftop of Hotel Washington (also within walking distance). Mostly salads and sandwiches but everything less than $15. The view is actually better from the inside part. Atleast go there for a drink.

L, you are way out of line on this thread. You have not suggested a single restaurant for Erika from your vast well of experience. You have simply told her (1) read Zagat's and (2) don't go anyplace others have suggested.

Honestly, you give the Zagat's response a lot on this board, and it is really beside the point. People want personal, non-commercial recommendations on this board. They don't want to be directed to a book or a website if someone is capable of providing a more personal answer.

As for me, I don't eat out in DC much, but I've heard good things about The Grill From Ipanema in Adams Morgan. I haven't been there, so I can't give it a personal nod. Maybe L can help there?

Thanks Jill for the recommendation of La Tomato. I was in DC early in June and stayed near Dupont Circle. P street up there seems to be the "restaurant row" of DC - so I think we'll be heading up that way!

For seafood, I personally liked Pesce on P Street in Dupont Circle. However, I have not been there for awhile since our friend Justin is no longer the chef, so I don't know if it has changed. Old Ebbitt Grill has always held a special place in my heart since my husband took me there almost 10 years ago before he proposed to me. Actually, I've never had a bad meal there. If you want to look up Washingtonian magazine, it's at www.washingtonian.com.

I must defend my honor against Leone.

I do not live in DC, was visiting like Erika. I guess I should have mentioned it in my post. After spending a wonderful day in the "tourist" area around the mall, went to Adams Morgan for dinner. Various guide books say it's "the place." I didn't find it to be that way. Maybe if I lived in DC I would think differently, but I doubt it.

Anyway, the restaurant was good. Was tempted to try the Ghana restaurant because that type of cuisine is not available in the hinterlands.