I will be in DC from 3/13 to 3/17. I've chosen several popular restaurants to eat at (w/ the help of this board!) Anyway, do I need reservations? I'm not sure what time we'll want to eat, but I don't want to be stuck w/ a 2 hr wait. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

Without knowing what restaurants you've chosen, I'm making a generalization but I would recommend making reservations on the weekends, for sure. Also 3/17 is St. Patricks day so choose your restaurant wisely. Also, some places are closed on Mondays so factor that into your decision too. Go to Open Table (www.opentable.com) to make reservations online (there are many restaurants affiliated with this site). It streamlines the whole process since it will show you what times are available. I've used it many times and have found it to be the greatest way to organize the times/days of my vacation dinners.

Elaine,
Here are two list of restauants I culled from my other posts. The first is the "dupont - mostely inexpensive" and the second is "best of dupont"

"dupont - mostly inexpensive":
Message: None of these places need a reservation unless noted otherwise.

Johnny's Half Shell - "Don't Miss!"
Moderate. Get a 1/2 a poor bo' (lunch only) and some gumbo. Don't skip the gumbo. Reservation needed at dinner but not at lunch. Here's website: http://www.johnnyshalfshell.net

Teaism - 2009 R St. NW Inexpensive. Best breakfast. Also good for lunch.

Brickskeller - 1523 22nd St. NW Inexpensive. Saloon type food, also has ENORMOUS beer selection.

Cafe Luna - 1633 P St. NW
Inexpensive - pastas, salads and more.

Carvan Grill - 1825 18th St. NW
Inexpensive - persian

Julia's Empanadas - 1221 Connecticut Ave. NW GREAT!
Very inexpensve.

Cafe Citron - 1343 Connecticut Ave.,
Inexpensive - Bolivian
Don't go at night (crowded nighclub)

Skewers 1633 P St. NW
Inexpensive - Middle Eastern

Bacchus - 1827 Jefferson Pl. NW
Lebonese - Moderate



Here's the "best of dupont" - these places will likely need a reservation between 7-9pm, especially weekends
"best of dupont":
Johnny's Half Shell - 2002 P St., NW 202-296-2021

Pizzeria Paradiso - 2029 P St., NW

Obelisk - 2029 P Street, NW 202-872-1180

Pesce Trattoria - 2016 P Street NW 202-466-3474

Gabriel - 2121 P Street, NW 202-956-6690

Teaism - 2009 R street NW

Bistro du Coin - 1738 Connecticut Ave., NW 202-234-6969

Cafe Odeon 1714 Conn. Ave., NW 202- 328-6228

Tabard Inn - 1739 N St., NW 202-785-1277


Iron Gate Inn - 1734 N St., NW 202-737-1370

Firefly - 1310 New Hampshire Ave., NW 202-296-7600

Komi 1509 17th St NW 202-332-9200

Vidalia - 1990 M Street, NW 202-659-1990 (just south of Dupont, actually downtown)


Here's the master list of Dupont area eats. Click on the places your interested in, then click on "map" to get the restaurants location on a map.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...nt&option=4000

Change to previous post - no reservations at Teaism or Pizzaria Paradiso (depending on time of night - you may wait for pizza). Otherwise, suggest you reserve for rest of "best of" list. Generally, you can walk in and sit anywhere at lunch time - especially if you get there before 12:15pm. At dinner, you might also have your hotel make reservations for you. Make sure you RECONFIRM on the day of your reservation or you might be in for an unpleasant surprise.

Thanks so much Bardo. I'll study this list and make my choices and reservations from it. I simply can't thank you enough for the valuable info. I can't wait for the trip!

I know you asked originally about reservations, but since bardo got his list going, I will add one: if you are up around the White House area/on the Mall, and if you like hip Asian (what else do you call this?) try Ten-Pehn. Excellent food, nice setting, great service. Love it. But make a reservation!