Visiting Washington DC first week in June
 

I am lucky enough to accompany my lovely wife as she is a presenter at a conference in the Nations capital. I haven't been to DC since I was kicked out of the FBI building in 1968...the day MLK was assassinated.

Seeing how that was a looong time ago, I would love to have some current restaurant recommendations for lunch or dinner.

I am bound and determined to finish that FBI building tour, although I hear it is in a new building.

Also, if there are any seasonal events during that time period that are recommended, I would appreciate any information.

Thank you greatly in advance,

thereyet

Any one, some one?

Sorry, you're going to have to wait even longer to complete that tour. According to the FBI's official website, they no longer offer tours of the building.

Dang it! I guess a drive by will have to do.

thereyet

Hey, thereyet. I couldn't respond earlier because I was traveling to DC!!!!! Trip report to come.
That time of year should be lovely in DC. It is a great city. Where are you staying?

I have had good meals at Bistro Lepic in Georgetown, Vidalia (wonderful), Corduroy, and Urbana. All usually have good reviews on chowhound. I have also enjoyed Sesto Senso on Connecticut which others have not enjoyed as much.

Go to washingtonpost.com city guide for more info on happenings.

Forgot to add that the Wash Post, today, had a great review on the new chef at Mio.

Nationals game at their new stadium.

Thanks Birdie and t. I am staying at the Omni Shoreham, any one know about this place? I am guessing it is just run of the mill.

I do have to look at the Nationals schedule, as my son and I would Love that. Maybe even the A's will be in town for some interleague play.

I will check out your link and the restaurant picks of yours Birdie.

I have just started planning as I only found out I was going this morning. Not one to fool around with the planning end of things am I.

thereyet

I've stayed at the Omni Shoreham, in late 2004. It's a very nice place, lovely grounds and the rare DC outdoor pool (when are you going?). The concierge was wonderful. Nearest Metro stop is Woodley Park, same as the zoo. Interesting casual ethnic restaurants along Calvert.

So the Nationals will be at home against the other Bay Area team, I guess that will have to do. Go Giants!

thereyet

Oops, just noticed the date in your thread title, sorry. Excellent timing, should be lovely.

Hi A, I love ethnic restaurants.

We will be there the first week of June.

I need to hit Google maps ASAP.

thereyet

You are up near the zoo. Not the most central of locations but not too bad. Of course, you'll need to vist the zoo and you might like to go over to the National Cathedral.

There is a nearby metro stop at Woodley Park. The U steet corridor and Adams-Morgan are close. I don't know if they are walking distance. I have stayed at the Marriott up there and walked down Connecticut to Dupont Circle to restaurants without trouble.

I've stayed at the Marriott Woodley Park, and you can walk anywhere from there, but that doesn't mean it's all close (we LOVE to walk). We walked to the mall, to the U Street corridor (loved our lunch at Busboys and Poets), Adams-Morgan, DuPont Circle, etc. With a metro stop right there, if you get tired, hop on the subway! Are the Nationals in their new stadium yet? We went to a game vs. the Giants last summer and took the metro there, too.

Apparently, the new stadium is OPEN!

Will be looking for tickets now.

thereyet

I hope Adams Morgan is within walking distance to the Woodley Park stop, as my daughter will be moving there in a couple of weeks and plans to use that Metro station!

I misspoke above, the restaurants are more on Connecticut Ave, not just Calvert, but you can't miss them if you're using the Metro station. Although that Marriot and the Omni aren't as convenient to the monuments and museums, it's such a pleasant area, IMHO it's worth those few extra Metro stops. You will miss the Marriott's super display of spring bulbs, but it's a nice setting anyway.

On Google maps, the Omni is south of Calvert and spread out between 28th and 24th.

The Omni Shoreham is a longtime conference and convention hotel that I think has, mostly, maintained a pretty nice stature. The neighborhood is leafy urban though as others have noted it's not especially central to the main sights (monuments, Smithsonian). Metro access is easy and close. Lots of ethnic dining opportunities nearby...spanish, ethiopian, thai, indian, lebanese. DC's a great town. Have fun.

Hi A, I have no problem with not too close to the monuments, it is "lovely" in your description that I find enticing.

Love to use subways and other modes of transport. I am guessing renting a car would be a waste?

thereyet

Here's a neighborhoods map of DC:

http://www.washingtonsbestaddress.co...orhood_map.htm

How long are you going for? If only for, say, 4 days, you'll find plenty to do "in the District" and won't need a car at all. If longer, and you want to get outside the city (Monticello, Mt. Vernon, Baltimore (Camden Yards is calling you!!), then you'll probably find a car useful. In a city with as good a public transportation system as DC, car is actually a detriment.

dml, will be there Tuesday (late) through Sunday morning. Camden Yards sounds great but I think my wife would not be happy. :( I hazard to press my luck beyond one ballgame.

Thanks obxgirl, your description sounds perfect.

In California, I miss the green leafy environs that I grew up with in Chicago and Minneapolis.

thereyet

I have an Aunt that lives in DC and she is already making plans as well, so some of the sights out of town will be reachable without renting a car as we will have a "local tour guide".

thereyet

ACK! Everything I just wrote disappeared!

Anyway, here are some of my suggestions for dining in DC:

Near Woodley Park:
Dino's Restaurant (Italian) - right across from the Cleveland Park metro station on Connecticut Ave on the red line. There are plenty other restaurants along Conn Ave that I'd want to try whenever I have time next.

Near the Mall:
Tosca Ristorante (Italian) - on 11th and F Streets

Jaleo (Spanish tapas) - on 7th & E Streets. One of my fav places in DC

Mitsitam (Native American) - in the National Museum of the American Indian. Good for lunch or a super early dinner. If the buffalo shank is being served, try it.

Georgia Brown (American Southern) - on 15th Street between I & K Streets

This is but a small list.

FYI - the FBI building is located on 9th and Pennsylvania Ave. If you want interesting spy stuff, visit the Spy Museum on 9th & E Streets.

:)

My Aunt mentioned the spy museum. I might be interested in that. As I was saying about my last trip to the FBI building...I got as far as the ten most wanted list when they ordered us to leave.

My Aunt who accompanied me and my brother remembers that it took us four hours to get home in Virginia but that there was no grid lock. Even though the City was rioting every one took turns at the stop lights which were out. She told me she was amazed at that.

mcnyc, thanks for your list. I will copy this thread and bring with to try a few.

Any other fun suggestions are always appreciated.

thereyet

Any suggestions where the Pols do power lunches?

thereyet

Capitol Grille remains THE power lunch spot in DC (even with the new rules)

http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/Loca...n=WashingtonDC

If you are interested in pol spotting, the less expensive COB cafeterias are a best bet - Cannon on Senate side - Longworth on the house side.

<i>If you are interested in pol spotting, the less expensive COB cafeterias are a best bet - Cannon on Senate side - Longworth on the house side.</i>

thereyet, is Congress in session when you're there? If not, the cafeterias will have more tourists than pols (trust me, been there).

dml, i don't know the Congressional schedule. Will have to google that one. I am hoping they are as I have contacted my congress members offices and requested visits and tickets to the WH.

bardo, Capital Grille sounds like just the ticket for lunch one day.

thereyet

I'll second the suggestion for Busboys and Poets. I like Jaleo, but think I like Zaytinya even more.

A classic spot for lunch is the Old Ebbitt Grill.

There are a number of great ethnic places near Woodley Park.

The first week of June should be a lovely time to be in DC. I love just walking outside among the monuments. Of course, there are many amazing museums as well.

3 other places for power lunches:

The Occidental - right off the Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave, closer to 15th Street

701 - at 701 Pennsylvania Ave, right off the Archives station

All serve American fare.

For some power drinks (although I don't know how old your son is), there's the Round Robin Bar at the Willard. If you enter through the Willard's main door to get to the Bar, you will pass the area where the term &quot;lobbyist&quot; first originated. You can also get food and desserts there if you wish.

As for meorable places to visit, if it's not a humid day in June, I'd head over to the WWII memorial, which I usually walk to from the Smithsonian metro stop (walking towards the Washington Monument). It's the newest monument in DC, and is just stunning. Especially at night, when it's lit.

Bardo, what new rules are you talking about? For Capital Grille?

Oops. The 3rd place would be The Willard Room, inside the Willard Hotel.

mcnyc,

The new lobbying rules. They took effect this year and have sharply reduced the opportunities for congress to have expensive lunches. They still do of course but now that it comes out of their pocket, it is not quite as often.

Ah...thanks for the explanation. :)

Thanks agian mcny and Bardo,

I do plan on visiting the WWII Memorial (night time sounds good) and the Vietnam Memorial (it has been decades since I have been to DC so this is &quot;new&quot; to me.

thereyet

Congress is in session first week of June (all month, in fact). Also the Rayburn HOB cafeteria is the only one open to the public during lunchtime - sorry about that.

Hi Bardo,

I saw that there wasn't any home district sessions scheduled on the congressional website. Where did you find that they were actually in session?

thereyet

thereyet- Semper fi, Devil Dog!

Please remember to stop at the &quot;Women in Military Service to America Memorial&quot; at Arlington National Cemetery. You'll find it informative and inspiring-- what we &quot;pioneers&quot; had to do to &quot;serve&quot; our country! :) (I'm a charter member and my story is on file there, along with dozens of others.)

Have a blast! I love DC. So much history, so much to see and do. It won't be long enough! :)

Paula

Thanks Paula, I can't wait, and I will try to squeeze in every bit of touring I possibly can. I imagine I can do a lot of damage in four full days and nights. Arlington is calling me right now.

Thanks for the tip on the Women in Service Memorial. A tougher service there never was.

thereyet

Oh! And Semper Fi!!

thereyet

Oh, I just remembered that you're using the metro. Here's a system map of the DC metro.

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm