I had some pot roast at Georgia Brown's that was fabulous. Great recommendation, Dukey!

Not sure what region you're looking for - Georgia Brown's is southern or low country food. They have a great Sunday jazz brunch with food that is definitely Southern.

So much good info from you all. I will be looking at all your recommendations for restaurants, including something expensive. We dollar cost average, expensive one night, cheap the next. Kja; Stu would like to talk to you. Not sure if you want to reveal your e mail. But if you key in his name above, you may find his e mail.

kja..just wanted to thank you for getting to Syd's concert in DC. The eastern, midwest tour was highly successful and he's back here in California now.
stu tower

Hi, Stu - It was most definitely MY pleasure to attend Syd's concert! I thoroughly enjoyed the music and the way they interacted with the audience and each other. I'm glad to hear their tour was a success (they deserve it!) and will be watching for the next time they are in town. Thanks again making sure I knew about it and for following up. Happy Holidays! - kja
(And thanks, Richard, for letting Stu and I use your thread to pass messages!)

Just booked the Westin in Georgetown for two nights. Cost $60 dollars and 4000 points per night. I think I did OK. Will start looking at all the restaurant suggestions.

Another yes vote for Georgia Brown's. I've eaten there twice on two separate trips and both times it was excellent. From the cornbread right through to dessert...one of my favorite meals.

We want to spend a day visiting Mt. Vernon and Alexandria. Our intent is to take the 8:30am boat from downtown D.C. to Mt. Vernon. Spend perhaps three hours visiting Mt. Vernon and then visit Alexandria. We would have dinner in Alexandria. I think I know how to get back to the JR Marriott. Dash bus A2 or A5 to King Street metro. Change at L'Enfant Plaza to Metro Center and then walk. Does that work? But how do I get from Mt. Vernon to Alexandria, 'Old Town'?

I looked at the DASH bus map you mentioned, the Fairfax Connector bus (South County) map, and used Metro's trip planner and I could be mistaken but I think you would have to take two busses from Mount Vernon to get to Old Town.

Another option is taking a taxi.

Or you could take the Fairfax connector referred to on the Mount Vernon website (www.mountvernon.org) to the Huntington Metrorail station and then Metrorail to King Street and walk or bus from there. I think a taxi might be a better idea and I can try to find an estimate fare for you.

Hi vipb-lovesitaly [Me too] Thanks for the information. Perhaps a taxi is the best way back to Alexandria. I think it's only about 8 miles. Getting to Mt. Vernon, we would probably take the boat. Always lovely to see land from the water. Dinner will most likely be at Gatsby's Tavern. Seems like much fun.

A taxi is probably your easiest bet for getting from Mt. Vernon to Alexandria. I'd guesstimate it's about an $18 fare if you call one to pick you up. Alexandria has a number of local cab companies. In the days prior to cell phones, there was a cab stand at Mt. V but I'm guessing that's long gone.

Don't bother with the Dash buses. There is a free trolley that goes up and down King Street to the metro station. Or it's a very pleasant walk, maybe 20 minutes up King from Gadsby's Tavern.

Once at the station you'll board either a Blue or Yellow line train. If Blue, you can stay on it until you get to Metro Center. If Yellow, you'll change to either a Blue or Orange line train at L/Enfant Plaza to go to Metro center.. I think either trip will take you 20-25 minutes.

If Gadsby's Tavern is definitely your dining destination, I won't work very had to talk you out of it except to say I think there are better places to eat in Alexandria.

The Majestic Cafe (on King) has been a top DC restaurant for 5 or so years and is very focused on local & regional food. So is Restaurant Eve, another one always in the top DC area lists, which has a tasting menu & a bistro. Majestic is moderately priced and RE is very expensive. Alex has a ton of restaurants, Brabo is one of my recent favorites. Many choices and you have lots of time to plan.

obxgirl; Thanks much-good to know about the 'blue' line. Plus the trolley works after having dinner to get to the King Street metro. For Gatsby's, it seemed like a fun time, but will think about your suggestions. We do have lots of time for planning. Richard P.S. Taxi as suggested by you both is the way to go from M.V. to Alex.

obxgirl; I checked reviews on two restaurants. One you suggested that had good reviews and another I saw that had good reviews. With either, I can get a coupon. For Brabo's a $25 for $2 and must spend at least $50. Then Seagar's at the Hilton, a $75 for $6 and must spend $150. Includes alcohol, so no problem there. Do you know anything about Seagar's?

Hi RIchard, I am unfamiliar with Seagar's so I can't be of any help there. You will not struggle to spend $50 at Brabo, particularly in the dining room. Things aren't as pricey in the tasting room (last week I had the chorizo and fennel mussels in a cilantro, vermouth and tomato sauce. Lovely.) Don't think the tasting room takes reservations though. Brabo is in spitting distance of the King Street metro station.

Thank's obxgirl; Brabo's it is. Good to know the King Street metro is next door, practically. My wife loves mussels, so I know she will approve of this choice.

Our trip is now about three months away, so I'm back with more questions. I am considering buying the all inclusive seven day metro pass. I think I saw it was $47 PP. This is our thought. We will be taking the Metro from Regan just after 1:30pm ater arrival. On our departure we will be taking the Metro at 11:30am to Regan. Then on one full day, we will take the Metro from DC to Huntington Station and then the Fairfax Connector bus [#101 to Mt. Vernon-Fort Hunt line] arriving about 9am. Planning about three hours at Mt. Vernon. Then as suggested, we will take a cab to Alexandria and spend the afternoon in the old town. Perhaps about 6pm we will have dinner at Brabos and then Take the King Street Metro back to DC. Our last rip we walked everywhere. This trip we will use the Metro during on and off hours, sometimes in the outer districts, like Union Station or the Cathedral. But also downtown. [We walked everywhere last trip]. It seems like cost wise, the seven day pass works. Even for conveniencee, like not waiting in lines to buy an additional ticket if we had a limited pass. Suggestions welcome. Thanks Richard P.S. We are there for five days.

"Our trip is now about three months away, so I'm back with more questions. I am considering buying the all inclusive seven day metro pass. I think I saw it was $47 PP."


There are some fare changes coming soon.

http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/met...s.cfm?AID=1086

In addition to the above, the following is on the passes page"

"7-Day Fast Pass $47
Pass is valid for seven consecutive days of unlimited Metrorail travel. You can now load a 7-Day Fast Pass on your SmarTrip card at any Metrorail station Farecard & Passes machine or online by logging into your account. (Note: The 7-Day Fast Pass will no longer be sold as a paper fare card after August 31, 2012, and will no longer be accepted on a paper fare card after December 31, 2012.)"

http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#rail

I copied and pasted it because I thought the Note in parens would be relevant.