Washington D.C family friendly restaurant
 

My family of 4 (w/ a 12 and 16 year old) need a recommendation for a restaurant in D.C for dinner later this month. We are staying at Courtyard Washington Embassy Row and would prefer to walk (we also have a car). The last time we went we ate at Clydes. I would like something like Clydes (but not Clydes) or an Italian restaurant. If possible, something local as copared to a national chain.

If you don't mind a nice ten minute walk up Connecticut Ave in what we hope is good weather, try 2 Amy's. I have never eaten there but it has a very good reputation.

2 Amys is off of Wisconsin, not Connecticut, and it's far from the Courtyard.

One of the best Washington things to do would be to stroll down to the rooftop at the Hotel Washington, at the corner of 15th St. and Pennsylvania. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the Old Ebbitt is also on 15th St., across from the Treasury between F and G (you'll pass it on the way to the Hotel Washington).

Walking toward Dupont Circle, Luna Grill on Connecticut Avenue is a casual comfort-food type place: http://www.lunagrillanddiner.com/about_us/about_us.html

In the same general direction, you might consider the "Afterwords Cafe" which is part of Kramerbooks and Afterwords: http://www.kramers.com/index.cfm
(don't be put off by the adult-themed advertisments I just saw on the website -- it is a very mild-mannered place perfectly appropriate for families)

Thank you Moon Girl. How farm are these two places from my hotel?

yhat's "from"

Both of Moongirl's suggestions are about a 5 minute stroll from your hotel through some nice areas.

You are also very close to the best "restaurant block" in DC : P st. between 20th and 21st. On that block your family will like Mimi's (menu similar to Clydes) or Al Tiramisu (Italian).

http://www.mimisdc.com/

http://www.altiramisu.com/

If you want more, also on the block are:

Montsouris (French)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...&id=800493

Pizzaria Paradiso (guess)
http://www.eatyourpizza.com/

Pesce (seafood)
http://www.pescebistro.com/

Obelisk (fancy Italian)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...&id=792579

All fantastic.

Pizzeria Paradiso has excellent gourmet pizzas - good place for a mixed group of kids + adults. It's a small place and they don't take reservations - so go early or be prepared to wait. As previous posters have mentioned - there are lots of restaurants right around Dupont Circle so you'll have lots to choose from.

You could also try Raku, a very good pan-asian place right off Dupont Circle at the corner of Q and Conn. Ave.

If you wanted to go all the way to Georgetown, Paolo's is nice for Italian. I think it is just a local chain but I could be wrong. It is semi-upscale without being too stuffy and the food is good. I love their giant caesar salad and tortellini rosa. Here's a link:

http://www.paolosristorante.com/loca...eorgetown.aspx

Two more Italian restaurants on Connecticut just above Dupont Circle: Sette Osteria (has outdoor seating - now that the weather is finally warm!) and Anna Maria's. No firsthand information on either -- but on the same street is Bistrot Du Coin, which is a big, casual, fun French place.