kja,

That looks very different and interesting for dinner.

Unless I misunderstood, I found it amusing that reservations are not required (I take that to mean they don't take reservations) yet they list a reservation phone number.

My wife is a book person.

Thanks.

Kramer's can get very crowded and there is often a wait, during which browsing can be a delightful option. Enjoy!

kayd, your mention of the pedestrian bridge at National airport was appreciated. I will have people flying in for our October reunion and I will let them know about it.

I just looked at Reagan National diagrams.

Are there 2 Metro stops or just 1 Metro stop with separate exits to Terminal C and Terminal B?

If we're going to want to wander around for a while after dinner how does Dupont Circle compare to Foggy Bottom?

One Metro stop. It is a very small airport.

There is one Metro station but there are two pedestrian bridges from the terminal. The bridge closest to the actual entrance of the metro station is the one further north. The other bridge will get you there -- you'll just walk through the covered parking lot to do so.

Foggy Bottom is residential, GW University, neighborhood bars & restaurants, groceries (Trader Joes, Whole Foods) and other businesses that service residents and students. You can walk down 23rd Street to the Lincoln Memorial. You can walk to the east end of Georgetown which is a little more of the traditional Georgetown than further west which tends to be high end but generic shopping.

Dupont Circle is residential and a lot more retail businesses and bars/restaurants. More of a destination. I've listed a few of the restaurants we go to for an average night out, not special occasion. But there are many many more and you're more likely to just come upon one that looking's interesting to you here than in Foggy Bottom.

I completely second the rec for Kramer Books (for me, more to browse than eat). Across Connecticut Ave from Kramer is Dolcezza -- some of the best coffee and gelato in the city.

These are some of the places we go for good food, decent prices, no nonsense setting except for West End Bistro. You mostly won't need a booking. Pizza Paradiso is very popular with tourists and they don't take bookings.

Dupont Circle:

Bua Thai
Heritage India
Malgudi's (South Indian)
Pizza Paradiso
Food Corner Kabob House
Julia's Empanadas (take away only)
Rosemary's Thyme Bistro
Circa (big happy hour and beyond crowd, no res)

Foggy Bottom/East End Gtown:

Le Chaumiere (might need a res)
Kaz Sushi Bistro (might need a res)
Burger Tap & Shake (chain)
Roti (Chicago, DC, NY chain)
Devon and Blakely
Sweetgreens
Charmed Thai
Das Ethiopian
West End Bistro (wonderful food, flies under the tourist radar but probably need to book)
Circa

loveitaly & obxgirl,

Thanks. This info is very helpful.

There are also quite a few restaurants around I street near Farragut West.

If you don't mind eating early and in the bar, Taberna del Alabardero on 18th has an excellent happy hour, I think 3pm to 7pm weekdays, half off tapas and sangria. However it is very popular so getting a seat may be hit or miss. It is a branch of a Spanish restaurant from Spain.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/taberna-del-...ero-washington

Myer - to be clear, at DCA airport Metro station the track is elevated so there is an escalator from the track level to the footbridge leading into the airport. There is also an elevator.

SmartTrip is, hands down, the way to go. The $2 card charge is recovered with your fist round trip journey given that paper farecards now impose a $1 per ride surcharge. The service center at Metro Center station is notoriously slow, I would avoid it if at all possible and just buy your SmartCard at the first station you enter. The dispensing machine is different than the bank of farecard / fare add machines you see when you enter the station. Ask the agent to point out the smaller SmartCard dispensing machine.

obxgirl's list is terrific - many of my favorites. I'll third the recco for Kramerbooks & Afterwords - has been a favorite haunt for decades though I, too, do more browsing than eating there these days. Great for coffee and dessert, though if forced to choose I'd go with Dolcezza for sure - absolutely luscious gelato. A couple blocks above Dupont Circle at Connecticut and S is the Bistrot du Coin, which is like a quick trip to Paris. www.bistrotducoin.com

Enjoy!

We only have 2 dinner nights (3 nights but we arrive late Sunday night and have a 7PM flight on Wed).

At this point the choices are The Bottom Line right near the Farragut Metro station, Bertucci'S of Dupont Sq (a few blocks below Dupont Sq but closes 9:30) or Bistrot du Coin (I wish it was a few blocks further south).

Kramer & Afterwards appears more like a browser than an eater but might be good for dessert and/or browsing.


I agree, it's going to be SmarTrip card for sure. I think I'll look at buying it online if possible.

The elevators in Metro stations clinched it for taking the Blue line to DCA. That looks like a 15 minute ride or so.

Thanks for all the help. This makes it easy.

I find the Bistrot du Coin so painfully loud that I've never managed to eat there. Others really enjoy it.

Anybody know anything about Bertucci's as I don't have a rec. Just selected it because of location and menu. That will only work if we're there early which is doubtful in early June.

I believe it closes at 9:30PM. Too early I think. They must know.

I like Bistrot du Coin a lot--guess I'm one of those who doesn't find it unbearable loud. Sorry, I don't know anything about Bertucci's.

There's a chain of casual cafes called Le Pain Quotidien in various locations around the city, including Dupont Circle, that I like a lot for a quick breakfast or lunch; lots of healthy, European style options, plus (not as healthy!) delicious breads and jams.

Firehook Bakery is a great little stop for a quick snack; cookies to die for.

Hamish - welcome to Fodor's!
The disadvantage to farecards (the paper card) is that they now carry a surcharge of $1 <u>per trip</u>. So, the $2 cost of a SmartTrip card is recovered on the first round trip ride. SmartTrip cards are easily available at metro stations.

Is there a way to recycle or turn a SmartTrip card back in? Can it be given to someone else? Anyone making what they think will be a one-time trip to DC might not want to hang on to the darn thing indefinitely, as buying another one in the event of another trip would only cost the $2. Just curious.

I think there is someway you can get a refund or you could just give it to someone on your way out (just make sure you have swiped the exit turnstile). I did this with a couple of MetroCards in the past.

People have suggested leaving it in hotel rooms as part of a tip for housekeeping with a note explaining that.

You can turn in the SmarTrip card for remaining refund:

SmarTrip Customer Service Center
P.O Box 220568
Chantilly, VA 20153

NewbE: I'm wondering the same thing. I bought 2 SmartTrip cards for our visit next month and loaded the cards with more than I think we'll use, hoping I could pass the unused balance to our friends who live down there. Hope someone answers your question.