Traveling this weekend, and would love to know if you have suggestions on places to eat that you loved in DC. We are staying in the Dupont Circle area and I know there will be plenty of expensive places to eat but we are on a budget so we'd be appreciative of suggestions of places that are moderately priced.

City Lights of China is in Dupont Circle and I love it. I haven't been in 3 yrs but my good friend was there last weekend and confirmed it was still good.

If you don't have a car, take the Metro to Gallery/Chinatown station and eat at Jaleo's (1 block from the station). The food is EXCELLENT! The tapas are affordable and although some people ordered several, I ordered one chicken dish for $8 and it was plenty for me.

Pizza Paradiso at 2029 P st> NW--great pizzas, salads and sandwiches
http://www.eatyourpizza.com/

Check out chowhounds.com.

There are tons of posts lately concerning this.

Have fun,

Steve R

I recently graduated from college in DC and had four years to try out all the restaurants the city has to offer, and there are plenty! Moderately priced restaurants in Dupont area include Panache (italian), Merkado Kitchen (asian), and Cafe Citron (latin). All are great choices with delicious food and great service.

Although not all in Dupont, all within metro ride & not expensive by DC standards:

AV Ristorante Italiano (NY Ave up near the 495)

Cactus Cantina (near National Cathedral)

Zorba's Cafe (Dupont)

Bistrot Du Coin (Dupont)

Full Kee (Chinatown)

I think City LIghts is a good idea if you like Chinese and I like Bistrot du Coin, also. It seems to me most of the restaurants around there are moderately priced, not expensive, to me. For Italian, Anna Maria's on Connecticut just above the metro stop is a good old standby and not expensive. I like it a lot.

Now I do really like Jaleo's but I would not call that cheap, and really can't imagine someone having only one of those eensy tapas dishes for dinner. I think most people would order about three per person, at least, and then you are not going to be stuffed.

You can just take a walk up to Adams Morgan area and there are plenty of cheaper restaurants (go up 18th to Columbia), and also several around WOodley Park metro to choose from, you can't go wrong going up there.

Legal Seafood,the chowder is to die for.Also great crab and green salads,love it,recommend it and everyone enjoys it,make reservations

Christina, if you are ever in Jaleo's and they have a special with chicken served on spinach, try it. It would not be called "eensy" and is a lot of food for the price.

We enjoyed Matchbox for their wood fired pizzas. It's near the MCI Center. Crowded but fun atmosphere and moderately priced. Lots of other menu choices too.

In the Dupont Circle area, Johnny's Half Shell for good seafood, oysters and crab cakes especially. Otello, also in Dupont Circle for well prepared Italian food. Both moderately priced and casual. Check Menupages for online menus of these two places.

Johnny's Half Shell has moved to larger space on Capitol Hill.

P Street from 20th to 22nd and Conn Ave north of the Circle to S have loads of restaurants of many cuisines and price ranges. Stroll and look at menus -- you'll easily find something to fit your tastes and budget.