The Brickskellar's one of my favorite places, but I don't think I've ever seen kids in there. Of course, I'm usually there on a Friday or Saturday night.

Just pray you don't get the young blonde guy for a waiter--we waited over an hour between drinks.

Thanks Jim! and all who responded.

So far my list of possible restaurants reads like this...How am I doing?

Mimi's-for sure
Brickskeller-for sure
Old Ebbit Grill- for sure
Otello-Maybe
Panevino-Maybe
Irelands four Provinces-Maybe
McCormicks and Schmicks-Maybe
Old Post Office Pavilion-For Sure
Union Station-For Sure

So, what do you think? I also need more ideas as we will be there 7 days. Any info on an Italian place called Maggianos or something like that? Read about it somewhere and can't find it now. Also, recommendations for a decent(not fancy) seafood place?

You have been really really helpful..I can't get over the details provided in the reviews and the great suggestions. My thanks to you all.

Maggiano's is a nice (not stuffy though) Italian place located at Mazza Gallery round about the 5000 block of Wisconsin Ave., NW. Has a bakery in front and dining area in the back. There's also the Cheesecake Factory (chain, but good food and huge portions....kids can share 1 plate). Also, Panevinos in the Reagan Bldg is no more. Replaced by Jordans (yes, Michael) new restaurant. Quite nice, but you should probably make reservations.

For a good view, there is dining at the top of the Hotel Washington - part is indoors and part outdoors. I think the indoors might actualy have a better view. The menu is sandwiches/salads everything less than $10. You look at the top of the White House, some of the Mall, etc. This was open after Sept 11 (it's open from May-Sept)but you might call first to make sure it will be open this summer (constantly changing security stuff here in DC).
The Old Post Office Pavillion is a food court.
Pentagon City Mall (metro stop is right there) has a food court and some restaurants that are family type places.
Go to Old Town Alexandria - lots of restuarants including seafood ones.
I agree with previous posters to avoid the seafood places on the DC waterfront (Phillips,etc)

I second the recommendations for the Brickskellar--the beer selection is great. Another suggestion in the same area (around the corner on P Street towards Dupont Circle) is Pizza Paradiso. Delicious gourmet pizzas, casual restaurant. Good for lunch or dinner. Other suggestions are Spices on Connecticut Avenue (across from Ireland's 4 Provinces)--it's asian food (sushi, Thai, japanese), don't know if they have any kids' food, but it's bright & active, and the sushi bar is very long so your kids could watch them preparing the food. Also, you might like Old Glory in Georgetown (pub type food). Mexican food suggestions are Cactus Cantina (Wisconsin Ave), Rio Grande (Ballston metro station, another in Bethesda near metro), Austin Grill & South Austin Grill. McCormick & Schmidt's is good seafood, but can be expensive. Definitely stay away from the restaurants along the waterfront in SW (Phillips, Pier 7, etc.).

Dumb question- but is that the same Maggiano's as in Chicago? That place had loads of atmosphere. Traditional Italian fare, huge portions ,great prices. Would like to know if it's the same as we are going in Aug. Thanks

If you end up going across the river into Old Town Alexandria (metro stop: King Street), there are more restaurants there. There's another thread going right now with people offering a lot of suggestions for Alexandria restaurants. Another suggestion is to head to Pentagon City (it's a mall with the Pentagon City metro stop inside--2 stops from L'Enfant). In Pentagon City Mall there's a big food court. Next to the Mall, are two more malls (one on each side). Pentagon Row (has a big Bed Bath & Beyond and Harris Teeter in it) has Baja Fresh (mexican fast-food--great for lunch), also Lebanese Taverna. The other mall Pentagon Centre (has a big Best Buy and Costco in it) has California Pizza Kitchen and Chevy's (mexican). Crystal City has lots more of the chain restaurants, Hamburger Hamlet, Chili's, Legal Seafoods etc.

The Maggiano's in Chevy Chase (Friendship Heights metro) is part of the Maggiano's chaing. Also in the same mall is a Cheesecake Factory.

Ok, My updated list. I figure we will carry it with us and then when dinner time comes we will decide based on where we are or what kind of food we want. Do these choices sound ok? Any other recommendations? Thanks!

Washington DC Restaurants

Mimi’s American Bistro-singing waiters-on P Street
Otello –Italian Food-Dupont Circle Metro Station(south exit) south on Connecticut 1 block
Old Ebbit Grill –15th street NW, between F & G Streets
Irelands Four Provinces Connecticut Avenue, Cleveland Park Station on Metro
McCormick’s and Schmicks – On K Street
Brickskeller- Burgers and Pizza-1523 22nd Street NW
The Fish Market (old town Alexandria)
Filomena
Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Capitol City Brewing Company (11th & H street one block north of metro center stop)
Reeves Restaurant and Bakery-For Lunch (1306 G street nw)
Maggiano’s- Italian-5000 of Wisconsin NW
Cactus Cantina-Mexican-Wisconsin Avenue

I would replace the Cactus Cantina with the upstairs at Red Sage. (Downstairs is a dressier thang)

Ok Big Red, sounds good to me....where is "upstairs at Red Sage"? Is this upstairs from the Cactus Cantina or is somewhere else entirely? We don't want to do dressy, we want casual decent food that is family friendly!

Thanks for the input!

Does anyone have any feedback on THE FRONT PAGE or THE OXFORD TAVERN/ZOO BAR? I will be taking a 5 year old with me. Is the food good? Pricey? Is it age appropriate?
Have certificates for them both . . . .

Hi All! Thanks again for the great info!

Anybody got any input on Ben's Chili Bowl? My husband saw some politician or another on TV eating in this place, which looks like a dive to me, so now he want to check it out. Is it worth it?

Also interested in info on the two restaurants listed above by Justme.

I don't know anything about the Oxford Tavern Bar, but I would stay away from the Front Page with a 5 year old. It's a big happy hour/bar scene (especially Thurs & Fri nights) with DJ, dancing, people doing shots and heavy drinking. It's a good bar scene, but not for a 5 year old.

Anyone want to buy 2 Gift Certificates??!! I bought these before we knew we were taking a 5 year old!

Thanks for the quick response Pete.

ttt

Re: Ben's Chili Bowl - a total DC institution, best cheese fries in the world, great chili. Yes, it's a dive, but it's a wonderful place with great music on the jukebox, friendly staff, and excellent cheap food. I definitely think you should check it out.

I don't know if you've decided on your one "fancy" meal yet, but a couple of suggestions... 1789 in Georgetown is a wonderful place, very cozy and very historic. Some other favorites of mine are Cafe Atlantico (Latin and Caribbean - located near MCI Center), Equinox (American w/ some Italian flavor - located near the White House), Obelisk (Italian - Dupont Circle), DC Coast (seafood - downtown). You can get reviews of all these on the washington post website if you want to find out more.

Don't replace Cactus Cantina with Red Sage. We've eaten at CC many times, and its excellent. Cute place, great food. If you venture up north to Silver Spring for any reason there is a great, cheap, Guatemalan Restuarant called La Bamba - Excellent. On the Red line (Metro)

Is 1789 an OK kids place? We don't want to "dress up" too much, would decent (not sloppy) sightseeing clothes work? What kind of food do they have. I keep seeing this restaurant come up on this board but always in regard to "special" or "romantic" or "good wine" or something like that. Would it work for a casual but nice family dinner?

Thanks!