What is a good restaurant in Washington DC? I'm looking for something with lots of ambience/moderatley priced.

Question

My bf just got back from Iraq, and we'll be in DC for a weekend. We're staying at the DoubleTree Crystal City hotel, it's very close to Ronald Reagan Int'l. Where's a good area/restaurant to go? I'd like something fun and different, but not priced out of this world. A place where I could wear a casual dress would be a plus. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hey, Katie, it's not International, but National Airport.

The airport itself has a Metro station attached to it. If you shoot down the Yellow or Blue line a few stops to the King Street station, you can catch a free shuttle there on weekends down King Street, where there are tons of restaurants and cute little shops. It's a nice walk, provided it's not too cold or hot.

You can also take the Yellow Line north into DC and check out the Gallery Place area--very touristy, but there are a couple of decent restaurants there and a handful of chain-type places. There's also a movie theatre there if you're so inclined.

I personally avoid malls in the middle of December, but if you don't mind fighting the crowds, there is one at the Pentagon City stop. If you go through the food court at the Pentagon City mall, you'll get to Pentagon Row, an outdoor shopping area that also has a few nice restaurants and a skating rink, if I recall.

I'm vegan, so I don't eat at most of these restaurants, I just notice they might be right for someone else. When I go to King Street, I usually eat at Hard Times Cafe (they have great veggie chili!).

Hope you and your boyfriend have a lovely weekend.

Answer 2

I'd do Jaleo: http://www.jaleo.com/crystalCity.htm It's a Spanish tapas place so you can order small plates to share (they average about $6 per plate) and try several different dishes that way, as well as control your cost. Get a pitcher of sangria to go along with your food :) On Friday nights they have live music... Spanish flamenco guitarists... and the chef has won several awards including James Beard and Bon Appetit Chef of the Year. It's great food with a slightly upscale but very fun atmosphere. You can't go wrong - lol

Jaleo - Crystal City location
2250 A Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]

Answer 3

Take the metro into DC and go to the Tabbard Inn. It's only a 20 min metro ride from Crystal City. Its located on a quiet street in the center of DC in an old house and has a number of fireplaces and good food.

Answer 4

That's wonderful. Being an army brat i am really grateful for people like your bf. Washington DC is very expensive, i live in Arlington so i know. there are few that meet all of your criteria. go to where the locals are, even if they are in suits and blazers, politicians and lawmakers may be wealthy but they wont spend a lot of money for food. Where there are normal dressed people and politicians in the same place the prices are nice and the food is even better. Have your bf wear something that shows he was in the military. Chances are when your waiter sees it they'll charge yoiu less for dinner.

Answer 5

Look up the Little Fountain Cafe, on 18th Street, in Adams Morgan (DC). Its set in an English basement, so it doesn't get much drop in traffic--people go there because they know about it, not because they've just dropped in off the street. It's small and very intimate, but rarely crowded. It's also relatively casual and moderately priced, but the food is terrific and they have a small but very good wine list.

Answer 6

Try the Old Ebbitt near the White House. It's busy and interesting (some of the West Wing scenes were filmed there).

It's reasonably priced and local to all the sites in D.C.

Answer 7

try here my best restaurant. http://carmineristoranteitaliano.dgte.ph