Someone only has a few days in town, what are the 5 restaurants you would tell them they have to check out in DC/NoVa? (Alexandria: homes, wedding)

[Citizen Sane]

- If money were not a determining factor, in either direction.
- Across any cuisine.
- Casual to Upscale.

What are the places that speak to the uniqueness of the area and are the best representations of the D.C. food scene?

(I think this goes with out saying, but ABSOLUTELY NO CHAINS ON THE LIST)

Good luck. We're all counting on you

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Citizen Sane

- If money were not a determining factor, in either direction.
- Across any cuisine.
- Casual to Upscale.

What are the places that speak to the uniqueness of the area and are the best representations of the D.C. food scene?

(I think this goes with out saying, but ABSOLUTELY NO CHAINS ON THE LIST)

Good luck. We're all counting on you

Bilbo Baggins in Old Town Alex.

[CAVA1990]

Majestic Cafe in Old Town.

Vinoteca in DC which has a bocce court in the patio.

Two Amys in DC for pizza.

Thai Shirlington

Steamed crabs at the Maine Avenue Fish Market

[cdmurphy]

1789

Four Sisters

[brooklynborndad]

I would have said Little Viet Garden, but I see its closed. The price of progress

Our next favorite VN place would be Saigon Crystal, - but oh wait, thats ALSO closed. Sheesh. Theres gotta be a VN place for your list. I dont feel comfortable recommending one pho place over all the others, but I would think theres one that belongs on the list.

And at least one Korean place - I would say Il Mee, but Yechon seems more popular.

[sullyguy]

Bilbo Baggins for sure - American/French/something-or-other

Bilbo Baggins Global Restaurant 208 Queen Street, Old Towne, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-683-0300

Tachibana - Japanese

Tachibana Japanese Restaurant

Tuscarora Mill - American

Tuscarora Mill : Leesburg Virginia Restaurant and Cafe offering Lunch Dinner Wine Beer Banquets Catering Wedding Special Events

X.O.Taste - Chinese

No web page? ... in Falls Church

Captain Pell's - "American" - crab house

Home Page

[brooklynborndad]

[quote=Citizen Sane;19931339(I think this goes with out saying, but ABSOLUTELY NO CHAINS ON THE LIST)

Good luck. We're all counting on you[/quote]

How about local chains?

(though I cant think of any i'd put on the list, now that 5 Guys is national)

[SallyField]

Ben's Chili Bowl (U St) - a DC institution
Citronelle (G'town) - my favorite DC restaurant
Willard Room (Downtown) - mainly for the ambience
Old Ebbitt (Downtown) - solely for the ambience
The Oval Room (Downtown) - both for the food and ambience

If you need one in NoVA, I'd pick L'Auberge Chez Francois. Did I go too upscale with these?

[weezycom]

Please do *not* go to Bilbo Baggins. It's just not good.

High end -- Restaurant Eve (locavore with Irish & Continental influences) in Old Town Alexandria; Marcel's in WDC for full-on French

medium-high $$ Brasserie Beck - WDC, mussels & frites!

Inexpensive -- Pupatella on Wilson Blvd near Ballston in NoVa -- neopolitan pizza, gelato & some great deep-fried items, but not open on Sunday and closed bet. 3-5 in the afternoons.

Hong Kong Palace in 7 Corners Center in Falls Church (upper level) -- it's actually Szechuan, not Cantonese. They help the gringos figure things out -- so order off the Chinese menu!

Medium -- Duangrat's and Rabieng for Thai in Bailey's Crossroads, NoVa. Both are Thai restaurants; Rabieng is more homestyle, Duangrat's is fancier but not as traditional.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by weezycom

Please do *not* go to Bilbo Baggins. It's just not good.
.

Has it gone downhill? Its been a while - I always enjoyed it, for the food, the beer list, the bread, the atmosphere.