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I've searched the forum, and while I found a few helpful posts, I figured I'd start a new thread in hopes of finding a few good places for a foodie in need.
Basically, I've lived in the D.C. area for under a year, and haven't had much time to explore many restaurants in the area. In all honesty, I just haven't taken the time! So, a friend from Ohio is visiting me next month, and she's a foodie much like myself. We're both really into Indian, Cajun, Mexican, and Italian. Would like to keep the cost to under $25 a plate. $15-20 ideally. Any suggestions? That goes for any other sort of food - this would be solely for myself. I'm up for anything.
Oh, and does anyone know of any good Jewish delis? The boyfriend and myself have been interested in visiting a good one in the area.
Lots of questions... but I want to make this a good visit for my friend.
I've always liked Oyamel (Mexican). If you go for lunch it's a little cheaper (that's usually when I end up going), so you can probably do it under $25 each. It's mostly antojitos (tapas), so we get a few to share. During the week they have little bocadillos, which I usually order. That plus sharing an order of guacamole is plenty. Zengo's also good (Latin/Asian fusion), as is Tabaq Bistro (Mediterranean).
Jewish delis are a little hard to come by here. Let me know if you find one!
Hello, fellow foodie. I tend to prefer ethnic food, and I typically avoid the fancy-fusion-neo-cosmo whatever that is in overpriced abundance here. Give me a hole in the wall where caucasians look out of place over that any day!
There is some excellent Ethiopian around here like mentioned above. I went to Dukem on U-Street recently, and it was excellent.
For something a little different, check out El Pollo Rico in Arlington. It's Peruvian roasted chicken, and it's a messy plate of awesome from a hole-in-the-wall. Be prepared to wait, though. The line is frequently outside the building. I recommend going for a late lunch / early dinner on a Saturday to avoid the crowd.
If you live in DC, you've gotta at least try Ben's Chili Bowl. It's far from gourmet, but is actually quite good. Don't think diner-food - the portions aren't rediculously large, and it's actually not that greasy for what it is. The chili-half-smoke is where it's at, split an order of fries with somebody, and get a shake.
Tex-Mex and Italian don't exist here in any respectable form. You can find some decent tapas, though, but I've yet to explore that enough to make a recommendation.
The best Cajun food in town is at my house. If you find a decent Cajun/Creole restaurant, let me know!
You can find some decent tapas, though, but I've yet to explore that enough to make a recommendation.
I like Las Tapas in Old Town Alexandria. Nothing too crazy, but reminds me exactly of what I ate while studying in Spain. If you go there later on in the evening (we stopped by around 8 or 9 for hookah and a few tapas) the waiters and their friends congregate in a back table of the bar area and whip out guitars for some impromptu flamenco music. They also have an actual flamenco band come during the weekend, but I just loved that they were hanging out in the back with a carafe of wine and playing music.
I like Las Tapas in Old Town Alexandria. Nothing too crazy, but reminds me exactly of what I ate while studying in Spain. If you go there later on in the evening (we stopped by around 8 or 9 for hookah and a few tapas) the waiters and their friends congregate in a back table of the bar area and whip out guitars for some impromptu flamenco music. They also have an actual flamenco band come during the weekend, but I just loved that they were hanging out in the back with a carafe of wine and playing music.
That sounds like my kind of place. I'm also very jealous that you studied in Spain. If you haven't seen it, you should rent "L'auberge Espagnole."
Well, it's not as if there are zero decent Italian restaurants in town. Tosca is good. Expensive though.
DC just doesn't have any old Italian neighborhoods the way the other big east coast cities do, so it's not a part of our culinary scene.
We're also woefully lacking in quality and quantity of both street food and DINERS.
But for breakfast, there's The Diner. It's on 18th street in Adams-Morgan.
If you meant brunch, I'm a huge fan of Belga on 8th street SE.
Breakfast, brunch--anything with eggs, toast, waffles--and I'm happy
Thanks for the recommendations.
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I tend to prefer ethnic food, and I typically avoid the fancy-fusion-neo-cosmo whatever that is in overpriced abundance here. Give me a hole in the wall where caucasians look out of place over that any day!
