The ***OFFICIAL*** Washington, DC thread (1 Viewer)

[Swing 51]

I'm heading to DC at the end of July for Barca/Chelsea exhibition soccer game.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to FedEx Field in Maryland, where the futbol game will be held, on a Tuesday night no less. You'll be fighting commuters and you may already know this, but even tho FedEx Field doesn't look to be too far from DC, it can be a real nightmare to get there.

 

[blend]

I'm heading to DC at the end of July for Barca/Chelsea exhibition soccer game.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to FedEx Field in Maryland, where the futbol game will be held, on a Tuesday night no less. You'll be fighting commuters and you may already know this, but even tho FedEx Field doesn't look to be too far from DC, it can be a real nightmare to get there.

Thanks for the heads-up... I think we're going to try to get there as early as possible anyway. Spend most of the day over that way... Find a place nearby where people are tailgating and walk to the field. My kids are used to tailgating at Michigan football games, so spending the afternoon outside before a game will hopefully be fun.

 

[houston]

Are you renting a car or just using the metro?

Driving my car to Reagan. Want to spend the night as flight out of Reagan is early in AM. Looking for a nice place to crash, as well as a place that provides parking for my car at a much cheaper rate than airport. I'll have young kids and lots of young kid stuff, so airport shuttle preferred over metro, taxi, uber, etc. thanks.

There is parking at the airport. Not sure if a hotel will let you park there for a week if you are not staying there. They have a close 'off-site' parking at the airport that is probably cheaper. Kinda cool that they have the ability to reserve a spot in the lot.

Appreciate your willingness to help. I plan to spend a night at a hotel, that's what I'm looking for. A nice place to sleep near Reagan airport that provides inexpensive parking for my car while I travel.

 

[Don Quixote]

Are you renting a car or just using the metro?

Driving my car to Reagan. Want to spend the night as flight out of Reagan is early in AM. Looking for a nice place to crash, as well as a place that provides parking for my car at a much cheaper rate than airport. I'll have young kids and lots of young kid stuff, so airport shuttle preferred over metro, taxi, uber, etc. thanks.

There is parking at the airport. Not sure if a hotel will let you park there for a week if you are not staying there. They have a close 'off-site' parking at the airport that is probably cheaper. Kinda cool that they have the ability to reserve a spot in the lot.

Appreciate your willingness to help. I plan to spend a night at a hotel, that's what I'm looking for. A nice place to sleep near Reagan airport that provides inexpensive parking for my car while I travel.

There's a Hilton Garden Inn in Shirlington Village in Arlington. There are some free public garages in Shirlington (I'm not sure if there is a limit on how "long-term" those garages are parking for; maybe you could ask the hotel.) I've seen a shuttle around that could probably take you to the airport. I've had some family stay there who said it was decent.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Another vote for Melt here in Leesburg. Went there Sunday nite, with a to-go order for 7, as they were closing. Got home and realized I had not ordered my son's crab cake burger. Frantically called them and pleaded with them. Since I was doing a crab burger, they gave it to me cold and I just needed to crisp up the outside and warm the inside. This was NBD, since the crab is technically cooked. I live <5 min from the place so I was able to get there while they were cleaning up, and people were still finishing up. The couple that run the place are extremely friendly and helpful.

Oh, and they make a damn good burger, too!!!

 

[dgreen]

Heard Robin "The Heckler" Ficker on the Junkies this morning talking about that NW quadruple murder. I haven't followed the case at all, but he was doing quite an entertaining job. He said the suspect couldn't have done it because he's a nice guy and has a kid and that he's English Guyanan and those people are the nicest in the world.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Another vote for Melt here in Leesburg. Went there Sunday nite, with a to-go order for 7, as they were closing. Got home and realized I had not ordered my son's crab cake burger. Frantically called them and pleaded with them. Since I was doing a crab burger, they gave it to me cold and I just needed to crisp up the outside and warm the inside. This was NBD, since the crab is technically cooked. I live <5 min from the place so I was able to get there while they were cleaning up, and people were still finishing up. The couple that run the place are extremely friendly and helpful.

Oh, and they make a damn good burger, too!!!

How about The Wine Kitchen?

 

[Mr. Ected]

Another vote for Melt here in Leesburg. Went there Sunday nite, with a to-go order for 7, as they were closing. Got home and realized I had not ordered my son's crab cake burger. Frantically called them and pleaded with them. Since I was doing a crab burger, they gave it to me cold and I just needed to crisp up the outside and warm the inside. This was NBD, since the crab is technically cooked. I live <5 min from the place so I was able to get there while they were cleaning up, and people were still finishing up. The couple that run the place are extremely friendly and helpful.

Oh, and they make a damn good burger, too!!!

How about The Wine Kitchen?

Wine Kitchen is great. TINY but great. Went there a while ago, with my folks from Boston and it was delicious. Make a reservation!! They have places in Purcellville and Frederick, MD.

Chimole across the street is delicious too, Central American (Honduran, I think) tapas.

 

[Apple Jack]

Washingtonian cheap eats issue is out. A number of repeats, with some I dont recall seeing before. Like the new target list. Ive still only eaten at Rice Paper at Eden Center and its time to check out a couple others. One of my favorite places in NYC is a bit of a hole in the wall called Nah Trang. There is a place of the same name in EC and also on 50 in Annandale. Doubt they're related, but just the name gives me warm fuzzies so will check it out.

Its pretty remarkable how few restaurants on the list between Ballston and Rosslyn. Might be due to higher prices associated with higher rent, but I know Ballston is pretty weak.

 

[Swing 51]

Heard Robin "The Heckler" Ficker on the Junkies this morning talking about that NW quadruple murder. I haven't followed the case at all, but he was doing quite an entertaining job. He said the suspect couldn't have done it because he's a nice guy and has a kid and that he's English Guyanan and those people are the nicest in the world.

I thought Wint (suspect) couldn't have done it because he doesn't eat pizza?

 

[VA703]

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

 

[dgreen]

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

Looking for anything in particular? Any cuisine? Any price point?

 

[tom22406]

Heard Robin "The Heckler" Ficker on the Junkies this morning talking about that NW quadruple murder. I haven't followed the case at all, but he was doing quite an entertaining job. He said the suspect couldn't have done it because he's a nice guy and has a kid and that he's English Guyanan and those people are the nicest in the world.

I thought Wint (suspect) couldn't have done it because he doesn't eat pizza?

I caught the repeat of the interview on my way into work this morning.Ficker trying to explain how his DNA got onto the pizza was comical to say the least and now they are saying they found some of the victims blood on him as well now.

Still wonder why they even brought this clown on to begin with?

 

[VA703]

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

Looking for anything in particular? Any cuisine? Any price point?

nothing specific

we were looking at Zaytinya at first but the menu doesn't look too appealing to the wife. so anything that isn't too out of the ordinary

 

[tdog]

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

Looking for anything in particular? Any cuisine? Any price point?

nothing specific

we were looking at Zaytinya at first but the menu doesn't look too appealing to the wife. so anything that isn't too out of the ordinary

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

Looking for anything in particular? Any cuisine? Any price point?

nothing specific

we were looking at Zaytinya at first but the menu doesn't look too appealing to the wife. so anything that isn't too out of the ordinary

Penn Social might be something a little more to the wife's liking. Good bar food and great beer list. I like Graffiato and Densons. http://www.pennsocialdc.com/ http://graffiatodc.com/ http://www.densondc.com/

 

[dgreen]

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

Looking for anything in particular? Any cuisine? Any price point?

nothing specific

we were looking at Zaytinya at first but the menu doesn't look too appealing to the wife. so anything that isn't too out of the ordinary

Something like Matchbox, Hill Country, or District Chophouse would be safe and anyone can find something they like.

Jaleo and Oyamel would be a little more adventurous while still allowing to find something ordinary on the menu.

Rasika is probably more along the lines of Zaytinya in terms of "ordinary", but might be worth looking at the menu.

 

[VA703]

thanks for the help

 

[Don Quixote]

Maybe Proof, if a wine bar up her alley.

 

[MattFancy]

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

Looking for anything in particular? Any cuisine? Any price point?

nothing specific

we were looking at Zaytinya at first but the menu doesn't look too appealing to the wife. so anything that isn't too out of the ordinary

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

Looking for anything in particular? Any cuisine? Any price point?

nothing specific

we were looking at Zaytinya at first but the menu doesn't look too appealing to the wife. so anything that isn't too out of the ordinary

Penn Social might be something a little more to the wife's liking. Good bar food and great beer list. I like Graffiato and Densons. http://www.pennsocialdc.com/ http://graffiatodc.com/ http://www.densondc.com/

Second Penn Social. Such a cool place to hang out

 

[Swing 51]

I really need to get Del Campo (might be too adventurous for Mrs. VA703); damn the menu looks good.

http://delcampodc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/5.6.15-Dinner-Menu.pdf

 

[Swing 51]

Heard Robin "The Heckler" Ficker on the Junkies this morning talking about that NW quadruple murder. I haven't followed the case at all, but he was doing quite an entertaining job. He said the suspect couldn't have done it because he's a nice guy and has a kid and that he's English Guyanan and those people are the nicest in the world.

I thought Wint (suspect) couldn't have done it because he doesn't eat pizza?

I caught the repeat of the interview on my way into work this morning.Ficker trying to explain how his DNA got onto the pizza was comical to say the least and now they are saying they found some of the victims blood on him as well now.

Still wonder why they even brought this clown on to begin with?

Good radio schtick. Plus his history as The Heckler

 

[Mr. Ected]

any recommendations on restaurants close to Verizon center?

I know it might be a bit far (10 blocks) but always been a fan of Georgia Browns (15th & I - McPhereson Sq.) - delicious southern food.

 

[nittanylion]

VA703, if you get rid of that avatar, I will post you my entire DC Restaurant Scene Insider File Topic: Verizon Center and Surrounding Neighborhoods.

Not much gets to me, but that...that thing, whatever it is, absolutely freaks me the #### out.

Then again, if your wife doesn't vibe with the Zaytinya menu, not sure I can help you.

Graffiato is an excellent recommendation, especially if your wife's preferences run more to the mainstream, but you'd like to try something more unique. Interestingly Mike Isabella was the Chef de Cuisine at Zaytinya during his run on Top Chef. I've run in culinary circles with him for years. It's a rare thing to find a Chef with as much personality that actually has as much talent. He has a much more direct line to Jose Andres than I do. I have a lot of respect for Mike and what he does. His "G" makes some of the best sandwiches in the greater DC area, and I think puts other well-known established spots like A. Litteri and Mangialardo & Sons to shame...and those poseurs running Taylor Gourmet should have packed up and shipped out the day that G opened it's doors.

I wouldn't spend other people's money at Matchbox, much less my own. They've grown too big for their britches, and IMHO, quality has taken second place to making money. District Chophouse is trite, and Hill Country has been upstaged by DCCity Smokehouse as the area's best BBQ.

You absolutely should give Oyamel and Jaleo a shot, because that food is more interesting than Graffiato, and if your wife finds something appealing there, you'd be in for some really great food yourself. Rasika is hands-down, the best Indian food in the greater DC Metro area, and even better, it's modern, upscale Indian food. Many consider it to be the best restaurant in DC, without the price tag of other elite level restaurants in that tier.

I'll have more later, especially if you get rid of that thing.

 

[nittanylion]

I really need to get Del Campo (might be too adventurous for Mrs. VA703); damn the menu looks good.

http://delcampodc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/5.6.15-Dinner-Menu.pdf

I had a very, very small part in the genesis of Del Campo. Victor Albisu is a very solid cook. I'd definitely recommend trying it at least once.

His place in Falls Church, Taco Bamba, is hands down the best taco in the greater DC area, and I've never had better posole than what he serves there.

 

[nittanylion]

http://babywaledc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/BW-MENU-March-2015.pdf

Show this menu to your other half, and if she likes it, I'll provide more details...

 

[nittanylion]

http://www.casalucadc.com/casaluca/assets/File/May%2029%202015%20Dinner%20Menu.pdf

this one, too...

 

[Swing 51]

I really need to get Del Campo (might be too adventurous for Mrs. VA703); damn the menu looks good.

http://delcampodc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/5.6.15-Dinner-Menu.pdf

I had a very, very small part in the genesis of Del Campo. Victor Albisu is a very solid cook. I'd definitely recommend trying it at least once.

His place in Falls Church, Taco Bamba, is hands down the best taco in the greater DC area, and I've never had better posole than what he serves there.

I've been hitting Bamba about 4 times a month since it opened. The pozole is outstanding, great hangover food. Not sure if I can eat it outside of Fall/Winter but man is it good. As you know its soft shell crab season but everytime I've gone by recently they've been sold out of soft shell crab tacos!

 

[nittanylion]

http://daikaya.com/izakaya_menu.htm

also, this...

 

[VA703]

excellent feedback.. @nittanylion if I was at home I would change the avatar to get that insider info

 

[nittanylion]

Scanning through the other recent posts...big fan of Proof. Really miss the restauranteur behind it, Mark Kuller, who recently passed. Legendary, and anyone who's anyone in the DC food scene would call him a mentor of the finest kind...his restaurant Estadio in the U Street corridor is a phenomenal rendition of Spain that you are more likely to find in 'better' food cities than DC (Manhattan, Chicago, San Fran), so we're really gifted to have it here. Not to mention it's a stone's throw from Le Diplomate and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace which makes for another one of those 3-in-one types of binges I'm a big fan of...

...I'm getting away from the subject, but also in the U St. corridor, for a lower price point, you can do a 3-some of Etto, Cork Wine Bar and Bar Pilar and find yourself in a really good way as well...

I have no problem hanging out at Penn Social. Great place to hang out and drink, but wouldn't spend my food dollars there with so much more interesting food in the area. Denson...great cocktails. Ambitious food, but they don't have a strong enough team in the kitchen to pull off food with that wide a scope well, or consistently. Fusing cuisines is tough, and IMHO it falls into the category of one of those places I'd be happier with if they'd just choose one direction and go with it.

On the other hand, the menu I posted above for Baby Wale...Tom Power is the most underrated elite level Chefs in DC, as is Haidar Karoum at Proof (he's also behind Estadio) - those guys can fuse elements from various cuisines and not miss a beat.

 

[VA703]

http://babywaledc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/BW-MENU-March-2015.pdf

Show this menu to your other half, and if she likes it, I'll provide more details...

this one is looking like the winner out of those 3

 

[5Rings]

There was a shorter thread I had found where people were posting some great family trip insights, especially walnutz....but I can't find it (thanks search function).

I'm bringing my family (3 boys 11-8-5) to DC for 6 days in September.

• Walnutz had recommended the Hilton in Arlington as family friendly and easy to navigate from, any other recommendations?
• Do I need to rent a car? Will cab fare from the airport kill me?
• Planning at least 2-3 days at the Smithsonian, going to do a night tour of the monuments, and we are open from there. Any must dos?

Thanks

 

[MattFancy]

There was a shorter thread I had found where people were posting some great family trip insights, especially walnutz....but I can't find it (thanks search function).

I'm bringing my family (3 boys 11-8-5) to DC for 6 days in September.

• Walnutz had recommended the Hilton in Arlington as family friendly and easy to navigate from, any other recommendations?
• Do I need to rent a car? Will cab fare from the airport kill me?
• Planning at least 2-3 days at the Smithsonian, going to do a night tour of the monuments, and we are open from there. Any must dos?

Thanks

Check and see if the Nats will be at home then.

They also might like the Spy Museum

 

[5Rings]

Thanks Matt, great ideas. Last time I was in DC I went to a Nats game. Awesome stadium, and this was the day when Teddy won the President's race (I think for the first time, people were going nuts!).

 

[dgreen]

There was a shorter thread I had found where people were posting some great family trip insights, especially walnutz....but I can't find it (thanks search function).

I'm bringing my family (3 boys 11-8-5) to DC for 6 days in September.

• Walnutz had recommended the Hilton in Arlington as family friendly and easy to navigate from, any other recommendations?
• Do I need to rent a car? Will cab fare from the airport kill me?
• Planning at least 2-3 days at the Smithsonian, going to do a night tour of the monuments, and we are open from there. Any must dos?

Thanks

What airport are you using?

 

[5Rings]

There was a shorter thread I had found where people were posting some great family trip insights, especially walnutz....but I can't find it (thanks search function).

I'm bringing my family (3 boys 11-8-5) to DC for 6 days in September.

• Walnutz had recommended the Hilton in Arlington as family friendly and easy to navigate from, any other recommendations?
• Do I need to rent a car? Will cab fare from the airport kill me?
• Planning at least 2-3 days at the Smithsonian, going to do a night tour of the monuments, and we are open from there. Any must dos?

Thanks

What airport are you using?

Dulles. Got some super cheap flights from SF.

 

[thecatch]

There was a shorter thread I had found where people were posting some great family trip insights, especially walnutz....but I can't find it (thanks search function).

I'm bringing my family (3 boys 11-8-5) to DC for 6 days in September.

• Walnutz had recommended the Hilton in Arlington as family friendly and easy to navigate from, any other recommendations?
• Do I need to rent a car? Will cab fare from the airport kill me?
• Planning at least 2-3 days at the Smithsonian, going to do a night tour of the monuments, and we are open from there. Any must dos?

Thanks

What airport are you using?

Dulles. Got some super cheap flights from SF.

Cab will run you 50-60 bucks to Arlington from Dulles. I'd still prefer that to renting a car because you won't need it for getting around. You can probably do a super shuttle or something for less.I'd also take them to the Arlington Cemetery.

 

[dgreen]

There was a shorter thread I had found where people were posting some great family trip insights, especially walnutz....but I can't find it (thanks search function).

I'm bringing my family (3 boys 11-8-5) to DC for 6 days in September.

• Walnutz had recommended the Hilton in Arlington as family friendly and easy to navigate from, any other recommendations?
• Do I need to rent a car? Will cab fare from the airport kill me?
• Planning at least 2-3 days at the Smithsonian, going to do a night tour of the monuments, and we are open from there. Any must dos?

Thanks

What airport are you using?

Dulles. Got some super cheap flights from SF.

Cab will run you 50-60 bucks to Arlington from Dulles. I'd still prefer that to renting a car because you won't need it for getting around. You can probably do a super shuttle or something for less.I'd also take them to the Arlington Cemetery.

The 5A bus goes directly to Rosslyn from Dulles, with just one stop in between. It's $7/person but probably annoying to then have to transfer your luggage from the bus to Metro to ultimately get to your hotel. If you can rent a car for cheap and get a hotel with free parking, that might be the way to go if you want to do some things that are less accessible like Mount Vernon or even the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum out by Dulles.

A car could also be helpful for places like the National Arboretum and National Cathedral. It may sound stupid, but there's a cool playground at the Beauvoir School which is part of the National Cathedral grounds. After days of walking from one museum to another, I'm sure the kids (and you) could use a few hours of just hanging out in a quiet neighborhood. The playground is open to the public as long as school is out and there's nothing special going on. Check out the Cathedral and its grounds, the playground, and hit something like 2 Amy's for lunch or dinner nearby.

Both Georgetown and Navy Yard (the Nats Park neighborhood) have waterfront parks. Georgetown has those typical water spraying things that kids can play in and the Yards Park has those plus a wading pool. Also while in the Navy Yard area, I think the USS Barry should still be on display. It's a destroyer that has free self tours.

If you want to go up in the Washington Monument or go in the Archives, buy cheap tickets online soon to reserve your time and not have to wait in line. Archives line may not be bad on a weekday during the school year, but tickets are so cheap online ($1.50?) that you may as well lock in your time. Ford's Theater may also offer online tickets.

 

[thecatch]

I've heard of the Dulles bus but in 8 years of living in Arlington I never heard of anyone using it, so I assumed it was some sort of myth.

The car would definitely be a good call for Udvar Hazy and the kids would love that place. Not sure I'd recommend the Cathedral to someone unless they were really stretching for stuff to do.

 

[Swing 51]

You can also take a shuttle bus for $5 per person from Dulles to the Silver Line Metro at Whiele Road and then metro to Arlington. But with luggage and kids that may be more of a pain in the ### than it is worth.

Also I think dgreen gets kickbacks or something from the National Arboretum (tho it is free admittance) as he is always recommending that place to folks visiting DC

 

[Don Quixote]

Car could also be useful for Mount Vernon or Bull Run Battlefield, if those sites would interest them.

 

[5Rings]

Thanks for all the great suggestions

 

[dgreen]

You can also take a shuttle bus for $5 per person from Dulles to the Silver Line Metro at Whiele Road and then metro to Arlington. But with luggage and kids that may be more of a pain in the ### than it is worth.

Also I think dgreen gets kickbacks or something from the National Arboretum (tho it is free admittance) as he is always recommending that place to folks visiting DC

Tree hater. The Botanical Gardens are also pretty cool. That's next to the Capitol Building. I'll admit the Botanical Gardens and the Arboretum are two places my kids will whine about if I tell them that's where we're going, but they always end up having fun. Basically, I never tell my kids where we're going anymore because they'll whine about anything. I just tell them to grab their electronics, get in the car, and just trust me and don't ask where we're going.The Arboretum can be miserable if it's super hot out, though.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Just landed at Dulles. Redeye with no dinner. Need breakfast. What you got?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Just landed at Dulles. Redeye with no dinner. Need breakfast. What you got?

Where are you staying? Renting a car?

 

[Apple Jack]

Dulles is pretty far from most of the area. Depends on where you are going. If youre going to Montgomery County, Tastee Diner in Bethesda. DC, Founding Farmers near the White House. Arlington, Bob and Edie's on Columbia Pike. Fairfax, 29 Diner, though I heard it might have closed.

 

[Don Quixote]

On the Founding Farmers mention, I think they have a location in Tysons. That's a bit closer to Dulles. Not sure what else might be around there.

 

[Todd Andrews]

There's a Founding Farmers up in Montgomery County now, too, I think in Potomac.

 

[nittanylion]

I'm not a big fan of Founding Farmers for a multiplicity of reasons.

Silver Diner in Rockville (Montgomery County) would be my first choice for that area.

Taco Bamba in Falls Church is serving breakfast right now, that would be my first choice for Metro DC in general.

Bread Furst in D.C.

 

[nittanylion]

Forgot, there are a bunch of Silver Diner's in MD and DC, see for yourself:

http://www.silverdiner.com/