Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
That's the question isn't it. I don't want to go to D.C. to eat at a Earls calibre restaurant. If there is a place that I have to try then price point doesn't matter as much.
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I lived in D.C./Arlington for the past two and a half years. DC is a fantastic foodie place. I've always found there are two types of places to eat in DC. The first is the posh restaurants for International Big Wigs and the Second are the tried and true, gritty DC joints.
Places that I've taken friends and family to in town and they loved are:
- Bus Boys & Poets - It's a staple in DC and has three locations - http://www.busboysandpoets.com/ (Fair warning it's a left wing hangout) The 5th & K location is central in DC so you'll probably be within Distance.
- If you really want a taste of DC take the Metro (or a cab) up to U Street and Ben's Chili Bowl. This place is the heart and soul of DC, this is mandatory for any visit to the district. U-Street is a bit of an intimidating neighbourhood, but it's well worth it. Any person we brought there or recommended it to raves that it was a highlight. A chili half-smoke is amazing. (P.S. only two people get free food their Bill Cosby and Obama) http://www.benschilibowl.com/ordereze/default.aspx.
- If you have a full day to tour and end up near the Capitol, You need to hit up The Good Stuff Eatery. Run by a Montreal'er (It's Spike from Top Chef's restaurant). The Rosemary and Thyme Fries are to die for as well as the Obama and Michelle burger and the Shakes are amazing. http://www.goodstuffeatery.com/
- Dupont Circle has a some great places to check out (and if I recall most conferences are around that area). Churchkey was one of my favourite places to eat and drink at. Amazing selection of beer (even though I don't drink). http://www.churchkeydc.com/
- If you end up near the verizon centre/chinatown and don't want to eat at Hooter's, District of Pi Pizza Joint is really good. http://www.pi-dc.com/ they do a St. Louis/Chicago style deep dish pizza that was amazing.
- If worse comes to worse you can also eat at most of the Five Guys as those are some of the original 5Guys franchises (it's a Virgina based company).
- Also if you have a chance hit up the food trucks. DC has an amazing Food Truck culture that runs 365 due to the warm weather. - http://foodtruckfiesta.com/dc-food-trucks/
There are literally dozens of great food places if you need some advice, just DM me and I can send you some of my favourite places based on your location.
In regards things to do, as others have said there is so much to do in DC. Be forewarned the Mall is quite the walk so be prepared. (There's also not much of food/drinks except for a crummy McDonalds in one of the smithsonians and other museums).
Other tid bits
- All smithsonians are free, so don't worry about having to pay for them.
- The Jefferson Memorial is actually off the beaten track from the Mall and the new MLK is a bit of a walk from the Lincoln Memorial.
- You won't be able to do a tour of the white house. To do that you need to book it with the Canadian Embassy about three months ago. (I only say this because we've had friends that wanted to go and though they could just show up)
- The Canadian Embassy is a very neat place from the out side (only embassy on the mall).
- The Newseum, which is right by the Cdn Embassy is a cool place, but it's an expensive tour (something like 20 bucks for two days of access). We always like going there to see what Canadian News Paper is featured outside (A deal Mulrooney and the CDN Embassy made when it was built).
- Cabs are great and easy way to see the city quickly (just don't do it during rush hour). The Metro is pretty reliable, just remeber to stand on the right side, if you stand on the left you'll get yelled at)
- Don't go to Georgetown unless you're big into shopping and d-bag rich kids. It's pretty out of the way if you're staying in downtown d.c. and it's nothing more than a glorified Kensington.
- Virgina is somewhat interesting, but only along the Clarendon, Ballston (The Caps practise facility is atop of Ballston Mall) corridor and if you only have a day it might not be worth the trip out there.
Anyways, hope it helps.