Recommendations for food in the DC area

Ms. Haiku

DC does not have good food as a rule. There are too many chains. So, you'll get standard fare, which sometimes is all we need, eh. In the DC area for coffee I would go to M.E. Swings which is about 2 blocks from the white house. They are not open on Saturdays. Tryst is also a recommended place off the Zoo metro stop. It's a hike to get there from the metro.

For food for people of all food diets I would recommend Mark's Kitchen which is on the red line off the Takoma Park stop just outside DC. I LOVE their cappuccinos. Unfortunately, when it's hot outside it's maybe 2 degrees cooler inside. Takoma Park is a cute little village with kick-ass shops for jewelry. There is a farmer's market on Sundays.

Near the Verizon venue, Rosa Mexican has the best guacamole, but everything else is eh.

Within DC, for the booklovers there are 2 very good options. Kramerbooks on the red line Dupont Circle stop. They have a restaurant in the back, and a website. I believe they are open 24 hours/day. Their food's pretty good, better than most places in DC. I've been there many times. When I wasn't a vegetarian I would have the tortellini alredo with ham and peas. Dupont Circle has other places to eat. Good if you need a place, but I was never wow-d by anything. Mark's Kitchen is where I've been the most wow-d by DC food.

Also, Politics and Prose is a great bookstore. Off the UDC red line stop. They have a little cafe, and there are other places to eat on the 1+ mile walk to the bookstore from the metro.

You may want to visit chow.com for more suggestions. I just remember in 2006 when I asked the Boston PJ fans for suggestions for coffee in Boston I kept getting Dunkin Donuts as answers. So, I'm proactively giving suggestions

greenmosquito22

Nothing better then an answer to an un-asked question.

unleded

I'll offer offer up Matchbox (right by Verizon) as a great place to go for brick oven pizza, mini burgers, and a nice selection of beer.

If anybody appreciates my advice, feel free to share an extra ticket since I was not clairvoyant enough to know I'd still be in DC to actually go to the show.

obiwon76

There is a Clyde's and Chipotle within walking distance from the VC. I expect it to be pretty humid and its probably not wise to eat a hearty meal before the show.

greenmosquito22

Take a lap around Verizon Center and you're bound to find something you like. I'll second Matchbox, it's awesome... but get there early, not really big and it fills up fast.

greenmosquito22

obiwon76 wrote:

There is a Clyde's and Chipotle within walking distance from the VC. I expect it to be pretty humid and its probably not wise to eat a hearty meal before the show.

Verizon Center's air conditioning will be working, I'm sure. But you're right, don't want to get a cramp walking the 100 yards from Clyde's

leatherman_8

Or some latenight fare at Ben's Chili Bowl on U St. always hits the spot if you've been doing a bit of drinking.

Also, 2 Amy's Pizza by the National Cathedral is awesome, but be prepared to wait a while.

If we're talking by the Verizon Center though, I like RFD, they have good soups and it's one of the only places I've found that has many varieties of Bell's on tap, and Fado has decent Irish food. I fully second Matchbox as well. And since the Verizon center is near Chinatown, I'd recommend Full Kee or Tony Cheng's if your feeling like some actual quality chinese food.

jmccue7

best food near verizon-->zaytinya its a couple blocks away. or check out Five Guys if you're looking for a good burger.

looking for a chill coffeeshop check out tryst in adams morgan.

rower81

Regional Food and Drink (RFDs) has over 100 different beers from all over and better than average bar food.

Before the 2006 show, they had PJ playing in the bar before the show...