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CrimsonProf

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Dec 30, 2006
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I'll be in Washington DC in late April for a professional education event.

I'm staying at the Crystal Gateway Marriott.

Any thoughts on food and drink in the area? I want to eat local and not too expensive.

Thanks!
 
I used to live in the Crystal City area of Arlington. On 23rd Street there are a variety of restaurants to choose from (Thai, Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, sportsbar, etc.). There's also one of my favorite dives nearby (on Eads Street, just down from the intersection with 23rd). It's an authentic kabob place called the Kabob Palace. The boneless chicken is the best and the lamb is a close second. The meal comes with rice (with the topping of your choice) and a salad for @ $8. If interested go a little early/late because there's not much seating and it's very popular.
 
Bodhisattva said:
I used to live in the Crystal City area of Arlington. On 23rd Street there are a variety of restaurants to choose from (Thai, Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, sportsbar, etc.). There's also one of my favorite dives nearby (on Eads Street, just down from the intersection with 23rd). It's an authentic kabob place called the Kabob Palace. The boneless chicken is the best and the lamb is a close second. The meal comes with rice (with the topping of your choice) and a salad for @ $8. If interested go a little early/late because there's not much seating and it's very popular.
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Good. I'm staying at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Very helpful.
 
i was there for a conference this past fall and all of the places i went were fine. i would just walk around and go in where ever suited my fancy for that meal. there was a good hibachi place where i had lunch in the crystal city complex (near all of the hotels) that was good, but i can't remember the name.

most of my favorite restaurants from when i lived in that area were in the district.
 
CrimsonProf said:
Good. I'm staying at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Very helpful.
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If memory serves, I think that'll put you about five or six blocks away.

You're also not too far away from Old Town Alexandria (further South on Rte 1/Jefferson Davis Hwy.) It's a great place to walk around and enjoy the architecture and the riverfront. Lots of good bars and restaurants up and down King Street and the nearby streets.
 
Under no circumstances should you limit your dining, and presumably drinking, options to the Crystal City area. It's not that much different than the high density suburban sprawl you'll find around any other largish American city.

From Crystal City on the Metro yellow line, you've got 5 stops north to Chinatown/Gallery Place (Metro map) - where there are a ton of somewhat unique dining and drinking options, as well as some of the more fun cultural places (Portrait Museum and Spy Museum).

Here is one of the more easy to navigate city guides on DC: WaPo Going Out Guide. You can put the dates of your visit in and see what events are going on.

If you let me know your interests in food (e.g. Malaysian) and/or drink (e.g. craft beers). I can make some particularized suggestions.

Feel free to PM me if there's anything further I can help out with.
 
Bodhisattva said:
If memory serves, I think that'll put you about five or six blocks away.

You're also not too far away from Old Town Alexandria (further South on Rte 1/Jefferson Davis Hwy.) It's a great place to walk around and enjoy the architecture and the riverfront. Lots of good bars and restaurants up and down King Street and the nearby streets.
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Yeah, if you're insistent upon driving or don't mind dealing with the buses, there are some nice places in Alexandria.

I would suggest fish & chips w/ the curry sauce at Eamon's and then slip around the corner to the speakeasy for one of the most unique bar experiences you'll ever have - just make sure you're wearing a proper coat.

If the blue light is on and a pirate flag is in the window, then it's open. It's one of the most beautiful old fashioned bars you'll find anywhere. The cocktails aren't cheap but they're worth it - have at least one b/c it's worth the experience.
 
One of my very favorite dining experiences in DC when I lived there was in Georgetown. There's a restaurant on (I think) 28th Street called Zed's Ethiopian Cuisine. Delicious, affordable food in a relaxing atmosphere. Man! Such a cool place to eat, and how often can you say you've had Ethiopian food?

In Alexandria, there's a restaurant down near the river that serves the best French Onion Soup I've ever had. Unfortunately, I can't recall the name of the joint, but it was down on King Street.
 
Ldlane said:
Hard Rock Cafe! Can't go wrong!
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LOL!

That reminds me of a time when I was at a hotel bar in downtown DC watching the World Cup one morning with some friends. There was a tourist family at the table next to us. The tourists were eating breakfast and deciding what to do. They were one of those streotypical, stupid tourist families that weren't interested in anything - except eating. Why they ever bothered to travel in the first place I have no clue. Every idea they came up with they quickly shot down as "too far away" or "too boring." Finally, my buddy couldn't resist any longer and pointed out that they were only a couple of block's away from Ford's Theater. Blank stares. "You know, where Lincoln got shot." Blank stares. My buddy went back to watching the World Cup. The tourists ordered more food (brunch?) and then left about lunch time to go to the Hard Rock Cafe down the street. Good times.
 
Tider@GW_Law said:
Yeah, if you're insistent upon driving or don't mind dealing with the buses, there are some nice places in Alexandria.
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Presently, I usually park in the garage under city hall if a spot on the street cannot be found. The parking fee is modest ($5 or so?) by DC standards. When I lived in Crystal City I would just take the Metro a couple of stops South to King Street. It's a bit of a walk to Old Town and may not be a good option considering the weather this time of year.

I would suggest fish & chips w/ the curry sauce at Eamon's and then slip around the corner to the speakeasy for one of the most unique bar experiences you'll ever have - just make sure you're wearing a proper coat.

If the blue light is on and a pirate flag is in the window, then it's open. It's one of the most beautiful old fashioned bars you'll find anywhere. The cocktails aren't cheap but they're worth it - have at least one b/c it's worth the experience.
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Haven't tried that yet. I'll have to remedy that. Good suggestion.
 
if you get into the district, head to the brick skeller. i think it is in the dupont circle area. incredible selection of beers. also i have to agree on old town. lots of stuff packed into a pretty tight area (thats what she said)

my brother lives there now and its nice to be able to "stumble" home after a good night of people watching in the bars.
 
SavannahDare said:
One of my very favorite dining experiences in DC when I lived there was in Georgetown. There's a restaurant on (I think) 28th Street called Zed's Ethiopian Cuisine. Delicious, affordable food in a relaxing atmosphere. Man! Such a cool place to eat, and how often can you say you've had Ethiopian food?

In Alexandria, there's a restaurant down near the river that serves the best French Onion Soup I've ever had. Unfortunately, I can't recall the name of the joint, but it was down on King Street.
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There's a better (IMO) Ethiopian place in the Adams Morgan area of DC. I believe it's called Meskerem (?). It's a different concept - eating food communally with your fingers and having a spongey bread act as a plate.

Adams Morgan offers a wide variety of ethnic restaurants and fun bars. There's a Brazilian place there called The Grill from Ipanema that's pretty good.

Just don't stay out too late; you may get shot.
 
As already mentioned, Old Town Alexandria (King Street) is a great place to enjoy an evening. One of my favorites is La Madeleine, at 500 King Street (corner of King and Pitt). Very good food, GREAT dessert pastry, and very reasonable. Here's the link, La Madeleine

Well...thats the URL, Guess you have to cut and paste. Anyway, enjoy.:)
 
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