Readers, I need your help. We have foodie friends coming to visit in April. We want to show them a good time, aka, we want to eat everything in the world. These foodies are like us: whether they're served an amuse bouche or passed some delicacy from a street cart, these guys appreciate good food. And I'm not sure when these friends were last in the District. They may not be familiar with certain D.C. fair (I'm talking about chili dogs, people).
We need to be prepared for a Friday night or Saturday arrival, and both good and bad weather. As much as I'd like to feel confident enough to say "brunch then walking around Eastern Market," I know that bad weather would make that sad. Yeesh, even August heat makes that itinerary depressing. My poor sister almost melted a couple year's ago because I insisted that we LOOK AT ALL THE PURTY CRAFTS.
Where would you take your food-loving friends to eat? What do you think of my ideas?
Here are some of my ideas:
Ray's Hell-Burger
Ben's Chili Bowl
Farrah Olivia
Cafe Atlantico dim sum brunch
Matchbox (Capitol Hill) brunch (so long as we can also have burgers)
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (for the movie/schtick of it, not the food)
Dairy Godmother
Boccato Gelato
I think all of your ideas are great! I've brought out-of-towners to Liberty Tavern before and had a grand time.
ReplyDeleteFresh seafood at the wharf. I personally thought Farrah Olivia tried too hard and wasn't worth the money -- plus I've had much better service at a diner. I love the small plates and special items (then share 1 pizza from the specials) at 2 Amys -- it's like the countryside outside of Rome if you order that way. The rest of it looks good to me...
ReplyDeleteI like FO a lot, but you're right that 2 Amys is so good that I'd feel bad if I didn't take them. The whole not-being-able-to-make-a-reservation thing might screw us, though. We're used to squeezing in somewhere with the two of us, but for 4 we may have to wait a while. I know it's worth it!
ReplyDeleteIf you're in Chinatown for brunch, I'd push Clyde's. The menu changes weekly, and they have breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections on it. And free coffee cake!
ReplyDeleteMathew, I love free coffee cake, but I'm going to try to limit the number of chains we visit. I think there are enough Clyde's to officially call it a chain, while the two Matchbox locations don't yet qualify. I want to keep it local! Unique! Exciting!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not knocking Clyde's. I mean, I love Maggie Moo's and Starbucks and all that is right in the world, but guests from out of town need something fresh.
I'm happy to see Dairy Godmother on the list!! Maybe they'll have cobbler. If you are planning to go to Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, I wouldn't waste a meal on it. I've been pretty disappointed with the food.
ReplyDeleteGood call, Em. I wish there was a cobbler-cam.
ReplyDeleteI love Vermilion in Old Town (I like it better than Farrah Olivia).
ReplyDeleteRavi Kabob in Arlington (corner of N. Glebe & Pershing) can't be beat for good Pakistani fare. Any one of the dozens of pupuserias and Peruvian chicken places are also hearty deliciousness.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Farrah Olivia, when I went there with my boyfriend this weekend he thought the chef was only trying to push limits in terms of how far he can push the customers before they complain about how bad and ridiculous the food is. Overpriced by far. I recommend Rasika or Filomena. They are both so good.
ReplyDeleteRasika....the best restauarnt in DC!
ReplyDeleteReservations are made: Rasika for dinner, Cafe Atlantico for brunch. That's the planned part. The other day we'll wing it depending on the weather (but Ben's, Matchbox, Ray's HB are all candidates). Or maybe head to Alexandria or Eastern Market.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, everyone, she picked EXACTLY right... These foodies were full and happy for 3 days straight!
ReplyDelete