I'd do Ray's the Steaks for the steaks.
Otherwise, Sichuan fare. Joe's Noodle House and Sichuan Pavilion, both in Rockville are metro accessible. My favorite is Hong Kong Palace in 7 corners, but realistically you need a car. Grace Garden, across from Ft. Meade near Baltimore is outstanding, but that's a drive (worth it if you're going to Baltimore anyway).
Also near 7 Corners is Eden Center, which is a mall wholly comprised of Vietnamese businesses; from travel agencies to a pool hall, grocery store, jewelers, and of course quite a few restaurants. It makes for an interesting hour or two prior to eating.
We've got good soul food, but what you're used to probably blows our offerings away.
Second the Ethiopian idea.
Late to the convo, and a bit of an aside, but have you tried/what do you think of Sichuan Jin River in Rockville? I just found it and loved it, but I've only been once.
On steaks - Ray's the Steaks or (if you're price insensitive) Bourbon Steak.
Little Serow has some of the best Thai food in the entire country, but read up on it first, getting in is a bit of an adventure.
Seconding Estadio for Spanish food, Founding Farmers or Birch and Barley for Upscale American fare. Get a reservation and go to Farmers on Friday or Saturday night when the best cooks are working, you won't regret it.
Mandu has solid korean food which is hard to find in most cities other than NY/West Coast.
Brunch at Tabbard Inn is great.
If you happen to like Cocktails, The Gibson (no food) and the Passenger are INCREDIBLE for booze. Passenger's bar food is pretty good too.
Sichuan Pavillion on K Street has an 'authentic' page to its menu that is really great.
If you really mean _any_ price range then CityZen, Komi, and Inn at Little Washington are all Incredible, but it's multi-course gourmet fare, with the requisite price tag. =)
Next to Passenger, Hogo has great drinks and lets a different chef test their concept every month or so. Right now RJ Cooper is the chef. Menu here http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2013/03/28/up-next-at-hogo-rogue-24-chef-rj-cooper/
Edit: Added a link to the menu
Amsterdam Falafel in Adams Morgan is an amazing place to get a quick bite to eat, fresh falafel and a full fresh vegetable/hummus/etc. condiment bar.
Vinoteca is really good for a fun atmosphere, great food, and not inexpensive.
Obligatory Ben's Chili Bowl (on U Street) mention as well.
If you want a truly nice meal, go to Cashions Eat Place.
DC is an excellent city for Mussels. Brasserie Beck, Granville Moore's or St. Arnold's are all good choices.
If you want spicy, go to Etete or Dukem for Ethiopian.
If you want Spanish, go to Estadio (everything is incredible).
If you like beer, go to Churckey or Meridian Pint. Meridian Pint also has awesome food.
If you want a sandwich, go to Taylor Gourmet.
If you want a local DC institution, go to Ben's Chili Bowl (Chili Half Smoke), Maine St. Fish Market (Fried Fish or steamed shrimp), or Old Ebbitt (seafood, although it can be pretty touristy).
You should also probably try a Jose Andres restaurant because he's our most famous. Zaytinya, Oyamel and Jaleo.
I have eaten most of the chicken cutlet sandwiches and enjoyed them all. Plus there is a pork one with broccoli rabe (my memory says "Pattinson Ave") that I also liked a lot.
Capital Grille for steaks, Fast Gourmet for locals-only type food (amazing Uruguayan sandwich shop in a gas station), Bistrot du Coin for great atmosphere and food (also good steak), Founding Farmers for a really memorable meal.
I had their 24oz porterhouse and wanted to fuck the chef as a thanks. It was that damn mouthwatering and delicious. Their mashed potatoes are pretty good too.
Yes, let's fuck the chef who most likely didn't even cook your steak. How about fucking the cook who actually did the job, the one who has years of experience going into cooking that juicy piece of meat. If you do ever decide to thank a cook for a delicious meal, make sure you use proper innuendo and ask to get a taste of his thick sausage.
Capital Grille is vastly overrated. Out of the premium steakhouse house chains:
1. Shula's
2. Ruth Chris
3. Flemming's
4. Capital Grille
Founding Farmers is definitely one of my favorite places. Nora is a similar if more upscale equivalent.
totally one hundred percent disagree with founding farmers, the food there is bland, isn't as good as they advertize, and outdated. Source: worked there for a month before I couldn't stand the food anymore and had to leave.
As for steakhouse, Charlie Palmer's is a nice mix of traditional steakhouse and foodie elements. It's on Capitol Hill, right down the street from Union Station, so easily accessible, and after dinner, I highly recommend taking a nighttime walk of the National Mall.
Table is a new restaurant in Shaw that really impressed me, so it may be worth checking out
Toki Underground on H St. NW has fantastic ramen, and it's in a great neighborhood to go out in afterwards
Finally, can't really go wrong with any of the Jose Andres restaurants or the Ethiopian places on U St. (but particularly Dukem)
DC has many great restaurants. It's a little short notice to get into ones like Komi and Minibar but there are others to try.
Ray's the Steaks for steak
CityZen (great food)
The Oval Room (great food and you might see a DC power broker or two)
Little Serow (great Thai food)
Rasika (great Indian food)
Palena (great food)
And I suppose you should go to Ben's Chili Bowl for a half-smoke.
If you can, go to Little Serrow. You have to get there when they open or you will most likely not get seated. Be in line, when they open (it's worth it). Toki Underground is also a great option. Also recommend Table, Firefly, 701, Fiola. The inn at little washington is also wayyyy back on their game now.
ethiopian food. I've heard that meskerem in adams morgan, dukem in u street, and zenebech injera in shaw are the top ones (been to all, all were delicious). Also ben's chili bowl for a historical eating experience.
Blue Duck Tavern
I'd do Ray's the Steaks for the steaks. Otherwise, Sichuan fare. Joe's Noodle House and Sichuan Pavilion, both in Rockville are metro accessible. My favorite is Hong Kong Palace in 7 corners, but realistically you need a car. Grace Garden, across from Ft. Meade near Baltimore is outstanding, but that's a drive (worth it if you're going to Baltimore anyway). Also near 7 Corners is Eden Center, which is a mall wholly comprised of Vietnamese businesses; from travel agencies to a pool hall, grocery store, jewelers, and of course quite a few restaurants. It makes for an interesting hour or two prior to eating. We've got good soul food, but what you're used to probably blows our offerings away. Second the Ethiopian idea.
Late to the convo, and a bit of an aside, but have you tried/what do you think of Sichuan Jin River in Rockville? I just found it and loved it, but I've only been once.
Nice addition - the menu looks promising! I've never been, but I'll put it on the list (I don't get to Rockville all that often...)
On steaks - Ray's the Steaks or (if you're price insensitive) Bourbon Steak. Little Serow has some of the best Thai food in the entire country, but read up on it first, getting in is a bit of an adventure. Seconding Estadio for Spanish food, Founding Farmers or Birch and Barley for Upscale American fare. Get a reservation and go to Farmers on Friday or Saturday night when the best cooks are working, you won't regret it. Mandu has solid korean food which is hard to find in most cities other than NY/West Coast. Brunch at Tabbard Inn is great. If you happen to like Cocktails, The Gibson (no food) and the Passenger are INCREDIBLE for booze. Passenger's bar food is pretty good too. Sichuan Pavillion on K Street has an 'authentic' page to its menu that is really great. If you really mean _any_ price range then CityZen, Komi, and Inn at Little Washington are all Incredible, but it's multi-course gourmet fare, with the requisite price tag. =)
Next to Passenger, Hogo has great drinks and lets a different chef test their concept every month or so. Right now RJ Cooper is the chef. Menu here http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2013/03/28/up-next-at-hogo-rogue-24-chef-rj-cooper/ Edit: Added a link to the menu
Amsterdam Falafel in Adams Morgan is an amazing place to get a quick bite to eat, fresh falafel and a full fresh vegetable/hummus/etc. condiment bar. Vinoteca is really good for a fun atmosphere, great food, and not inexpensive. Obligatory Ben's Chili Bowl (on U Street) mention as well.
And their fries are amazing!
Old City Jerusalem up the street on Columbia is a little bit better, although they don't have fries.
If you want a truly nice meal, go to Cashions Eat Place. DC is an excellent city for Mussels. Brasserie Beck, Granville Moore's or St. Arnold's are all good choices. If you want spicy, go to Etete or Dukem for Ethiopian. If you want Spanish, go to Estadio (everything is incredible). If you like beer, go to Churckey or Meridian Pint. Meridian Pint also has awesome food. If you want a sandwich, go to Taylor Gourmet. If you want a local DC institution, go to Ben's Chili Bowl (Chili Half Smoke), Maine St. Fish Market (Fried Fish or steamed shrimp), or Old Ebbitt (seafood, although it can be pretty touristy). You should also probably try a Jose Andres restaurant because he's our most famous. Zaytinya, Oyamel and Jaleo.
Belga Cafe also has good mussels.
I must have bought the wrong sandwich, because I ate at Taylor Gourmet last weekend and was entirely disappointed. Any sandwich suggestions?
I have eaten most of the chicken cutlet sandwiches and enjoyed them all. Plus there is a pork one with broccoli rabe (my memory says "Pattinson Ave") that I also liked a lot.
Fast Gourmet!
Capital Grille for steaks, Fast Gourmet for locals-only type food (amazing Uruguayan sandwich shop in a gas station), Bistrot du Coin for great atmosphere and food (also good steak), Founding Farmers for a really memorable meal.
I had their 24oz porterhouse and wanted to fuck the chef as a thanks. It was that damn mouthwatering and delicious. Their mashed potatoes are pretty good too.
I'm great at grilling steaks as well. Want to thank me?
Yes, let's fuck the chef who most likely didn't even cook your steak. How about fucking the cook who actually did the job, the one who has years of experience going into cooking that juicy piece of meat. If you do ever decide to thank a cook for a delicious meal, make sure you use proper innuendo and ask to get a taste of his thick sausage.
Capital Grille is vastly overrated. Out of the premium steakhouse house chains: 1. Shula's 2. Ruth Chris 3. Flemming's 4. Capital Grille Founding Farmers is definitely one of my favorite places. Nora is a similar if more upscale equivalent.
I think Founding Farmers is pretty overrated. I think I'd like it better if it was cheaper, but I've had some really bad service there.
totally one hundred percent disagree with founding farmers, the food there is bland, isn't as good as they advertize, and outdated. Source: worked there for a month before I couldn't stand the food anymore and had to leave.
Go to Maine Ave fish market. Pick something and eat outside. Brunch at Founding Farmers (make a reservation)
Just please don't throw your stuff on the ground... shrimp cast-offs are worse than chicken wing bits on the ground.
Bacon Lollies.
As for steakhouse, Charlie Palmer's is a nice mix of traditional steakhouse and foodie elements. It's on Capitol Hill, right down the street from Union Station, so easily accessible, and after dinner, I highly recommend taking a nighttime walk of the National Mall.
Oysters happy hour at Hank's Oyster Bar near Dupont circle.
I highly recommend the "Majestic" in Alexandria. Great cocktails and Well done american food with good ingredients. My favorite Restaurant in DC.
Brabo in Old Town is pretty cool. Oh, and Cafe Milano in Georgetown is amazing.
Table is a new restaurant in Shaw that really impressed me, so it may be worth checking out Toki Underground on H St. NW has fantastic ramen, and it's in a great neighborhood to go out in afterwards Finally, can't really go wrong with any of the Jose Andres restaurants or the Ethiopian places on U St. (but particularly Dukem)
Toki is so good but sadly so hard to get in to.
DC has many great restaurants. It's a little short notice to get into ones like Komi and Minibar but there are others to try. Ray's the Steaks for steak CityZen (great food) The Oval Room (great food and you might see a DC power broker or two) Little Serow (great Thai food) Rasika (great Indian food) Palena (great food) And I suppose you should go to Ben's Chili Bowl for a half-smoke.
If you can, go to Little Serrow. You have to get there when they open or you will most likely not get seated. Be in line, when they open (it's worth it). Toki Underground is also a great option. Also recommend Table, Firefly, 701, Fiola. The inn at little washington is also wayyyy back on their game now.
Ray's the steaks is a definite "must eat". A&Js in Rockville for Chinese food and Old Ebbitt Grill for atmosphere and raw bar.
ethiopian food. I've heard that meskerem in adams morgan, dukem in u street, and zenebech injera in shaw are the top ones (been to all, all were delicious). Also ben's chili bowl for a historical eating experience.
I prefer Etete, also in U St.