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Washington, D.C. |
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Introduction |
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Frommer's Favorite Experiences |
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Best Dining Bets |
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Best Hotel Bets |
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The Best Authentic Experiences |
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The Best Luxury Hotels |
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The Best Mid-Range Hotels |
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The Best Offbeat Travel Experiences |
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The Best Outdoor Pursuits |
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Best Free Things to Do |
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The Best Neighborhoods |
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The Best Websites |
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What's New |
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Planning a Trip |
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Getting to Know Washington, D.C. |
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Washington, D.C. Hotels |
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Washington, D.C. Restaurants |
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Washington, D.C. Attractions |
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Washington, D.C. Nightlife |
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Washington, D.C. Shopping |
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In Depth |
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Organized Tours |
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Active Pursuits |
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Suggested Itineraries |
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Washington, D.C. Events |
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Washington, D.C. Maps |
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Washington, D.C. Forum |
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Washington, D.C. Photos |
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View More Places in Washington, D.C. |
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Index |
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Best Dining Bets
- Best for Romance: The 1789 is renowned for its romantic ambience; this is where Nicole Kidman brought husband Keith Urban on his 38th birthday. The five dining rooms are cozy dens -- complete with historical prints on the walls, silk-shaded brass oil lamps on tables, and, come winter, fires crackling in the fireplaces. You'll want to dress up; but don't worry, the 1789 isn't at all stuffy. And if the oyster and champagne stew with Smithfield ham and walnuts doesn't put your date in the mood for love, nothing will. Other worthy contenders: Taberna del Alabardero and Palena.
- Best for Business: Charlie Palmer Steak, conveniently located within a walk of the Capitol, is a favorite spot for expense-account lobbyists and lawyers. They enjoy its great bar, fine cuts of steak, private rooms, and cleverly laid out seating that allows for discreet conversations. And then there's the Caucus Room, where there's always a whole lot of handshaking going on.
- Best for Regional Cuisine: The Blue Duck Tavern pays homage to the tastes of various American regional cuisines by stating the provenance of each dish on the menu. The seasonal farm vegetables might hail from the Tuscarora Co-op in Pennsylvania, the duck from Crescent Farms in New York. Johnny's Half Shell, meanwhile, is the place to go for superb Eastern Shore delicacies: crab cakes, crab imperial, and soft-shell crab. While Washington doesn't have its own cuisine, per se, its central location within the Mid-Atlantic/Chesapeake Bay region gives it license to lay claim to these local favorite foods. And nobody does 'em better than Johnny's.
- Best Decor: The Willard Room, in the historic Willard Hotel, stands out for its elegance. Its expansive dining room has a two-story-high ceiling, oak-paneled walls, enormous windows hung with shimmery drapes, green marble columns, beautifully upholstered chairs, and tables placed well apart from each other. The service and the food match the decor.
- Best Haute Cuisine: Two restaurants vie for this title: CityZen and Michel Richard Citronelle. Chef Eric Ziebold came to CityZen from the renowned French Laundry in Napa Valley; his culinary skills can take a simple mushroom and transform it (fry it, add truffles) into a spiritual experience. Likewise, Michel Richard is an artist in the kitchen, creating heavenly foods using cuttlefish, pigs' feet, foie gras -- or really, any ingredient he chooses.
- Best All-Around for Fun and Food: Two obvious choices: José Andrés's Oyamel, where the festivities on display through the windowed storefront reel in passersby. Everyone's slurping foam-topped margaritas and savoring ceviches and the tableside-churned guacamole made to requested specifications of spiciness. A few blocks away, Central is making everybody happy with its convivial atmosphere and Michel Richard's take on French bistro and American classics, from mussels in white wine to fried chicken. And if the ebullient Michel Richard is in the house, the place rocks.
- Best French Cuisine: You can go in two directions here. For exquisite, upscale French cuisine, consider Michel Richard's upscale restaurant, Citronelle, as well as Robert Wiedemaier's Marcel's and Frank Ruta's Palena. Not only are these the best French restaurants, but they are among the top 10 restaurants in the city, period. For French classics with Moulin Rouge ambience, check out La Chaumiere, whose nightly specials and rustic decor have been attracting regulars for more than 30 years.
- Best Italian Cuisine: Tosca is a winner, serving fine and unusual dishes derived from the chef's northern Italian upbringing. At Obelisk, chef/owner Peter Pastan continues to do what he's always done, craft elegantly simple and delicious food in a pleasantly sparse room.
- Best Pizza: At Pizzeria Paradiso, peerless chewy-crusted pies are baked in an oak-burning oven and crowned with delicious toppings; you'll find great salads and sandwiches on fresh-baked focaccia here, too.
- Best for "Taste of Washington" Experience: Eat lunch at the Monocle and you're bound to see a Supreme Court justice, congressman, or senator dining here, too. For some down-home and delicious Washington fun, sit at the counter at Ben's Chili Bowl, and chat with the owners and your neighbor over a chili dog or plate of blueberry pancakes. The place is an institution, and you can stop by anytime -- it's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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