Is there anything more wonderful than discovering that the attraction you are currently visiting also offers an excellent repast? Most tourist sites provide sustenance of some sort, generally humdrum in taste and high in price. A very few establishments proffer a delightful setting and food that's a real pleasure to eat. At the pinnacle of my list in Washington are the National Gallery of Art's restaurants, and in particular the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Café (tel. 202/289-3360), where you can sip a glass of wine and savor Cuban panini (mo-jo roasted pork with crinkle-cut pickles, mustard, ham, cheese, and onions on Cuban bread), sitting inside in the glass pavilion in winter or on the terrace in warm weather, in view of sculpture, the landscaped garden, and grand sights of Washington. The gallery's Cascades and the Garden Café (tel. 202/712-7460) are worthy second choices, offering a wide range of appetite pleasers and really lovely surroundings.
Four other eateries are worth special mention: The National Museum of the American Indian's Mitsitam Café (tel. 202/633-7044) seeks to educate as well as please the palate, since its menu represents traditional dishes from various Native American regions -- for example, cedar-planked juniper salmon from the Pacific Northwest, buffalo burgers from the Great Plains, and, a favorite, fry bread from all over. The International Spy Museum's Spy City Café (tel. 202/654-0995) is one of the rare museum eateries to open early -- 8am weekdays and 9am weekends -- and is rightly famous for its cleverly named hot dogs, like the Red Square Dog. The newly opened Vradenburg Café (tel. 202/387-2151), in the Phillips Collection, is operated by a local bakery chain, Firehook Bakery, which Washingtonians love for its sandwiches on thick breads and for its selection of delicious desserts. Union Station's Food Court is exceptional in its variety; individual purveyors from around the world sell their own national specialty: Italian, Greek, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and American in all its forms.
Finally, you just can't beat the atmosphere (political) and value (cheap) of the all-American food served in certain dining rooms on Capitol Hill. While touring the Hill, keep these places in mind:
For a most exclusive experience, try to dine in either the House of Representatives Restaurant (also called the "Members' Dining Room") in Room H118, at the south end of the Capitol (tel. 202/225-6300), or the Senate Dining Room in Room S110 at the north end of the Capitol (tel. 202/224-4100); to do so, you must contact your representative's or senator's office and follow the proper procedure to obtain official permission.
You are always welcome (after you've gone through security, of course) in the eateries located in the Capitol office buildings across the street from the Capitol. These are quite affordable -- your meal isn't taxed, for one thing -- and you'll be surrounded by Hill staffers, who head to places like the immense, full-service Rayburn House Office Building Cafeteria (tel. 202/225-7109), which is in Room B357, in the basement of the building, at First Street and Independence Avenue SW. Adjoining the cafeteria is a carryout that sells pizza and sandwiches. In the basement-level Longworth Building Cafeteria, Independence Avenue and South Capitol Street SE (tel. 202/225-0878), you can grab a bite from a fairly nice food court. By far the best value for visitors is the Dirksen Senate Office Building South Buffet Room, First and C streets NE (tel. 202/224-4249). For just $13 per adult, $8.75 per child under 10, you can choose from a buffet that includes a carving station and eight other hot entrees; the price covers a nonalcoholic drink and dessert, too. The dining room is often crowded but accepts reservations for parties of more than five. Other options include the Russell Carryout and the Cannon Carryout, both in the basement of the Cannon Building. All of these eateries are open weekdays only. The carryouts stay open until late afternoon, while the other dining rooms close at 2:30pm.
When the Capitol Visitors Center debuts in 2008, you'll find a large dining hall -- accommodating 600 people -- within it. Can't tell you more than that at this time, but check it out if you're planning to tour the Capitol in 2008.
Right across the street from the Capitol are two other institutions offering inexpensive dining and fair views (of famous sights or people) at weekday breakfast and lunch: the Library of Congress's Cafeteria and its more formal Montpelier Room (tel. 202/707-8300), where the options usually cost under $10 per person and the views are of Capitol Hill; and the Supreme Court's Cafeteria (tel. 202/479-3246), where you may spy a famous lawyer or member of the press, but not any of the justices, who have their own dining room.
