Washington, D.C. Eats

By Avital Binshtock

A trip to Washington, D.C. will probably include visiting any number of monuments dedicated to the people who shaped our great nation; keeping all the names and faces straight may prove to be a daunting task. However, the paper portraits in your wallet should be easy to keep track ofyou'll only need George's and Abe's bills to have a good time.

Best Investment of 75¢: Happy hour is a D.C. specialty. My Brother's Place (237 2nd St.; tel. 202/347-1350) has one of the best. Their "Beat the Clock Happy Hour", during which certain draft beers cost 75 cents at 4pm and increase by a quarter each hour until 9pm, happens on Fridays.

Best Investment of $2: A good meatless broth is hard to find, but not at Soul Vegetarian Café (2606 Georgia Ave. NW; tel. 202/328-7685), where you can get a small, fresh-made soup for the price of a can at the market.

Best Investment of $2.75: A slice of cheese pizza can be had for eleven quarters at The Italian Store (3123 Lee Hwy.; tel. 703/528-6266) on the Arlington side of the Potomac River.

Best Investment of $2.90: Ben's Chili Bowl (1213 U St. NW; tel. 202/667-0909) will get you going for breakfast with a filling egg sandwich. The eatery has been a D.C. fixture since 1958.

Best Meal Plan: Span the pillar civilizations of democracy by ordering lunch to go at the Greek Deli (1120 19th St. NW; tel. 202/296-2111) and enjoying your feast amidst the monuments on the mall. The Greek Deli, a sure bet for great, filling food at bargain prices, is open Monday through Friday, 7am to 4pm.