Mediocre food scene in DMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried Baltimore? I agree with your assessment.

I find DC restaurants pretty overrated. And I'm not a fan of chains.

Helmand (Afghani food)

Thames Street Oyster House (seafood)

There used to be a wonderful vegetarian place called The Zodiac on Charles Street, but it shut down.

Sotta Sopra is an Italian place on Charles Street.

And if you are willing to venture into the Baltimore suburbs, Bombay Nights is an Indian restaurant in Perry Hall that is absolutely fantastic.

Agree with all except never tried the poster house. Baltimore has,way better food. A hole in the wall has better pizza/subs than just about anywhere here.

But I think overall, it's not the real fine dining DC is missing so much as everything else- there's virtually no good lunch food or carryout food or middle of the road places. Just nasty reheated pizza slice places, fast food, or yet another restaurant that's some type of mediteranianesque, barely decent, limited menu fare with a geographical point of reference in the name. Honestly, I'm a native and I've never eaten at a good deli in DC in my entire life. I think the MD burbs have better options by far than DC for lunch and carryout, but not VA and definitely not DC.

I think you're on crack. There are a ton of small lunch places in Farragut that are cheap and delicious, like the little greek place on 19th, or Moby Dick, or Bub and Pop's, or Wicked Waffle, or the Korean noodle place on 19th, or a bunch of other sub-$10 lunch places that are delicious. Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about at all, or you're a tourist who thinks the Smithsonian is "downtown."

Wicked Waffle is gross. DGS is good. teaism is OK. That is about it. There are definitely not a "ton" of other good lunch spots in Farragut.

[Anonymous]

Actually I quite like Le Pain's bread. But they are a national chain so not really relevant to this discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually I quite like Le Pain's bread. But they are a national chain so not really relevant to this discussion.

DH and I once went there and sat at a table and the waiter just stood across the room staring at us and never came over to take our order or anything. After 30 minutes of this, we left. Weird place and weird concept for a restaurant.

[Anonymous]

As far as take out Italian Sausage and other Italian food, A Literi's near Union Market in Northeast is the best.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried Baltimore? I agree with your assessment.

I find DC restaurants pretty overrated. And I'm not a fan of chains.

Helmand (Afghani food)

Thames Street Oyster House (seafood)

There used to be a wonderful vegetarian place called The Zodiac on Charles Street, but it shut down.

Sotta Sopra is an Italian place on Charles Street.

And if you are willing to venture into the Baltimore suburbs, Bombay Nights is an Indian restaurant in Perry Hall that is absolutely fantastic.

Agree with all except never tried the poster house. Baltimore has,way better food. A hole in the wall has better pizza/subs than just about anywhere here.

But I think overall, it's not the real fine dining DC is missing so much as everything else- there's virtually no good lunch food or carryout food or middle of the road places. Just nasty reheated pizza slice places, fast food, or yet another restaurant that's some type of mediteranianesque, barely decent, limited menu fare with a geographical point of reference in the name. Honestly, I'm a native and I've never eaten at a good deli in DC in my entire life. I think the MD burbs have better options by far than DC for lunch and carryout, but not VA and definitely not DC.

I think you're on crack. There are a ton of small lunch places in Farragut that are cheap and delicious, like the little greek place on 19th, or Moby Dick, or Bub and Pop's, or Wicked Waffle, or the Korean noodle place on 19th, or a bunch of other sub-$10 lunch places that are delicious. Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about at all, or you're a tourist who thinks the Smithsonian is "downtown."

Delicious?

That Korean noodle place? The only reason it seems popular among some Koreans is because there are very few other options for Korean food in the immediate area. Their bibimbap ingredients are soaked in oil and their soup base is tasteless.

Unfortunately despite the large Korean community in parts of VA and MD, decent food options are sadly almost non-existent.

Signed,
Native Korean

Have you ever been to NoVa (hint: it's part of the DMV OP is bitching about)? Because it sounds like you haven't. LOL, "very few other options" for Korean. "Almost non-existent!" You're killing me!

Unless you're talking about DC proper. But OP wasn't, and too many PPs to count mentioned that the best ethnic food is in the burbs.

P.S. Mandu in Dupont is pretty good and has ridiculously great HH specials (so, cheap and good). Not as great as some of the places in NoVa, though.

[Anonymous]

Wow, clearly hit a nerve. My take is that DC is very dull when it come sto menus. Pull up menus in SF, Philly, NY, even Nashville, New Orleans and you will see dishes, ingredients you cannot find anywhere near DC. If you pull up six random menus in DC including what are considered "hot" restaurants or neighborhood restaurants, at least 4 will be nearly identical. It is too bad because it would seem that DC could support a vibrant, innovative restaurant scene, though the sameness and chains may suggest otherwise. As someone noted early in the thread, it is much better than it used to be, which is why I think it gets hyped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried Baltimore? I agree with your assessment.

I find DC restaurants pretty overrated. And I'm not a fan of chains.

Helmand (Afghani food)

Thames Street Oyster House (seafood)

There used to be a wonderful vegetarian place called The Zodiac on Charles Street, but it shut down.

Sotta Sopra is an Italian place on Charles Street.

And if you are willing to venture into the Baltimore suburbs, Bombay Nights is an Indian restaurant in Perry Hall that is absolutely fantastic.

Agree with all except never tried the poster house. Baltimore has,way better food. A hole in the wall has better pizza/subs than just about anywhere here.

But I think overall, it's not the real fine dining DC is missing so much as everything else- there's virtually no good lunch food or carryout food or middle of the road places. Just nasty reheated pizza slice places, fast food, or yet another restaurant that's some type of mediteranianesque, barely decent, limited menu fare with a geographical point of reference in the name. Honestly, I'm a native and I've never eaten at a good deli in DC in my entire life. I think the MD burbs have better options by far than DC for lunch and carryout, but not VA and definitely not DC.

I think you're on crack. There are a ton of small lunch places in Farragut that are cheap and delicious, like the little greek place on 19th, or Moby Dick, or Bub and Pop's, or Wicked Waffle, or the Korean noodle place on 19th, or a bunch of other sub-$10 lunch places that are delicious. Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about at all, or you're a tourist who thinks the Smithsonian is "downtown."

Delicious?

That Korean noodle place? The only reason it seems popular among some Koreans is because there are very few other options for Korean food in the immediate area. Their bibimbap ingredients are soaked in oil and their soup base is tasteless.

Unfortunately despite the large Korean community in parts of VA and MD, decent food options are sadly almost non-existent.

Signed,
Native Korean

Have you ever been to NoVa (hint: it's part of the DMV OP is bitching about)? Because it sounds like you haven't. LOL, "very few other options" for Korean. "Almost non-existent!" You're killing me!

Unless you're talking about DC proper. But OP wasn't, and too many PPs to count mentioned that the best ethnic food is in the burbs.

P.S. Mandu in Dupont is pretty good and has ridiculously great HH specials (so, cheap and good). Not as great as some of the places in NoVa, though.

I was super disappointed in Mandu. Totally Americanized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, clearly hit a nerve. My take is that DC is very dull when it come sto menus. Pull up menus in SF, Philly, NY, even Nashville, New Orleans and you will see dishes, ingredients you cannot find anywhere near DC. If you pull up six random menus in DC including what are considered "hot" restaurants or neighborhood restaurants, at least 4 will be nearly identical. It is too bad because it would seem that DC could support a vibrant, innovative restaurant scene, though the sameness and chains may suggest otherwise. As someone noted early in the thread, it is much better than it used to be, which is why I think it gets hyped.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Le Pain Quotidien does have some delicious food (omelettes and salads, etc.) how can you judge s restaurant by what a person is eating? I think you can only judge by what YOU ARE eating.

...and those omelettes are around $25 for an "upscale" version of Au Bon Pain? GOH!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Le Pain Quotidien does have some delicious food (omelettes and salads, etc.) how can you judge s restaurant by what a person is eating? I think you can only judge by what YOU ARE eating.

Only in DC would someone go to bat for Le Pain or Clyde's (lol at the pp who mentioned that). Restaurantuers probably know this, hence the crummy food.

SMH!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Le Pain Quotidien does have some delicious food (omelettes and salads, etc.) how can you judge s restaurant by what a person is eating? I think you can only judge by what YOU ARE eating.

Only in DC would someone go to bat for Le Pain or Clyde's (lol at the pp who mentioned that). Restaurantuers probably know this, hence the crummy food.

I'll go to bat for Clyde's any day. Ain't near what it used to be, but it is the only normal-ish decent option here.

Then that is really sad. So very sad. If that's that case I'll go to bat for Denny's! Bring on the Grand Slam Breakfast!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually I quite like Le Pain's bread. But they are a national chain so not really relevant to this discussion.

DH and I once went there and sat at a table and the waiter just stood across the room staring at us and never came over to take our order or anything. After 30 minutes of this, we left. Weird place and weird concept for a restaurant.

Sounds about right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you from that you expect much better food/service? I'm from CA, and I find that there isn't as much diverse ethnic foods here, especially really good Mexican. I miss good Mexican food.

Don't know where you are, but Alamo on Kenilworth Ave in Riverdale MD is pretty good.

Where the heck is the good CHINESE?

Wheaton and Rockville.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused by this thread. I will travel pretty far into the suburbs for the best of one cuisine or another and I think the area has some amazing food. Sure, you have to go to VA for great Korean (Kogiya) or Vietnamese; Langley Park or even Columbia for great Indian; Wheaton or Rockville for Chinese; Rockville or VA for Greek ( Trapezaria, Nostos); Rockville for Peruvian (La Limena). I am only naming a few off the top of my head. If you want great food, it can be found but you have to do your homework. I like the most of the "trendy" spots too for special occasions.