seeking downtown restaurant rec for out of town visitors with kids

[Anonymous]

Friends are visiting from out of town and we'd like to meet them for dinner downtown (they are staying near Union Station, so Capitol Hill or Verizon Center areas are probably easiest for them). Any suggestions of where to meet for dinner? I would like to pick a place that is a nice walk (things to see) for them from their hotel, or an easy cab ride to a fun area would be fine. We have kids so it needs to be kid-friendly although doesn't need to be kid-centric. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Clydes -- it's big and noisy so you won't feel like the kids are making a scene if they are loud. They have a kid menu and crayons. Ella's Pizza is another kid-friendly place.

[Anonymous]

Matchbox or Jaleo

[Anonymous]

Good Stuff Eatery (or We the Pizza)

[Anonymous]

District of Pi: http://www.pi-dc.com/

[Anonymous]

All my suggestions are ethnic foods, so if they are't adventurous, these might not be the greatest pics, but they are some of the best that DC has to offer in that neighborhood and are specific to DC.

Jaleo - Jose Andres is now a national figure who can actually cook, unlike some other celebrity chefs who have encamped in DC in the Capitol Hill area

Rasika - If they are open to Indian, fabulous modern Indian cooking that has garnered a lot of critical accolades.

Daikaya - Haven't been there yet, but have heard from friedns that th ramen is amazing. They also just opened the Izakaya which presumably is like Kushi, but hopefully better executed. Kushi is one of the most overrated restaurants by Tom Sietsema. And of course, you can never go wrong with noodles when kids are involved.

[Anonymous]

Hill Country BBQ in Penn Quarter. It's big and noisy, and if you stay late enough they have live music (when we're out of town we don't mind keeping kids up late!)

And in my experience, kids LOVE BBQ and all the fun side dishes!!

[Anonymous]

I'll add Zaytinya and Yo Sushi. Also Momiji where you can sit by the grill and watch the chef juggle knives!

[Anonymous]

Olde ebbitts grill right by the White House. It can get busy because its right on the tourist walk (white house, mall, oh and Treasury for the cool kids), so you should make reservations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hill Country BBQ in Penn Quarter. It's big and noisy, and if you stay late enough they have live music (when we're out of town we don't mind keeping kids up late!)

And in my experience, kids LOVE BBQ and all the fun side dishes!!

Yeah, this is a good bet. Great for kids. And it's good (at least the times I've been there).

[Anonymous]

Though Hill Country can get very expensive. In a large group might be better as sides can be shared, but I've found the all you can eat is actually a good deal on Mondays. Younger kids eat free, though I don't know what the cutoff is and they need to start paying.

[Anonymous]

I live downtown. How old are the kids? That makes a difference?

Hill Country is great no matter what age, weekend nights can be rough.

Daikaya is great if the kids are a bit older or good out to eat.

Acadiana is great with kids and has great drinks.

[Anonymous]

OP, you indicated Union Station, Capitol Hill & Verizon Center so I am going to stick w/those areas. Barracks Row is a great place to eat & then walk around. I would recommend Ted's Bulletin or Matchbox, Zest, We the Pizza & Good Stuff Eatery. You can get sweets like cupcakes & macarons @ the Sweet Lobby after you eat.
I also like PingPong DimSum near Convention Center w/the kids. I think the new Shake Shack might be open in the Spy Museum, not sure. My kids really like Ella's Wood-Fired Pizza and I like their salads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All my suggestions are ethnic foods, so if they are't adventurous, these might not be the greatest pics, but they are some of the best that DC has to offer in that neighborhood and are specific to DC.

Jaleo - Jose Andres is now a national figure who can actually cook, unlike some other celebrity chefs who have encamped in DC in the Capitol Hill area

Rasika - If they are open to Indian, fabulous modern Indian cooking that has garnered a lot of critical accolades.

Daikaya - Haven't been there yet, but have heard from friedns that th ramen is amazing. They also just opened the Izakaya which presumably is like Kushi, but hopefully better executed. Kushi is one of the most overrated restaurants by Tom Sietsema. And of course, you can never go wrong with noodles when kids are involved.

Rasika is not kid friendly.

[Anonymous]

+1 for Clyde's. I know it is a chain, but the atmosphere is nice (love that wood paneling), food is very good and they are so kid friendly. One of the few places downtown I take my toddler.