A restaurant isn't going to want you lingering for hours. Maybe go to the courtyard in the National Portrait Gallery, the top floor of the Hirshhorn has couches with a nice view of the Mall, the cafe in the MLK library (Marianne's) has some seats nearby if your conversation will be on the quiet side, or go to a park or something. I was recently at Ottoman Taverna for happy hour and it was pretty empty and quiet so that's another option. Or a hotel bar where you can hang out in the lobby after?

Several hours?!?

I haven’t lived in DC for over a decade (family is still there). I am coming into town with a friend where we’ll be blissfully free of all responsibilities for two days, Sunday-Tuesday. I’m looking for lively, delicious, low-key restaurants to while the time away in - similar to Zaytinya or the Diner, if you remember those. A place where we won’t be out of place spending several hours just chatting/drinkinf. Ideas? Thank you!