Ted's Montana Grill in Crystal City.

There's a Legal Seafood nearby and they have validated parking in the garage.

fyi there are two garages; the one with the parking is when you turn off the main road towards the restaurant, turn right in front of the restaurant and then go into the garage on your left.

(The one where you pay is if you turn toward the restaurant, then go straight past it and turn right into the garage.)

Please eat one of their warm rolls with some butter on it for me. (yes I used to live in Boston)

Also, anywhere in del ray will be great. Del Ray is one of those "cute neighborhoods", but really, it is only about a 5-10 minute drive to the airport. Agree though that Rustico is also a great option.

I love Ted's Montana Grill and there's one in Crystal City

Anonymous wrote:thanks for the suggestions so far. RUstico and Jaleo seem like good options, I checked out the menus. Anything else besides those mentioned? closer to the airport the better, but the 15 min drive ones are okay too.

Busboys and Poets in Shirlington?
Mele, Piola, or Ray's the Third in Rosslyn?
Ray's the Steaks in Clarendon? (might be a bit too far)

You mean National Airport?!?

At the airport, I also like Matsutake.

thanks for the suggestions so far. RUstico and Jaleo seem like good options, I checked out the menus. Anything else besides those mentioned? closer to the airport the better, but the 15 min drive ones are okay too.

I was going to suggest Jaleo too.

Crystal City is a good suggestion. I live by Rustico and am not a big fan of the food. Also, as a PP pointed out, it's loud, so might not be the best bet for catching up. What about just staying in the airport and eating at, say, Sam & Harry's? or American Tap Room? There are lots of restaurants there.

I'd do Jaleo but you can also do Carlyle in Shirlington. It's a short drive.

Anonymous wrote:So you're leaving the airport? There's just about every possible restaurant in Crystal City and Pentagon City. Personally, I like Jaleo in Crystal City, or you could go down to Rustico in Alexandria.

I'm the next PP, and Rustico would probably be my suggestion, too, if you're okay not being in the absolute immediate vicinity of the airport. I don't think about it being near the airport, but actually it is pretty close. Kind of loud if you don't mind that, but very good food.

There are so many restaurants in Crystal City/Pentagon City, from diners to Ruths Chris. I would check Yelp to see what appeals to you. The area seems to cater to government contractors staying in the area, so there are quite a few steak type places, and mostly chains, but not Applebee's type places.

Epic Smokehouse in Pentagon City is pretty decent, kind of an upscale barbecue wine place. Lebanese Taverna is also in Pentagon City, and I always like it. Jaleo, Legal Sea Foods, Ted's Montana Grill are decent and all in Crystal City. I actually can't think of any local places to eat that area except Epic and the diner! I've also heard that Hearthstone pizza is good but haven't been there myself. Watch out in Crystal City for Freddie's and Crystal City "Restaurant" unless they're the kind of places you like to frequent (gay bar and "adult" establishment, respectively).

So you're leaving the airport? There's just about every possible restaurant in Crystal City and Pentagon City. Personally, I like Jaleo in Crystal City, or you could go down to Rustico in Alexandria.

A friend is flying in and we are meeting in that area. I live further out and have no idea.
Nothing too fancy, but we don't want to eat at a chain like Applebee's either. no offense to them!

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