Anonymous wrote:Is farmers and distillers owned by founding farmers? Personally I hate founding farmers and have never understood the constant recommendations of that place.

Me neither, total trash to me an I would never trust any rec from this restaurant group.

I love farmers and distillers, but if you go, sit in the main dining room and not the bar dining room. The bar dining room is loud.

Is farmers and distillers owned by founding farmers? Personally I hate founding farmers and have never understood the constant recommendations of that place.

OP here -- thanks, all, for these great suggestions! I'm going to have to find more 6th & I events to go to so I can try out all your recommendations.

PS -- Re RPM -- I haven't been to the one in DC, but went to the Chicago branch with a similar group (old friends who wanted to be able to talk comfortably) and found the food, service and decibel level worked perfectly for us.

Pho 88 is my personal favorite. That’s super close to my office so I know the area well. Farmers is fine for boring eaters.

Estuary, Prather’s on the Alley, All Purpose, Tiger Fork

Anonymous wrote:RPM is a good choice. We've also been to Daikaya Izakaya after an event, which is a couple of blocks away.

I find the food at RPM to be underwhelming.

Zaytinya. It’s at 8th and G (I believe those are the cross streets) so it’s about a 4-5 block walk but I think a great ambiance for catching up and great food!

Chaia Tacos.

La Betty (comfort), Daikaya (Japanese), Alta Strada (Italian), Mandu (Korean), Karma (Indian), Poca Madre (fancy Mexican).

I think these all have better (and more interesting) food than Busboys and Farmers/Distillers.

RPM is a good choice. We've also been to Daikaya Izakaya after an event, which is a couple of blocks away.

Anonymous wrote:Farmers and Distillers. Right around the corner and really good. You could also try RPM which is quiet.

Agree with Farmers and Distillers: their menu has something for everyone, and service is always good.
If you want something ethnic - Karma is in the same building as Farmers and Distillers, but on the side closest to the 6th& I http://karmamodernindian.com/

There's a busboys and poets near there.

Farmers and Distillers. Right around the corner and really good. You could also try RPM which is quiet.

Meeting friends for dinner before an event at 6th & I. I'd appreciate suggestions for restaurants where we can talk without shouting at one another (one person is coming from out of town so we'll have some catching up to do). This is an adventurous group of eaters. TIA for your recommendations!