Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't take a professor to Murphy's. It's more bar than restaurant. And you have to know he likes ethnic food for some of the other choices. I recommended Overwood but just to give you another option, Columbia Firehouse also has that type of fare (American), is more toward the heart of Old Town (will parking be an issue?) and has good indoor seating. I recommend sitting in the side room/atrium, which has good light.
Columbia firehouse has good food, but it's on the pricier side.
I work right in Old Town, and as others have noted, most of the places that fit your criteria focus on the cuisine of a specific region.
That said, come of my favorites are:
Asian Bistro
Pita House
Taverna Cretekou
I love Geranio's, but it might be pricier than you have in mind. There's also Bilbo Baggins.
I haven't eaten at the Old Town Red Rocks, but I *love* the Red Rocks on H Street in DC. Oh, and there's also a Pizzeria Paradiso on King Street.