Washington, D.C., United States Guide - - Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife - Classic Travel
Washington, D.C. is home to historic museums and national monuments that tell various stories of U.S. history. No matter what your political persuasion, the U.S. Capitol offers so many activities and opportunities for sightseeing that most tourists return for additional visits.
Activities
The Smithsonian Institute www.si.edu/visit Completed in 1855, The Smithsonian Institute consists of 17 museums including the Museums of Natural History, American History and Air & Space, plus the National Zoo in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. These breathtaking museums house more than 142 million items, are all free of charge and there are rarely any lines to get in. Be prepared to do a lot of walking.
The National Gallery National Mall (between Third and Seventh Street N.W.) Tel. 202.737.4215 www.nga.gov This is reason alone to travel to Washington. The museum features an extensive collection of medieval through 19th century European art, plus pre-20th century and contemporary American works.
The Holocaust Museum 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place S.W. (Near the National Mall south of Independence Avenue) Tel. 202.488.0400 www.ushmm.gov This museum, the absolute best of its kind, will leave you drained yet enlightened.
Dining
Citronelle 3000 M Street NW (Georgetown/Glover Park) Tel. 202.625.2150 With a refined atmosphere, impeccable service and exquisite cuisine, this may be the best French restaurant in Washington. The price ensures that you enjoy the best of what's available.
Willard Room 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue (14th Street) Tel. 202.637.7440 Breakfast here is a virtual tour of Washington's power brokers-- in fact, any meal in this stunning, oak-panelled, turn-of-the-century room will be a memorable event.
Jaleo 480 Seventh Street NW (E St. NW) Tel. 202.628.7949 This lively tapas restaurant is around the corner from the Shakespeare Theater. It’s always busy, but tables turn quickly, so the wait isn’t as long as it looks. The fun really starts late in the evening, when the place is full of jaleo-- that's Spanish slang for commotion. Shake up your palate with Jose Andres’ simple, earthy little dishes which reward you with clarity of ingredients and flavor. Entrées abound, but ordering a table full of small plates and washing them down with a bottle of sherry or a pitcher of sangría is the ideal way to sample the best of Jaleo. Menu selections change seasonally but usually include sausage with white beans, grilled portobello mushrooms, Spanish cold cuts and poached octopus in olive oil.
Le Chat Noir 4907 Wisconsin Avenue NW (42nd St. NW) Tel. 202.244.2044 This snug, clubby French eatery works well as a neighborhood destination. It’s also refreshing to find an affordable restaurant with upscale food. Dress right to enjoy the steak frites, coquilles Saint-Jacques and classic French onion soup. You might consider turning a lunch into a crêpe-fest: buckwheat crêpes with bacon, cheese and a creamy mushroom sauce; roasted chicken breast, cream of leek and vegetables; or sautéed sea scallops, ginger, white wine and crème fraîche. Save room for La Nutella crêpe for dessert.
Nooshi 1120 19th Street NW (L St. NW) Tel. 202.293.3138 The owners of Oodles Noodles, Yanÿu and Spices have put their heads together to create a complete revamping of their downtown Oodles Noodles, now with stylish gold-toned wallpaper and elegant seating. A very clever sushi chef handles the sushi bar, delivering a diverse selection of sushi appetizers and entrées including maki rolls, elegant sashimi platters and a full array of pan-Asian dishes. Half a Peking duck is prepared Yanÿu-style, and generous Spices-type noodle dishes also highlight the menu. A multi-course feast here might include ultra-fresh sushi, Peking duck, luscious orange beef, a calamari appetizer and various noodle dishes, such as the curry laksa, a fiery import from Malaysia.
Ceiba 701 14th Street NW Phone: 202-393-3983 http://www.ceibarestaurant.com/home.html Offering contemporary Latin-American cuisine, Ceiba offers a unique dining experience. Placing you in a dining space decorated in original stone and mosaic tile from the Yucatan, this restaurant feel has an element of authenticity. It features boutique wines from both North and South American and also has a full service bar serving all types of cocktails especially South American drinks like mojitos and caipirinha. Some menu favorites are whole crispy red snapper vera cruz and the yellow tomato gazpacho.
Kinkead’s 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Phone: 202-296-7700 http://www.kinkead.com/ An American brasserie, specializing in fresh seafood, Kinkead’s is a truly delectable dining experience. This award-winning eatery provides nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy the sesame seared rare tuna or the crispy cornmeal crabs- Chef Kinkead will not disappoint you. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner as this restaurant is quite popular and always full.
Filomena 1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Phone: 202-338-8800 http://www.filomenadc.com/ Looking for authentic Italian? Look no further than Filomena. One of D.C.’s premier restaurants for decades, this Italian specialty provides its diners with a beautiful garden atmosphere complimented with antiques and big bright windows. Filomena also is in a prime location-the center of Georgetown. Take a walk around either before or after dinner. In the window you can see the “Italian Grandma” preparing home-made pasta everyday.
Shopping
America, Oh Yes! 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 202 Tel. 202.721.0043 With one of the most extensive folk art collections in the country, this gallery is also known for its reasonable prices. It represents more than 160 self-taught American artists.
Helly Hansen Mid-Atlantic 3225 M Street NW Tel. 202.298.7245 www.hellyonline.com For 130 years, Helly Hansen has pushed the barriers of performance technical outerwear. They create functional and innovative garments that help outdoor athletes perform to their maximum potential. Their motto is: "Dry, Warm, Safe."
Tiny Jewel Box 1147 Connecticut Avenue NW Tel. 202.393.2747 www.tinyjewelbox.com This three-generation family business, established in 1930, offers a collection of antique jewelry as well as one-of-a-kind custom pieces and a spectacular array of designer and bridal jewelry. A watch boutique accompanies an assortment of fashion accessories and fine giftware.
Resorces
Romantic dinner and dancing and more on the Potomac. www.odysseycruises.com/dc/index.cfm
Nightlife
Fly Lounge 1802 Jefferson Place NW (near 18th St. & Connecticut Ave.) Tel. 202.828.4433 www.flyloungedc.com This high-profile lounge has the feel of the inside of a plane, complete with drinks served by "Fly Attendants" whose uniforms consist of tight black mini-dresses and high heels or boots. Fly Lounge has a first come, first served policy, but if you just can't stand waiting $1,000 will gain immediate entrance.
18th Street Lounge 1212 18th Street NW Tel. 202.466.3922 Once the home of Teddy Roosevelt, this magnificent mansionis now an ultra-classy lounge-club so chic that it doesn’t advertise and hardly bears its name above the door. Regulars are big-name politicos, celebrity locals and upscale out-of-towners. Two dance floors with comfy couches feature girls in Prada, men in Armani and DJs who spin hot urban tunes. Dress well for a decent chance at getting in and being a part of the powerful, seductive energy here.
9:30 Club 815 V Street NW (9th and V Streets) Tel. 202.393.0930 www.9:30club.com Located in an old gospel music hall and radio broadcast site, this is the place in DC to see bands that aren’t big enough to fill RFK, but are too big to play local venues. Check the website's calendar to get early tickets to a concert held by the latest indie darling. Four bars, big balconies, two box offices and a downstairs grunge lounge make plenty of room for the large crowds that this venue draws.
Bar Rouge Rouge Hotel 1315 16th Street Tel. 202.232.8000 www.rougehotel.com Amid the high-backed armchairs, cozy booths, long sofas and funky metal bar stools with leather trim, expertly-made cocktails await visitors to Bar Rouge. Classic films playing on a screen in the back create a slight diversion from the lounge's nightly eye candy.
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