What's the Must Visit Restaurant for Visiting Providers & Hobbyists?

As you know, DC is a quite the transisent city with numerous providers and hobbyists visiting our Nation's Capital throughout the year. For those of us who call DC home or who knows the Beltway blindfolded, what culinary destinations would you recommend to our fellow travellers? What's the one bite that you must have? What's the one eatery that they won't regret? What are some dinner date options to splurge on?

If you've got a sweet tooth and you're looking for somewhere to lounge in the evening, then I recommend Coco Sala near Chinatown-Gallery Place. They have a creative assortment of desserts that you can order either a la carte or as a 3-course tasting menu. Paired with your favorite cocktails or choco-tails (Ok, I made that up but its chocolate cocktails), then you've got a great evening in store.

Must visit restaurant. Tough one.

Steak -- Bourbon Steak
Some of DC's Finest - Komi
Adventurous - Little Serow
Seafood - Blacksalt

Some I have always enjoyed:

If you are willing to drive a bit, Duangratz for Thai.

Zed's Ethiopian on M Street and about 30th in Georgetown.

The Fish Market on King Street, Old Towne Alexandria for crab cakes (not atmosphere unless you get one of the mini-balconies on a nice evening)

Most the restaurants in the Kimpton hotels are excellent, though limited menu.

The Restaurant in the River Inn (Foggy Bottom about 27th street??) was excellent, and wandering the old residential streets between GWU Hospital and the Kennedy Center is always interesting.

Off top of my head I've had good times at:

Trusty's (in DC)
SEI (in DC)
Capital Grille (in DC)
BlackFinn (in DC)
Hops (Alexandria VA)

trustys is a fun bar!

Archibald's sandwiches are pretty good ;-) lol

Lauriol Plaza is a favorite...a few blocks north of Dupont Circle. http://www.lauriolplaza.com/

I've never done this with a date, but I think it would be cool to go down to the waterfront and get some spiced peel and eat shrimp and go to East Potomac Park and watch the planes take off :-)

If you're looking for something of a "local flavor"...go to any "carryout" in town and order Chicken Wings & Mumbo Sauce. Mumbo sauce is decidedly DC. It's something of a cross between a sweet and sour sauce and a bbq sauce. Try it!

AND...for crabcakes...sorry DC, you'll have to make the trip into MD. Avoid Legal Seafood, mayo isn't supposed to be in a crab cake :-( Go to Jerry's Seafood in Landover Hills http://jerrysseafood.com/main.php
or, head on up 295 to Dorsey Road to Timbuktu http://timbukturestaurant.com/ What the lack in ambiance, well, the crab cake more than makes up for it.

Happy eating!

Oh! And you can't forget Moby Dick! Haha!

Seriously, great food :-)http://www.mobysonline.com/

I love the sweet tea down here in the south, but I sure do miss the variety up north!

Must add if you like Soul Food/Southern Food check out Woodward Takeout Food in D.C. (though it is sit-down also) and there are 2 of Henry's Soul Cafe in D.C. as well.

caylee! jerry's is a gem! thought it was my secret spot for crab cakes! for great kabobs also try kabob palace in VA

caylee! jerry's is a gem! thought it was my secret spot for crab cakes! for great kabobs also try kabob palace in VA Originally Posted by prock1

It's "the bomb" ;-) I will definitely be checking out Kabob Palace, thanks!

Bump because I've tried recently been to 'Compass Rose' in DC (http://www.compassrosedc.com/grub/) and 'Mandu' in DC as well (2 locations but I went to the 18th St location (http://mandudc.com/18thstreet/18home.html)). Compass Rose has various ethnic foods but imo slightly more Mediterranean food oriented and Mandu is Korean food oriented.

Where is the recommended Sushi establishments in the DC/ NOVA area??
Thanks in advance,
Heywood J

If you're looking to impress a lady who doesn't know much about sushi ... then I'd recommend SEI in Penn Quarter. Sexy white decor. Expensive menu. Decent sushi (just way over priced).

For quality sushi ... that's a little more difficult to find.

I'd love to try out some of these suggestions!

I love Chasin' Tails!