Charlie Palmer Steak

101 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001

Robyn L. writes: My mouth still waters thinking about my meal at this place.

Right next door to the Capitol, this is a chic upscale restaurant with a full menu of surf and turf options, and -- most notably -- an 81 oz. porterhouse (yes, 81 oz.). Before cutting up…

Tony's New York Pizza

13087 Fair Lakes Shopping Center
Fairfax, VA 22033

Kevin L. writes: I've been to NYC.  I've effectively lived in NYC for almost a year.  I've had lots of pizza in NYC.  I can't figure out if this is actually NY-style pizza.  Here's why:

       It's like NY Pizza                                                    …

Maestro Restaurant

1700 Tysons Boulevard
Mc Lean, VA 22102

M S. writes: Maestro is one of the best restaurants we've ever been to.  The service and food are absolutely superb.  Fabio is an absolute genius in the kitchen.  However, I've been advised that in fact he IS leaving for NY.  A huge bummer.  I have no idea what…

Rasika

633 D St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Ina K. writes: Palak chaat! Palak chaat!

Don't be surprised if you see me going into Indian restaurants chanting the name of this dish that I tried at Rasika. Consisting of crispy spinach, sweet yogurt, tamarind and date chutney, the flavors and textures of palak…

Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

223 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20050

MiRIAM w. writes: If you've ever lived in Northern California you might be understandably skeptical about a place called Sonoma in Washington, D.C. However, I went with an open mind. When I entered the space I immediately liked the airiness, the long bar and the…

Zaytinya
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter

701 9th St NW
Washington, DC 20001

ericka L. writes: The main reason I was excited to return to Washington was simply that I could once again enjoy a meal at Zaytinya; I have been dreaming of the delectable Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese mezze served here since I first came last year.

Mezze are…

Pizzeria Paradiso
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

2029 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

Chang W. writes: So, what does it take for a brotha to get a coupla cool votes around here? My statistics are skewed towards the useful and funny, but I'm not cool?! Is it my engrish? My grammar? I speak good. My f@cking cursing? Sheesh. Btw, that was your cue to hit…

Ben's Chili Bowl
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

1213 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Ed to the M. writes: The story of Ben's Chili Bowl is the most fucking perfect story of a little hot dog and chili stand that I've ever read in my entire life.

Here's how it goes.  Ben and Virginia Ali opened up Ben's Chili Bowl in 1958 in then-segregated Washington DC.…

Tryst Coffee House Bar & Lounge
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

2459 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Ed to the M. writes: The food wasn't that great here - I got I believe a "Hot Sally" sandwich which is a tuna melt that had unmelted cheese and sour tuna - but really, this place is a coffee house with fast free WiFi, strong lattes, excellent robust selection of iced and…

Old Ebbitt Grill

675 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20005

Bryan K. writes: This place is known for its oysters and crab cakes.  We came here after visiting the area and was looking for a fine meal.  My friend stated that he believed that the cost was a bit on the high side; I disagreed, for I believe that the prices were…

Pines of Rome

4709 Hampden Ln
Bethesda, MD 20814

Lauren C. writes: Loved it...great place to go with a bunch of girlfriends.  Cheap wine, good food, cozy atmosphere, what more could you ask for?  We were in this restaurant for hours and never felt rushed.  Great hangout spot.

Ritz-Carlton Hotels

1700 Tysons Blvd
Mc Lean, VA 22102

Johnny C. writes: There are few places one can stay and feel as if they've been locked in a palace complete with royal service. Any Ritz Carlton provides that.

Perhaps one of the oddest Ritz Carlton's is Ritz Carlton-Tyson's Corner. Why? Odd design and location. For…

The Palm
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1225 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

Stef W. writes: Raise your hand if "The Palm" actually was one of the reasons your significant other claimed that you two were incompatible.  Oh...umm...wait...why am I the only person with his/her hand up?

Thankfully, this wasn't a serious relationship so I wasn't…

Utopia Bar & Grill
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

1418 U Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20009

Justin S. writes: I had pasta with sausage and peppers for breakfast here last Sunday.  It wasn't great, but i wasn't too expensive either & I was mostly just happy to have pasta for breakfast.  Orange juice is only $1.00 per glass, which is AWESOME for dealing with…

Angelico Pizzeria & Cafe
Neighborhood: Tenleytown

4529 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016

Stef W. writes: Cheap and easy doesn't always mean good, but in the case of Angelico, it does!  

On this cold and rainy night in Upper NW, the usual delivery options just weren't cutting it.  I wanted a good cheese pizza.  Listrani's pies are too gourmet.  The…

Mustard Seed

7349 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

MiRIAM w. writes: I'm not a garment hunter. Rooting around among racks and racks of other people's cast-offs has never been fun for me which is probably why I never did well at thrift stores. The same goes for most places like Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads and other…

Jaipur Royal Indian Cuisine

9401 Lee Hwy
Fairfax, VA 22031

Saurabh G. writes: Being a single young professional in the area, I eat out all the time, and Indian food is my favorite cuisine. After trying a few Indian restaurants in the area, I have to say that Jaipur Royal is definitely the best place to get Indian food.

The…

Full Kee Restaurant
Neighborhood: Chinatown

509 H St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Sam R. writes: OK, first things first. As other folks have said, this place is CASH money only. No, we're all not kidding. Yes, we understand that there is something called the intraweb and we've sent a man to the moon. The staff at Full Kee doesn't care. MC? Visa?…

Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries

2521 John Milton Drive
Herndon, VA 20171

molly c. writes: 4.5

so, i am not sure if this was the ACTUAL five guys that i went to. dan (you chicago yelpers remember him from such wonderful reviews as "buffett palace" and "happy village - revised") and i were driving willy nilly through the suburban sprall that…

Perry's
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

1811 Columbia Rd NW
Washington, DC 20009

alexis g. writes: The only reason Perry's brunch doesn't get five stars is that our server was really rude and incompetent. He was one of those waiters who acts like you are putting him out by expecting him to do his job.

Other than that, I thought everything was…

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

2400 S Smith Blvd
Alexandria, VA 20001

Erin G. writes: it's National airport. anyone who calls it reagan is a loser and probably doesn't remember when he authorized firing 11,000 air traffic controllers during a strike in 1981.  whether or not the ATC should have been paid more is not the point. you…

Sushi-Ko
Neighborhood: Glover Park

2309 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007

Jack F. writes: For the most authentic sushi dining experience in the District, head to Sushi-ko and settle for nothing less than a seat at the sushi bar.  Ask the chef for "omakase" (chef's choice) and find yourself treated like royalty.  You know you're receiving…

So's Your Mom
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

1831 Columbia Rd NW
Washington, DC 20009

Chloe F. writes: Things you'll notice about So's Your Mom:

1) The clever name
2) The great smell of coffee beans that fills up the front of the store
3) The sign that says "boars head" deli meats. If you are from NY, you might get a bit nostalgic.
4) The interesting/…

Open City
Neighborhood: Woodley Park

2331 Calvert St NW
Washington, DC 20008

Julie H. writes: Open City is a great all-hours diner that entices me to trek up to Woodley Park more often than I do.

The service is friendly, seating is quick, and initial service spot-on. I love the breakfast/brunch and sandwich offerings, cocktails, and smooth…

Caribou Coffee

1101 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

Elaine M. writes: Wow, what a world of difference good coffee makes.  You might expect that Caribou would be a twin to Starbucks--a concept chain coffee shop masking as a purveyor of fresh, brew made with great consideration.  In fact, Caribou actually manages to make…

College Perk Coffeehouse

9078 Baltimore Ave
College Park, MD 20740

Shawn H. writes: Good food. Great tea. I don't drink coffee anymore. They also have beer (sober and crazy here). Briefly, this place is really awesome. They are open all night on weekends (maybe also on weeknights, but I'm not sure). I discovered the open all…

Fox and Hounds Lounge
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1537 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20036

Tommy W. writes: One word:  Come on!!

The Fox is a chill place to hang out for as little or as long as you want.  A word of warning, though:  If you go to the Fox for a drink, be warned that you won't roll out of there a sober-saurus whatsoever.  You order one drink…

Cenan's Bakery

122 Branch Rd SE
Vienna, VA 22180

Allan H. writes: I went to a wedding a couple months ago, and they had the best wedding cake I've ever eaten in my life.  During the wedding, I basically walked from table to table to eat any unclaimed slice of cake that I saw.  Yes, this is a little ridiculous and…

Borders Books

1801 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

Sigrid S. writes: I am consistently impressed by the selection at this particular Borders: they had a copy of Sister Miriam Joseph's "Shakepeare's Use of the Arts of Language," a classic that only a select few would know or care about.  And there it was, in hardcover.…

Guajillo

1727 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22209

Gayle G. writes: My brother lives in New Mexico, so I have become a Mexican food snob. I like it spic and I like it fresh. When one of the book club girls who lives in this hood recommended this place, I couldn't wait to go.

I am glad to report the food here is the…

Sweetwater Tavern

45980 Waterview Plaza
Sterling, VA 20166

Chang W. writes: Sweetwater Tavern is sandwiched in between a TGI Fridays and an Olive Garden in a strip mall just off of route 7. This had initially worried me b/c we had just driven 50 miles from MD to try this place out as per my friend's suggestion. "I will stab…

National Museum of American History
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Northeast

14th St and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20002

Amanda B. writes: ************************* ***
         1 of the best museums in the US! Why? Because The Smithsonian is home to the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond, the world's largest deep blue diamond. The gem has a long and mysterious past--and some people even think it…

Mama Ayesha's
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

1967 Calvert Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

alexis g. writes: The decor here is very soothing and I enjoyed the low lights, tapestries and waterfall device. It was nice to step out from the cold and into this welcoming restaurant. This place smelled so good that I could barely wait to get our food.

We started…

Penang Malaysian Cuisine

1837 M St NW
Washington, DC 20036

Laila L. writes: Panache
   Presentation
+  Portishead
__________
=  Penang

Spending an evening in Penang feels something like rolling yourself up in a silk sheet, and not just because of vaguely suggestive words beginning with "P".  The words above best give my…

Freer Gallery of Art

1200 Jefferson Dr SW
Washington, DC 20001

Beth T. writes: We got to this gallery on our last day of vacation so didn't have all the time in the world to spend but what we did see was beautiful.  It was quieter than most of the other galleries we had been too which was nice as honestly I was tired of running…