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Summer Associate Lunch Suggestions: Washington, D.C.

Lunch.jpgMemorial Day is behind us, marking the unofficial start of summer. Many summer associates kicked off the season last week, descending on cities around the country to get a taste of Biglaw -- and a taste of the nicest local restaurants, during leisurely firm lunches.

Summers, we don't want you to miss out on the best cuisine that your city has to offer. We're launching a series of open threads in which you can discuss your favorite dining spots in summer-associate destination cities. We'll cover a different city each day.

The series opens with your ATL editors' home base of WASHINGTON, DC.. Here is Washingtonian Magazine's list of the 100 best restaurants in the city. Which eateries make your list? Which places are overlooked -- or overrated?

If you have tips on SA lunch etiquette, feel free to throw those in. In case you missed the Table Manners 101 class, here's a dos and don'ts list from Corporette.

100 Best Restaurants (2008) [Washingtonian]
10 Things You Should Know about a Business Lunch [Corporette]

Comments
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1 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:10 AM

Citronelle is great, but you wouldn't go there for a summer lunch. It's too far from downtown and it would take too long.

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2 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:13 AM

The Corporette post is good overall, but I'm not sure about this advice:

"If you need to get up at some point, the napkin should be folded and placed on your chair. (Not the table — no one likes to look at a dirty napkin.)"

Then why do servers at top restaurants swoop in to fold -- and place on the table -- the napkins of people who step away?

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3 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:16 AM

What an unbelievably useless post. There are stealth layoffs going on in many Biglaw shops and kash and ATL are concerned about the best eating joints in DC?

I heard that both Sidley and Mayer Brown let off of 10 -15 senior associates late last week from their Chicago office. Where is the coverage???

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4 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:16 AM

The article has poor advice on using knives and forks and removing pits from your mouth. Spitting it into your hand? Really?

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5 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:17 AM

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Can't we get another thread to pile on Phil Tefleyan? The other one's getting a bit unwieldy. Tks.

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6 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:18 AM

Palena has a fantastic bar menu, but it's not open for lunch (and too far from downtown to do lunch anyway).

You can't go wrong with anything Jose Andres (Oyamel, Zaytinya, Jaleo). Rasika, Michel Richard Central, and Poste are my other pics for downtown.

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7 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:18 AM

Corporette needs to learn how to count. The 10 dos and don'ts list skips no. 4 and has two no. 8s.

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8 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:18 AM

Bobby Van's -- best steak in DC.

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9 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:20 AM

11:16 - Some of us don't work for TTT firms and are not worried about job security.

Bring on the New York restaurant thread!

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10 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:21 AM

I second 11:16(1) - I can corroborate your comments about Sidley and I heard that Kirkland let go of a bunch of associates as well. With law firms in rampant lay-off mode, this is what ATL has to 'report'?

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11 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:23 AM

11:20 - if you think Sidley is a TTT firm, well, you don't know what TTT means, retard.

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12 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:26 AM

Don't know about DC, but Bobby Van's SUCKS in NY.

Oceanaire was my fav (if you're a complete glutton).

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13 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:26 AM

Citronelle isn't open for lunch.

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14 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:30 AM

5 Guys

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15 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:37 AM

The Oceannaire

Matchbox

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16 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:38 AM

Don't forget about Eli's and the JCC.

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17 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:40 AM

To 11:38:

Man, am I glad I moved to Miami.

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18 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:46 AM

Two Amys

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19 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:47 AM

Charlie Palmer Steak

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20 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:48 AM

Ten Penh

Cafe Atlantico

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21 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:58 AM

DC has fine cuisine?

Fine for swine perhaps.

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22 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:59 AM

Ollie's Trolley

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23 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:00 PM

For those of us on the other side of downtown, Blue Duck Tavern, West End Bistro, Vidalia, Spezie.

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24 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:03 PM

I would suggest Dan's Cafe, in Adams Morgan (if it's still around). The ice buckets were very clean the last time I went.

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25 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:08 PM

Oya

Oceanaire

Capital Grille

Ten Penh

Ceiba

Central

Tosca

Occidental

Those were some of my favorites at least...

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26 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:12 PM

Oceanaire is phenominal. I also remember Ten Penh being quite good, and Smith & Wollenski's is always a good bet.

Also, the Palm is possibly the most overrated restaurant EVER.

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27 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:12 PM

DC sucks. Bethesda is the place to be.

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28 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:14 PM

Ben's Chili Bowl

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29 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:14 PM

Brasserie Beck is fantastic for lunch.
Rasika and Oyamel are also great.

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30 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:15 PM

12:03, wow, I remember Dan's...I did some major damage to my liver there....Once I basically passed out standing up there....

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31 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:16 PM

Tosca, Vidalia, Blue Duck, Bistro du Coin, Citronelle, Old Europe, Sushi Taro.

Central and Ten Penh are not good.

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32 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:16 PM

Harry's Tap Room.

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33 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:16 PM

Central is more scene-y, but Brasserie Beck has more consistent food — solid lunch choice.

Both Komi and Minibar are awesome, but probably a little much for lunch. Taking three hours is excessive, particularly IN THIS ECONOMY.

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34 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:16 PM

My top picks:

Cafe Atlantico

I Ricci

C.F. Folks & The Well Dressed Burrito (yeah, not expense-account-type joints, but excellent nevertheless)

Belga Cafe

Equinox

Cashion's Eat Place

Ella's

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35 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:17 PM

My top picks:

Cafe Atlantico

I Ricci

C.F. Folks & The Well Dressed Burrito (yeah, not expense-account-type joints, but excellent nevertheless)

Belga Cafe

Equinox

Cashion's Eat Place

Ella's

Granville Moore's

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36 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:17 PM

I second Cashion's.

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37 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:23 PM

Julia's Empanadas is great, but not really a firm lunch place. Just wanted to plug it though.

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38 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:24 PM

Don't, under any circumstance, order the lobster for two for yourself. And if you do, don't take a picture of it with your cell phone. Or show it off to the other partners at the restaurant trying to eat in a civilized manner.

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39 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:25 PM

Oceanaire rocks in every city.

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40 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:28 PM

Brickskellar.

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41 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:33 PM

Zaytinaya is good but service is too slow
Rosa Mexicana is my personal favorite
Rasika
Oceanaire (good for non-adventurous eaters)
Tosca
Ten Phen

Avoid Central

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42 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:36 PM

Olive Garden . . .they treat you like family.

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43 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:40 PM

Fogo de Chau is awesome if you are going with some guys.

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44 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:41 PM

12:28: Brickskellar has the worst food on the face of the planet and they're also always out of beer for some reason. If you want a place with decent food and a pretty good beer selection (that actually has all the beers they purport to have) try Pizza paridiso in Gtown.

That said, for SA fare, I suggest the new Wolfgang Puck place "The Source." Kinda asian fusiony, but good.

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45 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:43 PM

Wayne's House of Paella - Chevy Chase -- I don't eat anywhere else. Never.

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46 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:57 PM

This list is almost a year out of date

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47 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:03 PM

kirkland layoffs?? someone please look into this

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48 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:15 PM

O-cean-aire is o-ver-rat-ed. Mediocre fish, good potatoes.

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49 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:19 PM

Cafeteria at Venable -- Delcious

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50 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:19 PM

D.C. Coast is decent and low key.

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51 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:19 PM

Sushi Taro in Dupont should definitely be in the top 100. I put it at the same level as Sushi-Ko.

Also, there is consistently hair in the sushi at Kaz Sushi. I heard this from a friend, relegated it as a freak occurrence, but then found a hair in my food on my first visit to Kaz.

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52 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:23 PM

Potbelly's - Double meat and extra hot peppers

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53 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:24 PM

Dan's Cafe is hands down the finest establishment in the District. "4 Gin & Tonics" gets you a bucket of ice, a small bottle of tonic water, and a stack of 4 glasses with the one on top filled up with gin.

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54 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:33 PM

Chadwick's
Rugby
Sam & Harry's
Georgia Brown's

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55 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:34 PM

Roger Lou's House of Chicken

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56 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:37 PM

Camelot has excellent burgers. Fur burgers.

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57 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:49 PM

1:37: awesome.

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58 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:50 PM

New Big Wong - Best chinese food in Chinatown.

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59 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:00 PM

Acadiana

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60 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:04 PM

Potbelly sucks huge (at least in The PHL).

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61 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:04 PM

Old Ebbit Grill
Sweet Georgia Browns

Front Page

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62 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:07 PM

I would suggest going to the Dubliner and putting back a few pints.

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63 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:12 PM

Clyde's > Old Ebbit

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64 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:19 PM

2:12 is clearly staff

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65 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:23 PM

The K Street Burrito Stand

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66 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:33 PM

Royal Palace (R.P.) near Dupont Circle. Best Chinese food in the city.

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67 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:36 PM

Those $1 hot dog carts (they come with free nacho cheese sauce). Best dogs east of Chicago, and you don't have to have awkward conversations pretending how much you love the firm and how interesting the work has been.

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68 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:41 PM

The K Street Burrito AND ESPRESSO Stand

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69 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:44 PM

We order from Kaz/ eat in there at least once a week, and have done so for the past 2 years. I've never once found a hair in my food. Their sushi is much better than Sushi Ko.

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70 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:55 PM

Can't beat the Tune Inn.

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72 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:58 PM

Luigi's Pizza

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73 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:02 PM

Qdoba

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74 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:12 PM

georgia brown's
blue duck

75 Posted by Turd Ferguson | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:15 PM

Second the Olive Garden suggestion. All you can eat salad, bread sticks, and (on occasion) pasta = keeping richly fed in lean times.

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76 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:20 PM

Oya (one of the most fun summer lunches I had)
Tosca (soups are particularly good)
Corduroy (really tasty)
Fogo de Chao (but make sure you skip breakfast)
Acadiana (especially the shrimp and grits and the tuna)
Brasserie Beck
Charlie Palmer Steak House

I didn't care for Zaytinya or Bobby Van's.

77 Posted by GOB | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:43 PM

Citronelle and Corduroy are sadly not open for lunch, which makes it difficult for hungry summers to have baller lunches on the company dime.

Suggestions for good lunches in DC:

Westend Bistro
Jaleo/Oyamel/Zaytinya
Central
Brasserie Beck
Malaysia Kopitiam (not exactly baller)
Vidalia
Hook

COME ON!

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78 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:53 PM

In South Dupont / North Foggy Bottom, M Street Grill and Firefly are nice for lunches. So is Vapiano, if you can get in. Blue Duck is good if a little stuffy.

On the flip side, I haven't had a good meal at Vidalia since RJ Cooper took over as head chef. Overdone menu and underdone chicken. Ick.

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79 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 6:10 PM

I went to Cebia (sp?) today - it was really good if you like spice or sea food. Also recommend Matchbox, the Source, and Central.

I agree with the poster who said to skip breakfast if you go to Fogo de Chao - that place is brutal.

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80 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 6:36 PM

Rasika
BLT Steak
Heritage India
Iron Gate
Tabard Inn
Ceiba

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81 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:06 PM

I'll take a TTT restaurant in NY over any "fine dining" in DC. Seriously, just go to Five Guys or get a burrito.

Baja Fresh>Chipotle.

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82 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:23 PM

Ceiba
Courduroy
Oceannaire
Teatro Goldoni

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83 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:45 PM

Skaddan > Kirkland > Latham > OMM > Mcdermott > Sidley > Sidley > Baker Botts > Sutherland > job as a clerk for the D.C. Dept. of Motor Vehicles

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84 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:09 PM

Rasika and Brasserie Beck are both excellent.

If you're hunting dinner, there's a place out in cleveland park called Dino that has the best italian and best wine list in the entire district.

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85 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:42 PM

District Chophouse

BLT

DC Coast

Georgia Brown's

Zaytinya

La Tasca

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86 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:42 PM

PS 7 - underrated and fantastic bathrooms.

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87 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:58 PM

The Prime Rib has the best steak (and prime rib) in DC

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88 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, May 27, 2008 10:56 PM

I always feel bad for the people desperately reading 'advice' posts on table manners.

Here, you want the real advice: manners are ingrained, based on years of experience in a cultural atmosphere / homelife wherein proper manners are practiced. If YOU are JUST learning how to properly hold a knife or excuse yourself to take a phone call or cut (or not cut, as it were) your salad, WE (the people having been brought up in a proper setting) will know.

So, in essence, give up now. Or else give up on yourself and work hard to ensure the next generation - the unfortunate spawn of your loins - will have a congenital rather than 'I just got this advice on the web last week' grasp of proper behavior at a table.

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89 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 1:10 AM

Co Co Sala, a new place that focuses on sweet dishes, is pretty decent - I checked it out after the Washingtonian mentioned it in a blog post. It's right next to Dewey's DC office.

Also worth visiting is Rasika near DOJ - the lunch service is fast and the food is amazing.

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90 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 1:16 AM

Circle Bistro is also good - right off of K Street, a real low key place that happens to have good happy hr specials. Stumble over to McFaddens later to hopefully pick up some GW pre-law student.

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91 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 2:46 AM

can a new york version of this be done too?

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92 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 4:41 AM

@2:36

Seriously? you're in DC and ordering hot dogs from street vendors? Stick to half smokes, the local specialty...

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93 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 4:49 AM

After moving from DC to London, I can safely say the only eating establishment I miss is Potbelly's.

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94 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 9:05 AM

Hey! Girls like Fogo too. And those gals are the ones you want to meet, anyways.

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95 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 9:32 AM

9:42pm - it's Proof with the bathrooms, you're thinking of and it's over-rated.

Marcel's is the best
Citronelle - for dinner is too date night for a summer dinner, and "yawn" at the attempt
Potbelly does not suck
La Peridou does suck

The Palm is where you take a summer associate anyway. Why waste good money on SAs when all you really want is a big ole steak anyway?

4:49 - The only place I miss is Potbelly, too. They really need international chains. Try getting a good italian on wheat in Asia.

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96 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:51 PM

caucus room is always good for the ambience, too

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97 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 4:55 PM

Best Restaurants in DC:
(unfortunately most of these are Dinner options only)
Cityzen
Citronelle
Komi
Tosca
Obelisk
Poste
Gerards Place
Marcels
Le Paradou
Blue Duck Tavern
Minibar (at Cafe Atlantico)
Inn at Little Washington (probably never going to happen)
Makoto (also really out of the way)

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98 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 4:55 PM

Best Restaurants in DC:
(unfortunately most of these are Dinner options only)
Cityzen
Citronelle
Komi
Tosca
Obelisk
Poste
Gerards Place
Marcels
Le Paradou
Blue Duck Tavern
Minibar (at Cafe Atlantico)
Inn at Little Washington (probably never going to happen)
Makoto (also really out of the way)

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99 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 7:48 PM

Obelisk is amazing - the chef's kitchen menu is worth repeat trips. The decor in fantastic.

... the Inn is fucking ... 60 miles away. It's not going to happen because no partner in their right mind - except if you're having an affair with them - is going to take you (or sign off on) a 120 mile roundtrip 'business dinner' to a gourmet restaurant.

Many of these restaurants have become cliche. It's more enjoyable to try new places then to frequent the same 12 restaurants that everyone else trying to looking nominally important also goes to. If you love the food, then you get a pass. But if you're doing it just for the experience, try something more of the beaten path.

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100 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 7:50 PM

than

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101 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:56 PM

The Source, Wolfgang Puck's new restaurant at the Newseum is solid, mostly Asian-themed. Mio on Vermont is tasty & classy, but not overwhelming. BLT Steak on Eye is absurd but wonderful.

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102 Posted by guest | Permalink Thursday, May 29, 2008 11:22 AM

If you can get to Georgetown easily, Filomena is amazing Italian.

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103 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, May 30, 2008 4:04 AM

Filomena is hit or miss, and the ambiance sucks, so does the wait.

Oceannaire is inconsistent.

Ten Penh has a strange menu, but isn't too bad.

The palm is less overrated than most people make it out to be. It's still better than Ruth's Chris, or Mortons.

The source is weak, like a less entertaining version of Ten Penh.

Better bets:

Fogo de Chao (lunch is better than dinner)
Central or Citronelle (citronelle can be hit or miss)
La Tosca if you aren't trying to impress anyone
Ra-ku Sushi in Dupont Circle. Better than Sushi Taro, with a more extensive menu. The Bethesda one sucks though.
Georgia Browns is good too

Avoid at all costs:
Skewers in Dupont Circle - weak food and worse service
Malaysia Kopitam - lots of food poisoning issues lately

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104 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, May 30, 2008 3:16 PM

I would suggest:

Equinox
Kinkead's
BLT Steak
Primi Piatti
Olives

Avoid:
Cafe Soleil
Oval Room

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105 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, May 30, 2008 3:16 PM

I would suggest:

Equinox
Kinkead's
BLT Steak
Primi Piatti
Olives

Avoid:
Cafe Soleil
Oval Room

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106 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, May 30, 2008 4:21 PM

As an associate at Sidley in Chicago, I can confirm that the posts re: layoffs are total rubbish. Stop feeding the rumor mill with lies people.

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107 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, May 30, 2008 4:45 PM

Kinkead's was by far the best lunch I had last summer. Their seafood is done perfectly.

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108 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, May 30, 2008 10:43 PM

Filomena's is fantastic. Amazing. It's lively. Great food - food for people who actually enjoy Italian, rather than simply being at an 'it' spot (though it is an 'it' spot - who's who of Georgetown eats there).

Cafe Milano in Georgetown can make an excellent veal chop. Generally good Northern Italian food. But definitely has a touristy air combined with an undeserved (then again, is arrogance ever deserved) sense of arrogance. (Which is ironic, considering their southern italian cousin Filomena's has prices equally if not more expensive, a longer wait list, and more cachet with actual gtown residents)

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109 Posted by guest | Permalink Saturday, May 31, 2008 1:08 AM

On summer lunch, Michel Richard Central has to be the best out there.

One place I'd say is underrated (on the basis that they're not in the top 100) is Vegetate, although (a) I don't think I'd like to take summers up to the convention center for lunch and (b) you need people who don't mind a vegetarian restaurant.

Good places for lunches, at least near Penn Quarter:
Central
Oceannaire
Cafe Atlantico
Raisika
Matchbox (for a casual lunch)

Avoid:
D'Acqua (good menu, poor execution)
Proof
Jaleo (it will last for hours)
Zaytinya (same)

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110 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, June 2, 2008 8:50 AM

Rasika, Oyamel, BLT, West End Bistro and Kinkead's. That's the list. The rest range from decent but fogettable to completely overblown.

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111 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, June 2, 2008 8:52 AM

Arena Rotisserie was the best, before the menu was circulated to an uptight blogger.

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112 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, June 2, 2008 10:57 AM

The Arena Rotisserie had some great private rooms upstairs, but unfortunately the $165 full-service tasting menu was outside the reach of most summer lunch budgets...

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