One time I found this jem on Pinterest.
I thought to myself, "That would have been so cool to have when I lived in D.C."
It so happened that my roommate Allyson was moving to Virginia... pretty close to D.C.
And then my friend Flaka did too... and she needed a restaurant recommendation.
So from this side of the country, I'm sending them both this little version of my D.C. restaurant passport. In fact, this is for anybody going to D.C., and myself someday WHEN (not if) I return.
I'm POSITIVE that I'm forgetting some great restaurants, because there are just way too many. But for any of my D.C. friends that want to add to the list, just leave a comment!
1. Good Stuff Eatery
Toasted marshmallow milkshakes, and the best burgers with mango mayo? Yes please. :)
2. Founding Farmers
I never actually made it here. I must have been at the end of my budget everytime there was an opportunity, but I heard nothing but amazing things about it.
3. We the Pizza
Right next door to Good Stuff Eatery. :)
4. Camille's
This was a little place that I walked into a few blocks from Chinatown. I walked in because it was my mom's name... and I kept walking back in because of their flatbread BBQ chicken pizza. :)
5. Georgetown Cupcake
Join their Twitter feed and like their Facebook page. They frequently will give 100 cupcakes away at each location, and will notify you via social media. This is the cupcake shop featured on TLC. The salted caramel cupcake is my absolute favorite!
6. Sprinkles
Same deal with social media: sign up! I didn't get a chance to try the toasted marshmallow cupcake, but I heard that that's where it's at. This cupcake shop is run by the lady on Food Network's cupcake wars.
7. Serendipity
Ever seen that movie? One of the 3 locations is in Georgetown, and it's got a really fun environment. However, I'll give you a disclaimer by saying it's got to be a special occasion to go there, and you're definitely going to want to share. Their desserts are huge... and pricey. :(
8. BTS
Burger Tap and Shake is right by the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. This was a favorite for many of my friends in the program.
9. Pancakes at Eastern Market
Even if there wasn't good food at Eastern Market, you should go anyways... and on a Saturday. This place has lovely art, crafts made by all sorts of people... and well, it's just really really fun.
10. Cafe Rio
Yup. One exists in Manassas, VA too! We were told that Cafe Rio came to be in that location because Orrin Hatch's staff created enough demand... I'm not sure that I buy it, but I love it! (And it's next to Target... who doesn't love that?)
11. Panera
Why don't we have chains like this in Utah? I tried something different every time... and it was delicious... every time.
12. Vapiano's
I found this down the street from my office in Chinatown and fell in love with the Italian Club Panini (at least I think that's what they call it), but they give you a little card to pay with and then you swipe up front to pay when you're done. Maybe I felt like I was playing restaurant everytime I went there, but still, the food is good. :) I also saw other locations around the city, and even in Bethesda, MD.
13. Potbelly's
The other night I said out loud, "I wish Salt Lake had a Potbelly's." I love their sour cream and onion kettle chips, and I think I remember the brownies being good too, but even if it weren't for that, who doesn't love a good toasted sub? :)
14. Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street
I made the mistake of ordering a small bowl of chili and then chili fries... Guess who got two meals out of that? It was delicious! I wouldn't recommend going there by yourself like I did, but it is on U Street, and you can read more about Ben's Chili on this blog post.
15. Trader Joes
Let's not forget my beloved Joe's. This little grocery joint was my favorite in D.C. I'm thrilled that there is finally one in SLC, but let's be real, it's not the crammed little city store that the one across from the Barlow was on about L or M street. I'm amazed that frozen food can taste that good heated up (that's right, shells with brie and asparagus... yum.) I also loved the wheat pizza dough that came in little balls, which made pizza for dinner a snap. Oh, and then the ice cream.... I sound a little food obsessed right now, but stay with me. After all, I was there for 3 and a half months.
16. Baked and Wired
Finally, one more cupcake shop. (There's also another one called Red Velvet come to think of it).... But Baked and Wired. They have GIANT cupcakes that are really delicious. This was an absolute favorite of many of my friends, but I think Georgetown still wins out for me. It's all of those pink boxes and the to die for frosting! This is a little hole in the wall place in Georgetown... get ready... not as squeaky clean as Sprinkles and G-town cupcake.
17. 5 Guys Burger and Fries
Just by the Columbia Heights metro stop (oh, and Target). So if you're ever itching to get your 5 Guys fix, there you go.
18. There's some French place (or it might have been Italian) whose name I can't remember for the life of me. I had this fried cheese and bread thing which tasted like a grilled cheese sandwich dressed to the nines. Nom nom nom nom.
19. The Cafe at Mount Vernon
Lesson learned. Never go to the food court at Mount Vernon, just go to the restaurant. You literally get way more (and better food) for the price that you pay in the food court.
Other places that I didn't go to, but heard nothing but awesome things about (a.k.a. you should probably check them out sometime).
-Cafe in the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
-Rita's
-Chop'd (salad joint)
-Cosi (Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich)
-Shake Shack (had their ice cream in London... if it's anything like it was there... yum.)
-Some wrap place in Bethesda, MD (can't recall the name right now, but again, REALLY rave reviews.
-Eat from a food truck. I regret that I never did this. I noticed that they have a lot of them around the Metro Center stop around lunch time on weekdays (anything from Indian food to crepes and BBQ sandwiches).
-Fuddruckers (no longer in Utah, but I was so excited to see one over by Chinatown and the National Gallery).
There you are. Lots of places to choose from if you ever can't decide, but I hope you lovely ladies are enjoying the District as much as I did. Can't wait to go back!
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