Restaurant Kolumbia

1801 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Lauren H. writes: I was in DC for work and was looking for something other than room service when on the web I stumbled upon Kolumbia.  They said they had carryout. so I gave it a shot.  I started with the Petite Club, a trio of smoked fishes on pumpernickel, and it…

Arts & Industries Building Smithsonian Institution

900 Jefferson Dr SW
Washington, DC 20560

jill k. writes: discaimer: the A & I building doesn't really have much going on; it is simply a part of the main "castle" on the national mall.  i am using it to review the smithsonian in general, though.

i had the honor of doing an internship at the smithsonian…

McLean Pizza Restaurant

1434 Center St
Mc Lean, VA 22101

Andrew I. writes: Without a doubt, the BEST pizza in Mclean, maybe the best in the county of Fairfax.  The rest of the food is mediocre, with the wings being especially disappointing - so just go for the pizza and thats it.

They do serve ice cold beer which makes the…

New Heights Restaurant
Neighborhood: Woodley Park

2317 Calvert St NW
Washington, DC 20008

CLARENCE J. writes: Excellent!  New Heights has never appeared large (or fancy-ish) to me from the outside, but inside it's a medium-sized, fancy-ish restaurant that maintains a close, intimate feel for the diners.  Mediterranean colors, high ceilings (stepped with low…

Metro 29 Diner Restaurant

4711 Lee Hwy
Arlington, VA 22207

Gayle G. writes: Waiters in bowties and vests...in a diner? Sure. You must be at Metro 29 Diner.

We didn't time our post dinner meal correctly, so this was one of the few place that was open, and we thought it would be better than Denny's. Dessert was the most…

Old Town Theater

815 1/2 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Nina B. writes: Beer and Movies!    Can you beat it?  

Personally, I'm tired of the big chain movie theatres, AMC, Loews, Regal, etc.  They're all the same.  Overpriced tickets, mega parking lots, overpriced food, and no customer service, except "third theatre on…

Lush Cosmetics
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3066 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Courtney R. writes: I fell in love with Lush when I lived in London at the turn of the millennium. The heady and scrumptious scent that wafted down to the train platform at Victoria Station eventually caused me to venture up and over to what was my first run-in with…

Dean & Deluca
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3276 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Kathleen M. writes: My new boutique job brings me within about 50 feet of Dean and Deluca, and it's killing me. I have such a love/hate relationship with this place!

LOVE: It's soooooo pretty! You just walk in and feel the gorgeousness of the food. I don't know how they…

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants

1652 K St NW
Washington, DC 20006

Leila S. writes: DISCLAIMER -- This review is solely for the bar. I have never nor do I actually plan to sit down at a table and dine at this McCormick & Schmick's because a college student like myself must make important decisions in life... such as whether to enjoy…

Thomas Sweet
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3214 P St NW
Washington, DC 20007

Kevin L. writes: Wahhh!  Nom!  Nom!  Nom!  Cookie Monster!  Nom!  Nom!  Nom!

I think my thought process ran something along those lines when I saw that they had "Cookie Monster" ice cream listed as a new flavor on the chalkboard here.  Of course, I couldn't resist…

American Valet Service
Neighborhood: Tenleytown

4519 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016

Alicia G. writes: Two of my favorite pairs of black shoes were in serious need of repair. One pair needed to be completely re-soled and the other just needed new heels. A friend had recommended American Valet so I decided to try them out. I also had some dry cleaning…

Old Glory
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3139 M St NW
Washington, DC 20007

Tina H. writes: The day before July 4th, Ted K, Mina Y, the bf, and I were feeling extraordinarily patriotic, so to honor that feeling, we decided to hit up Old Glory for some good ol' American BBQ.

Ted K was put out by the decor -- antlers and horns on one wall,…

Bukom Cafe
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

2442 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Gayle G. writes: Bukom serves up authentic West African food, as far as I can tell. Haven't been to West Africa, but I would imagine the food in that country would taste like Bukom's. The vibe is certainly here with carvings from Nigeria and Senegal on the wall.

There…

Marvelous Market Dupont Circle
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1511 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036

MiRIAM w. writes: A few weeks ago my DCBFF had a baby. And if there's one thing I know about new moms, it's that they are hungry! In addition to bringing Five Guys burgers and fries I popped into Marvelous Market when I heard that provisions were running low in her…

H&M

1025 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20050

angela n. writes: Not as cheap as, say, Old Navy, but H&M seems to have a wider selection of styles -- e.g. not just weekend-casual but also  "business casual" stuff.  You might find some good deals here depending on what's on sale.  The inventory tends to change a…

California Tortilla

2057 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201

John E. writes: I think that Cal Tort, like Mighty Taco in Buffalo, is a bit of an acquired taste. The first few times I ate here I just didn't get it but now I love it (specifically the hickory chicken bowl). Their queso sauce is also excellent, and my vegetarian…

Ireland's Four Courts

2051 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

Richard C. writes: Monday night is Trivia Night at the Four Courts, and also $5.95 burger night, so what more could you ask for?  By 7pm, this place is busy, with the trivia folks trying to snag a good table early on, and people wandering in for a quiet Guinness about…

Sweetwater Tavern

3066 Gate House Plz
Falls Church, VA 22042

Jake K. writes: Pops always likes to hit up the Great American Restaurants when he comes into town by himself and doesn't have my mother quickly cutting and whisking away half of his grilled critter selections.  I guess that's how my mother views herself extending…

Lebanese Taverna

1840 G International Drive
Mclean, VA 22102

MiRIAM w. writes: The puffy pita bread that arrives prior to the meal is tasty, especially with an order of hummus.

Here are my thoughts on the rest of the food:

Chicken Shawarma
A pretty disappointing sandwich. I'm used to my shawarmas being filled with juicy meat and…

Beadazzled
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1507 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036

Maria M. writes: When I was in high school, I loved making jewelry.  Beadazzled was my favorite stop in Dupont next to Kramerbooks.  The store has since changed location, and the new shop is a bit smaller.

They still have a wide selection of beads and jewelry-making…

L'academie De Cuisine

5021 Wilson Ln
Bethesda, MD 20814

K D. writes: This is a lot of fun - cooking classes, and then you eat what is being presented - there are two campuses (one in Bethesda, one in gaithersberg) and two formats - the demonstration class means you just watch and eat, the participation class means you…

Ristorante Piccolo
Neighborhood: Georgetown

1068 31st Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007

Gayle G. writes: See if you can sit by the window/balcony so that you'll have the lovely view of the canal. Great place for a date (especially a romantic one-- this isn't the type of spot for a first encounter-- whoa, pressure).

The food here is better than OK..but…

Patisserie Poupon
Neighborhood: Georgetown

1645 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007

MiRIAM w. writes: I'm pretty sure San Francisco's Tartine will always be my standard. Because of its gloriousness, all other French-style bakeries pale in comparison. If you've heard that Georgetown's Patisserie Poupon is the closest DC's got to the Mission's Tartine,…

Mediterranean Breeze

781 Station St
Herndon, VA 20170

Lynn S. writes: You know how suddenly, out of nowhere, you get this mad craving for excellent, thinly sliced gyros?  It happened to me last week, and luckily, a new restaurant in Old Town Herndon answered the call!  I ordered gyros atop their small Greek salad.  It…

Lebanese Taverna

5900 Washington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22205

rcrc g. writes: I went to the Tyson's Corner LT last year and was blown away by the food. Coming back home this winter, we decided to try a different location. Little did we know this one was the original "mother", as the host graciously told us.

Our party of five…

Sala Thai
Neighborhood: Cleveland Park

3507 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008

Alicia G. writes: My friends and I came here for lunch yesterday. We got there right around noon and the place was pretty much empty. More people seemed to trickle in right as we were paying/leaving.

They have a great lunch special - an app, entree and drink for…

Strike Bethesda

5353 Westbard Ave
Bethesda, MD 20816

Jennifer S. writes: Strike Bethesda is owned by the same company in NYC that owns the trendy Bowlmor Lanes. When scouting out DC, they decided to purchase an old bowling alley in Bethesda (just outside the bustling area), completely refurbish it and make it into a hip…

The Wine Seller

304 Elden St
Herndon, VA 20170

David W. writes: This is a great local wine shop in the BB&T center on Elden Street in Herndon. The selection is good across most of the major wine regions with a stronger than typical focus on Argentina. Based on my personal experiences in Mendoza this is an…

New Fortune

16515 S Frederick Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Chang W. writes: What do the words ha gao, cha siu bao and bak bak have in common? They are all Cantonese names for different types of dim sum. Well, except the last one. I made that one up.

Anyway, New Fortune is the counterpart to Oriental East in Silver Spring.…

Warehouse Theater
Neighborhood: Mount Vernon Square

1017 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20001

alexis g. writes: The Warehouse is an arts "complex" of sorts that includes two black box theaters, an art gallery, a cafe, a music venue, and a small screening room. I stumbled upon this place when I went to see a band play at the music venue, called "Warehouse…

Ri Ra Irish Pub

4931 Elm St
Bethesda, MD 20814

Craig R. writes: I was pretty pumped up to visit Ri-Ra because when I was researching for the next trivia place, this restaurant just had "it".  I can't really describe what the "it" is, but I'll do my best.

I loved the fact that they had two separate and distinct…

Georgetown Dinette
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3206 O St. NW
Washington, DC 20007

Jennifer S. writes: When you walk into this greasy spoon/luncheonette you may be tempted to quickly walk back out again, but resist. This little place serves up delicious lunch and breakfast dishes and every beverage under the sun. I used to be a 'regular,' but no…

Ba Le Vietnamese Deli

842 Rockville Pike # A
Rockville, MD 20852

Red F. writes: I used to come here a lot for a good, cheap meal.  I liked the cafeteria style.  I have a thing for cafeteria style seating... I don't know why.  Anywho, their pork roll bahn mi is really good.  I always get it without the pickled vegetables, but…

My Glass Slipper

128 N Pitt St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Jessica B. writes: A great selection, a great staff and a reasonable range in prices.

I was able to get a nice pair of shoes for my dress and a pair of platform flipflops for back up that were the same height as my dress shoes.

I think I spent about $60. I wore the…

Leopold's Kafe
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3318 M St NW
Washington, DC 20007

Chris M. writes: Leopold's is well reviewed, however I believe I might be able to offer a unique perspective.  My palette is about as daring as a pair of khaki trousers, and I can talk myself out of trying something new faster than a Larry Craig foot tap.  However,…

Costa Alegre

5815 A Greenbelt Rd
Berwyn Heights, MD 20740

Chang W. writes: You know you are in an authentic Mexican restaurant when there is no AC. However, they do have a rather large fan which usually does the trick for those toasty summer afternoons. Well, you don't really come to this joint for the decor,  you come for…

Little Saigon Restaurant

6218 Wilson Blvd
# B
Falls Church, VA 22044

Karman L. writes: Okay.  My friends family (Vietnamese) from Boston...whenever they come to DC....they will eat here for like twice over their weekend stay...

I say...Are you serious? There is so much good restaurants in DC...Why drive all the way out to Falls Church…