Also the Hawk n Dove is closed as well for renovations
.

Tune Inn is still closed due to the fire last summer.

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Tune Inn
331 Penn SE, Washington, DC

Does anyone know if the Cityzen 3-course bar menu is still available? I heard a rumor somewhere that they might be getting rid of it...

Without question - Levi's Port Cafe has THE best mac n cheese in town.

SO, Nick Sharpe is gone, but i have to say when we went for brunch this weekend the food was AWESOME.

They have several more traditional-esque vietnamese dishes on the menu now (although I wouldn't compare it to an "authentic" vietnamese restaurant... )

Wings are still to die for - best in the city i'd say. The crab-rice noodle stir fry was fantastic. However the game-changer is their new bahn mi sandwiches. On sunday, they had several offered for brunch including a classic style, a meatball, and one with fried eggs. We got the egg version and it totally rocked.

To be honest, with most places near eastern market always super crowded on the weekends for brunch/lunch, i'd choose Ba Bay in a heartbeat.

second

Mangialardo's on the Hill... they are unbelieveable.

We had the pairings last night and the pours were very generous. We were also topped off several times if we had finished our wine before the correspsonding courses were over.

Nope - both are closed on Sundays, unfortunately.

Hello - Looking for ideas for a pre-theater supper on Sunday. I have OOT guests and I was hoping to to hit up a cool, old-school lounge for a cocktail and light dinner. Round Robin is closed on Sundays, as are many of the bars that would fit this description... Anyone have any other suggestions?

It's still crab season. Get yourself down the the sketchy Maine Ave Market and buy as many jumbo steamed crabs as you want, park yourself at a picnic table and have at it. You will have to take a cab, but they seem to be plentiful around there.

The only downside to Lola's is that it is *tiny.* As in, it seats maybe 30 people, max. which sometimes makes it hard to get in.

I tried it yesterday, and also had to wait over an hour. I had the cold version, and it was very good and stuffed full of lobster, but i'll never wait in that line again. Totally not worth the time and the $18.

Yes, with Ma La dishes, often the chili-infused oil is indeed the sauce. If you don't want so much of the sauce, you can do as hamster suggests or just use a slotted spoon to serve yourself.

also you might try some of the restaurants on Mass ave on the Senate side of the hill near union station... the new Bistro Cacao comes to mind, or Cafe Berlin.

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Bistro Cacao
320 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002

REALLY?! That is totally opposite of the chicken-fried steak I've had there several times. It's always been super juicy and really flavorful. Wonder if you went on an off day?

Also Toscana Cafe for a neighborhood vibe, checked-tablecloth italian. Food has always been incredible there, but there are only about 10 tables or so, so it can be a wait.

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Toscana Cafe
601 2nd St NE, Washington, DC 20002

I tried Chesapeake Room twice, and both times the food has been borderline-horrible. The green tomato crap cake starter was the one lone standout. It's a cool astmosphere, but i'd go there again for drinks only.

Agree with Chinatown express. The noodles in soup and the roasted meats are great and cheap. But stick with those items - don't get the noodles stir-fried (they end up swimming in grease). Also the condiments on the table are awesome, especially the green onion/vinegar one.

I was supposed to be in SF last winter, but had to cancel. I've been thinking about this place ever since, but I don't think I can drag Hubby there without booze offered. Anyone been there lately?

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Poc Chuc
2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

A little off topic, but if you want excellent Tuscan style italian on the Hill, just head few blocks north to Toscana Cafe by union station. It's small and can be crowded, but the food that i've had there is fantastic. Try the grilled, baby octopus in tomato sauce, any of their pastas, and the porterhouse for two.

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Toscana Cafe
601 2nd St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Went for lunch on Saturday... wasn't too long of a wait, maybe 10 minutes. Hubby and I got a turkey club sub to share, and it was way more than both of us could eat. As far as cold subs go, this was pretty darn good - fresh meats, crispy bacon (it might have been panchetta?), and a sun-dried tomato layer. The bread was substantial enough to hold all the fillings, but not so hard that it hurts your teeth. For $6, not a bad deal at all.

I don't mean loud, as in, Chuck E Cheese on free pizza night... But loud, as in, you can repeat word-for-word the indepth conversation the table 9 inches from you is having about their problem with dust mites at home. Like I said I love both, I just personally find Tosca more relaxing.

I've been to both, and iIve greatly enjoyed both. However, for a very special, quiet dinner I prefer Tosca. I think the decor is understated, but in a lovely, comfortable warm way. Obelisk's decor is a lot more casual, and the wood floors and the tables so close together often make it a little loud.. .which is fine, but for a more relaxing atmosphere I prefer Tosca.

100% agreed with the Marcel's rec. It's romantic, the food is consistantly outstanding, and the service is alway gracious.

I would not recommend taking that large a group - let alone 7 kids - to Cityzen. The expense would be immense, and IMO it is definitely not kid-friendly. Although it would do nicely for an amazing romatic meal for the two of them.

the new Ted's Bulletin has an awesome version!

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Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

The new Acqua Al 2 on the Hill. Totally hyped, totally full of bold face politicos, totally mediocre.

Another very good point, and this is essentially my preference now. Even though often the locations of these places are definitely less convienient.

VERY good point about the PR machines and the truly "local" places. Maybe the ultimately goal should be to get these restaurants to focus on the food first, and how their chefs look on TV last.