That's right about Birch and Barley---I forgot. I tried to make a Sunday reservation from when my parents were in town once and had the same problem.

Glad to hear the dinner went well. I'm actually going to Restaurant Nora for the first time in a few weeks so it's good to hear that it's still a nice place.

On Saturday night Hank's is a good choice. I would also recommend Cava and Zest. I've also been hearing really good things about Ambar.

For Sunday how about Central, Mintwood Place, Birch and Barley or Lincoln?

We did not have dessert---we were so full from our meal (and cocktails!). My friend was telling me that perhaps the former pastry chef at PS7 might be working there now---not sure though.

Personally I love Etete but I think if you are looking to impress someone go to Ethiopic---the environment is nicer and the food is equally as delicious. Also afterward there are a bunch of places on H Street where you can grab a drink in a fun environment.

I'm not sure if it's an all you can eat situation but I believe it's all you can drink at Distrct Commons and their brunch menu is really nice. It's great for large groups (but obviously make a reservation ahead of time).

Any updates? Thinking about making a reservation here for a friend's birthday. He is a pretty "big" eater--enjoys meat and potatoes but with a bit of a gourmet twist so I thought this would be a good match but haven't heard much buzz. Any thoughts?

If you like that recipe, you should try the zucchini stuffed chicken. It's outstanding!

Personally almost every single one of her recipes I've tried have been great (and approve by my non-WW fiance).

Definitly check out Slows BBQ. El Barzon is also a good rec (great margaritas). You might also enjoy Roast and Supino Pizza.

I forgot to also mention how delicious the bread basket it! There is a raisin and walnut bread that is fantastic!

Finally checked out Le Diplomate last night. I LOVE this restaurant!! Everything was delicious and the service was very good. I especially like the vibe of the place---it really feels like you are in a Parisian bistro, very vibrant atmosphere without being so loud you can't talk to your dining companions.

We had the oysters to start--a nice selection from both the East and West coast. A nice mignonette sauce. For the main course I ordered the grilled loup de mar. This was a beautiful presentation of the dish---a whole fish (bones, head removed), perfectly grilled with a little bit of tapenade and mixed beans as a sauce. It was nice, light and tasty.

My friends got the cheeseburger. Telling from their comments this was a real winner. I couldn't help "sampling" their frites...which were great as well.

Another winner of the night were the cocktails. I had the grapefruit and rosemary cocktail. Those suckers are dangerous---you could easily down 3 or 4 of them and never notice until you stand up. My friend had their version of a Manhattan with some sort of coffee liqueur in it...very interesting.

I can't wait to return and try more of the menu---all the dishes going by, especially the streak frites and the duck looked fabulous.

This place works on so many different levels--in the summer they have the windows open and the wonderful outdoor seating and then in the winter time it will be a cozy place to get some wine and beef bourginon.

I was able to walk-in and get an outdoor table at Boqueria this past Friday. It was a 20 minute wait but we just got a drink at the bar before hand. Really good food and definitely laid-back and tasty.

Another option would be Hank's Oyster Bar. If you call before you head over they will put you on the list.

Other ideas: L'Enfant Cafe, Bistro D'Oc, or Casa Oaxaca.

The Woods is great and we highly recommend it. Probably the best meal we had during the trip.

Mackinac isn't exactly known for their fine cusine. That said we had a surprisingly good meal at the Yankee Rebel Tavern. We went in with zero expectations and it turned out to be good. The pot roast sliders were the real winner. Not gourmet cooking but very good bar food.

It would be helpful to know your price range and what areas of the city you'll be in. Also if these kids are drinking age or not.

I'm also from DC and I can tell you the Grange is worth it. My fiance lives in Ann Arbor and this is our go-to spot.

They also have a great brunch!

I second the Il Canale recommendation. I always forget to recommend this place for some reason but it really is great.

Not in Bethesda/Chevy Chase but I think Peacock Cafe in Georgetown has a whole smoothie/juice menu---check out their menu and see if it's what you are looking for. It certainly is a nice sidedown restaurant (with outdoor seatin).

For a big mall you are going to head out of the city. Either Tyson's Corner or Pentagon City. But not a ton of food options that I would feel comfortable recommending near those spots---just mall food.

Georgetown is probably the best shopping area. For lunch/brunch you can go to Peacock Cafe, Cafe Bonaparte or over in the West End (a short walk to Georgetown) is the wonderful Blue Duck Tavern and Ris.

Personally I don't love Zaytinya or El Centro. I think you could do much better. I would switch Zaytinya with Graffiato if you want to stick to the Gallery Place area. You are also geographically sticking to similar areas. Maybe instad of El Centro go to Mintwood Place or Cashion's and check out the Adams Morgan neighborhood or Hank's Oyster Bar and check out Dupont.

Glad you liked it. Rasika isn't just one of the best Indian restaurants in town (in the country?) but one of the best restaurants period!

You got me excited for my meal there next Monday.

I don't think Stella is necessarily kid friendly. I've been there 3 times over the years and have never once seen a child there. It's pretty upscale for the area. Most of what I see there is couples on date night (or in small groups).

Yes Local is a great suggestion. Also Social (which I always mix up the 2 places because the names and concepts are so similar).

For best fresh fish in Detroit you need to head over to Joe Muer's. It's not cheap but the food and service is excellent. If you want something a little more low-key you can always sit at the bar and just order sushi and cocktails.

The fish is flown in fresh daily and their preparations are wonderful.

For farm to table, if you are willing to drive out to Ann Arbor I would head over to The Grange. The menu changes daily depending on what is fresh and in season.

For dinner Cleveland Park might offer up some options for you, in particular I would check out Palena (the cafe not the more upscale back room), Ripple and Ardeo.

Also not far from the zoo is Adams Morgan which has 2 excellent restaurants right next to each other: Cashion's Eat Place and Mintwood Cafe. Both great neighborhood finds...Cashion's tends to change its menu more seasonally.

For breakfast not far from the zoo is Open City. It gets REALLY crowded on the weekends though.

After all of that if you wanted a drink and maybe some dessert you could have headed over to the lounge or bar at Tabard Inn.

I would check out the downstairs bar at Darlington House (there is also a rather small bar upstairs which might be quieter).

You can also try Bar Dupont (there is also outdoor seating), the bar at Rasika, or Agora on 17th Street.

The most famous place to get a mint julep in DC is at the Round Robin Bar at the Willard Hotel. This place has been serving this specialty for likely a century.

If you are going to be up on the Hill there are a couple of places to go. Le Bon Cafe is a cute little french cafe with sandwiches, salads, coffee, baked goods etc. On a nice day you can sit outside. Also nearby is Good Stuff Eatery for good burgers and shakes. You also can head over to the Eastern Market area where there are tons of restaurants---I like Zest, Matchbox, Hank's Oyster Bar and Cava Mezze. Of course you can always just wander the stalls of the Market and pick up picnic items there.

On the Mall itself there is Mitisiam at the American Indian Museum. Really unique cafeteria food representing the various regions of the country and take on Native specialties (wild rice salad, fry bread, cedar plank salmon etc). It can be a mad house during peak hours so try to go a little early or a little late.

Other options off of the Mall: Central, Paul, Sei, Teaism....all different types of cuisines and different price points.

I also would google "DC food trucks" and see if anything strikes your fancy. You can follow most of them daily on Twitter or the Washingtonian has a daily posting of where they will all be. That could be a fun and different lunch option.

Ya I bet they book up a month or more in advance. Sorry :(

Also a rather heavy lunch don't you think? Last time my fiance went there he was literally twitching from the large amount of protein intake.