Okay so the wife is finishing her masters degree and I’m taking her for a three day to DC to celebrate. Looking for hotel and restaurant recommendations. Wife likes Italian and steakhouses but doesn’t like super fancy dress code type of places. Hotel I’m willing to spend up to $300ish a night. Would prefer a location close to the Smithsonian areas… Any thoughts would be awesome

I like The Wharf area. There are a couple hotels there and several restaurants/bars, plus it’s a neat little area. I’m partial to the Hyatt House for hotels and there is a great Irish bar there. There is an Italian restaurant there too but I’ve never tried it. It’s pretty close to the Smithsonian museums too.

If I was going to DC for a celebration that’s where I’d go.

There are quite a few nearby the Mall and Smithsonians. I used to work a couple of blocks
away from this place; it's near the Wharf, L'Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian, etc. A little pricey, but there are sub shops, Starbucks, a CVS, etc. within a block.

https://www.mandarinoriental.c...hotel/accommodations

Closest fancy steak place to the Mall is probably Capital Grill.

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
There are quite a few nearby the Mall and Smithsonians. I used to work a couple of blocks
away from this place; it's near the Wharf, L'Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian, etc. A little pricey, but there are sub shops, Starbucks, a CVS, etc. within a block.

https://www.mandarinoriental.c...hotel/accommodations

That’s a really nice hotel but I wouldn’t stay there now. I was just there a month ago and the sub shop you are talking about had limited hours, the CVS is doing covid stuff only and the Starbucks had probably the worst service of any Starbucks I’ve ever been to. Since covid that little area is a ghost town.

The hotel itself is great but unless you plan on eating every meal at the hotel or going outside of that circle then I’d look elsewhere.

Old Glory in Georgetown. Fantastic bar with food.

^^Sad to hear that news, Pale Horse. Fond memories of going to the Mandarin to send a couple of well-respected and dear co-workers off at the bar (after working hours, of course...). The new Spy Museum location isn't too far away either.

Yeah I agree. That sub shop is a potbelly’s too and I really enjoy their sandwiches. I was quite disappointed to not be able to get one.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:
Yeah I agree. That sub shop is a potbelly’s too and I really enjoy their sandwiches. I was quite disappointed to not be able to get one.

I've not been there as much since Covid ended the world as we knew it, but the Crystal City offerings were always safe bets. I was thinking one of those Brazilian death by beef ingestion steakhouses was in CC, but they still have a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Central Michel Richard - Had been recognized as one of the top new restaurants in the US upon its opening.

jaleo- Int'l famous and ebullient chef Jose Andres' Spanish hot spot. Great place for celebration, a lively environment or, just letting your hair down but enjoying good eats.

minibar by Jose Andres- Innovative and fun place to enjoy cocktails and snacks.

DC is an international city, makes sense with all the embassies, multiple int'l airports and destination museums.

We stayed at SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Alexandria, VA. We drove to DC and also took the train.

If you've never been to Washington D.C. like we were, I would recommended Private Tours of Washington. You get picked up in a comfortable SUV with a driver and your own tour guide.

But that's not what I came to this thread for. You say you like Italian but don't like super fancy dress code type? Have I got the place for you where the food will rival any super fancy dress code type restaurant.

It was close to our hotel which was why we tried it. It's in a business offices building complex so it's like the place that workers would go to for lunch. It's set up to look like an office cafeteria but the food.... I tell you, I have not had as good a calamari anywhere else other than in Spain. Usually, the breading is thick or it's oily or its tough. It was perfection. We were there in 2018 and I am gung ho enough to rave about it.

Everything we ate was delicious. It was how Italian food is supposed to taste. We had the Tiramisu. We called the owner over and he said it was his sister's recipe.

Seriously, no kidding, the experience brought tears to my eyes literally just tasting the love and authenticity that went into the food especially considering we were paying cafeteria prices.

Here's their website: Aldo's Italian Kitchen.

Just think 3 years ago and I still remember the place fondly. I wouldn't go near Washington DC right now but if I did, it would be to eat at Aldo's.

As a matter of fact, next time my wife and I make a drive to Maine for the lobsters, We'll be sure to stop by Aldo's.

quote:

Originally posted by frankinaug:
Okay so the wife is finishing her masters degree and I’m taking her for a three day to DC to celebrate. Looking for hotel and restaurant recommendations. Wife likes Italian and steakhouses but doesn’t like super fancy dress code type of places. Hotel I’m willing to spend up to $300ish a night. Would prefer a location close to the Smithsonian areas… Any thoughts would be awesome

I know you said not dressy, but I can’t imagine a better dining experience than we had in late 2019 at 1789 in Georgetown. Wore a blazer but no tie. It’s where we took our son and DIL to celebrate their engagement. Sat in the “Reagan” chair and finished a fantastic dinner with a glass of Pappy. It wasn’t cheap though.

Jaleo is delicious.

I e stayed at the Willard Hotel a few times and it was fantastic every time. Great location and a beautiful, historic property. Grab a drink in the Round Robin bar and soak in the history.

1789 is great - last time I went we went next door to the tombs for a drink, which was cool. The stairs from the exorcist are across the street - do not recommend after several beverages.

old ebb grill Right next to the White House, if you don't eat there, stop info a drink...very old place. Hotels depend on you budget. The Mayflower

Not sure if it’s even a property any longer but I used to enjoy staying at the St Regis on 16th and K. They had a great little bar called The Library that had really, really, really comfy chairs.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
There are quite a few nearby the Mall and Smithsonians. I used to work a couple of blocks
away from this place; it's near the Wharf, L'Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian, etc. A little pricey, but there are sub shops, Starbucks, a CVS, etc. within a block.

https://www.mandarinoriental.c...hotel/accommodations

That’s a really nice hotel but I wouldn’t stay there now. I was just there a month ago and the sub shop you are talking about had limited hours, the CVS is doing covid stuff only and the Starbucks had probably the worst service of any Starbucks I’ve ever been to. Since covid that little area is a ghost town.

The hotel itself is great but unless you plan on eating every meal at the hotel or going outside of that circle then I’d look elsewhere.

My family and I stayed there a month ago as well (not with Pale Horse though, I think) and I’ll echo his report. It’s a nice hotel but for our next trip out there we’d probably stay on the north side of the mall, closer to more restaurants, shops, etc. The Wharf was a nice area to walk around at night.

As far as dining, I lost the eat local vote so our nicer meal was Fogo de Chao which was like every other one that I’ve eaten at. We did make it up to Ben’s chili bowl which didn’t exactly knock my socks off but it wasn’t bad.

Have fun on your trip and congratulations to your wife. I wish I could make it back there when our kids are in college or out of the house to take in more of the sites and dive deeper into the museums.

The Mandarin Oriental hotel. Right by all the sites.

Primi Piati for Italian food.

I’ve never been there but the guy (Geoff Tracy) was a classmate of mine at the Culinary Institute of America:

Chef Geoff’s