Tuesday, November 15, 2011

My DC!

I am going to Washington, DC for Thanksgiving (visiting my sister) and I thought it would be fun to post my recommendations for DC.

Restaurants:
Matchbox: I used to go to the Chinatown location but now they have multiple restaurants in DC (there is also one in Palm Springs, CA). Amazing pizza. So good! I hear the sliders are delicious too.

Lauriol Plaza: The best Mexican food in DC. Try the swirl margaritas (get a pitcher ;)

Vace: Italian deli that sells pizza, pasta, sauces, and more (it is carry out). I love their pizza, pesto sauce, and garlic bread. I lived just down the street so it was easy to stop in and get something to take home for dinner.
Pumpernickel's: Delicious bagels. Around the corner is the cutest boutique called Periwinkle (home decor, stationery, baby gifts, etc)
Open City: Very good grilled cheese. Also perfect for brunch (get the waffle with Nutella).
Founding Farmers: The corn on the cob is to die for! YUM! Everything is farm fresh and delicious.

Shopping:
If you don't mind crowds head to Georgetown. So many great stores! Stick to the main shopping streets (Wisconsin and M) and you'll find: Vineyard Vines, J.Crew, Fornash, Rugby, and Sherman Pickey (to name a few!)

Bethesda: Not as crowded as Georgetown, metro accessible. Not as many stores but still has quite a few cute shops. I like Pink Palm (Lilly Pulitzer), Sassanova, Urban Chic, Urban Country Designs


Attractions (these are my personal favorites. If you don't have much time then definitely check out the more well known/bigger museums first. Find a list of the Smithsonian museums here):
Phillips Collection: Much smaller than some of the other DC museums. I often get overwhelmed at some of the bigger museums so this is the perfect size for me! It is not part of the Smithsonian so you will need to pay to see the special exhibitions (during the week admission to the permanent collection is by donation, there is a fee on weekends). I'm hoping to see the Degas exhibition when I visit.
ZOO! I used to live walking distance to the zoo and I really miss having a zoo just down the street. The zoo is free (since it's part of the Smithsonian).
Spy Museum: not free but I love this place! If you like mysteries or crime dramas then definitely check it out.

I would love to hear your favorite DC restaurants, shops, and activities!

12 comments:

  1. I love when people post about DC! I've lived down here for the last 10 years (stayed after college). You should def try Graffiato's, Mike Isabella's restaurant. It's located behind the Verizon center and the food is to die for (plus you get to see Mike since he's usually there!!)

    To add to your M Street post-we now have a Sprinkles Cupcakes. Another place that is totally worth stopping at!!

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  2. I miss DC sooo much! I LOVE Lauriol Plaza, yum!! Another fav is Georgia Brown's for Sunday brunch. And my ALL TIME FAVORITE spot is a little hole in the wall near GW, my former college campus called Lindy's. BEST BURGERS AND BUFFALO CHICKEN SANDWICH EVERRRRR!

    ahh talking about it makes me want to go back ASAP!

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  3. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in DC - haven't been there in many, many years - since we moved to the 'shore' - we once lived in Potomac and would go in for dinner (love the Prime Rib on K St.) ... those were the days!

    Do some shopping for me!
    All the best for a great turkey day - Katie
    www.westiejulep.blogspot.com

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  4. I miss D.C. so much and hope I can go back soon for a little getaway. One of my favorite stops is dancing at Cafe Citron and having a pitcher of their delicious mojitos. I second your vote for the Spy Museum and I hope I can go to the Newseum next time I'm in town. Also--Blue Mercury is one of my favorite make-up stores ever. :)

    Have a blast with your sister!

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  5. As a DC girl, these are definitely good picks. Founding Farmers is my favorite! I would also recommend the Newseum (if you liked the Spy Museum) & to go to Old Town Alexandria for a little bit of a different feel. Its especially pretty around the holidays!

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  6. I just love DC :) I go to school here! Hands down, my favorite area is Georgetown. I love Filomena and Rugby Cafe and I've been just dying to go to the Tombs!

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  7. my very favorite place is the national gallery of art. it's right on the mall and not a smithsonian, so people forget about it. it's still free and has the most amazing collection, particularly of renaissance art.

    also, johnny's on the half shell is a fantastic restaurant. a bit pricey, but it's the favorite of many senators and lobbyists and has the best happy hour in town.

    have a great time! i love DC.

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  8. I'm not DC bound anytime soon but I need to remember this post! Those swirl margaritas and the shopping is right up my alley.0

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  9. Have a great time! Degas is my favorite. My brother lives in DC off and on (works for State Dept) so I love to visit. My friend and I are thinking of riding the train from Raleigh to DC to meet our NYC friend soon for a girls' weekend. Will have to remember these places. And the spy museum. My sons would love it! I like Clyde's in GT for Sunday brunch because my dad used to know the original owner and frequented this bar/restaurant when he lived there years ago.

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  10. DC's one of my favorite cities! I agree, Georgetown shopping is the best, and I also love the restaurant The Tombs there! And the Spy Museum is super fun.

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  11. Have a great time visiting your sister! I definitely agree with you on Matchbox, Lauriol Plaza and the Spy Museum. My favorite spot when I worked on the Hill was the Botanical Gardens.

    Seeing how I never actually lived "in" DC (Potomac, Alexandria and Arlington), many of my fave spots are actually in Northern Virginia. http://www.bangkok54restaurant.com/ has the best thai food I've ever tasted. Their spring rolls are delightful. The outside is totally deceiving, especially since it's located on Columbia Pike next to the Draft House. I also really miss http://www.lostdogcafe.com/ in Arlington.

    Since DC is where my passion from politics to music changed (I logged in 100 concerts in 2007), I miss IOTA in Arlington, the 9:30 Club and most of all, Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA. JJ was like my Cheers - the owner's assistant would reserve a ticket for me to the shows she knew I'd want to attend before I had a chance to ask & the servers knew my dinner and drink orders. Such a great venue!

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  12. I've never been to DC, but hope to take the boys one day! That margarita pitcher looks delicious. Have a great trip & time with your sissy!

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