Bombay Club (815 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-659-3727; bombayclubdc.com). There may have been a time when this elegant, Colonial-style Indian dining room seemed unusual. But good samosas and chicken tikka masala aren’t hard to find anymore. And the food is underseasoned and overpriced.

Cafe Milano (3251 Prospect St., NW; 202-333-6183; cafemilanodc.com). This clubby cafe remains a favorite of local and visiting celebs—Bill and Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie, and Catherine Zeta-Jones all made appearances there this past year. What’s there for the rest of us? So-so $30 pastas, often pretentious service, and at night a gold-digging bar scene.

Georgia Brown’s (950 15th St., NW; 202-393-4499; gbrowns.com). The portions are supersized at this plush, Lowcountry/Southern dining room, popular for power lunches and Sunday brunch. But everything is so drenched in butter, fry batter, or honey mustard that it’s hard to stomach more than a few bites.

Sequoia (3000 K St., NW; 202-944-4200). This glassy Washington Harbour restaurant might have one of the prettiest perches in town, with views of the Kennedy Center and Potomac River, but unless you’re in the mood for cafeteria-level salads and overcooked chicken cutlets, take your $18.95 elsewhere.

Sushi Taro (1503 17th St., NW; 202-462-8999;sushitaro.com). This quiet spot is a favorite of visiting dignitaries, but over the past couple of years the quality of the cooking—and the raw stuff—has slipped.