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Chew on This: Where Should Barack Obama Eat?

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We always give you our thoughts on eating around town, but we want to hear yours, too! Every week, we’ll ask you to weigh in on a question about the local dining scene.

By Kate Nerenberg   Published Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Comments

The President should try something Pacific:

Malaysia Kopitiam
1827 M St Nw,
20036 Washington DC,
Phone : 202 – 833 6232
Fax : 202 – 833 6233

Posted by: Kate, Nov 17, 2009 12:50:53 PM

In Alexandria, the cozy Landini Brothers, for Italian, or for the BEST pizza, and very family friendly, Rustico...

Posted by: Vrs7, May 06, 2009 02:35:38 PM

I would recommend that President Obama and First Lady Michelle go to Station 9 on U Street for their Sunday brunch. Their food is absolutely delicious and the service is great!

Posted by: Kathy L., May 06, 2009 01:43:35 PM

Go across the river to Old Town. Restaurant Eve for fine dining - Majestic, Vermillion and Overwood for a variety of excellent choices and Chadwick’s for a great family meal (best burgers in the area)...

Posted by: Chollis, May 06, 2009 08:39:01 AM

I think the Obama’s would love La Chaumiere in Goergetown. It’s close by and they have an upstairs dining area that’s private. The food is always spectacular and it’s very unpretentious. The owner is always very helpful and friendly.

Posted by: koko, May 04, 2009 01:54:13 PM

*Chicago

Posted by: revise.., Jan 22, 2009 03:54:24 PM

Armands is a great place to get Chisago-Style pizza! And if they went there, they wouldn’t be the first Presidential family dining there! Amy Carter loved their pizza!

Posted by: Taylor, Jan 22, 2009 03:53:37 PM

Does anyone know that the owner Bryan Hight of Creme Cafe located at 1322 U Street, NW Washington DC 20009 grew up in Hawaii. Graduated from Leilehua " Go Mules" Hawaii State Champs. Attended the University of Hawaii then came to Washington DC. This should be the place the Obamas go for their Loco Mocos on a Sunday Morning or for just some good anytime food. Creme has some ono grindz. Mahalo Bryan Hight & Creme for reaching out to the DC Hawaiian Ohana. Aloha nui loa!

Posted by: Hawaiian Ohana, Jan 01, 2009 11:15:08 PM

Anyplace but Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Posted by: Nicole, Dec 05, 2008 10:33:42 AM

Michelle and Barack would love to dine in a small, cozy and friendly authentic Italian restaurant in Wheaton, MD called Cristina Ristorante Italiano. The food and service is excellent !!! They should give it a try, aultimately they would love it.

ciao

Posted by: sk, Dec 03, 2008 12:08:02 PM

Barack and family will be all about the comfort food....so BUSBOYS AND POETS I second.

If he can make it out to Maryland then Gillian Clark’s NEW The General Store in Silver Spring.

BreadLine up the block on Penn. for sandwiches....

Posted by: Bill, Dec 03, 2008 11:03:23 AM

Why would he go to Capital Grille? They have one in Chicago that he’s probably been to a million times!

Posted by: Meagan, Nov 18, 2008 04:11:13 PM

The Capital Grill because it will show the K street lobbyists there is a new sheriff in town. Oh and my buddy is a waiter there... LOL

Posted by: DWHarper, Nov 11, 2008 02:53:51 PM

The New Busboys and Poets at 5th and K, NW -- Great atmosphere and food. This is my new most favorite place to lunch. I love the blackened Mahi Mahi with chipotle mayo. The burgers are great too.

My favorite high-end restaurant is Oceanaire. They have the freshest seafood in town and the best crab cakes on this earth!

Posted by: Debra, Nov 10, 2008 11:39:02 AM

Congratulations on the big win. I recommemd Phillips Sea food in Washington. It has all you can eat especially if you enjoy Sea food. There is a variety of other foods if you do not care for Sea food. Welcome to the Obama family to Washington. We can not wait.

Posted by: Linda, Nov 08, 2008 01:03:08 PM

"Steak & Egg" in Tenleytown!

Posted by: ImFred, Nov 08, 2008 05:15:44 AM

I’m sorta biased for our neighborhood - and think they’d love the intimacy and calm of Bistro d’Oc across from Ford’s Theatre. (Maybe they will come to the re-opening!) We also love Oyamel and Asia Nine for fun food, great settings and the neighborhood.

Posted by: Joan , Nov 07, 2008 03:26:26 PM

BGR: The Burger Joint of course.........

Posted by: Burger Man, Nov 07, 2008 01:32:11 PM

HANDS DOWN, THE BLUE DUCK TAVERN!!!!! also, i agree that he should frequent peking gourmet...not in the spirit of bipartisanship, but just to piss off all the republicans who go there....they need to plaster his photo all over the wall :) PLUS, the food there is BY FAR the best chinese you’ll ever eat in the DC area. last tip, ZAYTINYA. they could eat upstairs where they could have privacy and it’d be easy to contain them for security reasons, and the food is mind-blowing...SO GOOD (WAY better than jose andreas’ other tapas heavy hitter jaleo...)

PS: i’m a former concierge at an upscale DC, so i do actually have some knowledge of what i’m talking about lol

Posted by: linda, Nov 07, 2008 10:52:23 AM

2Amy’s, of course, for Sasha and Malia. I can see the first family hanging out at Busboys and Poets, with dessert at nearby Cakelove. Also, Cactus Cantina or Lauriol Plaza (the Latino vote gave them an edge!). Also spots they must try are Rasika (Rahm Emmanuel is a regular there). Bistro Francais is also a must-eat site as are B. Smith’s, Georgia Brown and Acadiana.
No to Ben’s Chili Bowl: the family is too health conscious.

Posted by: Roxanne, Nov 07, 2008 10:14:01 AM

Logan Tavern - the kids will enjoy it and it’s just up the street from 1600 Penn. !

Posted by: Dlevy, Nov 07, 2008 10:11:36 AM

I would love to have them over to my house for some Cuban food, good wine and some salsa!

Posted by: lourdes, Nov 07, 2008 10:00:52 AM

Welcome President Obama & Family! It is going to be so wonderful having you here in this wonderful city. Now, first things first...you must make time to print and read Todd Kliman’s chats every Tuesday so you can stay abreast of some of the area’s best restaurants. My favs are "Central, Johnny’s Half Shell, Kinkeads and Komi". You’ll have plenty of time to check them out and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them all (among others)!

Posted by: Natalie, Nov 06, 2008 09:50:40 AM

The new family to join the White House has to try 2Amys pizza. It’s been voted Best Pizza in DC, the kids love it, and the wine selection is amazing. Welcome Obama’s! We’re all excited you’re coming to DC :)

Posted by: Danielle Desnoyers, Nov 06, 2008 05:32:01 AM

Of course Logan Circle would be a great choice with lots of cool small businesses to support, followed by a meal at Cork or a drink at Marvin. If they want to stay closer to home Equinox is just across Lafayette park, and what kid can resist Mac & Cheese? Founding Farmers is just a few blocks away on Pennsylvania and is owned by a farm co-op. Welcome to DC!

Posted by: Kathleen-in-Logan-Circle, Nov 05, 2008 08:53:36 PM

He should eat where the Clintons ate -- Restaurant Nora.

Posted by: kathleen, Nov 05, 2008 05:47:25 PM

Ben’s Chili Bowl makes you need the toilet bowl...bad food.

Posted by: Joe B., Nov 05, 2008 02:23:57 PM

I highly recommend the the Tabbard Inn on N street NW!

Posted by: Doug Mansfield, Nov 05, 2008 01:27:44 PM

I would DEFINITELY send Barack to Thai Xing. Excellent food AND service. Anyone who’s anyone would enjoy a meal there.

Posted by: Johanna, Nov 05, 2008 12:58:23 PM

In the spirit of showing that he is ready to reach across party lines to get things done I think Obama needs to dine at the Peking Gourmet on Leesburg Pike. Yes, this was George H.W. Bush’s favorite restaurant but it is a Washington institution and the food the awesome. Of course the duck is always a winner but my favorite is the pork with plum sauce. More importantly, Obama just needs to go out! For 8 years we’ve had a president that refused to embrace DC in any way- hopefully Obama will want to change that as well.

Posted by: jenn, Nov 05, 2008 12:17:45 PM

I’m sure SE would love to see the Obama family. I’d send them to Belga Cafe on 8th for some mussels. What kid wouldn’t love the frites? They could even bring along that puppy and sit outside.

Posted by: Biz, Nov 05, 2008 11:10:08 AM

Unfortunately Armand’s is as close to chicago pizza as they’ll be able to find.. don’t get me wrong, I like it. Just not quite the real thing.

Posted by: Brian, Nov 05, 2008 09:54:11 AM

Definitely Creme on U Street.

Posted by: Laura, Nov 05, 2008 09:07:27 AM

They should definitely go to Vidalia. RJ Cooper’s food is creative and amazing. Plus, I heard Obama’s favorite food is pie and that he loves ice cream, so Vidalia’s legendary Lemon Chess pie and Georgia pecan pie with bourbon-caramel ice cream would be a delicious treat.

Posted by: rivka, Nov 05, 2008 08:50:18 AM

California Tortilla, wooo!

Posted by: Burrito Mama, Nov 05, 2008 08:47:25 AM

I saw Condi Rice once at BlackSalt... ruined it for me. Mabye Barack could hit it up and bring back the love.

Posted by: JoJo, Nov 05, 2008 08:46:41 AM

I saw yesterday that Ben’s Chili Bowl has changed its sign saying who eats there for free (previously it read only "Bill Cosby") to "Bill Cosby and the Obama Family." So good call on that recommendation!

Posted by: Catherine (washingtonian.com), Nov 05, 2008 08:45:07 AM

I second the comment about Ben’s. The celebration there last night was amazing.

Posted by: Marie, Nov 05, 2008 08:42:44 AM

Ben’s Chili Bowl, of course! He has to get a half smoke with chili! It’s only right.

Posted by: Show U Street some love!, Nov 05, 2008 08:35:16 AM

Parker’s Classic American. Because even in the middle of DC, there’s a place that will remind them of home. It’s got a great kids menu for the girls and 99 cent burger day on Monday, so they can show just how much they care about cutting costs!

Posted by: Zena, Nov 05, 2008 08:35:13 AM

Granville Moore’s! One of the most unassuming places in the city with the best les moules con frites I’ve ever had. Order the Moules Au Pesto. Well worth the wait, but I’m sure Prez Obama won’t have to worry about that!

Posted by: Gidon, Nov 05, 2008 08:32:14 AM

Acadiana and Central, both delicious, comforting food.

Posted by: Susy, Nov 05, 2008 08:31:28 AM

Down with deep-dish!

Posted by: Emily, Nov 05, 2008 08:30:12 AM

The Obama’s strike me as neighborhood people - so I’d send them to places that have that feel. Barack and Michelle: if you’re looking for lighter fare try Cork for the Brioche sandwich and fries. And please, please make sure to try a 2Amy’s pizza. Maybe we can convert them away from deep dish?

Posted by: Jasmine , Nov 05, 2008 08:22:59 AM

Equinox is a great choice -- it’s right across the street from the White House and Chef Todd Gray is doing an amazing job with the menu. I believe he puts a lot of emphasis on local and sustainable ingredients. The atmosphere is elegant but not uncomfortable and the staff is superb.

Posted by: Lori, Nov 05, 2008 08:19:56 AM

I would suggest that Michelle and Barack check out Cork for a few glasses of wine and delicious appetizers. I think they would love Logan Circle, and they could even swing by HR-57 for some live jazz afterwards!

Posted by: Liz, Nov 05, 2008 08:17:00 AM

I’ve read that Michelle and Barack love Sepia in Chicago, which has amaaaazing cocktails...I would tell them to check out Tiffany Short’s drinks at PS7 for sure!

Posted by: Marissa, Nov 05, 2008 08:13:53 AM

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