What Makes a Good Neighborhood Restaurant?

Ann: I head for Mark and Orlando's for their hefty, hand-ground burger (and great skinny fries). If it's late at night, there's always Five Guys in Dupont. And if I'm in the mood to splurge, I grab the $16 sirloin burger at the bar at WestEnd. And in Adams Morgan, Bourbon delivers really delicious–and messy–renditions. And at lunchtime, Belga Cafe on Eighth St., SE, puts out a reliable patty. 

Cynthia: It's been awhile since I've been there, but Timberlake's does a good, basic burger. A classic, loosely-shaped bar burger can be found at the 51st State in Foggy Bottom. And for the uber-luxe burger, look to Bistro Bis, which tops their patty with duck bacon and Comte cheese. 

Cynthia: Falls Church because of the sheer number and variety of ethnic restaurants, especially Vietnamese places. U Street because of the hip vibe. Silver Spring and Wheaton, again for the ethnic eateries. NW DC for the healthy number of small, independent restaurants.

Sara: Sometimes I wish I lived in Old Town since there are so many great places have opened up there in recent years: Majestic, Farrah Olivia, Eve, Bastille, Vermilion, etc. There are so many mediocre places in Bethesda but there's a good place to satisfy every craving. Growing up I would go to Yirasai or Raku for sushi, Faryab for Afghan food, Passage to India for Indian. And now there's Nark Kara for quality Thai food. 

Ann: It's really hard to pick a definitive favorite, but lately I've been drawn to Rockville. The soups at Bob's Shabu Shabu are something I think about on a weekly basis, especially in winter. Bob's Noodle 66 is just as good (also for soups) and so, so cheap. A&J–another bargain– is where I go when I'm in the mood for fried chicken and congee. And Il Pizzico, which is in upper Rockville, puts out fabulous pastas (bucatini with tomato cream sauce; ravioli in pistachio cream) that are on par with the owners' much spiffier downtown restaurant, Spezie. And Bobby's Crabcakes and Sushi Damo add a lot to the new Rockville Town Center. 

Cynthia: Sounds like a downward slide or a bad day. Or maybe just inconsistency depending on whether Morty and Mel are there. Last time I there a few weeks ago, they were generous with the pickles and the meats were properly sliced and on the lean side. We'll be sure to check it out to see what's up.

Cynthia: We devote a lot of space to Falls Church and Annandale in our Cheap Eats (June) and Dirt Cheap features (November). The thinking behind this issue was to celebrate places that have something to recommend them for one reason or another but that don't make our other lists.

Ann: It's tiny, and not super-cozy either, but Murky Coffee right near Eastern Market is one of my favorite coffee stops period (it's currently–and hopefully temporarily–closed though, due to tax issues). Really good cappuccino and espresso (I like the espresso drinks better than the drip coffee). On the bread front, I'd check out A. Litteri, the wonderfully crammed, always-crowded Italian market in the warehouse district. They've got fresh Italian bread (and great sandwiches!). And chef Ann Cashion's Taqueria Nacionale, right next to Johnny's Half-Shell, is definitely not a dive, but it is cheap. The upside: Great braised pork tacos, guac, and agua frescas (They even have Mexican Coke!). The downside: They're only open for breakfast and lunch and there's no place to sit. 

Ann: Check out Guardado's in Bethesda, opened by a former chef at the Bethesda Jaleo. It's really casual and warm, and the menu is a mix of tapas (I remember really good sauteed mushrooms, and potatoes with aioli). There are Salvadoran dishes too, but it's the Spanish cooking that really stands out. 

Cynthia: You may find the suburban outposts of Jaleo–in Crystal City and Bethesda–more kid-friendly, especially in the summer when you can snag outdoor seating.  

Cynthia: Our covers need to appeal to readers in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. As a recognizable destination, Clyde's, with its outposts in many neighborhoods, does that in the way that a single obscure restaurant can't. More people can relate to it. And we gave plenty of photo space to more obscure places inside the magazine.

Sara: Plus, Clyde's is a local success story, a hometown chain that has a long history in Washington. 

Sara: There's always the U Street area a few blocks away, with lots of great spots for dining and drinking. We like the new Marvin, the Belgian/soul food menu has a lot of winners. Three words: Chicken and waffles. It becomes more of a bar/lounge scene afterhours, but the downstairs dining room never gets too rowdy. 

Ann: There also Creme, a block away on U, where I love the big plate of vinegary pork and beans. And yes–I'm looking forward to seeing the new Corduroy too!

Cynthia: This is more of a takeout than a buffet, but Asian Foods, a grocery in Wheaton, has inexpensive curries, stir-fries, and fish dishes to go, including some fairly exotic finds. 

Ann: We haven't been there, but thanks for the tip.

Cynthia: Politics and Prose in NW DC and Mocha Hut on U St.

Ann: I know I mentioned Murky in a previous question, but I'd cast my vote for the comfier Clarendon location, which has free Wi-Fi, by the way. Also, Busboys and Poets, Stacy's Coffee in Falls Church (yummy cupcakes), and for something fancier, Leopold's in Georgetown.  And I share Cynthia's affection for P&P (mostly for the nightly readings) and the Mocha Hut on U ( mostly for the eggs on toast). 

Sara: In my neighborhood I love Java House (17th and Q sts., NW). It's nothing fancy but the coffee is good and they've got wireless internet–and good muffins. 

Ann: I haven't used Takeout Taxi all that much, but have mostly relied on A la Cart Express if I'm looking to order in. Still, it tends to take a really long time (one to two hours, in my experience) and the extra charges can make it pretty expensive. But, this isn't a big delivery town–in the way, say, New York is–and both those services give you a lot more options than just plain old pizza. 

Sara: I was surprised and thrilled that Thai X-ing in Shaw would deliver to my apartment near Dupont (I think they decide how far they'll go to deliver on a case-by-case basis, but it's worth asking). I love the salmon red curry, the fiery larb gai, and the drunken noodles. 

Sara: You should try Java Green on 19th between L and K sts., NW. It's not all-Vegan but they'll make anything with soy cheese. My co-worker and I are obsessed with the tofu-and-mushroom panini. 

Ann: A couple make-your-own salad spots have just popped up that bring me back to working lunches in New York. Sweetgreen, in Georgetown, is a tiny upstart run by recent Georgetown grads. My favorite salad–one of their pre-set combinations–is the Guacamole Greens, which has all the traditional guac elements (avocado, red onion, cilantro, tomato, tortilla chips) on a bed of mesclun. They also do great fro-yo (and I'm not usually a fan of the stuff), which is loaded with real yogurt so it has a nice tartness. I like it with coconut and pineapple, and maybe some slivered almonds. The other one is Chop't, which actually started in Manhattan, and it's pretty similar. Sometimes it's hard to stick to the healthy stuff there (hello, smoky bacon dressing). 

Cynthia: Olazzo in Bethesda is the best for food and ambience. In Silver Spring there's the very casual grocery/cafe De Marco's. Manoli Cannoli in Chevy Chase (formerly Marcella's) does a decent job too.

Ann: I really like the Bethesda Olazzo too. And if I'm in the mood for red-sauce at home, I usually head to Vace in Bethesda for their frozen meat sauce, lasagna, and pasta.  

Ann: You know, I picked up a few cupcakes at Buzz this past weekend and I thought the same thing. They're also making miniature versions of the regular cupcakes that are even tinier. I like Georgetown Cupcake's offerings (also small), which have a really moist cake, but I'm not a big fan of standing in line for a half-hour to get one. And I recently had a really pretty, flower-topped vanilla-on-vanilla cupcake from Just Cakes in Bethesda that had a great sugar icing. Wegmans in Sterling does a great, classic bakery cupcake that brings me back to childhood. They don't cost $2.75 each, either. 

Sara: In our office we have frequent cupcake celebrations. Some people swear by Baked and Wired in Georgetown, and others prefer Buzz. I like the denser crumb at Baked and Wired, personally, but it's hard to pass up the chocolate-filled Bumblebee cupcakes from Buzz.

Cynthia: I like the denser crumb at Baked and Wired, especially the classic yellow cupcake with chocolate frosting and the giant, feeds-six cupcake is fun too, which you can order in any flavor.

Cynthia: What about the Majestic Cafe? Cathal Armstrong does a flavorful New York strip with crisp fries there. Restaurant Eve has a small-farm beef ribeye with celeriac gratin–perfectly cooked when I last had it. 

Ann: You might not expect it, but Hank's Oyster Bar does a pretty good Flatiron steak as a Friday night special.   

Cynthia: Thanks for your suggestions. Another good spot, this one in Alexandria, is Food Matters, which dishes up comfort-style roast Amish chicken with pale gravy, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, interesting greens, a good burger, and changing pasta dishes. 

Cynthia: M Cafe in Chevy Chase for the lasagna or penne Bolognese, the prosciutto di Parma and burrata panino,  and the arugula and endive salads. Il Pizzico if you're willing travel to Rockville for a well-priced, savory meal. Palena if you're willing to head down Connecticut into NW DC (Cleveland Park), for a blowout expensive one.

Sara: My parents live in that area and they love Cesco on Woodmont and Cordell Aves.. They (and I!) think it's really underrated. 

Ann: I forgot about Port City! Thanks for the tips.

Sara: Il Radicchio's a great deal for the bottomless bowls of pasta and carafes of wine. So many of my friends who live in Clarendon are loyal fans. I wish I lived closer. 

Sara: You're just a short walk (or Metro ride) from Clarendon/Courthouse, so I'd check out Me Jana, an elegant new Lebanese restaurant that's become a really popular after-work drinks spot. Eleventh Street and Liberty Tavern are both great places to grab a drink that also have chef-driven menus and bar snacks. 

Cynthia: We weren't trying to cover entire neighborhoods as we might do in a survey. The idea was to leapfrog around to worthwhile places in lots of different neighborhoods – places you might dine in should you find yourself there to meet a friend, go to the movies, etc.

Ann: Wow, what a great, cozy picture. The Neighborhood Restaurant Group–which owns Evening Star–tends to pay close attention to details, with interesting wine and beer lists, friendly and smart service, and funky, personality-filled vibes. And sometimes, that can be as much of a draw as the food, if not more. 

Ann: They're not picking up their phone this morning, but our trusted Thai X-ing source, Erin Zimmer responds: "He's still in the throes of remodeling, so I think summertime (probably on the later side) is likely."