Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Downtown & White House Area
Merzi
INDIAN$
( 202-656-3794; 415 7th St NW; meals under $10; 11am-10pm Mon-Sat, to 9pm Sun; ;
Gallery Place-Chinatown, Archives-Navy Memorial)
If you need cheap Indian - especially
cheap vegetarian Indian - in downtown DC, this is where to be. Merzi's setup is simple:
choose a base (roti, rice, salad etc), a protein (chicken, lamb etc) or veg, then add sauces,
chutney and such. Your wallet will barely feel lighter for the visit.
Rasika
INDIAN$$$
( 202-637-1222;
www.rasikarestaurant.com
;
633 D St NW; mains $16-26; 11:30am-2:30pm
Mon-Fri, 5:30-10:30pm Mon-Thu, to 11pm Fri, 5-11pm Sun; ; Archives-Navy Memorial)
Rasika
is as cutting edge as Indian food gets, both in terms of menu and presentation. The latter
resembles a Jaipur palace decorated by a flock of modernist art-gallery curators; the
former…well, it's
good
. Narangi duck is juicy, almost unctuous, and pleasantly nutty
thanks to the addition of cashews; the deceptively simple
dal
(lentils) have the right kiss
of sharp fenugreek. Vegans and vegetarians will feel a lot of love here.
Hill Country Barbecue
BARBECUE$$$
( 202-556-2050; 410 7th St NW; mains $13-22; 11:30am-2am; Archives-Navy Memorial,
Gallery Place-Chinatown)
Penn Quarter is frankly overflowing with overpriced, overrated
eating establishments. Hill Country is none of those things. It's a total anomaly for DC -
a Texas-themed joint filled with cowboy hats and boots that doesn't feel corny; a barbe-
cue spot that serves excellent smoked meat; a live-music venue that hosts great Texas
honky-tonk shows.
Zaytinya
MEDITERRANEAN$$$
( 202-638-0800; 701 9th St NW; mezze $7-13; 11:30am-11:30pm Tue-Sat, to 10pm Sun &
Mon)
One of the culinary crown jewels of chef José Andrés, ever-popular Zaytinya serves
superb Greek, Turkish and Lebanese mezze (small plates) in a long, narrow dining room
with soaring ceilings and all-glass walls. Stop in for $4 happy-hour specials from 4:30pm
to 6:30pm.
