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Good To Know, Good To Go

Sometimes it the simple things that help you get the most out of a weekend. Where to get the morning paper, the best breakfast spot, where to have cocktails before dinner, what to do after dinner? We ask ourselves “what do you need to know? And then we go out and find the answers for you. "Good To Know" helps you experience the destination like a local.

Food & Drink

Breakfast

Aquarelle at the Watergate Hotel has a delicious breakfast in a room overlooking the Potomac River. For something more casual, try La Madeline, 3000 M Street NW in Georgetown for wonderful home-made baked goods and great coffees and teas.

Lunch

For California style food, wonderfully presented in a light and airy room go to Mendocino Grill and Wine Bar, 2917 M Street NW in Georgetown. Brunch items every day, unique salads and sandwiches and wonderful cheese platters. About 30 very good wines by the glass. Try the crisp Caesar salad in a crouton vase. Clyde's, 3236 M. Street NW, Georgetown, is the best saloon in Washington renowned for their burgers, chili and other pub food. In the warmer months, head over to Sequoia, 3000 K Street NW and enjoy an extensive lunch menu on the patio overlooking the Potomac River. For something a little bit more formal and romantic Le Bergerac, 218 N. Lee Street in Alexandria, is a delightful place decorated in burgundies, browns and forest greens with leather booths, brick walls and wonderful French food. Coq au vin and a roasted monkfish were the perfect antidotes for a cold January afternoon.



Bistro Bis, 15 E Street NW at the Hotel George is a stylish bi-level bistro with oak walls and a stainless steel bar. The Beef Bourguignon made with beef short ribs is quite amazing and worth the trip alone. For seafood lovers, Kinkead’s, 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. is a Washington favorite. The Maine lobster roll sandwich with fries and cole slaw is delicious. The Shellfish Sampler at $15 is a bargain. I have not had dinner here yet, but it is one of Washington’s most popular restaurants and the upstairs dining room with its open kitchen and booths is very cozy.

Brunch

The utterly charming Tabard Inn, 1739 N Street NW, is my favorite for Sunday brunch. You can eat in one of several very cozy rooms or outside on a brick walled terrace. They make their own donuts, have a good selection of wines by the glass, make a killer Bloody Mary and have some very interesting menu items. I also like the fact that the menu is a la carte, so you don't get charged some exorbitant brunch fee.

Burger

For a great setting and delicious burgers, my vote is still on Clyde's in Georgetown. There are some new kids on the block 5 of them actually, but I don't think they have knocked off the long time leader, just yet.

Martini

The dirty martini with Gorgonzola stuffed olives at Galileo, 1110 21st St. NW and the Cosmo with fresh raspberries at Citronelle, 3000 M St. NW

Steakhouse

Capital
Grille
, 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Can’t beat
the steaks and the view of the Capitol is awesome.

Afternoon Delight

Just a stone's throw from the White House, is the venerable Old Ebbitt Grille, 675 15th St. NW, the perfect afternoon stop for some delicious oysters, some shrimp and a cold beer. If you happen to be in Georgetown at the end of the day instead of the District, stop at J. Paul’s for their oyster bar or Cilantro, a great little tapas bar, both on M Street.

Appetizers

TenPenh, 1001 Pennsylvaia Ave. NW for saketinis, mojitos and Asian Seafood Nachos, Jaleos, 480 7th St. NW for tapas and sangria.

Cocktails

Café Milano, 3251 Prospect Street NW in Georgetown, is where the beautiful people of Washington sip their cocktails before dinner, Sequoia, 3000 K Street NW, is the perfect place for a sunset drink, outside or in the upstairs bar with sweeping views down the Potomac. Sky Terrace at the Hotel Washington, Open April to October. Spectacular view of the White House, Treasury and other monuments. The historic and dark Round Robin
Bar at the Willard Hotel is where Henry Clay drank. Fun to watch the politicians and lobbyists with their "nieces".