Early-Bird Special
JIMMY T'S PLACE
The midcentury tables are too small, the waitstaff tends to be
surly (I was once invited to fetch my own water refills), and the
food is pretty basic. In other words: It's the perfect diner. The
location, though, may be the best part - Jimmy T's is just five
blocks from the Capitol yet is hidden away in an old, shabby-chic
row house on a residential street. 501 East
Capitol Street SE, (202) 546-3646, www.jimmytsplace.com
Lunch of the Day
TABARD INN
Here's one of many reasons to go to Tabard: They import their own
Roero Arneis, an obscure white wine from Piedmont. Yes, wine. At
lunch. It's the right thing to do while sampling the top-notch
local organic dishes and sitting in a secluded brick-walled garden
that, for my money, is D.C.'s best outdoor spot. 1739 N Street NW, (202) 331-8528, www.tabardinn.com/rest.htm
Dinner Is Served
FLORIANA MERCURY GRILL
I like to take guests to Floriana because the experience is like
eating at home - a home that's nicer than mine. Located a block
from Dupont Circle, the eatery is in an old three-story row house
complete with fireplaces, creaky hardwood floors, and oversize
windows. The food? Italian and inexpensive. 1602
17th Street NW, (202) 667-5937
TABAQ BISTRO
You can see the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the largest
church on this side of the Atlantic from Tabaq's top-floor,
glass-ceiling dining room. You cannot, however, see the menu. It's
very, very dark in there. Luckily, all the Middle Eastern and
Mediterranean small plates are good. So just point and order. If
your finger lands on the manti (Turkish-style beef ravioli in a
yogurt sauce), you will be very, very lucky. 1336
U Street, (202) 265-0965, www.tabaqdc.com
Drinks All
Around
URBANA RESTAURANT AND WINE
BAR
In many of the city's hotel swilleries, I've found
myself bending elbows in the company of congressmen. But they don't
hang out at Urbana, a chic lounge in the Hotel Palomar with drinks
that are strong and a French/Italian bar menu that hits the spot. I
did see Reese Witherspoon here once, though. 2121
P Street NW, (202) 956-6650, www.urbanadc.com
RUMBA CAFÉ
Late at night, bands jam out in the
corner, but this cozy Latin bar/eatery is best early in the
evening, when it's quiet and less crowded. That way, I can better
hear myself mispronounce cocktails like caipirinha, as well as
inexpensive (but fulfilling) tapas like arepa de aguacate and
especially patacon maduro con pernil. 2443 18th
Street NW, (202) 588-5501, www.rumbacafe.com
Bonus: D.C.'s Best Dish
RASIKA
Most of the modernist Indian dishes in this
lush restaurant are pretty good, but the palak haat - fried spinach
that is crunchy and light as air - is inexplicably excellent.
633 D Street NW, (202) 637-1222,
www.rasikarestaurant.com