Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurant List 2009

The Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurants Issue is out! This is the first year that I can remember that it has come out in February. The Inauguration apparently was a big enough event this year in Washington to take over the most anticipated issue of the Washingtonian, The 100 Very Best Restaurants Issue. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been proding Todd Kliman a lot more about the list.
There have been some huge changes in my opinion.
First and foremost, the fact that Michel Richard's Citronelle (Pictured Michel Richard)
has slipped to number two is a really big deal. Not only is Michel Richard one of the world's best chef's, but he's been in the restuarant business longer than Johnny Monis of Komi has been alive! Although ranking the restaurants from 1 to 100 is relatively new practice (since 2007), Citronelle has remained in the number one spot ever since they began ranking them in 2007. Also, I will mention that in 2007, Komi was #10. If you can recall from last year's blog about the 100 Very Best list for 2008, I remarked about how amazing it is to move from #10 to #3. (Komi dining room) Well ... I find it even more remarkable that Komi knocked out Citronelle and has taken the number one spot. Executive Chef, Johnny Monis has achieved several of the highest possible honors of culinary arts in half of the amount of time of other chefs. I've heard through the grapevine that the reason Citronelle was ousted from #1 is due to their lack of superb service. Apparently they have slipped in this regard.
Also, CityZen lost two spots in their ranking. They went from #2 in 2008 to #4. In 2007, they were ranked #3. It's still a very high accolade, regardless, but still I have noticed that the top 5 usually remain within a few top restaurants. Komi really snuck in ... and took over. (Pictured on the left: CityZen dining room) It's on my list of things to do is to try Executive Chef, Eric Ziebold's three-course, $50 prix-fix bar menu.
Maestro (Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner) which was #2 in 2007 lost their Executive Chef, Fabio Trabocchi in July 2007 and temporarily closed so was removed from the list in 2008 all together.
Jose Andres has gotten much play lately due to Anthony Bordain's No Reservations show featuring DC area restaurants. He said on the show that he thought Minibar, the six-seat restaurant within Cafe Atlantico was one of the best restaurants in the world. In 2009, Minibar was ranked #3 which is a two spot improvement in 2008 from #5.
Cathal Armstrong's Restaurant Eve makes the top ten again this year, which is not at all surprising. Last year in 2008, the restaurant was ranked #4. This year, it slips down two notches to #6. My favorite thing about Restaurant Eve is the lickety-split 3-course lunch menu at the bar for only $13.50! I've been for lunch a few times. I enjoy every morsel, but caution those who don't eat ham, pork, or bacon. There are a lot of course with pork as an option.
Vidalia ranked #7 this year which is a slight improvement from last year's #8. They still got three and a half stars, so no change there. Just two years ago, in 2007, Vidalia was below the top ten at #11. The reviews over the years don't provide an inkling of why the restaurant would be viewed as improving in one thing or another. Perhaps they improved in Cuisine or Service ... but you wouldn't be able to tell by Todd's write up. Perhaps it's a question for me to include when I participate in his Tuesday afternoon chats online.
Inn at Little Washington ranked #8, Oval Room #9, and The Source #10. (Inside of The Source dining room pictured) The Source is kind of a big deal. The Source is the first fine dining restaurant in the nation’s capital headlined by world famous Chef, Wolfgang Puck. The Source is the recipient of many awards and accolades including "2008 New Restaurant of the Year" Award from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington and "2008 Restaurant of the Year" from DC Magazine. The three-level restaurant is the signature dining experience at the Newseum.

My Picks for Restaurant Week

So I have made a couple of reservations for restaurant week. One for lunch and two for dinner, so far ... Thank goodness for my very patient husband!
I made a lunch reservation at one of my favorite places in Old Town, Alexandria, Morou's Farrah Olivia. I think Morou is extremely talented and I always enjoy every morsel. I have been at least twice for dinner before, not during restaurant week and at least once for lunch. (Click on Labels to see past reviews). At Farrah Olivia is where I learned about quinoa for the very first time. I think it was exquisite and it was then that I decided that Morou was impressive. Farrah Olivia has made the Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurant List since it's opened. In 2008, it was #22; in 2009 (just released) it is #19. So it moved up 3 spots ... I think it deserves to be in the top ten!

I have made a dinner reservation at Jackson 20 which is also in Old Town, Alexandria in the new Kimpton Hotel Monaco on King Street. I have heard very good things about this new restaurant, who will be celebrating their first birthday celebration one day after my birthday on January 30th. According to their website, it is named after former President Andrew Jackson. Did anyone see the Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central last night? Well there was a special guest author of a new book about President Andrew Jackson called American Lion. Also, I can recall it being a Washingtonian's Readers Choice for Best New Restaurant. I am a firm believer that the customer is always right. I read in the Washington Times, that Executive Chef Jeff Armstrong comes to Alexandria from Texas and California, and much of his youth was spent on his family's farm in North Carolina. I've seen pictures of the huge bronze pig at the entrance, now it all makes sense. His American upbringing has a great deal of influence on his cooking style which is mostly American with a Southern inspiration. The dining room is crisp, clean and has a contemporary Colonial style restaurant and bar that captures the simple, classic charm of the Jackson period.

I am mostly excited about my dinner reservation to Cafe Atlantico. I have always known that Cafe Atlantico has been on the Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurant List. In 2008, they were #5. Executive Chef, José Andrés is well-known for its innovative Nuevo Latino cuisine and the cafe and minibar has an award winning wine list. Did anyone watch No Reservations last week with Anthony Bordain? The chef, José Andrés was hilarious! I laughed out loud! He's truly a vibrant soul. I had such a good time watching José Andrés that I decided that I simply MUST go! Restaurant week is a perfect time to do just that!
Be sure to check back before, during, and after Restaurant Week for updates and reviews. I will try to post as soon as I can following my meal!

Restaurant Week Dates Just Announced!

DC restaurant week is Monday, Feb. 16 to Sunday, Feb. 22.

Gourmet Prix-Fixe Menus
$20.09 Lunches & $35.09 Dinners

Enjoy special three-course, prix-fixe meals at participating restaurants. See list below for participating restaurants and their meal participation. Prices are per person and do not include beverage, tax or gratuity.

See link to certain DC area Opentable restaurants who are participating.
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=9&ref=299&pid=68

Do NOT wait to book your reservations!
It fills up VERY fast!
Good luck and Bon appetite!
Be sure to come back and share with us about your meals!

Dining in DC on Facebook

This week, Dining in DC (blog) has also become a "Group" on Facebook!
It's quite exciting! In the first few days, the group has grown to over 55 members.
Thanks to everyone for your support!

Pho 75

Last night a friend of mine, Justin Trawick, organized a get-to-gether with friends at Pho 75 in Arlington. It's located at 1721 Wilson Blvd in Arlington. It's right next door to the new Ray's Hell Burger, which I am dying to try also. I've been dieting and really trying to watch what I have been eating. I looked up on the internet the calories and fat of Pho. It doesn't seem to be too terribly high, but I definitely know that it depends on the cuts of meat that you order as "toppings" in your Pho.
A quick glance online before I left work about this place told me that it's not fancy and that's cafeteria-like, but that the Pho at Pho 75 is one of the best in the DC area. Since I have never tried Pho before (pronounced FUH - not FOE), I was pretty excited and since our friend Ben was going to be there, I knew that I was going to be dining with a Pho expert.

The write-ups about the establishment was right on the money. It was not fancy, or cozy, nor quaint. It did feel almost like a cafeteria. There were five or six rows of long tables that could be shared by diners. Dark chairs lined the tables. Sitting atop of the tables were reusable chopsticks and soup spoons, along with hot and spicy sauce and plum sauce.

It took a little while to get the server to come over to us to take our order, but once we ordered, the soup came in minutes! Very fast! I ordered the #12 with eye-round and well-done beef brisket. The Pho Soup consists of beeth broth, very thin slices of beef that you can almost see through, onions, long thin white rice noodles, and cilantro. Separately on a small plate, you are given sprigs of fresh basil, bean sprouts, slices of fresh jalapenos, and slices of lime. This allows each person to season their serving to taste. The menu offered several different cuts of meat. Some other possible "toppings" were soft tendon, flank, bible tripe, some fatty cuts, and brisket. Fattier cuts of meat does effect the nutritional value of the meal as some of the fattier meats tend to have a higher fat content. Apparently, as I learned from Ben, it is common to add a hearty helping of hot sauce to the dish as the soup is somewhat bland without condiments, however; I added very little of the hot sauce.

I really liked the Pho very much. I think it was delicious. I definitely plan to try more Pho, especially a variety of meats. Pho really is quite a bargain. The restaurant's walls were adorned with dozens of Washingtonian's Best Bargain Awards. Apparently, it has won Best Bargain awards for the last several years.

On that note, Pho would be a great meal for starving musicians, artists, college students, DC interns, and those struke so hard by today's tough economy. Since it's right in Clarendon along Wilson Blvd., it's metro accessible. Anyone could enjoy some of DC's best Pho for Cheap!

Evening Star Cafe for New Year's Eve

The Evening Star Cafe which is nestled into the quaint Del Ray area of Alexandria had a very special prix fixe menu of four courses for New Year's Eve Dinner.
The restaurant is located at 2000 Mount Vernon Avenue and in addition to the dining room there is a lounge and and upstairs bar where local artists like my favorite, Justin Trawick often plays.

The Executive Chef, Will Atley, who is a personal friend of mine had a lot to do with why we chose to dine there for the evening. It was also conveniently close to the new Gaylord Resort at the National Harbour where were were attending our New Year's Gala. However, I will never make that reference again ... Our dinner was one of the best I have ever had. I think I enjoyed it more than CityZen!
Yes, I was a bit spoiled that evening by Will. When we told our server that because there was two individuals in the party and there was four courses, that we would like one of each course and that we would share. Well I guess when Will got wind of this, he decided to give us each our own portion of every course. To say the least, We were delighted by every course, including the amuse bouche that Will brought out personally that was a lobster stuffed mini biscuit, as he described it. For the first course, we each had our own portions of the duck carpaccio and the lobster risotto. The risotto was served atop a quarter lobster which was perfectly cooked and the risotto had a deliciously rich texture. I have never prepared risotto and I don't think I've ever ordered it at other restaurants, so I don't have much experience to judge the risotto, but it was delicious and the texture seemed perfect. The duck which was cut into thin slices was served atop mixed field greens, sweet walnuts, and red onions and was perfectly paired with the vinaigrette. As my husband told the Chef, he thought the duck was not gamey tasting at all, which he said was very good. The spinach gnocchi with the tomato puree was soft and flavorful, however, it was not my favorite of the four courses. My favorite course was the butternut squash stuffed ravioli. I told Will that I don't particularly care for ricotta cheese, but that I thought that the ravioli was divine! I hope that it becomes an addition to the regular autumn menu. My main course was the beef tenderloin which was succulent and juicy. It was served atop mashed potatoes and mushrooms. Ben ordered the trout which I thought was amazing. It was creamy and had lemons and capers. I would definitely order that again if it was featured on the regular menu. There were two desserts. One was a chocolate mousse cake, which I didn't try too much of, since I'm not a huge chocolate lover and the other was a mango fruit tart. Very rich but delicious! Our entire meal was heavenly! The cost of the four course prix fixe menu was only $60 per person or $85 if you had wine pairings with each course. What a bargain! The meal was one of my best yet and for a very reasonable price, especially since it was a special occasion. Kudos to the very talented chef! We are excited to come back again!

Correction: Restaurant week pushed until February 2009

I just found out that DC's Winter Restaurant Week will NOT be in January this year, like it normally is. The dates have not been released as of yet, however we know that it is being post-poned until February.
Source: www.washington.org

Winter Restaurant Week dates Announced!

Yes! Yes! Yes! The dates for the Winter DC Restaurant Week have been announced! DC is going to be the most happening city in the world the week of January 12, 2009 - January 18, 2009! It's Inauguration week! Thousands of people will be in the city preparing to welcome and Celebrate the Inauguration of our 44th president into office. Marketing folks have earned their money this year already by planning to have restuarant week be the week before the big event. Very clever!
Here is Opentable's list of restuarants for Inauguration Week.

Mais Oui, Brasserie Beck!

For Ben and I's 5 year wedding anniversary, we canceled the reservation to Citronelle and decided to go to Brasserie Beck instead.

Located at 1101 K Street, NW Executive Chef/Owner Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel's has opened a less formal, more casual, contemporary restaurant named after his younger son, Beck. The dining room features an open steel and glass kitchen visible from three sides, set across from a unique family-style chef's table, dramatic 22-foot ceilings and a raw bar located at the end of a grand marble and walnut bar featuring an array of Belgian beers on tap to compliment his French Belgian fare. I found the tables to be a bit close together. It makes it rather uncomfortable to have an intimate dinner with your significant other. Conversation is forced to be on the DL. The din was mostly acceptable. I have heard of others complaining about the din, but I did not find it to be terribly loud or boisterous. I think it was because we were tucked in a nook outside of the open main dining area. I spent most of my evening starring at the large clocks on the wall above. They reminded me of the clocks that are in European train stations. It brought back some memories ...
Of course, I have to mention that Washingtonian Magazine named Brasserie Beck #36 on it's Very Best Restaurant List
Service was mostly good; however, on several occasions, we found ourselves looking around for our server when we needed something. Our server pointed out on more than one occasion that we should take our time, relax, enjoy ourselves and leave everything to him. I think it was wonderful!
Another perk, I found the bread basket to be enticingly plentiful. The server was very gracious when we asked for more bread. This has not always been the case at other establishments. I shall not name them here. It's hard to resist the bread due to the fact that it's deliciously warm, perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It was an exceptional baguette.
I was also very pleased by the charcuterie plate. There was a rabbit pate, We also ordered a side of the "Belgium frites". Who are we kidding, really? They were french fries. The frites were accompanied by 3 dipping sauces (traditional mayo, spicy which was a nice extra touch.
Ben ordered the raised rabbit with a sauce of its own juices fortified with kriek (cherry) beer and I ordered the trout. The portions were plentiful. I really enjoyed this place, I plan to return!

Free Food (or close to it) in the DC area

I have done some research recently for a friend (you know who you are) and I decided that a compiled list from multiple sources, could be very handy for some. So here it is...

Capitol Hill
1. Hawk and Dove
The way to an intern's heart is through free food. The Hawk and Dove is the free-nosh capital of Capitol Hill, with a daily spread of complimentary snacks between 4 and 7. On Monday, it's grilled cheese. On Friday, there's a taco bar. In between, you'll find wings, popcorn shrimp and other bar treats. Wash them down with $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 rail drinks or the $3.50 pint of the night, which is usually something better than Coors Light.

2. Tortilla Coast located: 400 1st Street, SE
Popular with Republican staffers and just steps from the Capitol South Metro station, Tortilla Coast's large bar area is usually more crowded than tables in the restaurant. Beer specials rotate nightly -- $2.75 Dos Equis on Monday, $3.25 Mexican beers on Thursday -- but the key is that all deals run from 5 until close, which is perfect for nights when you're not ready to go home at 7 p.m. or times when you're stuck in the office later than usual. Early in the week, there are savings on both Tex-Mex food and beer: 50-cent tacos washed down with $2.75 Bud on Tuesday, 10-cent wings paired with $2.75 Miller Lite on Wednesday. Saturday's combination night offers all the week's deals during one overheated happy hour.


3. The Pour House location: 319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
The Pour House is a flatscreen-filled sports bar is a destination for the Hill's kickballers, softball teams and bocce players. Daily deals include $5 appetizers and $3 beers from 4 to 7, but all-night specials offer reasons to hang out longer. On Thursday, for example, Budweiser and Bud Light bottles are $1 from 4 to 6 and $2 after; Wednesday is $5 burger night (with $12 margarita pitchers); and Friday's happy hour is extended until 9.

4. Union Pub Formally, The Red River Grill, located at 201 Massachusetts Ave NE
Settle onto the covered patio with your friends and hang out for a few hours, because if there's a bar on the Hill with more drink specials than Union Pub, I've yet to stumble across it. The key is that every day is markedly different. Wacky Wednesday has been a mainstay for years, with $1.50 Budweiser and Bud Light bottles and $5 Gold Margaritas offered all night. On Freaky Friday, the deals switch every few hours, so keep an eye on your watch: Rail drinks are $2.50 from 5 to 7, frozen cocktails are $5 from 5 to 8, pitchers of house ale are $10 from 7 on, fruity Orange Whip cocktails are $4 after 8, rail drinks are $3.50 from 9 until midnight, and the house sangria is $6 a glass from 5 p.m. until it runs out.

5. My Brother's Place 237 2nd St NW, Washington, DC
Forget the weekday grind -- My Brother's Place really revs up on weekends. The divey bar begins hopping on Friday nights with beat-the-clock specials: domestic drafts cost 75 cents at 4 p.m. and prices rise 25 cents an hour until 9, which sets the mood for a night of dancing to a DJ. Saturday kicks off with a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament from 4 to 9, but the big deal is the $15 all-you-can-drink draft beer from 9 to 1. (Rail drinks are included for the first hour.) There's plenty more where that came from: Ladies get $1 drinks on Monday from 9 to 11, and Thursday's College Night means $2.50 domestic beers from 8 to close.

Dupont Circle

6. Lucky Bar (South Dupont) 1221 Connecticut Ave NW # 1221
Anywhere else, a weekday happy hour that runs from 3 to 8 would be extraordinary, with drafts starting at $2.50 and rail drinks for a buck more. At Lucky Bar, though, it's overshadowed by the legendary "Do the Deuce" Thursday night, where Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Select and basic rail drinks like vodka-and-tonic are $2 from 3 until close. Bike messengers rub shoulders with interns, and young professionals in office attire get down with hipsters on the dance floor. On Monday nights there are salsa lessons, Tuesday and Wednesday, there are food specials -- half-price burgers and 25-cent wings -- paired with $3 pints of Yuengling.

7. The Front Page (South Dupont) 1333 New Hampshire Ave
It's pretty much a given that D.C. interns will hit the Front Page at least one Thursday this summer: The lure of $2 Coronas, $3 margaritas and a $1-per-plate taco bar is just too much to resist. The drink specials begin at 5 and run all night; tacos are available from 5 to 7. This joint has been voted one of the best happy hours in the city!

8. The Fox & Hounds (South Dupont) 1537 17th St NW
The patio at the Fox & Hounds is the best people-watching spot in Dupont Circle, so arrive early if you want a seat. Still, with some of the strongest drinks in D.C. offered for $3.59 every weekday between 4:30 and 6:30, you won't complain too much about being stuck inside; here, the bartenders' idea of a gin and tonic is a glass full of gin served with a mini-bottle of tonic on the side. Want something with lower octane? Bud, Bud Light, Yuengling and Miller Lite are $3.50 each.

Downtown

9. Recessions
Hidden in a hotel basement -- you have to pass conference rooms on your way to the bar -- Recessions makes up for its lack of atmosphere with some of the best drink prices in town. From 5 to 8, oversized "King Kong" drafts, served in frosty 32-ounce mugs, are $3, as are the strong rail drinks. Appetizer plates are $3 each; the kitchen specializes in deep-fried snacks like onion rings, mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders.

10. Porter's Dining Saloon
With plenty of bars around 19th and M to lure the after-work crowd -- Rumors, Madhatter, Sign of the Whale -- I'm more likely to head for Porter's Dining Saloon, a three-story pub with $2 Miller Lites and $3 rail drinks from 4 to 7 on weekdays. Not wildly different from its neighbors, I know, but the walled patio is comfortable, and happy hour keeps going well after some of the neighbors: all-night specials at Porter's include $3 Miller Lites until close on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and $3 Coronas on Wednesday.

11. Chef Geoff's
Happy Hour brings $5 burgers, $8 personal pizzas and $7.95 draft beers -- but that's not just any beer, it's a 34-ounce supermug. Offered all day on Monday and Tuesday and from 3 to 7 the rest of the week, it's a beacon for office workers and American University students. (As great as happy hour is, don't overlook the prix-fixe Sunset Special: a three-course dinner for less than $20, offered between 4 and 6:30.)

12. Cafe Asia
Famous for its bargain-basement sushi happy hour -- $1-a-piece nigiri, $2 Kirin drafts, discounted maki rolls -- Cafe Asia's small, L-shaped bar area quickly becomes packed. Its saving grace is that it runs until 7:30, so stragglers can often find a seat. (If you sit in the more spacious and modern dining room, the specials don't apply.) These deals are also offered at the Cafe Asia in Rosslyn.

13. Restaurant K
If your date (or your older co-workers) won't be impressed by how many $2 beers and rail liquor shots you can slam back, take them to Restaurant K, where you won't have to spend too much to enjoy happy hour. Yuengling drafts for $4.95 are not a deal by any stretch of the imagination, but the delicious house-infused cocktails -- think grapefruit or prickly pear tequila, pineapple or pair vodka -- are $5.95 between 3 and 7, along with a rotating selection of red and white wines. All items on the bar menu have a few bucks knocked off, too: A black angus burger is $5.95, as is a a bubbling bowl of queso fundido for sharing, but the best are bite-sized beef hot dog pieces, fried in jalapeno batter and served with dipping mustard for $3.95.

Penn Quarter

14. La Tasca
The bar at the Spanish restaurant turns into a fiesta at happy hour with specials on sangria ($3.50 a glass, $15 a pitcher), wine ($3.50 a glass, $15 a bottle), draft beer ($3.50 for any of the 10 taps), and margaritas ($5 a glass, $14 for a sampler flight). A selection of tapas, including fried eggplant, Spanish meatballs and calamari -- are $2.50 a plate. On Friday, there's free paella.

U Street

15. Nellie's Sports Bar
Though it's been billed as D.C.'s first gay sports bar, Nellie's draws a remarkable neighborhood mix: black and white, straight and gay, casual and sharply dressed. There are numerous TVs and a large rooftop deck. Happy hour at Nellie's runs on a beat-the-clock system: $1 Miller Lite, house beers and rail drinks from 5 to 6, with prices increasing $1 per hour until 8. At that point, it's better to just order the ongoing summer special: an iced-down bucket of five beers (Michelob Ultra, Budweiser or Bud Light) for $11.95.

16. Polly's Cafe
One of the coziest, friendliest spots on U Street is this tiny cash-only restaurant and bar. Happy hour, offered on weekdays between 4 and 7, is kinder to your wallet than most of its neighbors: Your four choices, all priced at $2, are Budweiser drafts, Miller Lite bottles, PBR cans or any rail drink. With the money you save on booze, you can afford to slip another buck into the jukebox.

Foggy Bottom

17. McFadden's
From Guitar Hero competitions to mechanical bull riding to "Trailer Park Tuesdays," there's always something going on at McFadden's, a crowded two-level pub-with-a-dance floor, and it usually involves getting liquored up on the cheap. Tuesday, for example: $2 drinks from 4 to 7, $1 drinks from 7 to 9 if you have a college ID, $1 domestic beers and $5 Jager bombs from 8 to close, and $1 taco plates from 9 to 11. Thursday also has $2 drinks until 7, an optional $10 open bar from 6 to 8, $2 Coronas from 8 to close and $3 Captain Morgan drinks and $4 Jose Cuervo shots from 8 to midnight. Get the picture?

18. Tonic at Quigley's Pharmacy
Tonic's business has grown by leaps and bounds since it landed a liquor license in January, and really, how could it not? Located on the campus of George Washington University, the three-level bar has become a favorite of students and nearby office workers. From 5 to 7 on weekdays, the bar offers 50-cent wings (the best in the neighborhood) and half-price beers, so you'll pay $2.25 for a pint of Yuengling or Red Hook or $3 for Guinness or Hoegaarden.

Bethesda

19. Caddies on Cordell
The two-level outdoor space at Caddies is as impressive as the golf memorabilia covering the walls inside. Golden Tee is big, of course, but so are the happy hour deals. Miller Lite, Yuengling and Budweiser are $2 on Monday and Tuesday from 4 to 7, domestic beers are $2 or $3 on Wednesday -- both at happy hour and at the DJ-fueled '80s night, which begins at 8 -- and buckets of beer are $10 (domestic) and $15 (import) on Thursdays.

20. Rock Bottom Brewery
Rock Bottom brewer Geoff Lively has racked up some impressive awards during his tenure in Bethesda, including a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for his Raccoon Red. Find out why on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday when the bar runs its popular Happy Hour and a Half with $1.50 pints of its house-made beers from 5:30 to 7. On Wednesday and Sunday, purchase a special logoed pint glass for $4.95 (which includes the first beer) and get $2 refills for the rest of your visit. Check their website to See Multiple locations, such as Ballston Mall in Arlington, VA.

Arlington

21. Caribbean Breeze
The best thing about happy hour at this lively Ballston restaurant isn't the $2.99 Mexican beers, the $2.99 empanadas, quesadillas, wings or other appetizers, or that the neighborhood's tastiest mojitos are $5. It's that servers are willing to give you happy hour prices if you sit on the lovely shaded patio instead of at the attractive cherry bar.

22. Rock Bottom Brewery
On Wednesdays, the line to get into Rock Bottom Brewery winds through Ballston Common Mall, past the flower shop, the vitamin store -- almost to Starbucks. You may have to wait 30 minutes to get in if you arrive after 6. Why? $1.50 house-brewed beers from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Great deal and lively scene. Other highlights include $2.50 pints on Monday between 4 and 9, and the "buy a glass, drink cheap beer" promotion on Friday: Purchase a 23-ounce glass with a Rock Bottom logo on it for $5.95 (including the first beer) and refills are $3 until 9, and $4 after.

23. The Front Page
Located just across the street from Rock Bottom, the Front Page's extended happy hour (4 to 9 p.m.) includes $1 Miller High Life drafts, $2 Budweiser and Miller Lite drafts, $2.50 Sam Adams beers, $2.75 rail drinks and $3.50 glasses of wine, plus half-price appetizers. On Wednesday, burgers are half price, and on Thursday, there's a free taco bar from 5 to 7.

24. Whitlow's on Wilson
Offering one of the longest and latest happy hours in Clarendon, all draft beers at Whitlow's are $2.50 between 4 and 8, Tuesday through Friday. On Wednesday, glasses of wine are half-price from 4 to 9. Thursday is mug night: Buy a $5 mug and refills of draft beer are $1.50. Don't forget that Monday nights are burger nights!

25. Piola
It's a wonder that Piola turns a profit. Every weekday, happy hour runs from 4:30 to 8 and includes $3 beers, $4 glasses of wine and $5 cocktails, plus servers wandering through the bar area offering free pizza. Free. Pizza. Between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, pair any pizza with any beer for $12. Sundays are all-you-can-eat pizza night, and anyone with a student ID gets 20 percent off their meals between 3 and 5 p.m. and again from 10 to close.

Also with multiple locations:
Don't forget about Chili's. They offer free wings and chips and salsa during weeknight happy hours (3-7 p.m.)
Rock Bottom Brewery
La Tasca

OH AND THERE IS MORE!
Happy Hours for the Hungry

Restaurant K's entrees hover in the $20s, but during happy hour, a selection of the Southern/Southwestern-inspired apps are available for $4 to $6. Burgers, hot-dog bites and chili cheese fries make up the menu, but the smoky, creamy, cheesy vat of "piggy" clam dip is an especially good choice.

Most interns are priced out of Hill favorite Johnny's Half Shell, but from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, small plates are well within reason. Mini-burgers and mini Asian tuna sandwiches are $2.50. Fried oysters and gumbo are $6 each. They also have really good pickles!

Wings, fried shrimp, sliders and oyster shooters are among the treats on the K Street McCormick and Schmick's happy hour menu. Dishes range between $2 and $5. Find these prices between 3:30 and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and again between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
Nigiri pieces are $1.50 at both Cafe Asia locations from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Wash the raw fish down with half-price sake and $2.50 draft beers.

At the Dupont location of Heritage India, samosas, pakora and Indian street-food treats are half price between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on weeknights.
Burgers in Hotel Helix's swinging-60s lounge (and on the patio) are half price from 5 to 7 p.m. everyday.

Piola's happy hour is known for its tasty free snacks, but that's not the only opporunity to score a deal at this Rosslyn pizza shop. With a valid ID, students can get 20 percent off their meals between 3 and 5 p.m. and after 10 p.m. Also after 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Piola offers a $12 pizza-and-a-beer deal -- any beer, any pizza.

The Big Hunt, a divey Dupont bar, isn't known for fine cuisine, but a large beer selection and food deals make it an attractive bet during the early part of the week. Food specials kick in once happy hour wraps up at 7 p.m. On Mondays, pizza is half price; burgers are half off on Wednesday. On Tuesdays, wings are 15 cents a piece.

At nearby Lucky Bar, you'll find one of the best deals, around. Wing lovers can get 25 wings on Tuesdays and half-price burgers on Wednesdays from 5 to 11 p.m.

Restaurants Within Reason

On the Hill, there's simply no better lunch under $5 than tacos at Tacqueria Nationale. (Same building as Johnny's Half Shell on the Hill). Fresh ingredients make them sing.

D.C. institution Ben's Chili Bowl is a must-try for anyone who lives here. Score a chili half-smoke and a thick shake for under $8.

The subdued Talay Thai restaurant provides a welcome respite after a long couple of happy hours at Tortilla Coast. Pad thai and other mainstay dishes are available for under $10. To sample as many tastes as possible, split the appetizer sampler platter with friends.

Rice has an upscale restaurant's feel with a cheap restaurant's prices. The dimly lit romantic space is perfect for a date night on a budget, since most of the entrees are about $13. You can't make reservations here, but it's worth the wait.
Grilled cheese and burgers are some of the specialities at subterranean Polly's Cafe. Brunch is served all week here, and the specialities include eight different eggs benedict offerings and $3 spicy bloody marys.
Neighboring pasta shop Pasta Mia gets a lot of attention, but you'll find better service and big bowls of pasta under $13 at Adams Morgan's San Marco.
In downtown, you can't go wrong with the tandoori chicken tikka sandwich at the Naan and Beyond locations.
La Loma's Mexican dishes aren't mind-blowing, but, in the summer, the patio is a great spot to enjoy a filling $10 taco platter, boozy margaritas and free chips and salsa.

ALSO SEE: http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/diningguides/2788.html

For Good Bargains:
THE BARKING DOG, 4723 Elm St., Bethesda, MD; 301-654-0022; thebarkingdogonline.com Appetizers like coconut chicken tenders and spinach-and-artichoke dip are $6 at this friendly tavern. Selected pints are $3, rail drinks and wine $3. Happy hours: Monday - Friday 3 to 7.

For super duper yummy coconut chicken tenders.
BISTRO BISTRO, 4021 S. 28th St., Arlington; 703-379-0300; bistro-bistro.com We felt as though we were the only people who didn't know the waitstaff or the patrons, but Bistro Bistro's friendly atmosphere and great half-price appetizers, like the smoked-chicken quesadilla, made us feel at home. Miller Lite and Bud Light are $1.99, seasonals $2.99. Happy hours: Monday through Saturday 3 to 7 PM.

For Yummy Jamaican-jerk-chicken spring rolls ($3.50). Ask for teriyaki sauce.
CAFE CITRON, 1343 Connecticut Ave., Dupont Cicle (South); 202-530-8844; cafecitrondc.com For a tropical-flavored happy hour try the Tasters menu ($3 to $7.50) at this Dupont hot spot. The fried plantains and fried Sonso cheese patties are delicious. Fruity drinks like mojitos ($4) and tropical rum lemonade ($4), and bottled beers like Corona ($3) and Portuguese Sagres ($3) are discounted. Happy hours: Monday through Saturday, 4 to 7 PM. You can also get drink specials Monday through Wednesday from 8 to 10 PM.
Our pick: Bolivian potato cakes stuffed with beef and cheese ($5.95).

CHADWICKS, 203 S. Strand St., Old Town, Alexandria, 703-836-4442; also in Georgetown; chadwicksrestaurants.com. This Old Town pub offers $3 bar food and $2 domestics and rail drinks. On Monday, the bar sweetens the deal with half-price burgers; on Thursday, it's "fire and ice"--35-cent hot wings and $2.95 Molson Ice. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 7 PM.
Our pick: country-fried chicken tenders with house-made honey-dijon and barbecue sauces ($3).

DIVINO LOUNGE, 7345-B Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 240-497-0300; divinolounge.com. The only thing interns love more than cheap food is free food. At this trendy, dimly lit lounge--which is on The Washingtonian's Very Best Restaurant list--we enjoyed free Argentinien tapas: sausage, chicken croquettes, olives, and mushrooms. (The four mini-dishes change daily.) Rail drinks, martinis, and beers are half price. Happy hours: Wednesday through Friday 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

FACCIA LUNA, 2909 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-276-3099; also in Alexandria; faccialuna.com. It's technically not a happy hour, but the Monday-night special at the Arlington location is one of the best deals in town. Two people can feast on house salads or an appetizer such as a goat-cheese napoleon or tomato bruschetta, a pizza with two toppings, and two glasses of house wine for $22.22. Specials offered Mondays 5 to 11 PM.

GRILLFISH, 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW; 202-331-7310; grillfishdc.com. Domestic bottled beers, select glasses of wine, and appetizers such as buffalo shrimp and steamed mussels are half price. Cocktails such as the "Kokonut Kamikaze," a blend of coconut rum, sour mix, and pineapple juice, are $4. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 7 PM, Saturday & Sunday 5 to 7 PM.

HERITAGE INDIA BRASSERIE, 1337 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-331-1414. Dishes from the small-plates menu--inspired by Indian street food--are a steal at half price ($2.50 to $3.50). The classy, low-key bar is a nice break from the wilder Dupont bar scene. Domestic beers are $2.75, imports $3.75, martinis $4.50 and rail drinks $4.75. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 5 to 7 PM (food) 4.30 to 7.30 PM (drinks).

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S, 7401 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-961-2626; also in Chinatown, downtown DC, Tysons Corner, and Reston; mccormickandschmicks.com Because McCormick & Schmick's is on the ground floor of a Bethesda high-rise, much of its clientele comes after work from the building's upper floors. The bar, which is separate from the dining room, has a $1.95 appetizer menu that includes tasty burgers, wings, quesadillas, oysters, and mussels. There is a two-beverage minimum for the special, but it's worth it. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 3:30 to 6:30 PM and Monday through Thursday 9:30 to 11.

TUNNICLIFFS TAVERN, 222 Seventh St., SE; 202-544-5680; tunnicliffstaverndc.com You'll find specials every weeknight here. Monday, they have Wine Night, with any two entrees you get a bottle of wine for half price. Tuesday Lasagna Night, enjoy lasagna with a side of house salad and a glass of wine for $14. Friday all appetizers are half price. Get a Bud Light for $2. Between 11 PM and 1 AM there is a Late Night Menu with burgers and salads for half price and pizzas $7. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 7 to 11 PM.

WHITLOW'S ON WILSON, (Also mentioned above) 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-276-9693; whitlows.com Whitlow's fantastic apps--like peel-and-eat shrimp and spinach-and-artichoke dip--and good drink specials make it a favorite. Get there early--you can't sit at a table unless you're ordering dinner, and bar stools fill up. You can feast on half-price burgers all day Monday. Mug night Thursday from 4 to 9 PM, buy a Mug ($5) and refill with the beer of the night ($1.50). On Friday from 4 to 8, appetizers such as cheese fries are $2 off. Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 8 PM drafts are $2.50.
Our pick: spinach-and-artichoke dip with pita chips ($5.95 on Friday).