jm chen Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Tonight we're going to the Folger Shakespeare Library for a reading and I am a dreadful ignoramus as far as that part of town is concerned. Anyone got recommendations in the neighborhood of 201 East Capitol St. SE?We probably don't have much time, either, or I would give sitting at the bar at Sonoma a try. (Still might, I guess.) Crowding might be an issue, too, around 6-6:30 on a Friday.Anyone with opinions on Tortilla Coast or Taverna the Greek Islands, which washingtonpost.com says are nearby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mame11 Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Sonoma is very close to the Folger as are the other restaurants and bars on the House side of the Capitol. It is not a very foodie friendly part of town, though people really seem to like Sonoma. Oops... didn't see that you mentioned Sonoma on your thread. I am not a fan of Tortilla Coast. Not sure where Taverna is. Don't joke but the Express place on PN Avenue down by Eastern Market has a nice bar and great salad bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngfood Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Taverna is not worth your time. Tortilla Coast is tolerable mex(tex)ican - better and closer if you are going to do mexican is La Lomita Dos at 3rd & Penn. Sonoma is good and a nice spot for a glass of wine and a quick bite, but probably will have a sizable happy hour crowd by that hour on a friday. The best spot is probably Montmartre a short 6 block walk and is very good, reasonably priced (not too fancy pants) French (see its own separate thread on this site). If you can go a few more blocks to Barracks Row (8th St south of Penn) you can get pretty good Thai at Old Siam & solid Indian at Capital Hill Tandoori. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Delicious Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I've heard good things about the French restaurant Montmarte on Penn Ave SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Eat dinner beforehand??? Seriously.... I like Tortilla Coast but on a Friday night, with the NCAA going on, it's likely to be a zoo. Taverna is pretty dreadful, the Hawk and Dove does bar food well, Thai Roma bears little resemblence to Thai food, and I've never been to La Lomita Dos and I've worked on Capitol Hill since 1991. La Loma on Mass Ave has good Tex-Mex-Salvadoran type food and is a 10 minute walk to the Folger. Good luck! Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiral Stairs Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Taverna is not worth your time. I agree, except that I sat next to Dennis Kucinich once there, and that was a very exciting moment for me. You could also head north, to 3d & Mass. White Tiger is a decent Indian restaurant there. (Closer than the Tandoori place on 8th St.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted March 24, 2006 Author Share Posted March 24, 2006 Eat dinner beforehand??? Seriously.... We are. The reading's at 8. Good point about Tortilla Coast and the NCAA, I would not have thought of that. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Hengst Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Tonight we're going to the Folger Shakespeare Library for a reading and I am a dreadful ignoramus as far as that part of town is concerned. Anyone got recommendations in the neighborhood of 201 East Capitol St. SE? Sonoma is quite close, at 223 Penn. We also partner with the Folger and provide a standing discount to subscribers who show their card. We have a sizeable early pre-theatre crowd, but, frankly, Fridays can be a little busy and noise levels higher than normal. If we're full - or even if we're not - I strongly recommend Montmarte (7th St) or Belga (Barracks Row). Both are well worth the extra couple minutes walking or driving. If you're coming from downtown or in a little rush, try Teaism in Penn Quarter - it's excellent and usually quieter in the evenings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I've heard good things about the French restaurant Montmarte on Penn Ave SE I've said great things about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotteeM Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Some of my coworkers went to La Lomita Dos Sunday night and raved about the food. I think service was a little slow, but they were not in a hurry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I would never dispute the superiority of Sonoma or Montmatre, but I'd second the earlier recommendation of La Lomita Dos, 2 blocks from the Folger. Order anything with steak -- I'd recommend the Carne Asada or the Burrito al Carbon. Their salsa is also quite good. Best of all for you, the service is generally very quick. Very friendly owners and I always run into lots of fellow Hill locals there. White Tiger is also good -- I like the Murg Makhani best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 Where did you end up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted March 28, 2006 Author Share Posted March 28, 2006 Wanted to try La Lomita Dos, but with one thing and another at work we didn't have time to eat beforehand at all. However, afterward, we sat at the bar at Sonoma and shared a Wagyu burger and some gnocchi. Both were absolutely excellent. My glass of Barbera d'Alba was also quite tasty. The bar space is also very inviting and elegant. Glad we went. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Thanks for this! Going to the Folger this week and despairing of dinner choices between the Metro and the theater. La Lomita Dos looks great. May stop afterward to get the kid and myself a toasted marshmallow shake at Good Stuff, but couldn't stomach the thought of eating dinner there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thanks for this! Going to the Folger this week and despairing of dinner choices between the Metro and the theater. La Lomita Dos looks great. May stop afterward to get the kid and myself a toasted marshmallow shake at Good Stuff, but couldn't stomach the thought of eating dinner there. Bearnaise might be a good, if expensive, compromise. I heard a little secret about Montmartre, but I'm afraid this week might be too soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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