Just wanted to check back in and thank everyone for their advice now that I'm back home.
Wound up hitting up the following places everyone recommended as well as a few other spots. Really no bad meals to speak of. DC's got quite the food scene.
Izakaya Seki - Nice late night dinner - really made us feel like we were back in Japan. Probably our favorite single meal.
Donburi - Solid, went a few times.
Keren - Multiple breakfasts and lunches. This place is a complete gem. I literally have no idea how their prices are as cheap as they are.
Le Diplomate - Great chocolate croissant to go, did not dine in. Looks like a DC version of NY's Balthazar.
Thip Kao - Happy hour special is fantastic here. Lots of little bites for around $5 and cheap Lao beer)
Maketto brunch - Awesome meal with a quite a few edgy dishes. I was pre-disposed to dislike this place with all the 'fusion' references thrown around. Actually a very well done inventive menu. The peanut brittle with dried anchovies and heavy use of mala across the menu come to mind.
Chaia - My wife thought I was joking when I said vegetarian tacos. Awesome. Would have gone again if we weren't staying so far away.
Daikaya for ramen - Solid.
CF folks for lunch - Huge thank you for this rec, no idea how we would have figured out about this place otherwise. Just about as much fun as you can have for lunch, even setting aside the excellent food.
Bossa Bistro - This was again a great rec. Didn't try the food, but the ethiopian jazz band and the lively scene inside were awesome.
Amsterdam Falafel - Solid.
Roofer's Union -Drinks on roof, nice spot.
Kalorama Deli - Little mom and pop korean deli that had great bibimbap and spicy chicken. Solid neighborhood spot for quick lunch.
Fish in the Hood - Found this place kind of randomly. Little fish market with outdoor seating, they'll broil or fry your fish and have solid sides (collards and mac) at a good price.
Food Corner Kabob & Rotisserie - Pakistani hole in the wall with great chicken and veggie sides.
Founding Farmers - Family member took us out here. Great food, seemed to be lots of tourists around.
Glen's Garden Market - Found this place randomly. We were trying to drink at Dacha, saw the absurdity of the line situation, left and bumped into this place. Great sandwiches, great crab bisque (almost all crab), beers on tap, beers in fridges, and outdoor seating, with no service fees, hard to beat.
Right Proper Brewing Company - great beers and outdoor seating. Chicken sandwich was absolutely legit.
Columbia Room (in Blagden Alley) - This place is probably different at night, but during the day, it was only about 50% full, had outdoor seating, in a cool little alley with reasonably priced beers and absurdly priced cocktails. Good time.
