Escoffier

For those interested in something a little closer and Metro accesible, Young's Deli in the Capitol City Market (between New York and Florida Aves, next to Galudet University).  It serves primarily a Korean customer base from the market and I think it's only open for breakfast and lunch, but combined with a trip to the market, it would be a fun day out.  Here are some pictures from a local blogger (scroll half way down the page):  http://frozentropics.blogspot.com/2005_11_...cs_archive.html

looks good but I'm a long way from the area...unless they're open on the weekend in which case it's a done deal.

Table Talk (assuming still there) - good place for Sat/Sun brunch..eggs bacon etc.

Table Talk is still there, still with the good Sunday brunch...and if you're going to go that far, go a little bit more and try Majestic Cafe.

There is (was?) also a place on Van Dorn in a strip mall right near the supermarket (Safeway) called Annette's Barbeque Heaven, which is really cheap and pretty darn tasty.

still there as of last Saturday...

There's this little mom and pop type place by me, I think it's called "The Olive Garden" 

Hmmm, yummy....sounds real ... er ... uh ... yummy, yeah, that's it..production line, straight from the factory, plastic injected Italian...that's what's missing from my diet....

I'm a big fan of San Marco in Adams Morgan.  Pretty inexpensive, good food and a large selection of grappa.

we don't stay on this side of the Potomac exclusively...we have dined quite successfully at Cafe Atlantico, Ten Phen, Mie&Yu, Kinkeads, et al....we just seem to prefer our Italian on this side...however, all suggestions gladly received and noted.

Are they worth entering?

I have had mixed results with Geranio. One time the food is excellent, the service great and the hospitality warm, the next everything is the opposite. Landini Brothers we have found to be consistently good if somewhat predictable. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but there are times when the palate screams for something different.

Really good and cheap, Dolce Vita in Fairfax City across from Paul VI HS. Owned by two Italians Joe and Ricardo, run by them and their families. Excellant winelist. Ask Joe what's not on the list but be sure to ask him the price too, or youmay not make your budget.

I'm out that way every Saturday (grocery buying at Super H Mart). Are they in the shopping center with Super H or close by?

Stay away from Crystal City/Pentagon City.  There's nothing to see here.  Please move along.

Speaking of which, how are the restaurants on 23rd St? I don't want to start a new thread but if there are any Italian restaurants of note, I'd like to know.

Let me further my quest for the "perfect" Italian restaurant. We recently had dinner at Cafe Oggi in McLean. The food was good but the service initially left a lot to be desired (had to ask for bread, olive oil, missing silverware)...apparently after the waitstaff decided we weren't there to mug someone, the service improved and by the time we left, we were practically on first name terms. While we aren't high maintainence, we do like some attention and we do tip generously for good service. However, in new restaurants, no one knows that until we pay the bill and get ready to leave. I'm not sure exactly what it is I want, but I do know I want an experience like I used to have when I lived in Ottawa and the owner and chef would come to your table, tell you what had been purchased that day, recommend dishes, ask your likes and dislikes and then prepare the best Italian food I have ever had in my life outside of Italy...Where can we find service/food like that in the area? (or am I dreaming?)

A group of us spends an inordinate amount of time looking for good Italian (okay, read cheap and good) restaurants in the DC area. We try to stay on the Virginia side of the Potomac. Suggestions anyone?

Normally we spend around $150 to $200 for dinner for three with wine and dessert. We're open to spending more if the food and ambiance are worth it.

Invision hosts another group I am active in and it has the same problem that exists here...sometimes takes 5 minutes to refresh a page or respond to a request to add a comment. I love this software...

and I triple spaced just so I could stay on topic...

My special other and I had dinner at Majestic Cafe on Thursday night. Joe had the entire normal menu. Place was packed at 6:30, service, as usual was very good (thanks Kent), Alex the bartender found just the right wine, and the food was excellent. For a first effort at Restaurant Week, Majestic did a great job.

Now we just need someone in the know to step up to the table and organize a dinner at a local joint...

We can go almost anytime you'd like. Our only proviso is that we have a standing dinner 'date' on Saturday nights. That leaves Monday through Sunday...we were at AnnanGol last night for barbecue. Let's get a list together and we can set a night.

The original Allman's on route 1 in Fredericksburg was still awfully good on a stop about two months ago.

The north or south end of Route 1 in Fredericksburg? I'm always looking for good barbecue.

Pretty much of a wasteland between landmark and old town.

Nonsense...Tempo is quite good...the barbecue near Generous George's is quite good (on the right as you're going towards Old Town). Cafe Monti has excellent food at cheap prices...

I've always been partial to Bills Barbecue but I'll willingly try someone else..and the two are somewhat close...Bills is farther out Broad..

you beat me to the "more or less" correct romanji spelling of mi do duk or mi do dok...and I agree, nothing better than the buckwheat noodles cooked in the broth from the bulgogi...even after eating almost to the point where there is no room left, the noodles are delicious and excellent...my wife and I clamor over them..

There's a lot of Korean food out there that's mediocre (and I'm Korean so I know) - your best bet is your Korean friend's mom. 

That's true...or a wife that's Korean...

Annandale - Hee Been is pretty good.  Choong Hwa Won like Rocks said is good for the black bean noodles (Chinese Korean really).

Hee Been went through a huge expansion and lost a lot in the transition. Hee Been

used to be one of my favorite Korean restaurants..now I find it mediocre at best. 

Closer to Bailey's Crossroads is Han Sung Oak on Columbia Pike (Falls Church, in the shopping center with Harris Teeter), about 5-7 drive from Duangrat's.

Han Sung Oak has really good panchan, interesting service (the insist on giving me a fork even though I've been there a 100 times and never asked for or used one), and a really good seafood pancake...it's worth the trek.

Unfortunately I've never had Korean food in the District.

Not to put a damper on anything, but...  I've only ever had Korean once, and it was at YeeHwa.  Never been back for more.  I found it thoroughly average.  Boring.  YMMV.  If you do go please report back.

Oh my, you'll have to join my wife and I some evening for dinner...as she's Korean, she can make sure your Korean dining experience is anything but boring and average.

I (and my two usual dining companions...okay, one is my wife) will be at Majestic Cafe next Saturday night for our usual Saturday night out nosh...if you'd like to join us, we tend to eat dinner rather early (around 6:30 or so) so that we have time to do other things afterwards..>(digest good food, let the wine do it's work)...either ask Joe the Maitre'd or any of the waitstaff for Ken, Mark and Yoon-Hee or look for the white guy, the black guy and the Asian lady...(her description, not mine).

PS: we're usually either at table 27 (right by the kitchen) or one of the booths...we prefer table 27 because we can watch the house.

Or Bangkok 54/

or any Korean restaurant in Little Seoul (Annandale if you prefer)

I believe that Eve serves Misha's as well, and yes there is a huge difference.

Restaurant Eve serves coffee from a roaster in Annapolis...the website is:

www.GetFreshCoffee.com and unfortunately I don't have any relationship other than drinking their coffee....I buy their French Roast for my coffee press...it's excellent!!

Not long ago I was taken to task for claiming their coffee tasted burnt.  I stick to my contention, and am happy to read that Joe's taste buds are aligned with mine even if heather thinks otherwise 

I agree..last time I was in Seattle I went out of my way to avoid Starbucks (try that sometime)....Seattle's Best and Caribou are much better.