Cafe Soleil
Neighborhood: Shaw

836 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dana B. writes: 3.5 stars, actually. My friend and I were looking for a nice place to eat dinner 7/14/06 after going to the newly re-opened American Art/Portrait Museum (which was beautiful). We walked and looked and walked and looked some more and every place was…

Aria Trattoria
Neighborhood: Federal Triangle

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

Jed S. writes: I have to disagree with MaryBeth, the location was great AND so was the food. I've been here twice now, and the food was delicious both times. (And their dessert buffet option is amazingly good!) My only quibble is that while the wild mushroom…

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

302 King Farm Blvd
Rockville, MD 20850

Guy S. writes: They charged me 75 cents for some extra sour cream. I hate them, I hate them lots. Mostly b/c I really like the Carnitas Quesadilla, so I have to keep going back.

Evil, this Baja Fresh is.

Famous Dave's Bar-B Que

6201 Columbia Crossing Dr
Columbia, MD 21045

Aisha K. writes: I like this place a lot. Great service, great food, and the greatest BBQ sauce EVER!!!

Chez Mama-san
Neighborhood: Georgetown

1039 33rd St. NW
Washington, DC 20050

Julie H. writes: A new addition to the Georgetown dining scene, Chez Mama-san is located just off M street (the waterfront side) and you'd almost miss it, were it not for the giant orange-red poppy painted on the side of the building (with a soothing yellow…

Vietnam Georgetown Restaurant
Neighborhood: Georgetown

2934 M St NW
Washington, DC 20007

Julie H. writes: "See those two resturants across the street?" my friend was telling me, "they're both Vietnamese places. Go to the one on the right, the corner. It's always full of people. The one on the left is always empty and doesn't have good food." Taking this…

Ted's Montana Grill

2200 Crystal Drive, Suite A
Arlington, VA 22202

Gayle G. writes: This place loses a star just for being part of Ted Turner's "empire." No, that's not a joke. I am dead serious.

A few months ago, my father in law came into town for a conference and was staying at the Marriott Crystal City so we needed to come up…

Bethesda Bagels

4819 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20810

Catherine H. writes: Their bagels are no H&H, but they are the best you're going to get in the DC area, and about a million times better than any of the crap you can get on the west coast. I'll second the person who said their consistency is better after you freeze 'em,…

Yum Yum Ice Cream

12164 Fairfax Towne Ctr
Fairfax, VA 22033

Kim D. writes: Ice cream is a weakness of mine.  I'm sad to admit it, but it is.  I'd been wanting to try out Yum Yums every time I went to Towne Center to the Regal Cinema, but we always get there when the movie starts and by the time we get out, Yum Yums is…

Teddy's Roti Shop

7414 Georgia Ave NW Ste 1
Washington, DC 20012

Nick R. writes: Great place, the people working here are always the best part.  Some day's teddi is there, sometimes it's his wife, either way they'll help you pick out something good.

Their home made juices are the real prize here.  Great selection of juices and…

Cafe Asia

1720 I St NW
Washington, DC 20050

MiRIAM w. writes: With a seriously frightened look on his face at the sight of me, the suit washing his hands in the unisex bathroom at Cafe Asia said, "Am I in the wrong bathroom?"

Having been forewarned about the facilities, I smiled and said, "No, we're both in the…

Couscous Cafe

1195 20th St NW
Washington, DC 20036

jaime j. writes: Couscous Cafe is situated in the middle of the West end within the business district.  Sound easy to miss?  Well it could be.  I passed by it quite a few times thinking it was just another food place with those damn scales & the word "Grill" attached…

Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Neighborhood: H Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast

201 F Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Audra K. writes: This is not an optimal study hall location. But as far as coffee shops go, it is truly a delightful spot with lots of cute couples! It is a good place to people watch, smile and talk to others. I would love it as my own neighborhood weekend hang-out.…

Saran Cuisine

5151 Lee Hwy
Arlington, VA 22207

Christian M. writes: Saran Cuisine (formerly Saran Foods) has undergone major remodeling in the past year, becoming a restaurant with servers and tableclothes rather than a cafe with disposable diningware. The upgrade may have changed the prices somewhat, but Saran is…

El Azteca

12210 Clarksville Pike
Clarksville, MD 21029

K Sera S. writes: A friend of mine from NYC (where good Mexican food is plentiful) who travels to Mexico regularly (where hey! They have lots of good Mexican food), simply HAS to go here when he's in town. It's a favorite of his experienced palette and with good…

Circuit City

3551 32nd Ave
Temple Hills, MD 20748

Evelyn B. writes: I needed a last minute birthday gift for a teenager. I know she wants an ipod, so I looked at circuitcity.com because they had them on sale. Then I discovered that you can order it online and pick it up from the store closest to you. On Sunday…

Food Corner Kabob

7031 Little River Tpke
Annandale, VA 22003

Becky T. writes: Awesome Afghani gem surrounded by Korean restaurants.  The sides are awesome.  I love the spinach, pumpkin, chickpeas, and eggplant.  Everything was exploding with flavor.  Their chicken kabobs were tender and juicy.  The rice is really good because…

Trover Shop Books & Office Supplies
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

221 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003

Jennifer S. writes: This family owned and operated bookstore on Capitol Hill, that specializes in all readings political (but that isn't all, of course!), has been open for 40-something years! Isn't that all you really need to know to go? There must be SOMETHING to it,…

Uncle Julio's Rio Grande Cafe

4919 Fairmont Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

Denise D. writes: I love heading to this place!  That may make me a know-nothing about true Mexican/Tex-Mex, but I'll be happily sucking back a Swirl and munching chips & salsa, celebrating my ignorance.  (Seriously though, if anyone has a "truly authentic" joint…

Central Library

1015 N Quincy St
Arlington, VA 22201

Audra K. writes: I'm now an official library card holder!

This is where I'll be studying for the boards this summer. Nice and bright. Fairly quiet (except for rare occasions where children downstairs scream at the top of their lungs, "Noooooo!! I don't WANNA GO…

English Tea House

4513 College Ave
College Park, MD 20740

nancy l. writes: The English Tea House is so small and lovely.  When I was a student at U-Maryland, I came here for their egg & sausage sandwich.  It is so simple and so memorable.  I miss them!!

Pasa Thai

1315 Old Chain Bridge Rd.
Mclean, VA 22101

Gayle G. writes: Unlike the nearby Busara and Tara Thai, Pasa Thai doesn't feel like a chain. Maybe that's cause it isn't (I am not sure about those others-- but there is something about them that feels ultra-packaged).

The decor personifies cool- from the breezy…

Yuma Gardens Apartments
Neighborhood: Van Ness/Forest Hills

3435 Yuma St NW
Washington, DC 20008

alexis g. writes: I lived in Yuma Gardens for a year and a half and really think it is a hidden deal in the Van Ness area, which mostly consists of higher or mid-rise apartment buildings.

I liked the apartment the first time I saw it and the price was good -- around…

O Salon
Neighborhood: Georgetown

1079 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007

Elsa K. writes: I am extremely--and I mean EXTREMELY picky--when it comes to hair stylists, and I choose O Salon. If you can afford it, go to O Salon for hair color and cuts. Natural looking highlights are their specialty.

Kokopooli's Pool Hall
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

2305 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

lu d. writes: I've only been to Kokopooli's once, during a S. Korean World Cup match this past summer. Weekday, around 11am, and the place was completely empy aside from one other viewer who managed to nab the gorgeous big screen, rendering us to the bar…

Capitol Cookies

Washington, DC 20013

Jennifer S. writes: I ordered a basket of the Monuments and Memorials of Washington Cookies for a client and she was kind enough to share one with me. The cookies are good (hers were almond flavored, but they also come in lemon or vanilla). The design of fondant icing…

Bloom's Grill

11750 Fair Oaks
Fairfax, VA 22033

Matthew R. writes: OK.  This is a non-chain fastfood joint. Well, it may be a chain, but ive not seen it anywhere else in the area or anywhere else ive been.  I gotta say though, Ive never had this kind of service at a fast food joint.  In fact, ive not even had as…

Sette Osteria
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1666 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC 20009

Jim B. writes: Totally underwhelming.

Swung in here with my sister about 2pm one hot summer Friday. The outdoor area is nice, but we wouldn't be taking advantage of it that day. Instead, we sat inside at a table placed incredibly close to a three top (in a…

Pizza Mart
Neighborhood: Edgewood

2300 4th St NE
Washington, DC 20002

alexis g. writes: It's so bad when I still think fondly of a food I would never eat sober. The 18" pizza is certainly something I would only eat after a night on the town in Adams Morgan. Though I've been "clean" from this place for a couple months, I used to just…

The Scoop Grill & Homemade Ice Cream

110 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Sean G. writes: Ben and his buddy Jerry live around the corner, but this Mom and Pop shop is worth your ice cream dollars. Why? Everything's homemade on the premises, I know, I used to work here.

They also, curiously, sell Jack Daniels ice cream (in Vanilla and…

Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar

111 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Gayle G. writes: Eh. If you are a sports freak (which I am not) and even more so -- a hockey fan (which I am TOTALLY not) this may be a place for you but it not really for me.

The name comes from its owner, Bryan "Bugsy" Watson. Bugsy was a defenseman on the…

Aatish On the Hill
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

609 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003

Kana E. writes: I don't care what it looks like inside. They have the most amazing Malai Kofta I have ever had.  Ok, its the only place I have ever had it.  But seriously, I would walk to the ends of the earth (or at least travel from Dupont) for this yumminess.

Salon A

8209 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

alexis g. writes: Throughout the past year and a half, I've been to Salon A a handful of times, and for the most part I've had good results. The stylists are very attentive and are good about giving the exact haircut a client wants. The stylists are all very friendly,…

Ourisman Honda Inc

4800 Bethesda Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

Aaron E. writes: My purchasing experience was simple, laid back, and no pressure. Why can't all car buying experiences be like this? Ask for Jeff or Sergio.

Jeff works the Internet sales side. Jeff provided me with a fair price before I entered the dealership as…

Petite Gourmet
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

224 7th St SE
Washington, DC 20003

alexis g. writes: Petite Gourmet is a cute little place, and they just added some tables and chairs, which is a welcome addition. It has a great selection of cheese and Polish sausage. You can also get coffee here, but I warn that it's a bit heavy. The staff is super…

Ledo Pizza of Bethesda

5245 River Rd
Bethesda, MD 20816

Jed S. writes: Great service, a decent amount of seating, and during the week, plenty of parking. On weekends, this parking lot often overflows and it can be tricky getting in and out, even with the four or five police officers who are directing people.

The food…

Carrabba's Italian Grill

12193 Sunset Hills Rd
Reston, VA 20190

Danny H. writes: Oh man, this is my other oasis in the hellhole of Northern Virginia.  The food is pretty tasty and the place hums efficiently.  I dig the sangria and the italian lentil soup after a bit of extra pepper.  When I came alone they sat me at the bar and I…

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

406 1st St SE
Washington, DC 20003

Nathalie L. writes: I ate Veggie Delite sandwiches at this location practically every day while in DC! This location was perfect since I could pick up a sandwich and walk over to the park area nearby and have a quiet picnic for one. Sure beat the stuff served in the…

ebay.com

Washington, DC 20050

Vivian K. writes: it's never a guaranteed win, until you bid at the last minute..  but what's not to love about bidding out some girl in kansas for a vintage dress that you know you rock better than her?? ebay is the site of all things and with the amount of sellers…