JW Marriott

1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004

Gayle G. writes: This was the first place I stayed at in D.C., evah. So, for that reason it will always be a little special. The proximity to the White House, Metro Center and downtown (drinks at Red Sage? yes please) all are pluses especially for those who are…

Maryland Food Collective

University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20740

nancy l. writes: AMAZING & unbeatable deal on campus for lunches.  Their peanut stew is to die for.  Also good for organic & fair trade items like fruits and snacks.

Harry's Essential Grille

8521 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182

Maureen K. writes: Love Essential Grille because I feel healthier eating organic. For lunch they have the best Cuban Sandwhiches and for dinner twin beef fillets just melt in your mouth. Calmari appetizer is good but a small portion. A little on the pricey side but…

Daedalus Books

Washington, DC 20050

Diana B. writes: Fantastic array of books of all sorts. I used to get the paper catalog. They even sold a "Daedalus" T-shirt, with wings on back, a la Icarus.

See the site!

Tiffany Tavern

1116 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Gayle G. writes: Agree with Andrew on the crowd- not really my type of peeps. But, if I am in the mood for bluegrass, this is a great spot. They present Bluegrass music Friday and Satuday-- no cover-- and have an open mic every other night.

It never seems to be super…

Fish Market Restaurant

105 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Rich L. writes: It was very hot on Sunday.

The air was sweet with the brooding heat, and we had just finished walking through the Torpedo Factory.  We were standing at the railing on the waterfront, facing the boats and the open water.  She had her arms on the rail,…

Mai Thai

6 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22336

tom n. writes: Pleasantly surprised...keep in mind, I live in the OC in So. Cal and we go to Thai town for dinner on a regular basis.  Not including I have traveled throughout Thailand on several occasion.  

This is very much a tourist trap on King Street so I…

Pilin Thai Restaurant

116 W Broad St
Falls Church, VA 22046

Dory S. writes: It is perfectly understandable why this place is Lucy L's favorite Thai restaurant in the Northern Virgina.  The food has been outstanding each time I've come.  The 'Pad Khing Talay' consisted of huge moist scallops and shrimp, calamari that wasn't…

India Curry House

3181 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

Rowena E. writes: New local indian restaurant in the Clarendon area where the old Queen Bee Vietnamese restaurant used to be. They have a daily "all you can eat" lunch buffet 7 days a week for $8.95. At this time, there's no set menu for each day of the week, so…

News Cafe
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3056 M St NW
Washington, DC 20007

Takaki K. writes: Daily happy hour 4-7, $3.50 beers (Stella, Blue Moon and Peroni on tap) and $5 martinis.  At bar only.

Dino Restaurant
Neighborhood: Cleveland Park

3435 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008

PC W. writes: I love me some good 'shrooms and Dino came through this morning at brunch.  I ordered the Funghi.  Toasted sourdough.  Topped with wild mushrooms and smoked applewood bacon.  Drizzled with truffle oil.  Little pools of balsamico on the dish.  The…

Guards
Neighborhood: Georgetown

2915 M St NW
Washington, DC 20007

PC W. writes: Unrivaled selection of 80's music downstairs.  However, I must request that you stop granting access to guys born in 1989 - do the math - lest you make us mid-to-late twenty-somethings feel cougariffic.

POP

1803 A 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Deanna J. writes: Ok. If I didn't just blow my rent money on post-holiday sale stuff, i would have seriously wanted to empty this store.

Pop is a supercute walk up space, with lots of cheery 'pop-like' dots greeting you as your walk up the stairs. They carry lines…

Sam & Harry's

8240 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182

Maureen K. writes: Unfortunately..without having eaten there....Sam and Harry has closed down. Their location is now replaced by Woo Lae Oak.

Todai

11750 Fair Oaks Mall
Fair Oaks Shopping Center, Ste 135
Fairfax, VA 22033

Sam R. writes: If your mission, if you so chose to accept it, is to stuff your ass full of fish and other buffet gastronmica, then Todai is a good bet.

Buffet pros will quickly be able to assess the situation and do the food/filler equation in their head and dig in…

University of California Washington Center
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1608 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036

George M. writes: This is the Embassy of California in the Nation's Capital. I lived here for 6 months as a new graduate from UCLA while I worked on Capital Hill.

Officially the center that provides students and faculty from the University of California with…

Rockville Shoe Hospital

609 Hungerford Dr
Rockville, MD 20850

Dorris L. writes: Finding a shoe repairman you trust is a real need. I've taken countless shoes here to have my heel cap replaced, the leather on the tips and heels repaired, etc.

He's great, will let you know whether you have good taste in shoes, and is reasonably…

All Fired Up

4923 Elm Street
Shoppes of Bethesda
Bethesda, MD 20814

Dorris L. writes: What a great place. Previously known as "Made By You," this quirky ceramic store/craftshop is clever enough to price the pottery, materials, processing and clean-up into one rate (specific to the piece you choose to decorate). You can choose from…

Nordstrom Rack

15760 Shady Grove Rd
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Dee B. writes: It's not beautiful, it's not easy to get to, it's not always particularly organized, and on Saturdays be prepared to wait in line to check out.

However, if you like shoes, this is one of your places.  If you happen to wear a larger shoe size, then…

Magnolia Salon & Spa

9734 Traville Gateway Dr
Rockville, MD 20850

Shireen C. writes: If you are looking for someone who does an amazing waxing job go to Shannon at Magnolia. She does the best Brazilian and regular waxing in town.  She is fast, easy going and really comfy to be around.  Gets things done fast and doesn't give you time…

Sahba Llc
Neighborhood: Friendship Heights

5300 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20015

Dorris L. writes: Enter this boutique through the doors of an equally charming and unique upscale jewelry store, Tabandeh. I haven't bought anything to date (expensive), but am so inspired by the quality and designs. The boutique is an assorted collection of mid to…

Chi-Cha Lounge
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

1624 U St NW Ste 100
Washington, DC 20009

Coco C. writes: My new favorite DC venue for sure!

I find it odd that everyone is commenting on the prices - We actually went there twice in a week because it was so cheap.

8$ for hookah (and then 18$ on Saturday but whatev) is almost Steinway Street price (if you…

Shanghai Cafe

12760 Darby Brook Ct
Woodbridge, VA 22192

Ed L. writes: Whenever we order chinese food, this is the go-to place. Tasty food delivered at reasonable prices.

The Governors House Hotel
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1615 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036

Andrew B. writes: 4 stars for the bar & grill. I didnt stay in the hotel, and they were about to undergo a major renovation when I was in DC. But the place is located right across from the UC Washington Center, where all the UC kids stay if they're savvy enough to do…

Metro Teenaids
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

651 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003

Candace H. writes: A great organization focusing on educating youth about safe sex, aids, and stds.  The people that work there are amazing and they are really on target.

Pershing Park Ice Rink
Neighborhood: Shaw

PA & 14th Sts NW
Washington, DC 20001

Candace H. writes: Great Ice Skating rink.  $6.50 for admission and during the holiday season they're open until 11pm.  Right off of the Metro-Center station.  They also serve hot cocoa which is a great treat when it's super-cold.  The rink is a bit small but always in…

Ruth's Chris Steak House

2231 Crystal Dr
Arlington, VA 22202

Courtney R. writes: I can't say anything bad about this location. IMO it's the best D.C.-area Ruth's as far as quality, service and the view is amazing to boot. I've been coming here for over a decade and my visit Monday night reminded me I needed to yelp about it!
I…

Chesterbrook Excel Gas Station

6268 Old Dominion Drive
Mclean, VA 22101

Aaron E. writes: Usually the least expensive gas in McLean and the surrounding area. I also believe the owner and mechanics possess a high level of integrity. I recently had a really expensive engine problem (timing chain needed to be replaced). While I pondered my…

Naan & Beyond

1710 L St NW
Washington, DC 20036

Aaron E. writes: Want to meet a real life "Naan Nazi" (think Soup Nazi from Seinfeld)?

This place serves up one good sandwich. The sandwich I had was like a fajitas wrap, only it was made with fresh naan bread, large chicken chunks, and assorted fresh shredded…

Narita Japanese Restaurant

8417 Old Courthouse Rd
# B
Vienna, VA 22182

Peter E. writes: Great simple lunches.  Reminiscent of navy days in Tokyo, a hole in the wall on the edge of Vienna.  Good miso soup; katsu donburi and tempura are just right.  Spacious enough for an office lunch, and a bargain.  Super service, exceptionally…

Raku - An Asian Diner
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1900 Q St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Vamsi V. writes: Asian tapas or Asian diner? or both?

This place is far from being a diner. The only diner-y thing about it is that it stays open late. Decent pan-Asian cuisine served in a great outdoor seating area.

I met my vegan friend and his buddy for dinner…

Zoo Bar Cafe
Neighborhood: Woodley Park

3000 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20008

Lynn Z. writes: I haven't been to a lot of dive bars, so I'm not really an expert on the subject.  But, based on my limited experience, here's what I think makes a bar a dive. First, a dive is no-nonsense kind of bar with a laidback, unpretentious vibe. Usually,…

Lazy Sundae

110 N West St
Falls Church, VA 22046

Rowena E. writes: good stuff! local ice cream shop with lots of homemade flavors. they usually have some standards like cookies and cream or chocolate, but they also have some funky flavors too. The last time I got something called "Heaven"? which was bright blue ice…

Greater DC Cares

1411 K St NW Ste 1200
Washington, DC 20005

Dorris L. writes: This organization caters to those with professional/full-time schedules, and makes getting involved easy. The only requirement to join (after signing a disclaimer waiving them of any liability for improbable injury) is attending a one-time…

The Old Post Office Pavilion
Neighborhood: Federal Triangle

1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004

Kathleen M. writes: Absolutely the best place in the city to bring tourists for a great view. It's usually not too crowded, it's free, and there's a quick elevator ride up to the top.

There's nothing of particular interest in the actual building, just head straight for…

Ginger Beef Foody-Goody

430 N Pitt St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Justin S. writes: I work in Old Town but recently moved to DC proper and now have to go through Chinatown to get home.  As a result, I've tried nearly every cheap place within a couple blocks of the metro. I've felt nauseous, gotten headaches, and generally regretted…

Al's Pizzeria

1382 E Capitol St NE
Washington, DC 20003

andrew h. writes: Don't let the name fool you...when you pay by credit card the picture of Mecca in the lobby of this shabby/chic pizza take-out joint comes into focus...Ali's Pizza.  
This is my neighborhood pizza shop about a block away and is well worth the walk.  I…

Olney Grille

Georgia Ave At Route
Olney, MD 20832

Kevin T. writes: Olney Grille is a great local restaruant that is a great place to get a nice lunch with friends.  The best pick that I have had there is the baby back ribs which are fall of the bone and covered in wonderful BBQ sauce.  Get there early during lunch…

Ledo Pizza

3470 Olney Laytonsvlle Rd
Olney, MD 20832

Kevin T. writes: Ledo's Pizza is known for their square shaped pizza which goes along with their motto "we don't cut corners."  The pizza is a thin crust pizza that covered in a sweet sauce and a generous amount of cheese.  Ledo does also offer a wide variety of…