DC Underrated - Part II

RESTAURANTS

Rasika (Theater District)

633 D Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 637-1222

Delicious Indian restaurant with a modern feel yet very authentic cuisine. Reservations are a must for a table. If you don't have a reservation, the bar area also serves a full menu.

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana (Theater District)

401 7th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 628-1005

Excellent and fun mexican restaurant in the Theater District. Done tapas style (small plates), Oyamel has a great selection of tacos and delicious cocktails (if you're adventurous, try the Horchata). I highly recommend their homemade guacamole, freshly made in front of you!

Peacock Cafe (Georgetown)

3251 Prospect Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 625-2740

Be and be-seen spot, ideally located for dinner after an afternoon of shopping in Georgetown. A hip yet unpretentious restaurant serving American-nouveau cuisine. Great for brunch or dinner.

Cafe Bonaparte (Georgetown)

1522 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-8830

Great brunch spot in Georgetown. Very tasty food offered in an intimate setting. I recommend trying one (or two) of their crepes! Their sister cafe in Adam's Morgan is called Napoleon and also offers a great brunch.

Masa 14 (U-Street Corridor)

1825 14th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 328-1414

Delicious tapas restaurant with great service and very cool atmosphere. I recommend 2 to 3 dishes per person so you can share family-style. Some of the highlights are the Serrano Ham Flatbread, the Green Curry Chicken and the Passion cocktail (passion fruit is my favorite!).

Perry's (Adam's Morgan)

1811 Columbia Road

Washington, DC 20009

(202) 234-6218

Fantastic dinner venue, particularly their rooftop patio, that serves contemporary American cuisine fused with Asian influences. The imaginative cocktails and sushi offerings (especially the veggie roll with sundried tomato) make it a great place to share food - between two people or twelve!

Mie N Yu (Georgetown)

3125 M Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-6122

Right off M St., this 3-story restaurant is reminiscent of the Buddha bar in Paris. Their award-winning cocktails are delicious and have imaginative names (Silk Road, Pink Pagoda, White Tiger). Their food is equally appealing, serving dishes originating from Indonesia to Korea. Share these dishes and drinks among a group of friends or with a special someone.

BARS

The Gibson (U-Street Corridor)

2009 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

(202) 232-2156

New bar following the speakeasy trend, decorated like an apartment. Offers a fantastic selection of cocktails with creative names. Dress code is upscale casual. It can be difficult to get in so I would recommend getting there on the early side (i.e. before midnight).

Marvin (U-Street Corridor)

2007 14th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 797-7171

If you don't get in The Gibson, check out Marvin (right next door). Named after Washington, DC native and singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye, it has a good scene and eclectic music. Outdoor patio upstairs that is great in summer and is heated through the winter.

Poste Brasserie (Gallery Place-Chinatown)

555 8th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 783-6060

Located in the inner courtyard of the Hotel Monaco in Chinatown, Poste is a great place for after-work drinks made with fresh herbs from their garden. Outdoor seating in the summer, with a greenhouse-like restaurant, Poste can be a bit on the pricey side.

H Street Country Club (H St.)

1335 H St., NE

Washington, DC 20002

Play mini-golf while you get happy hour drinks with your friends! It sounds like it could be Chuck-E-Cheesy but it is surprisingly well done and is a great indoors activity during the winter months. Gets extremely busy on the weekends though, so try to go during the week, if you can! Free shuttle to HSCC from the Chinatown and Minnesota Ave. Metro stations.

Globe-Trotting Contributors: Marie-Adélaïde Mol and Sarah Lehman