DC Underrated - Part I

Washington, DC is often thought of as a rather bland city that doesn't have much to offer besides politics and memorials. Lo and behold, eclectic cafes, indie theaters and fusion restaurants are burgeoning throughout the city. In fact, DC has so many cool spots that I split the post in two sections. The first part of the series is on Cafes and Cultural Sights, and the second part covers Restaurants and Bars.

CAFÉS

Busboys & Poets (U-Street Corridor) 
2021 14th St (at V Street)
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 387-7638

Eclectic cafe and bookstore in the up-and-coming U-street Corridor, named for African-American poet Langston Hughes. Great for an afternoon coffee or a light lunch. I highly recommend the avocado panini and the falafel sandwich - both are very tasty.

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe & Grill (Dupont Circle)

1517 Connecticut Avenue (across from Dupont Circle Metro)

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 387-3825

Great bookstore for the intellectually minded. The restaurant is located right next to the bookstore. It is a great lunch spot serving seasonal specials at very reasonable prices. My trips to DC always include a stopover at Kramer's for their books and their butternut squash ravioli.

Baked & Wired (Georgetown)

1052 Thomas Jefferson Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20007

(202) 333-2500

Bohemian-style coffee shop with very friendly staff serving delicious organic granola and pastries. Their classic cupcake offerings include red velvet and strawberry (made with real strawberries!), but they also have seasonal cupcakes such as pumpkin with buttercream frosting. Their cupcakes rival those of nearby Georgetown Cupcake and the atmosphere has a lot more character with local art displays and occasional poetry slams. Great for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up in Georgetown. Again, tables fill up fast here too!

Teaism (Dupont Circle)

2009 R street NW

Washington, DC 20009

(202) 667-3827

Lovely tea place located near Dupont Circle serving teas, light smoothies and infusions. A nice place to go to in the afternoon or after lunch at Kramer's, particularly on a rainy or cold day. Cozy place for studying but the tables can fill up quickly!

CULTURAL SIGHTS 

Newseum (close to The National Mall)

555 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

Washington, DC 20001

(202) 292-6100

Unlike your typical museum, the Newseum is very well designed (the building architecture itself is worth seeing) and very interactive. You can have your five minutes of fame by broadcasting yourself as a news anchor on the steps of the Capitol or in front of the White House. You can then share your video online with family and friends. Very fun!

Woolly Mammoth Theatre (Theater District)

641 D Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 393-3939

Indie theater company with thought-provoking plays. If you have time, check out their performances. Discounted tickets for those under 25 years old. The theater is 2 minutes away from Rasika and Oyamel.

For more DC news and info on Arts & Events, check out DCist, an excellent insider's guide to Washington, DC.

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 

Best of New York City

BEST BURGER

JG Melon
1291 3rd Avenue (at 74th Street)
New York, NY 10021
+1 212-744-0585
Note: cash only!

BEST TAPAS

Alta
64 West 10th Street (near 6th Avenue)
New York, NY 10011
+1 212-505-7777

BEST DESSERT

Chikalicious Dessert Bar
203 East 10th Street (near 2nd Avenue)
New York, NY 10003
+1 212-995-9511

BEST FRENCH TOAST

Cafe Cluny
284 West 12th Street (at West 4th Street)
New York, NY 10014
+1 212-255-6900

BEST CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING 

Blue Ribbon Bakery
35 Downing Street (at Bedford Street)
New York, NY 10014
+1 212-337-0404

BEST COCKTAILS

The Pegu Club
77 West Houston Street, 2nd floor (at West Broadway)
New York, NY 10012
+1 212-743-7348

BEST BEER ON TAP

Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (at Ludlow)
New York, NY 10002
+1 212-228-0027

BEST MOJITO

Esperanto
145 Avenue C (at 9th Street)
New York, NY 10009
+1 212-505-6559

BEST LATE NIGHT PIZZA

Joe's Pizza
7 Carmine Street
New York, NY 10014
+1 212-366-1182

BEST SUNDAY HANG-OUT SPOT 

Felix
340 West Broadway (at Grand Street)
New York, NY 10013
+1 212-431-0021

BEST SUNDAY-NIGHT PARTY

Sway, Smiths/Morrissey Night
Every Sunday, 10pm - 4am
305 Spring Street (between Hudson and Greenwich Streets)
New York, NY 10013
+1 212-620-5220

BEST BACHELORETTE PARTY SIGHTING

Tortilla Flats
767 Washington Street (at West 12th Street)
New York, NY 10014
+1 212-243-1053

Milano Trattorias

Obika Mozarella Bar (Piazza del Duomo)
La Rinascente
Via Santa Radegonda, 3
Tel. 02 8852453
Based on the Japanese sushi-bar concept, Obika Mozarella Bar offers different varieties of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Dop (paestum, pontina, smoked, stracciatella di Burrata) and other Italian specialities, salads and pastas. You can even have tastings of home-made mozarella. There are various locations but the one located on the top floor of La Rinascente has a great terrace and an amazing view of the Duomo. A must for mozarella lovers!

Cantina della Vetra
Via Pio IV, 3 ang. Piazza Vetra
Tel. 02 89403843
Wine and food bar located on a very nice little piazza. Great food, excellent wine, wonderful atmosphere, and very Italian. Local experience guaranteed!

Fratelli la Bufala
Milano Viale Sabotino, 1A
Tel. 02 58328448
Great spot for pizza located near Bocconi University. Appetizers are great too. Reasonable prices and excellent service. Make sure you save room for desert; the best gelato place in Milan is right around the corner from the restaurant (see below)!

Riva Reno
Viale Col di Lana, 8
Tel. 02 89077147
One of the most talked-about gelato places in Milan. Riva Reno was started by a former BBC journalist, a lawyer, a former car executive and two gelato makers. Very cool and hip decor. I recommend trying one of their specialty ice creams with mascarpone! Located near Fratelli la Bufala.

Berlin by Night

If you need a starting point or a place to meet your friends before going out, the Hakuna Matata kiosk at the U2 Eberswalder Strasse metro stationis a common meeting point before people go out in the Prenzlauerberg area.

Zu mir oder zu dir (photo courtesy of Pierre-Emmanuel Mol)

Zu mir oder zu dir
Very cool spot with retro chairs and sofas. Very chill, the bar has a home-like atmosphere. Great music and colorful lighting.
Address: Lychener Strasse off Danziger Strasse
Metro: U2 Eberswalder Str.

Schwarz Sauer
Local joint where hip artists hangout. Always packed!
Address: Kastanienalle
Metro: U2 Eberswalder Str.

Morgenrot
Very cheap bar on the ground floor with a space for concerts underground. Great bar to end the night. Very alternative - so don't be surprised if you run into one or two mohawks - and very Berlin!!
Address: Kastanienalle
Metro: U2 Eberswalder Str.

103
A bit more classy and hip (there is also a Club 103 at Friedriechshain near the Watergate)
Address: Kastanienalle
Metro: U2 Eberswalder Str.

Kauf dich Gluecklich
Thrift store/cafe that serves delicious home-made waffles and crepes. Very cool spot to have a drink early evening. Cash only!
Address: Oderberger Strasse 44, 10119 Berlin
Metro: U2 Eberswalder Str.

Weinerei
Very cool wine bar/restaurant near Zionskirche (the church is off Kastanienallee, near 103). You should go after 8pm, when the "wine happy hour" begins. You pay 1 euro to have an empty glass and then pay what you think is fair at the end of the evening. There is also a buffet, which you pay for with a donation as well. You serve yourself so it's entirely based on trust. I hope it didn't go bankrupt...!
Address: Zionkirchestrasse 40, 10119 Berlin (South end of the Zionskirchplatz)
Metro: U8 Rosenthaler Platz

Dach Kammer
Located on Simon Dach Strasse near Friedriechshain (other hip area on the East Side), the bar is decorated like a former East Berlin apartment. Great atmosphere, especially on the top floor.
Address: Simon-Dach Strasse 39, 10245 Berlin
Metro: Warschauer Str.

Cafe am Neuensee
Very cool Biergarten located by the lake in the heart of Tiergarten. Well hidden spot to relax and have Hefeweizen or Kristall beers with locals after a long day of shopping on the Ku-damm.
Address: Lichtensteinallee 2, 10787 Berlin
Metro: Zoologischegarten

Globe-Trotting Contributor: Pierre-Emmanuel Mol