Dogfish Head Alehouse

800 W Diamond Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Andrew W. writes: there is almost NO reason to travel to dc suburbs.

this is even more true the further away you go. i was poignantly reminded of this when over the weekend, i foolishly dropped in for the gaithersburg town/street festival... what level of optimistic…

Farrah Olivia

600 Franklin Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Gayle G. writes: UPDATE: Went last night and it was a-freaking-mazing. Had no idea that Balducci's was right next door, or that Sutton Place had closed.  I didn't know much about the owner, Morou Ouattara, since I hadn't gone to Signatures while he was there.

One…

Saravana Palace

11725 Lee Hwy #A15
Fairfax, VA 22030

Jade R. writes: Saravana Palace is my favorite Indian restaurant in the DC area. I know people rave about Minerva (buffet) and Jaipur (ambience), but Saravana Palace deserves appraise too.

- Very affordable prices!
- Bollywood videos shown during dinner.
- Over a…

Starbucks
Neighborhood: West End

2400 M Street
Washington, DC 20037

Matthew D. writes: They give good coffee - like it or not.    I don't care if its a total cliche to be obsessed with Starbucks.  I would NEVER sit down in one or meet a friend there for heart to hearts (that's what text messaging is for) but when my veins…

Manhattan Pizzeria

22360 S Sterling Blvd
Sterling, VA 20164

Olivia J. writes: Pizzas are pretty good here but what you really need to get is their gyro.. I don't know why but it's just good.. yum.

The place isn't a wowzer but it's a typical pizza place, kept pretty clean and organized. Usually whenever I'm there, it's packed…

La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3000 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Vamsi V. writes: Pull up a chair and sit down (even better, sit on my lap). Let me tell you a story.

I used to go to La Madeleine in New Orleans (nola) almost every other weekend. This was before the hurricane. I lived in god awful mississippi for a few years (career…

Classic Cigars & British Goodies

3020 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

Coco C. writes: Walkers crisps - how do I live without you?  Well now I don't have to!  After finding this little gem of a shop in Clarendon my life is complete.  

Everything I miss about London (except for the London eye and the cute British boys) is for purchase in…

Reeves Restaurant & Bakery

1306 G St NW
Washington, DC 20005

Gayle G. writes: With respect to CakeLove, Reeves is not only the best bakery in the city..it is the oldest. It has been around since the late 1800s.

It is part diner, part cafe. You can either stop in for a down home breakfast of sausage, grits and gravy or perhaps…

Nation

1015 Half St SE
Washington, DC 20003

Allison C. writes: So, so disappointed that Nation closed.  It played a starring role in my teenage years.  With its cavernous spaces and multiple DJs, you need only wander around to find the perfect song thumping just for you.  Huge dancefloors, friendly bartenders,…

Solly's Tavern
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

1942 11th St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Jim B. writes: Let's see... we start out with a baseline of 3 stars. Add one star for no cover (or ID check?). Minus one star for no draft beers. Minus another star for limited selection of bottled beers (Guinness, Sierra Nevada, Stella, PBR, Yuengling &…

The Bike Shop - District Hardware
Neighborhood: West End

1108 24th St NW
Washington, DC 20037

Brooke S. writes: Great experience at District Hardware. Had to take my bike in to get a tune-up after it hadn't had one since rolling off the astro-turf display at Toys-R-Us in '92. They didn't even bat an eye at my MALIBU Nice Cycle so you won't be judged or upsold…

Philadelphia Cheesesteak Factory

3060 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Brad S. writes: Having grown up in South Philly I figured I had to give this place a whirl.  It is, I believe, the newest of a chain in DC with about 3-5 other locations, one being on M Street in Georgetown.

POSITIVES:  Good variety of appetizers and steak…

Sakura

12950 Fair Lakes Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22033

Michelle P. writes: This is the perfect place to go if you are a sushi lover but your date (aka me!) will not touch it with a ten foot pole!  You can get your sushi and there is still something there for me to eat :)

I think i really enjoy the fact that your dinner is…

Qdoba Mexican Grill

555 11th St NW
Washington, DC 20004

Jeff G. writes: Chipotle this is not.  Though the service is friendlier, the food definitely tanks this place out.

I visited Qdoba with high hopes, especially since there is one right across the street from where I work.  My addiction to all things burrito has reared…

Crumbs & Coffee
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

1737 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20050

Mary Kay S. writes: So far, three stars, but I look forward to coming back and trying some more stuff.

I just popped by on my way to the grocery store, because I was starving and it's a bad idea to shop for groceries when you are starving.

The atmosphere is indeed…

Argyle Convenient Store
Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant

3220 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20010

alexis g. writes: This is actually called the Argyle ConvenIENT Store (according to the sign) and it lives up to its name, as I also live in the building. Ice cream, Heineken baby kegs, Q-tips, and Lotto tickets are all within my reach.

Dan's Van Lines

2413 26th Rd S
Arlington, VA 22206

Maggie B. writes: Disclosure:

Dan was my neighbor. BUT, that made me really trust him when it came to moving. He and his wife, Esperanza, are super hardworking honest people. Dan does local and interstate moves. He moved my mom from here to Florida. He moved me from…

Pad Thai Restaurant

11199 Lee Hwy
Ste E
Fairfax, VA 22030

Neal E. writes: ** 3 Stars **

I stopped in here for lunch today - craving some Thai spiciness - and well, it was a mixed bag.

I was planning on the Som Tum, but I noted a soup I've not had before - the Poh Taek - which is a spicy broth with seafood and Thai herbs -…

Don Corleone's Brick Oven Pizzeria

21018 Southbank St
Sterling, VA 20165

Gayle G. writes: True New York style pizza in Sterling? Yeah, I know it sounds like an oxymoron -- but I was visiting a friend of mine who lives in this hood and when I told her I was in the mood for pizza, she suggested getting some from Don's. Well, that's an offer…

Zenith Gallery
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter

413 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20004

Jan H. writes: Marjorie is a true patron of the arts. The gallery has such an eclectic feel to it.  We have been there for several openings and one offsite opening. Truly a great time. The only problem is that we discuss buying something and by the time we make up…

Vida Fitness

601 F Street NW
Inside the Verizon Center
Washington, DC 20004

Jim B. writes: Whoever put together Vida made sure to include something for everyone. I think they did a fantastic job and I'm quite impressed. While there are some spots in the gym that I'd never step foot in, this place is big enough for that not to matter. I'll…

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
Neighborhood: Chinatown

600 I St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Ina K. writes: I went to see Jhumpa Lahiri read at the synagogue last night, and I was taken aback at how beautiful it was. It was an intimate setting, but it fit more people than I thought it could - the capacity is around 500, I think. The acoustics in here were…

Panera Bread

4238 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22203

Chelsea J. writes: The customer service here is great, all the employees have been nice and they don't bother you when you sit there for hours and don't buy anything... Their food is the same everywhere and is solid, my favorite is their Asian chicken salad, so good!  …

Jamaica Jamaica

348 Victory Drive
Herndon, VA 20170

Sam R. writes: Ahh ... relaxing on the beach with only the sound of waves keeping you company ... a cold Red Stripe tucked into the sand ... and a glorious bounty of Jamaican jerk chicken sitting in your lap. Just how does the other half live?

Well, you don't have…

Himalayan House
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1319 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008

Patrick H. writes: I wandered into this place on a whim after stumbling out of The Big Hunt. Okay, not really stumbling, I had one beer, but I thought it would sound hard core.

So anyway, this is a neat little store. The owner (I suppose she was the owner) was really…

Big Bad Woof

117 Carroll Street NW
Washington, DC 20050

Jade R. writes: Are you feeding your cat or dog generic pet food?

If so, take a look at the ingredient list. Does the food contain animal by-products, grains, and other fillers? Artificial chemicals and preservatives? You might as well be feeding your pet junk food.…

Mandarin Oriental

1330 Maryland Ave SW
Washington, DC 20024

Ben P. writes: La vida es buena, mis amigos.

As I was laying at a very relaxing angle in the bathtub, my head against the marble tub surround, it occurred to me that life has already been far more amazing than anyone born into a single-wide tailer house could have…

Eatzi's Market & Bakery

11503 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852

Rachel K. writes: by far the best sandwiches in Rockville... everything fresh... tons of options for everything from bread to meat to cheese to veggies to dressings.... very reasonably priced..... nice selection of cold side salads, sushi, and really anything else you…

National Air and Space Museum

14390 Air and Spc Musem Wy
Chantilly, VA 20151

Sean C. writes: Wanna see a real Space Shuttle up close?  It's much bigger than it looks on TV.  Wanna see the Enola Gay, dropper of atomic bombs? How about the Concorde, maybe small open air helicopters are more your speed.  Maybe you'd like an observation tower…

The Denim Bar

4939 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20810

Suzanne S. writes: Went by the 2nd location of the DB today - so glad they opened a location in Bethesda.  Was even more happy to discover some of the Pentagon City staff has moved into this location.  As usual, the service was attentive and helpful.  I always have no…

Banana Leaves Asian Restaurant & Sushi Bar

2020 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009

Vamsi V. writes: Once again, I find myself in DC for a conference. I should probably just move here. It will make my life easier.

Called upon my radical vegan friend and we decided to do dinner. He was having boy problems and I decided to be a good friend and lend a…

Shilla Bakery

6015 Centreville Crest Ln
Centreville, VA 20121

Jade R. writes: I couldn't sleep the night before my flight so my friend took me to Shilla Bakery in Centreville for much needed espresso.

It's a cute stylish cafe that reminds me of Matin de Paris in Annandale (where I went with the Yelp crew after Lighthouse Tofu).…

The Written Word
Neighborhood: Logan Circle

1427 P St NW
Washington, DC 20005

Gayle G. writes: You paper freaks who are all about The Paper Source, you should check out this store. It is in a basement of a old, stone row house, but that doesn't mean you can miss it. The name is on the front window ,written (of course) red, script neon.

As John…

Le Bar

806 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

Gayle G. writes: If you are looking fabulous, and feeling fabulous and want to feel even more fabulous- this is THE bar to go to. Located inside the Sofitel Lafayette Hotel, this place is swank-er-iffic. Le Bar is so much more than your typical hotel lobby bar.

The…

Los Toltecos

50 Pidgeon Hill Drive
Sterling, VA 20164

brenton c. writes: This gem is located off of busy route 7 in a strip mall next to Safeway. Great sangria and margaritas. Check this place out on Cinco De Mayo. Has won several local restaurant awards for best Mexican in the area.

Great enchiladas, chimichangas, nachos…

Georgetown University Bookstore

3800 Reservoir Rd NW
Washington, DC 56901

John B. writes: There are many ways to pass an hour in the Gtown bookshop:  Sit in a burgundy colored recliner next to the fake fireplace, poring over a tome of romantic poetry.  Or, stand and gawk at breaking news on the big screen TVs.  Collector?  Then ddd to…

Sky Terrace

Hotel Washington
15th & Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004

sarah y. writes: I loved this place so much. The views were amazing and the atmosphere was very elegant. I had the banana flambe.. wow! Great presentation too. I will return for sure.

Betsy Fisher
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1224 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036

Gayle G. writes: I have this very stylish friend who lives in, of course, NYC. Last time she came to visit, she exclaimed "There is no good fashion in DC!" I brought her to Betsy Fisher and she changed her tune.

I knew I had to bring out the big guns. During certain…