Washington, DC help

I will be going to Washington, DC at the end of October and would like to know if anyone has great restaurant recommendations. We're on a budget, so nothing too extravagant. I'd really like some hidden gems. Thanks!

When we visited DC, the hubby and I actually stayed in Fairfax. We ate at Capt. Pell's Crab House, and it was so good. It was obviously a place locals frequent...no frills, newspaper thrown on tables, but the crab was to die for....definitely a place to check out if you'll be near Fairfax.

Becky

Where in DC will you be staying? I lived there for 10 years and have a ton of recommendations but would prefer to tailor them to your location(s).

I am a longtime lurker, but have never posted. This is closer to my expertise. My wife and I go to DC every year. Here are three places that we really like with excellent, affordable food in a decent settings. $15-20, per person without alcohol. All are sit-down restaurants with cordial service. We've been to each of these places multiple times over the last decade.

Nam Viet, http://www.namviet1.com/ Vietnamese in the French tradition with pho, crepes, and stir fry dishes. On Connecticut Avenue north of zoo in beautiful Cleveland Park. There is a Arlington, VA neighborhood with a number of popular Vietnamese places (including a branch of Nam Viet), but this is a really nice part of the DC area to visit. This was the first place I ever had "orange chicken", in 1989. On red line metro.

City Lights, http://www.citylightsofchina.com/ Venerable DC Chinese food location on Connecticut Ave near Dupont Circle. On red line metro.

Lauriol Plaza, http://www.lauriolplaza.com/. Very popular Mexican place, not far from 18th St restaurant corridor or Dupont Circle. You often have to wait to eat here, unless you go at a really off time.

Sheila, we're not actually sure where we're staying yet. We just decided that's where we wanted to go.

Don't want to hijack here..but I got 2 free FF tickets so I got on http://www.luxurylink.com and bid on 4 nights at the Melrose Inn near Georgetown (4 star) and won the package for $630. That includes all taxes and fees, breakfasts, and one night of drinks and appetizers. They had another package up for bids, so please check that out! This is my 4th LLink win and we've stayed in wine country DIRT cheap in fabulous places. We're going in November.

I got the following restaurant recs fro Fodors travelers. If anyone wants to comment, please do so!

Bangkok Joe's Bistro for dumplings (Georgetown)

Le Gaulois (French) in Old town Alexandria

Mixtec (Tex-mex) near Dupont Circle

Tacqueria near Union Station for lunch..Tacqueria Nationale
Mie N Yu - Asian fusion in a funky setting.

Sea Catch Restaurant and Raw Bar or Hook for seafood.

Aditi Indian Restaurant (or its sister restaurant Amma Vegetarian)

Basil Thai

Pizzeria Paradiso, for the "best" pizza so they say!

Becky -

A couple of thoughts on a range of food in different neighborhoods. If you figure out where you are going to be or what kind of food you might like let me know and I'll see if I can come up with some suggestions...

1) for the cheeseburger that I dream about....Palena (on Connecticut Ave. right near Cleveland Park Metro Stop). Palena is a high end restaurant but you can sit outside or in the front room and order off the bar menu which runs $10-$15 per item. The burger is AMAZING and they make a mean roast chicken. I also suggest the "fries" which includes a variety of items including potato, onion and lemons - yup fried lemon slices - delicious!).

2) Zaytinya - on 7th Street in the Penn Quarter neighborhood - close to MCI Center, Portrait Gallery and Spy Museum. Serves "small plates" of delicious Mediterranean food. If they have the watermelon and feta special get it! Be warned while food is reasonably priced the drinks are pricey.

3) Ethiopian Food - there are a number of good ethiopian restaurants on 18th St in Adams Morgan - my favorite food wise is Addis Ababa but Meskereem has best atmosphere.

4) Chinatown Express (aka The Noodle Guy) - 746 6th St. NW - the dumpling soups are amazingly good - can't speak for anything else because everytime I went I got dumpling soup with noodles. There is often a guy in the front window making noodles (hence the moniker).

5) Thai Chef on the 1700 block of Connecticut Ave NW (Dupont Circle) has both thai and sushi - I'm all about the thai when I go, but I have friends who are all about the sushi. If you like bold strong flavors try their pad see yew which is very pungent and delicious.

6) Vace Pizza - I have to mention vace pizza - also on Connecticut Avenue a block or two south of the cleveland park metro stop. They only do take out (no tables or anywhere to sit) but they have great pizza - thin crust, tangy sauce and very light hand with the cheese.