washington, dc restaurants in the 1980s washington, dc restaurants in the 1980s

Open daily. The food tends to sound more exotic than it tastes, and the soups are pallid. Main courses should include at least one house specialty, perhaps grilled prok with rice cakes or grilled shrimp on sugar cane. 7, Purcellville, Va. 703/338-6088. Courtesy of Wikimedia/Oliver F. Atkins. Tiki Bars. Open daily. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Siam Inn 11407 Amherst Ave., Wheaton. Reservations accepted for dinner only. No credit cards. AE, MC, V. Reservations accepted. United States. Mushroom soup has tasted like gray dishwater, rockfish has been overcooked to cryness, and a very pretty salad has been drowned in sweet dressing with chemical undertones. 589-0999. Open daily. Chef Yannick Cam brought nouvelle cuisine to Washington, and with Jean-Louis of the Watergate, has maintained high excitement on the palates of Washington, at least those who are willing to spend what such handiwork costs and who are not offended by small portions but appreciate their arrangement as well as their preparation. As for what to order, start at the beginning and work your way through, emphasizing appetizers and chef's suggestions. L $3-$5.50, D $3.75-$11.50. Children's prices. 524-2512. AE, MC, V. Reservations accepted for five or more only. Open dailey. L, D daily. 965-5252. L $3.95-$8.50, D $5.75-$11. On occasion, the rack of lamb or crabmeat rise to bygone dignity, but other than a nicely smoked, still moist cold trout, recent investigation has fund more to mourn than to celebrate. Beer and wine only; liquor license pending. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. L $3.95, D $4.95-$6.25. Open daily. Best Seafood Restaurants in Washington, DC. 293-9111. White enamel chairs with woven seats are pulled up to tables covered with soft orange cloths. L $2.50-$4.25, D $4.25-$9.50. L $2.25-$3.75, D $3.50-$17. L $2.45-$4.50, D $3.75-$8.95. Parking in shopping center lot. Mc, V. Reservations suggested. Country Living Cafe 4849 1/2 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The space is profligate, the service elaborate and capable. No alcoholic beverages. Parking lot. L daily ex Sun, D daily. Full bar service. Closed Sun. FOR SALE! Underground parking. 737-2101. L $3.25-$5.50, D $3.25-$7.50. The dining room is distinctively African, with grassy wall coverings and artifacts, woven fans hanging from the back of each ladderback chair. Full bar service. Food, as you have probably guessed, is not central, but is one of those minor details that is handled well and thus plays an important role in this success story. Masseria. No credit cards. Parking in rear. Fish is poached in parchment, but so is chicken, to a unique succulence that turns it into perhaps the best dish on the menu. Closed Sun. Free parking in adjacent lot at dinner. L $2.95-$5.95, D $2.95-$6.95. Several dishes -- not just desserts -- are too sweet. 337-0730. And, obviously, it becomes addictive. AE, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Sadly if you grew up in DC in the 80s, you may remember the fact that it wasn't really a safe city. Quick, wholesome All-American food could not be a better bargain than at Sholl's. The french fries have that nearly sweet taste of perfectly fried potatoes, the cole-slaw is fine. Parking in rear. But it is frayed, slightly ramshackle and strung with fish nets and tawdry gewgaws, and the kitchen is part of the present slipshod era. With it, have fried potato skins. Parking in rear for M St., street parking for Columbia rd. Full bar service. 966-8285. Like a small museum of Japanese arts, Samurai Sushiko covers its menus in luscious silks and its bench cushions in stunning geometric fabrics. Parking lot. 362-6515. L $3-$5, D $4.95-$10.50. Children's prices. 546-5900. The cha goi, Vietnamese spring rolls, however, are excellent, and you can do well with shrimp with a curry sauce that includes peanuts and coconut, or beef ground, firmly packed -- too firmly -- and wrapped in aromatic leaves before grilling. Washington has many elegant restaurants, but most of those serving good food in luxurious surrounding are either French or Italian. Service is formal, attentive. L $3.50-$4.95, D $3.95-$5.50. Commercial parking lots or street. Nothing changes at Mama Ayesha's Calvert Cafe, not the 10-entree Arabic menu that averages $5, not the dashing corps of waiters, not the unadorned dining rooms, not the Arabic background music, not Mama Ayesha herself greeting the world from her rear booth. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. L daily ex Sat, D daily. And the least interesting is at the end -- the ubiquitous carrot cake. Reservations accepted. Street parking. Parking lot. Auto Services. Full bar service. Open daily. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. No credit cards. 5825 Seminary Rd. Constantly inventing nouvelle cuisine with American ingredients, Jean-Louis has been teaming cold carrot soup with a dollop of tomato sherbet, purslane with batons of barely cooked salmon, Maine lobster with chopped fresh basil. And the price range is tightening, with less difference than ever between the average checks of modest and grand restaurants. 466-3111. The menu includes perfectly good versions of all the Mexican staples; burritos, chiles rellenos, chalupas, enchiladas, nachos, refried beans and tamales. Cool "Disco" Dan was a graffiti artist in DC in the 1980s. Rive Gauche seems to be taking a deep breath and meeting the challenge again. 683-4112. Secretly enclosed behind a large wooden fence, entering the restaurant reveals a warm outdoor lounge with firepits and fairy lights that . Full bar service. 5225 Wisconsin Ave. NW. L daily ex Sat, D daily. No resrvations. Is 51 minutes enough time for connection? No-smoking section. But Apana has changed its seating arrangements so that you can no longer expect a high-backed booth allowing privacy, but are likely to be seated a few inches from the next table. 767-1095. L $2.25-$4.95, D $3.25-$8.25. What is a nice little Italian restaurant like this doing overcooking its fritto misto and turning its cheese sauce into mock Velveeta? Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. 171-4212. garage. September 21, 1980. L $2.25-$3.25, D $4.50-$6.25. L $6.50-$9.95, D $10.95-$14.95. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. Parking lot in front. MC, V. Reservations suggested. Open daily. MC, V. Reservations suggested.Parking next to building. Dinner is the time to try it, for the same menu is available for lunch and is priced high for midday eating. It still has some of best the French restaurants in the country -- and some of the worst. 638-2444. Dominique 1900 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. L $2.15-$5.95, D $3.15-5.95. L $3.50-$8.25, D $6.25-$13.95. Vietnamese. The waitress recites a long list of specials, from softshell crabs in season (very good) to salmon (fair) to marinated rabbit (powerfully marinated) to roast or sauteed veal. Vie de France 1990 K St. NW. Full bar service. L, D $1.50-$4.95. 466-8811 L $6.50-$10.75, D $11.50-$17. Full bar service. Rustic and reasonable, with creditable food, Vietnam Georgetown is a neighborhood ethnic restaurant that just doesn't happen to be in an ethnic neighborhood. The close seating makes a hectic environment, but both the room and service are colorful and attractive. Full bar service. Street parking. Full bar service. Mai Flower 2304 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Le Manouche is one of those unfathomable French restaurants where the food is wonderful and dreadful, reasonable and expensive, a little of the best and the worst. 234-1252. White bean salad or corn salad serve as side dishes to the side dishes. 667-0047. AE, MC, V. Reservations required. " reasonable food but long wait " 05/12/2022. Full bar service. Parking in building garage. 591-8380. Closed Mon. Valet parking. D daily.Closed Sun. Closed Mon. 0.2 km from Warner Theatre. Open daily. Parking lot. Dominique is the Ted Turner of French restaurateurs. Free parking in Alfred St. lot for dinner. Full bar service. Open daily. Full bar service. Parking in rear. The rates are rough and homey, soups fragrant, main dishes bold with garlic and shallots. Full bar service. L $3.25-$6.25, D $4.95-$12.75. Pakoras are likely to be heavy and tough, less acceptable. 659-5882. Parking in front and rear. L $3.95-$8.95, D $6.95-$14.95. L $2.75-$5.25, D $4.95-$11.95. Parking lot. There are only a few pastas from which to choose, but you should start with the spinach-stuffed agnolotti in cream sauce. 900 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006. Smoked lobster, like smoked crabs, is stir-fried with ginger and scallion. Parking in garage, valet parking for dinner. Enchiladas are better ordered at a Mexican restaurant rather than here, and roast pork is likely to be fatty. Street parking. Parking lot. 362-1250. Children's meals. Full bar service. In the pasta department, the noodles are either homemade or top-quality imports, cooked to the proper bite, and often sauced with distinction, as in spaghetti matriciana with its light peppery tomato sauce and chunks of lean, smoky bacon. Full bar service. Beer and wine only. Full bar service. Full bar service. Full bar service. Full bar service. Full bar service. There are also Wienerschnitzel, Sauerbraten, goulash and roast pork, plus a parade of desserts from apple strudel to Sachertorte of distinction. The meat and fish are apt to be bony. 338-0900. Open daily. In the 1970s the restaurant industry and the custom of eating in restaurants grew rapidly. 659-2007. Full bar service. MC, V. Reservations accepted for dinner only. Open daily. If the noodles are too thick and the musels dry, they are minor notes in a generally satisfying meal. Kramerbooks & afterwords Cafe 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW. Cagney's 1 Dupont Cir. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. While not meant to draw diners for a gastronomic evening, the Kennedy Center's Roof Terrace restaurant is doing a better-than-ever job of serving theatergoers quickly and decorously. The Sherry Cafe 2116 F St. NW. Closed Sun. Closed Sun. No-smoking section. The Chinese food is attractive and well-prepared, though it tends to be bland and oversauced. Geranio 724 King St., Alexandria. The specials sound intriguing -- chicken with black bean sauce, for instance -- but each year the care in preparing all but the dim sum has slipped a little. Foggy Bottom Cafe The River Inn, 924 25th St. NW. Hill - 406 8th St SE) The Greenery (18th btw L and M) The Guards (2915 M St NW) The Hayloft. Extreme Pizza. Full bar service. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. 296-7112. AE, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Some of its dishes are excessively rich and heavy, buy many are pure treasure: remarkable stuffed clams; supreme chocolate espresso cheesecake; unique thin noodles with tomato-tinged clam and mussel sauce; extraordinary fish hot with fresh herbs or cold with a homemade garlic mayonnaise. In other words, this is a typical inexpensive ethnic restaurant, in this case Vietnamese and French. Swensen's 1990 K St. NW. Over the years, it has moved to a few different locations in the downtown area. L $2.95-$3.50. Restaurants. The third-year blues have hit La Fourchette. L $3.25-$7.50, D $5.95-$10.50. 543-5005. Children's meals. Street parking and nearby lots. If trees and flowers and patios and green lawns were enough to make a restaurant, Old Angler's would have it made. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. 6201 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. L $1.95-$4.95, D $4.25-$8.95. Acas; Conducere; Evenimente; Comunicate; Presa; Activiti; why does perdita walk funny gangster hideouts in wisconsin Inside, carpet and muted lighting set a dignified mood, reinforced by staff in black tie. Ae, CB, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Woodley Park. This is a spirited restaurant, but sometimes spirits get most of the attention. Service remains inscrutable but efficient. A special thrill in the 2022-2023 season was the inclusion of Capriccio's October 2022 concert featuring one of today's most talked about performers, Jean Rondeau, as a Washington Classical Review "Critic's Choice." Mussels ravigote are similarly outstanding among appetizers. They are tangy from their marinade, smoky and juicy, served with buttery rice and best preceded by very good hummos or baba ghanouj. 296-8075. Ocean ix is to be found on a side street, a pretty little house with awnings over the windows and a flower garden in front, and flanked by a parking lot. There are things these two vibrant, plush anthologies of the American casual-eating classics do better than anybody else in town. Kingbird serves a lavish breakfast spread, and is the ideal pre . It has also been a forerunner in prices, the first to charge $10 for what tasted like packaged linguine with clams, $18.50 for a bottle of Blue Nun. MC, V. Reservations accepted. Drink homemade ginger beer or more familiar beer or wine. Full bar service. Street parking or public parking lot. 443 Seventh Street, NW. Commercial parking lots. Saigon Inn is far from elaborate, and there is nothing spectacular about the food. AE, MC, V. No reservations. Candelas 3280 M St. NW. 342-0444. L, D $4.50-$6.50. L $3.95-$8.50, D $4.95-$9.95. Full bar service. In 1970, the Old Ebbitt Grill was struggling . Peking Palace 7944 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. Full bar service. Parking in rear. Full bar service. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. AE, CB, MC, V. Reservations accepted. The captain recites a stream of daily specials -- unfortunately too many to remember and sometimes at prices higher than any other menu entries. Full bar service. L $2.45-$4.50, D $3.50-$8.95. Sauces are light-textured, though some dises are greasy. China Garden 1901 N. Moore St., Rosslyn. Valle's Steak House 1380 Piccard Dr., Rockville. Reservations suggested for lunch, required for dinner. Shooter McGee's 5239 Duke St., Alexandria. Closed Sun. Full bar service. Charlies Georgetown 3223 K St. NW. MC, V. Reservations accepted. And the attention in the kitchen is no less than in the dining room. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Valet parking. Full bar service. Full bar service. Reservations accepted for 10 or more only. Public parking lots. Closed Sun, Mon. 546-4488. Restaurants listed but not reviewed requested inclusion. Harvey's 1001 18th St. NW. This moderately priced French bistro is sweeter looking than ever, with a mural covering one wall and old brick to contrast, a pressed tin ceiling and church pew banquettes. Rafters at Landmark 2 S. Whiting St., Alexandria. Full bar service. The food, too, remains authentic and straightforward, with a few especially good dishes. Wine service is neglectful. Open daily. The Cracked Claw 19815 Frederick Rd. If you like cardamom, end with scented tea. 258-0405. Please help if you can! Children's prices. Street parking or nearby lots. L $4.25-$10.95, D $9.75-$15.95. Open daily. L, D daily. If what you care about is the cooking, the amenities on the plate rather than in the dining room, join the crowds at Le Gaulois.The central feature of this over crowded restaurant is the full page of daily specials, nearly two dozen main courses, offering at reasonable prices such dishes as duch with tropical fruits, veal with chanterelles, salmon in a pastry crust with champagne sauce. 338-1896. Parking in rear. Street parking. 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 833-1858. Full bar service. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily, Closed Sun. L $3.45-$6.95, D $8.45-$13.95. Szechuan Garden Bethesda 7800 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. Prices are higher than one expects for a casual stop, a plate of food that is good but not memorable, sullied by mushy canned vegetables. It is contemporary and gregarious, the menu running the usual gamut of burgers and salads, plus a long page of entrees -- steak, omelets, quiches, shrimp. AE, CB, D, V. Reservations suggested. Washington still has about 5,000 restaurants. More intricate dishes -- crab cakes, seafood Norfolk -- are, to be picky, apt to be flawed by too much green pepper or too much butter or too much something. Closed Mon. The new prices imply a culinary consistency and a level of service that do not actually exist here. No credit cards. 986-8744. Even his early dishes have improved, notably the thin, rare slices of duck breast with a dark, tart lime sauce. Nora cooks fish with imagination, chopping the remains with dill and yogurt for a salad. MC, V. Reservations accepted. No credit cards. Boulud, who had briefly worked in D.C. before establishing his empire in New York, opened a branch of his DBGB Kitchen and Bar brasserie in Washington three years ago. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. 948-1775. Try it for dim sum; the list is long and a few of the options -- crisp crab boxes, steamed shrimp and pork dumplings, several kinds of chow foon -- are excellent. No reservations. MC, V. No reservations. No credit cards. Valet parking for dinner only. Closed Sun. No-smoking section. 338-4484. 422-8622. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. 1232 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 (202) 342-0009. L $3.50-$9.50, D $6.50-$9.50. Closed Sun. 965-1789. Photographer Michael Horsley documented the era with a fascinating series of 537 photos. Serenity has turned to slugishness at Golden Temple Conscious Cookery, and the last two words should be wiped from the name. Premier among the dishes is aushak, whether as an appetizer or main course, the homemade noodles filled with sauteed leeks or scallions, topped with yogurt, mint and tomato meat sauce; it is an inspired combination. L $3.95-$8.25, D $8.95-$14.50. Another significant test is shrimp, and again Hunan's score is high. Closed Sun. Closed Tues. DC, MC, V. No reservations. Free parking lot. No matter. Full bar service. AE, MC, V. No reservations. Ledo is probably Prince George's County's longest running hit, for nobody can remember not seeing a line outside its front door. The dining rooms are ample but still of intimate scale. Full bar service. L daily ex Sat, D daily. Beer and wine only. Fried clams are lightly breaded and superbly juicy. AE, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. 3125 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010. Open daily. Parking next door. In the six months during which I visit restaurants -- at least once a day -- for the Fall Dining Guide, I must arbitrarily leave out some that are as important or agreeable as many that are included. Private Events. Salads are superb -- spinach with a profusion of crisp bacon and crumbled blue cheese, caesar with fresh parmesan and truly fresh croutons. Start with pasta, perhaps linquine with crab and tomato or with clams, or risotto to share among several people. The decade was the gateway to the present in many ways. D $5.95-$12.50.D daily. SE. Royal Pagoda 11621 Beltsville Dr., Beltsville. 1213 Wilson Blvd. Pueblo Joe's looks like the kind of place you would like to go while on vacation. Full bar service. Even the wine list has become better organized, broader, priced high but not outragious. Even the chocolate mousse was dried out. Clyde's food is more famous than good. Street parking. L $2.50-$7, D $6.50-$15. 544-5411. 338-3830. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. The brown and beige upstairs and downstairs rooms are close and cozy rather than grand, and the service is quietly competent. Closed Sun. AE, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. . Other than that, the upstairs dining room is still simple, with the merest Afghan touches; the prices are still low; and the food is better than ever. Mc, v. Reservations suggested. Street parking. San Francisco East Co. 4871 Cordell Ave., Bethesda.986-8566. The food is rustic and homespun. Children's prices. Bailey's Crossroads. No reservations. Tom Sarris Orleans House. d.c. space 443 7th St. NW. Cool "Disco" Dan. Beyond that, simple sauteed fish are expertly cooked, perhaps a trout with crisp skin and moist flesh. The prices stayed so low for so long that something had to give. Twigs Capital Hilton, 16th and K Sts. But service is indifferent unless you are a friend of the house, and little thought is given to the sensitivities of the diner. Children's prices. Its window walls fill the scene with the four-season beauty of Rock Creek Park. Children's prices. Joe and Mo's does a few things very well. L $2.25-$4.95, D $2.50-$7.50. North America. Le Manouche 1724 Connecticut Ave. NW. Parking lot. L, D daily. Children's prices. One night the specials alone included two kinds of crayfish, lamb with ginger, veal with cepes, lotte with tarragon and softshell crabs. Full bar service. 657-8775. L daily ex Sat, D daily. Open daily. Intrigue has a small menu, just a few fish, three veals and four steaks.