AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations required. Parking lot. Pasta sauces have nothing subtle about them, and veal scallopine are overdosed with sweet marsala or lemon. L MC, V. Reservations suggested. Full bar service. The menu has remained small and interesting -- with oysters poached in orange butter and scallops or chicken livers served in boats of croissant or brioche as appetizers, and one-person souffles available for dessert -- and a mimeographed (thank goodness) list of appealing daily specials is included. AE, CC, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Binnacle III Off Rte. Open daily. L daily ex Sat, D daily. More. Children's prices. The quiches have been soggy and the spinach long wilted. Full bar service. 965-2684. L daily, D daily ex Sun. No-smoking section. No reservations. L daily, D daily. Valet parking. Full bar service. Full bar service. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. 234-1252. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations required. Last year the Maison Blanche opened across from the Executive Office Building, with a sea of flowered carpeting covering its expensive ground. Street parking. Wash down the meal with Golden Eagle beer and be prepared to fend off waiters imploring you to order a great array of side dishes and the restaurant's own cookbook. Valet parking for dinner only. L, D daily. L $3.25-$6.25, D $4.95-$12.75. AE, MC, D, V. Reservations accepted only for six or more. Parking lot. L $5.50-$9.95, D $8.95-$14.95. AE, CC, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Some of the grand entree adventures are fresh baby duckling with cassis, crayfish, roasted loin of veal with fresh wild mushrooms, saddle fo rabbit. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily, Closed Sun. 354-1677. The surprise is fining homemade soup and potato salad which is embellished with pickle relish and celery seeds. No-smoking section. Children's prices. No alcoholic beverages. O'Riley's Pub 1122 18th st. (in the rear) NW. El Palacio Check local phone directories for locations. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Parking in rear. The waiters toss the food at you. Lombardy Cafe 2019 I St. NW. 362-1250. Mama Ayesha's Calvert Cafe 1967 Calvert St. NW. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. 1443 K St. NW. Parking in rear. Surroundings are tearoom-clean. Some of the sauces are overstarched, but that is the only obvious flaw in dishes like while clams in shells with black bean sauce. L, D $2.25-$4.50. MC, V. Reservations accepted. 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW. L $3.95-$8.25, D $8.95-$14.50. Open daily. The salmon mousse with green peppercorns is suave and spicy, a pleasant light main course. Closed Sun. Underground parking. Private party contact. Dishes ranging from Spanish to Ecuadorean are served in these charming little close-knit restaurants, with varying success. L $2.25-$4.95, D $5.95-$12.95. Worse, fried dishes, particularly appetizers, may be grease-sodden and bland. Full bar service. L $3.95-$4.50, D $4.25-$8.95. And then there is the chicken with pomegranates and walnuts, a marvel of a flavor, the moist pieces of boneless chicken covered with a dark paste sweet and tangy and earthy with walnuts. Taking its name as a guide, the tandoor oven is the unique and salient feature of this tasteful and bright, orange-accented Indian restaurant. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Country Living Cafe 4849 1/2 Massachusetts Ave. NW. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. MC, V. Reservations accpted. L, D $4.95-$5.95. lobster. But I found no dish that meets any desire. No-smoking section. 363-6611. Closed Sun. AE. Evans Farm Inn 1696 Chain Bridge Rd. Full bar service. AE, MC, V. No reservations. Orient Express 10560 Main St., Fairfax. If you like cardamom, end with scented tea. The great dishes of New Orleans are on the menu at 219. L $3.85-$7.25, D $5.50-$9.90. The fare is fair these days, though the pastries are more buttery, more delicate, more professional than ever. Indulge in the Best Restaurants in D.C. L $3.75-$5.25, D $4.25-$13.95. But dishes that are meant to be robust -- chicken cacciatore, braciole, herbed roast veal -- are as good as Washington has to offer. Closed Sun. SALE: SUBSCRIBE AND GET 1 YEAR FOR $21.99 $5. Seafood dishes are the most intriguing; crystal shrimp are soaked in ice water to crisp them, then cooked just until translucent. The tables are too small, and you are likely to feel rushed, but the crush is a tribute to the food. 527-0100. 573-0112. but don't despair. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations accepted, suggested on weekends. Parking in front. Beer and wine only. On a base of very good, highly professional French cuisine, Dominique's builds a lively atmosphere, more a party than any other French restaurant in town. The best surprises at J. R.'s are the crab-stuffed mushroom appetizer and the enormous a la caret baked potato without foil wrapping. September 21, 1980. AE, CB, D, V. Reservations suggested. Viet Nam Bistro 1836 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. The hamburger costs all of 1.45, big, lean and spatula-flattened. Parking lots and street parking. It takes an owner on the premises, watching both the kitchen and the door, and caring supremely whether each diner enjoys the meal. Full bar service. 933-3687. Whatever may go wrong, at the Pines of Rome the price is right. Open daily. Children's prices No-smoking section. Le Rendez-Vous 3155 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Full bar service. Parking in rear. Full bar service. 338-3314. And it serves French haute cuisine that is at least correct if not always exciting. MC, V. Reservations accepted. Los Planes de Renderos 908 11th St. NW. American Cafe 1211 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 451-9350. Vincenzo 1606 20th St., NW. D daily. L $5.75-$12.50, D $10.25-$21. Open daily. 2 / 30. Closed Sun. Vincenzo is a purist's Italian seafood restaurant, serving only seafood and almost always fresh seafood. AE, MC, No reservations. Children's prices. Eat plenty of rough, chewy rye and raisin pumpernickel bread. To your right is a bar bathed in a golden glow of blond wood and hanging glasswar. Full bar service. Parking adjacent lot.Full bar service. Children's prices. 941-5494. Chez Juliette 1047 West Broad St., Falls Church. The other dishes on the menu, most of which are designated delicacies or specialities, tend to be very mildly seasoned, so you might want to urge the kitchen to loosen up a bit. Parking lot. Fish filets are moist and, thankfully, unadorned. In all, Harvey's seems tired in the face of energetic new seafood restaruants in town. Children's prices. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations accepted. Street parking. 659-5882. Full bar service. L,D $3.50-$7.95. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. L, D daily. Start with samosas, flaky fried dough triangles stuffed with spiced meat or vegetables and dipped into a wonderful sweet-hot-tart tamarind chutney. Parking lot at mall. But don't aim to dine at Old Angler's at the end of your canal walk or bicycle ride, because proper attire is required. Reservations accepted. 466-4040. Roundtable 4859 Wisconsin Ave., NW. 8. Reported as permanently closed. L, D $2.25-$5.95. If you are looking for a full-blown example of what is wrong with American restaurants, try Cagney's. Children's prices. The prices stayed so low for so long that something had to give. 597-8447. L daily ex Sat, D daily. L $3.25-$4.75, D $3.50-$15. Sea Catch 1221 E St. NW. 466-4570. L $4-$5, D $4-$7. NW. 949-4140. Full bar service. Parking lot in front. L $2.25-$9.95, D $5.75-$14.75. Full bar service. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. AE, MC, V. No reservations.Parking lot. And even more important, increasingly restaurants are serving seafood that is fresh rather than frozen, and cooking it properly. Eating trends move slowly, but in Washington they are continuing steadily towards seafoods and away from red meats. L $2.25-$3.95, D $3.25-$7.95. Parking in front. El Caribe 3288 M St. NW. Or the noodle turnovers can be fried, with the yogurt on the side. MC, V. Reservations accepted. 546-9154. This photo was taken after he resigned and was leaving the White House. Full bar service. mChildren's prices. Street parking. $1.69 $1.99 . 548-0076. Closed Sun. Others are good but without special character -- the snapper too chewy, the rillettes bland, the veal excessively pounded, the raspberry souffle lacking perfume. Full bar service at dinner, beer and wine only at lunch. L $3-$4.50, D $5.50-$7.70. L $2.25-$4.95, D $3.25-$8.25. Closed Mon. An exception is dessert, for the pastries, particularly the liqueur-soaked tortes, are elaborate and highly professional. L $4.50-$10 per lb. parking lot nearby. AE, CB, CC, D, V. Reservations suggested. Main courses cover five pages, but concentrate on the first, where you will find crisp whole fish Hunan style, orange beef, honeyed ham. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Photographer Michael Horsley documented the era with a fascinating series of 537 photos. Street parking. L $2.50-$6.50, D $2.50 -$12. Street parking. 265-1600.L $5.25-$9.95, D $11.95-$15.95. L daily ex Sun, D daily.AE, MC, V. No reservations. Hefty dishes are the most suitable to order -- the sausages or liver, for instance, but save room for a flaky apple tart and good espresso. Beer and wine only. 686-5500. L, D daily. Street parking. In 1950, African American civil-rights leader Mary Church Terrell arrived at this chain cafeteria for lunchand, at 86 years old, was refused service. D daily. On the side are sweet spiced rice, beige from its seasonings, and iceberg lettuce salad with a tangy lemon dressing, as well as ridged slabs of homemade bread. Some of the best dishes are cold appetizers -- hors d'oeuvres plates and pates -- and fish, whether a salmon in pastry or trout in a cream sauce. L $3.95-$8.95, D $6.95-$14.95. Valet parking for dinner. Enriqueta's 2811 M St. NW. L daily ex Sun, D daily. The 10 standing main courses are all grilled, but the daily specials are more varied preparations. Children's prices. Full bar service. The Peasant Basket 3321 Connecticut Ave. NW. It has until now been consistently excellent; I hope its third year blues are short-lived. Open daily. Fortunes shift, and fans shift back and forth between Georgetown's two side-by-side Vietnamese restaurants with this, the corner one, being the insiders' current favorite. L, D $1.25-$8. Full bar service. Parking lot. Closed Tues, MC, V. No reservations. If there is a touch too much starch in a sauce here or there, the seasonings are always lively. Has history on the back cover. No reservations. giorgios 1247 20th St. NW. Capitol Forum 941 North Capitol St. 789-0582. D $7-$15. Valet parking. Full bar service. Open daily. Bailey's Crossroads. Mamma Desta blends sweet, savory and hot spices masterfully. 683-4112. The softshell crabs earlier in the season were as good as anywhere twice the price. L $2.50-$4.75, D $3.25-$7.50. L $2.25-$3.95, D $4.25-$7.95. 333-2602. Two cautions: The coffee isn't even strong enough to tint a tablecloth, and throughout dinner you might want to look out for slices of those 20 pounds of garlic. Its food, though, is an afterthought. 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. Full bar service. L daily ex Sat, D daily. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations accepted. Still, it is dim and pretty, with elegant patterned fabrics. Full bar service. Le Consulat 2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 751-9266. Parking in adjacent lot. 942-0075. Closed Mon. Fuji 3299 M St. NW. 790-1020. Full bar service. Ae, d, mc, v. Reservations suggested. Cold and hot appetizers are generally intriguing, notably shrimp cakes with shredded sweet potatoes. Tiberio 1915 K St. NW. Parking in rear. L $2.25-$5.95, D $6.50-$12.95. Even his early dishes have improved, notably the thin, rare slices of duck breast with a dark, tart lime sauce. 1621. L $3.50-10, D $4-$12. Sir Walter Raleigh Inn Check local phone directories for locations. See photos, floor plans and more details about 102 Shepherdson Ln NE, Vienna, VA 22180. . L, D $1.95-$4.25. No credit cards. L $9.50-$10.95, D $11.95-$26. Much has improved at Jean-Pierre in the past year, for it has become a handsome restaurant, its appearance worthy of its kitchen. Valet parking for dinner only. Open daily. L $3.50-$5.95, D $6.95-$12.95. L $2.95-$3.25, D $3.50-$6.45. But always there are enough improvements to keep one believing that Washington is constantly becoming a better and better eating city. Patent Pending National Portrait Gallery, 9th and G Sts. Closed Mon. "Their clam chowder is amazing and the OEG Burger is great for lunch.". No smoking section. Full bar service. L $3.25-$4.35, D $4.25-$20. L $2.95-$3.99, D $3.95-$5.75. L, D $2.25-$5.95. Steak and Ale Check local phone directories for locations. Service is efficient and generally smooth, and the high-ceilinged room with its tall, plush ruby banquettes and dazzling view of the city is a glorious backdrop to the food. View Menu. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Children's prices. The roast beef sandwich with feta, pickled peppers, tomatoes and herbs on pita bread would have been wonderful if it had not been sitting in a quarter-inch pool of yellow oil. No alcoholic beverages. Closed Sun. Parking garage at mall. L $2.50-$4.50 0, D $4.75-$13.50. Take the family and order family-size portions of meat or seafood platters, pizza and pasta and a carafe of wine. Open daily. Lake Anne Inn 1617 Washington Plaza, Reston. 234-6969. La Maree 1919 I St. NW. Golden Temple Conscious Cookery 1521 Connecticut Ave. NW. Vegetables are excellent, from sprightly coleslaw and tossed salad with zingy dressing to delicious cottage fries and dilled carrots. Wine service is neglectful. Valet parking after 5:30 p.m. Full bar service. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations accepted. L daily ex Sat, D daily. L, D $2.25-$9. Service is gregarious and hospitable. In the 1970s the restaurant industry and the custom of eating in restaurants grew rapidly. Landini Brothers is a restaurant that grows on you, even during the meal. One could hardly tell from the outside, but there is new life at the China Inn. 333-4810. Despite the new-found sophistication, the food is still pleasant, rough homestyle food and the kitchen remains as slow as it was when the restaurant was half its present size. L $1.79-$2.75, D 5.50-$12.95. 265-5860. Pueblo Joe's 4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW. Geranio 724 King St., Alexandria. Order small bowls of stewed chicken, lamb or beef, either mildly spiced with cumin, cinnamon and the like, or hotly peppered with red pepper paste; spoon mounds of the meats and side dishes of braised cabbage and green beans and carrots in between, then start tearing and scooping. Domino's Pizza. Children's prices. Valet parking. But the menu is still nearly all Chinese, except for a few Vietnamese appetizers. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. While most of the diners I saw one night were ordering shrimp cocktail, they could have chosen for their appetizers Smithfield ham with kiwis and pears, duck terrine with hazelnuts, salmon mousseline with truffles and morels, snails with tarragon, salmon terrine with two caviars, lobster and scallops in a puff pastry case or smoked salmon with blini, plus several more. 965-5252. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. District of . This vegetarian restaurant has expanded by removing dividers that once lent privacy and has added an outdoor cafe. 33, Urbanna, Va. 804/758-2397. L $3.95-$7.95, D $4.95-$10.95. Closed Mon. United States. Golden Wagon 6408 Kenilworth Ave. Riverdale. L $2.95-$5.75, D $4-$9. L daily ex Sat, D daily. Cafe Lafayette 105 N. Alfred St., Alexandria. 536-4200. No-smoking section. Children's prices. SE. MC, V. No reservations. Home Services. MC, V. Reservations suggested.Parking next to building. In its second year, this lively bright, casual French restaurant is erratic but worth consideration. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily ex Sun. Full bar service. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Swensen's 1990 K St. NW. Open daily. Armand's Chicago Pizzeria 4231 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Not only was the food -- from muddy-looking fish soup to greasy and tasteless short ribs -- unappealing, but it was rather expensive. The new prices imply a culinary consistency and a level of service that do not actually exist here. Full bar service. AE, MC, V. Reservations suggested. Thai Room 527 13th St. NW. 333-5440. Parking lot. L $2.95-$5.10, D $4.95-$7.95. No reservations. Open in Google Maps. 836-7010. No credit cards. 1520 14th St NW, Washington DC, DC 20005-3722 - Read more on Tripadvisor. L, D daily. Alexander's Three 1500 Wilson Blvd. The flowered tablecloths, green-stemmed wine glasses, folk art and pottery on the walls reinforce the magical quality. Parking in rear. AE, CB, MC, V. Reservations accepted. Parking in commercial lots. Open daily. 362-8200. AE, CB, D, MC, V. Reservations suggested. All known restaurants which opened before 1980 and remained opened when this website was founded (Apr 15, 2005) are included. Open daily. And the least interesting is at the end -- the ubiquitous carrot cake. In 1970, the Old Ebbitt Grill was struggling . Several dishes -- not just desserts -- are too sweet. And even a welcome mat. 828-2608. The close seating makes a hectic environment, but both the room and service are colorful and attractive. Closed Sun. L daily ex Sat, Sun, D daily. Tomato sauces are thick and meaty, though a touch too sweet; they succeed better than spaghetti alla carbonara, which is greasy and short on egg, cheese and seasoning. L daily ex Sat, D daily. . 522-4787. Open daily. The Bread Oven 1220 19th St. NW. The baba ghanouj bests even the Middle Eastern restaurants hereabouts, but hot dishes tend to be superior to cold dishes, which are inclined to be excessively herbed or at least unbalanced. And the staf does sing a rousing version of "Happy Birthday." AE, V. Reservations required. L $4.50-$6.75, D $8-$17. Embrace music at the 14th Annual D.C. Record Fair Full bar service. L daily ex Sat, D daily. L daily ex Sun, D daily. There are plenty of pictures online if you google, so you can see if they match your memories. With costs of everything rising more rapidly than menus can be reprinted, the profit margin is narrowing. Full bar service. Children's prices. L, D $2.25-$8.50. AE, D, V. Reservations suggested. AE, D, MC, V. Reservations accepted. Closed Mon. Desserts have been developed to include wondrous bitter chocolate terrine, pear flan with ginger, fine-grained sherbets of exotic fruits. 548-0088. Children's prices Omar Khayyam 112 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria. Caffe Italiano 3516 Conecticut Ave. NW. Kebabs are also delicious, particularly the marinated lamb; chicken tends to be a bit dry. Full bar service. 6201 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. L daily ex Fri, Sat, Sun, D daily. Comus Inn 23900 Old Hundred Rd., Comus, Md. Full bar service. On the plate, the food is pretty and fresh, and the diversity caters to those hungering after a full traditional meal or just a sandwich. Shooter McGee's 5239 Duke St., Alexandria. The poached chicken dishes show how well the kitchen handles commonly indifferent preparations, and seafood are equally cosseted. Closed Sunday. The legendary hamburgers are rarely terrific, though they could be if they didn't taste of burned grill scrapings. Pueblo Joe's understands a lot about the mystique of beauty. I am trying to remember a restaurant my parents took me to on visits to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Street parking and nearby lot. Street parking. How to get tickets for the African American Museum of History and Culture. But if you ignore the flossy touches, such as cloying Polynesian drinks, and approach this as a hospitable neighborhood Chinese restaurant with a Vietnamese accent, you will find it worth remembering when you are around Tysons Corner. The food, however, remains best for a snack or light meal, Mexican food that is standard quality, or at least sinks to standard in its reheating a lunchtime. No alcoholic beverages. Ae, mc, v. Reservations suggested. It has baba ghanouj and taramasalata, cucumbers with yogurt and mashed potato dip, all to be scooped with toasted pita sprinkled with oregano.