34 AMERICANWAY
JULY 15 2007
E A T L I K E A L O C A L
ILLUSTRATIONBYKATEMILLER
Washington, D.C., definitelyputs
its politics before its penne con
zucca. Butwe localswhoprefer
it the otherway around still
knowwhere tofind an interest-
ingmeal …or, in this case, seven.
—JoeGuinto
D.C.
Dınıng
An Inside Look
Early-Bird Special
JIMMYT’SPLACE
Themidcentury tables are too
small, thewaitstaff tends to
be surly (Iwas once invited to
fetchmy ownwater refills), and
the food is pretty basic. In other
words: It’s the perfect diner. The
location, though, may be the best
part— JimmyT’s is just five
blocks from theCapitol yet is
hidden away in an old, shabby-
chic row house on a residential
street. 501 East Capitol Street
SE, (202) 546-3646, www
.jimmytsplace.com
Lunchof theDay
TABARD INN
Here’s one ofmany reasons to go
toTabard: They import their own
RoeroArneis, an obscurewhite
wine fromPiedmont. Yes, wine.
At lunch. It’s the right thing to
dowhile sampling the top-notch
local organic dishes and sitting in
a secludedbrick-walledgarden
that, formymoney, isD.C.’s best
outdoor spot. 1739NStreet NW,
(202) 331-8528,
.com/rest.htm
Dinner Is Served
FLORIANAMERCURYGRILL
I like to take guests toFloriana
because the experience is like
eating at home— a home that’s
nicer thanmine. Located a block
fromDupont Circle, the eatery is
in an old three-story row house
completewithfireplaces, creaky
hardwoodfloors, and oversize
windows. The food? Italian and
inexpensive. 1602 17thStreet
NW, (202) 667-5937
TABAQBISTRO
You can see theCapitol, the
WashingtonMonument, and the
largest churchon this side of the
Atlantic fromTabaq’s top-floor,
glass-ceilingdining room. You
cannot, however, see themenu.
It’s very, very dark in there. Luck-
ily, all theMiddleEastern and
Mediterranean small plates are
good. So just point andorder. If
your finger lands on themanti
(Turkish-style beef ravioli in a
yogurt sauce), youwill be very,
very lucky. 1336UStreet, (202)
265-0965,
DrinksAll Around
URBANARESTAURANT
ANDWINEBAR
Inmany of the city’s hotel swil-
leries, I’ve foundmyself bending
elbows in the company of con-
gressmen. But they don’t hang
out at Urbana, a chic lounge in
theHotel Palomarwith drinks
that are strong and aFrench/
Italian barmenu that hits the
spot. I did seeReeseWither-
spoon here once, though. 2121
PStreet NW, (202) 956-6650,
RUMBACAFÉ
Late at night, bands jam out in
the corner, but this cozy Latin
bar/eatery is best early in the
evening, when it’s quiet and less
crowded. Thatway, I can bet-
ter hearmyselfmispronounce
cocktails like caipirinha, aswell
as inexpensive (but fulfilling)
tapas like arepa de aguacate and
especially pataconmaduro con
pernil. 2443 18thStreet NW,
(202) 588-5501,
cafe.com
Bonus:D.C.’s
Best Dısh
RASIKA
Most of themodernist Indian
dishes in this lush restaurant are
pretty good, but the palak haat
— fried spinach that is crunchy
and light as air— is inexplicably
excellent. 633DStreet NW,
(202) 637-1222,
restaurant.com
Urbana;
below, Rasika’s
palakhaat
SEE LOCAL
LONDON
DININGON
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