A quaint, Middle Eastern restaurant situated in the heart of Georgetown, Bistro Med is a delightful place with delicious light fare in a relaxed, elegant environment. Seating consists primarily of full tables, though there are a few half tables/half booths with red cut-velvet padded backings. The atmosphere is pleasant, with dim lighting, wooden flooring, and music suiting the ambience. With a

slightly high level of noise, it would be difficult to have a quiet, intimate conversation here. The dress is nice casual with customers wearing anything from jeans to skirts. The food at Bistro Med is flavorful and light. The Mediterranean Beach Salad is quite good, consisting of a bed of iceberg lettuce topped with hummus, tabouli, and chopped tomatoes. You cannot go wrong with an appetizer of Dolma (marinated grapevine leaves filled with rice, pinenuts and black raisins): good finger food for a date. The restaurant has a nice variety of choices for entrees. Some of the best entrees you have to choose from are the Shrimp Casserole, Pasta Primavera, Vegetarian a La Med, Lamp Chop and Grilled Filet of Salmon. There are also various pitawiches, an assortment of kebabs, Turkish pizzas and daily specials. All the entrees were relatively mess-free and easy to consume. The lamb was especially tender and all the ingredients very fresh-tasting. Bistro Med is a great place to go if you want a casual, relaxed atmosphere and delicious, light cuisine.

Reviewed by Diana Finegold for GWBlitz.com.

Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Mood: Relaxed
Dress: Casual
Meals Served: Brunch, Lunch and Dinner
Price per Entree: $8.00 - $16.00
Live music on Saturday nights, Private rooms, Late-night

A mixture of class and sass, the Old Ebbitt Grill serves up a good time with a romantic ambiance for couples and sweet desserts to end a night of rich food and service. The mood is just right for a date, or in my case, a banquet of eleven, beside the enchanting fountain, high rise ceilings and smooth green hues wrapped around its decadent walls. A word to the wise: the Grill offers two worlds. Its dual atmosphere can serve as an informal haven, which mostly encompasses the smoking section. On the other hand, it offers my experience: a calm, intimate dwelling that provides privacy and a quiet chat for non-smokers. The cuisine offers a melange of Italian, French and American delicacies. The excellent range of seafood proves to be the most satisfactory feature the Grill has to offer. Multitudinous pastas, soups, salads, meats and sandwiches accommodate even the pickiest

guests. And a guest you are with great service and comfort that complete its prize-like presentation. Transportation is an additional perk if the Metro is your mode of travel. Just a few stops and an exit off the Metro Center station make the trip a pleasant ride to fine dining.

Reviewed by JoAnne Philippeaux for GWBlitz.com.

Cuisine: Italian, French, American
Mood: Intimate
Dress: Dressy Casual
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Price per Entree: $15.00
Reservations recommended, Private rooms, Power lunch spot, steps from The White House

I'm sorry to spoil the surprise if you've never been to Old Glory, but the first thing they do when you are seated at your table is slam a huge stamp on the table as a welcome to customers. BAM!!! The bald eagle, a symbol of American pride, is your first taste of what a great place this is to eat. The menu includes everything from baby back ribs and charbroiled burgers to pulled pork and jerk chicken. It's a wonderful establishment for family, friends, and fun. Located at about the center of Georgetown, Old Glory has been frequented by locals and tourists in search of a great barbecue meal. The interior is always full of people and chatter. There are two floors and in fair weather, an outdoor deck -- the only one in Georgetown I am told. Once you walk through the doors, you are greeted warmly and start to feel like a "country boy." Following this, you can chow down like one too, with your choice of a number of entrees that would satisfy Paul Bunyan. I really love the biscuits and cornbread -- served with peach butter and made with real corn. Their burgers are filling and well prepared, the chicken can be dry at times, and the side dishes are all-American. From

mashed potatoes to corn-on-the-cob to succotash, you're in hog heaven. But what would a trip to Old Glory be without sampling, or should I say indulging in their unbelievable ribs? Eight varieties of sauces grace your table. And you'll need them because these ribs are big. Beware of getting a seat in the back near the fire pit. Not only is it extremely hot, but you'll have waiters moving back and forth every time you take a bite. Additionally, there is usually a wait to get seated since it is so popular and seating is fairly limited. Tops is usually 30 - 45 minutes. That's not too bad though, since the location is great for walking around. Oh, and you get a Tootsie roll pop with your check. My fellow Americans, it's worth it.

Reviewed by Derek Grosso for Greenlight Washington Magazine.

Cuisine: All-American, BBQ
Mood: Friendly
Dress: Casual
Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
Price per Entree: $7.95 - $19.95
Outdoor deck, Sunday brunch, Old Glory Bourbon Club

Across the park from 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue is a fine Italian restaurant going under the moniker of Primi Piatti. A gorgeous candle-lit room opens out onto the sidewalk and is a perfect way to enjoy the pleasant weather here in Washington. The service staff is the best I have met in the DC area. My waiter was helpful in his suggestions and the management was there both to greet and wish my party well. Chef Savino Recine and the ingredients he works with are top quality. Primi Piatti specializes in fashionable Italian fare including: hot and cold antipastis, grilled and roasted meats,

and an array of pastas and soups. The insalatina of wine grape tomato with small bites of fresh mozzarella flavored with basil, oregano and olive oil makes me question why I eat anywhere else.

Reviewed by Colin McGee for GWBlitz.com.

Cuisine: Italian
Mood: Elegant
Dress: Nice
Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
Price per Entree: $13.50 - $27.50
Reservations recommended, Closed Sunday, Outdoor patio

This small Bethesda restaurant is ripe with ambiance and flavor. Decorated with velvet curtains, faux stucco walls, and funky lamps for lighting, the restaurant is both cozy and trendy. While tables are a bit close together, the restaurant hums with life at night. At the center is a bar surrounding a brick oven for making their specialty brick-oven pizza. Service is prompt and soon after sitting down, bread arrives. Although it is not on the menu, request the pizza crust crackers for an appetizer. These thin slices of pizza crust are covered in a light mix of basil, garlic, and olive oil. Other appetizers run from $4.00-6.00, while salads range from $4.50-10.95. The more expensive salads are very large, and they can be shared as appetizers or eaten as a main course. The Spring Mix and Red Tomato Salad, served in a pizza crust bowl, are especially good. A small but creative selection of pastas join a lengthy list of pizzas for entree options. The pastas are a bit on the high side, but the tomato sauce is worth the price. The pizzas are reasonable and cover a large plate. Options range from brie pizza to black bean, eggplant parmesan to shrimp pesto. After a satisfying meal with attentive service, the dessert menu is very appealing. Most of the choices are Italian staples. The orange sorbet, served in a scooped orange, is a special treat.

Reviewed by Cassie Good for GWBlitz.com.

Cuisine: Italian, Pizza
Mood: Upscale, intimate
Dress: Work casual to nice
Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
Price per Entree: $6.50 - $16.95