Page 183 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  181

Wheelchair Access
a driver’s license or passport since
the penalty for serving alcohol Restaurants are not required
to underage drinkers is severe. to be wheelchair accessible.
In general, restaurants in older
neighborhoods like Dupont
Smoking
Circle and Adams­Morgan
In the Districts of Columbia and are less likely to accommodate
Maryland smoking is not allowed wheelchairs than modern
in restaurants or any public build­ establishments on K Street.
ings. The Smoke­free Workplace The Smithsonian Museum
law came into effect in 2006 and restaurants are all accessible
extended to restaurants in 2007. for the disabled.
If caught smoking, you could be
fined several hundred dollars. Recommended
In the District of Virginia smok­
ing is prohibited in many public Restaurants
buildings. Some restau­rants Washington has a broad
Mural on the side of Madam’s Organ bar allow smoking but must have spectrum of dining choices,
in Adams-Morgan (see p189) a no­smoking area. ranging from food trucks to
haute cuisine establishments.
Opening Hours The restaurants listed on pages
Dress Code
Most restaurants are open all 183–91 include reasonably
year (except Thanksgiving and Dress varies from the very casual priced ethnic options, regional
Christmas Day) but a few may (shorts, t­shirt, and sneakers) to American cuisine, fine dining,
be closed on Sunday or Monday. the very formal. In some restau­ and fast food establishments
It is best to call in advance. It rants men will not be admitted for busy families. From burgers
is unusual for a restaurant to without a jacket and tie (the and pizza to Ethiopian wat
be open 24 hours, except for maître d’ may have spares). But (stew), served on top of injera
those in very large hotels. Rest­ as a general guide, the more (flatbread), and Chesapeake
aurants also rarely serve food expensive the restaurant, the Bay crab cakes, Washington
continuously throughout the more formal the dress code will has a plate for every palate.
day; they usually have a break be. Some bars also have a very Throughout the listings,
of a few hours after lunch. strict dress code. Respectable DK Choice recommendations
Restaurants often open for but casual attire is acceptable in are highlighted in each area
dinner between 5pm and 6pm, the majority of establishments. of the city. These offer the
with the busiest period usually traveler a special experience
between 7pm and 8pm. The last and an insight into Washington,
seating is often at 9pm, and the What to Eat such as excellent local cuisine,
last customers usually leave by Washington’s cuisine is immens­ dining in a historic building,
11pm. Bars are open until 2am. ely multicultural, and you will superb ethnic food, a venue
Remember that Metrorail trains find French, Chinese, Ethiopian, particularly popular with locals,
stop running at 3am on Friday and Vietnamese restaurants, or a fun and unusual setting
and Saturday, and at midnight among others. The hot dog such as a combination of
the rest of the week. vendors along the Mall offer restaurant, bookstore, and
an alternative to a sit­down performance space.
meal. Like many cities in the US,
Alcohol Washington has a proliferation
Restaurants are required by law to of reasonably priced food trucks
have a liquor license in order that assemble at various places
to sell alcohol, so some do not throughout the day, including
offer it. Others may serve beer tourist areas (track them on
and wine only but not hard foodtruckfiesta.com).
liquor or mixed drinks.
Bars rarely serve food other Children
than perhaps some appetizers.
Other restaurants may have a The best indication as to whether
separate bar as well as a dining children are welcome in a rest­
section. Patrons are not permit­ aurant is the presence of a
ted to bring their own drinks children’s menu or the avail­
to a restaurant. ability of high chairs. When
The drinking age in DC, in dining in more formal places
Maryland, and in Virginia is 21. with children, it is best to reserve
Restaurateurs can and will ask the earliest seating when the Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place on the side of
for proof of age in the form of restaurant will not be too busy. Washington Harbour (see p188)

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