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The Famished Insomniac DC is an easy town for diners by day, but here are 10 places night owls can grab some grub. By Shelley Ledner
Hey, that alcohol isn't going to absorb itself. And so the hunt begins... Whether it's due to a midnight flick, a party that lacks snacks, a bad alcohol-to-food ratio, or simply a general nocturnal tendency, it's late, and you're hungry. But when it comes to dining, DC's not a late-night town. Why is it so easy to get a beer at 1:00 a.m., but not a plate full of food? The good news is that there are exceptions -- you just need to be in the know. To be clear, I'm not talking about 11:00 p.m. pretzel-pushers. These are 10 spots where you can chow down so late, it's practically breakfast. Anna Maria's Italian Restaurant Situated just above DuPont Circle, this old-style, cozy Italian eatery will make sure you go to bed with a full stomach. The ravioli, the Chianti… it's just what the sandman ordered. During the week, Anna Maria's is usually open until 11:00 p.m. or midnight. Fridays and Saturdays, it's slotted to stay open until 1:00 a.m. But Italians brave the flow. They will close earlier if everyone decides on a night in. By the same token, if the place is hoppin', they will happily feed you until 3:00 a.m. Your best bet is to call ahead. Ben's Chili Bowl
Bob & Edith's Diner The people wanted the best comfort food possible at 3:00 a.m., and so He created the greasy spoon. Decor and atmosphere may take a backseat to the food, but it works, damn it. B&E has breakfast dishes galore, plus patty melts, grilled-cheese sandwiches, subs, and peanut butter in its pies. And the miniscule bill will make you wonder why more restaurants can't do it this well, this inexpensively. Georgetown Cafe Late at night, you may find yourself among drunk college students. I like this -- it makes me nostalgic. Offering everything from pancakes to salads, Georgetown Cafe aims to please every palate and mood, and it usually succeeds. Hawk & Dove A Capital Hill institution, this place looks and feels as old as DC itself -- and with as rich a history. With plenty of dark, weathered wood and nothing fancy, this bar/restaurant is comfortable, casual, and hospitable. While the fries aren't my favorites, the burgers and other cold and hot sandwiches are solid. Surprisingly, the Hawk & Dove is even successfully creative with some concoctions. (I once heard a rumor that James Carville and Mary Matalin ate here on their first date several years ago, and then I saw them at The Palm last December. I guess colorful, loud marriages can be profitable!) Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Lil' Peckers Serving almost every kind of chicken (wings, tenders, sandwiches, and so on) known to mankind, it's a wonder Lil' Peckers has time to serve breakfast all day… but oh, they do! Perfect for Adams Morgan diehards. Osman & Joe's Steak 'n Egg Kitchen The smell of sweet batter and bacon permeates the air in this no-frills greasy spoon. Don't bring a large crowd; there's barely enough space to accommodate the staff and food. Besides, the regular crowd is interesting enough -- sleepy (or hyper) college students, wealthy middle-aged folks, poor older couples, and an impressive blend of races and ethnicities in such a small setting that it warms the heart (in these times, especially) to see us all eating DC's best waffles together. Trio Pizza
Wok n' Roll Etta James said it best, "At last!" Sushi at all hours -- bring it on! Indicative of the Chinatown location, and the cleverly corny name, Wok n' Roll serves Japanese and Chinese cuisine, and it does both well. Tip: Try the veggie tempura appetizer for a unique selection of vegetables that I've never seen tempura'd before. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shelley Ledner's day job has nothing to do with writing or culture. She loves food and drink, and food again after too much drink. Living in DC has sadly robbed her of indulging in her New York ways. Or so she thought, until she researched this article. Illustration by Chris Bishop, www.chrisbishop.com. |
After
an evening full of activities and libations, your eyes don't see
as well as they usually do, your mouth is as dry as chalk dust,
and yet you are able to produce enough saliva to drool when someone
says, "Wanna find something to eat?"
The chairs aren't the most comfortable, and you might find yourself a tad close to the next table, but this place feels like a real full-service restaurant, which is not easy to find late night. Attached to a DuPont Circle bookstore that's the Indie equivalent of Georgetown's Social Safeway ("Hey, you buyin' that Kafka? Let's have a beer and some pasta, and talk about how perfect we are for each other."), the location can't be beat for the single folks.
Open until 2:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 3:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday
all material copyright CultureFlux, 2002