The Definitive DC Patio Lunch List
Following on the wild success of the Definitive Patio Bar list for outdoor nocturnal drinking, a beautiful day like today calls for a new list: The Definitive DC Patio Lunch List.
So what might qualify as a patio lunch spot? Well glad ya asked! Here’s the requirements:
- more than 5 outdoor tables
- a solid, regular, polite lunch crowd
- quick, snappy service
- reservations accepted or turnover so quick as not to matter
- damn good, or at least damn cheap eats
Honorable mention will go to take out shops next to nice parks or places like Loebs, which has great location and outdoor seating, but leaves you reeking of grill-smell from just the 5 minutes it takes to order.
Drop your ideas, comments, and better yet reviews of your favorite patio lunch spot into comments now!
Blue shirt face stuffing @ Loebs
I love Elephant & Castle at 12th and Penn. Good pub food (try the pretzels, they’re deadly delish.) and an even better beer selection make these guys an easy choice for a good lunch on the patio. Their patio sits on broad Penn Ave and looks right across to the Post Office building, perfect for a spring day like, hey! today!
In Arlington, though, I’m a fan of the Boulevard Woodgrill whose awesome cuban sandwich defies description. Though the tables are tight to the restaurant, the food and service make up for it. of course, there’s always the sand bar at Whitlows, the sidewalk seating at the El Salvadoran place at the other end of the block…
Is one requirement that it’s not a chain? If not – I know I’ve commented on their manager before, but the Corner Bakery at 19th and L has TONS of outdoor seating and their staff is super nice (and they bring the food out to your table so you don’t have to carry it through herds and drop it – uh, er, not that I’ve ever done that).
Les Halles at Penn & 13th was pretty good when I was there last week. Got a great view of the Falun Gong “parade”.
Aria at the ITC/RR Bldg looked like a nice place park your butt to get some sun, bruschetta and cappucino.
Getting away from the city…Lebanese Taverna in Tyson’s II, Corner Bakery/Daily Grill in Tyson’s II.
Tom – why would you eat at a restaurant with a name that’s rhyming cockney slang for arsehole?
Mik, the pretzels are that good, and they’re one of the only places in the states I can get a decent pour of Fuller’s ESB.
Rock Bottom has decent pretzels – wait, don’t they have a patio area? The ESB – can we skip pub quiz and head there Monday instead?
So I’, seeing a trend here of you taking note of the various goings on at 15th & H.
Drop me a line and i’ll buy you a beer at Loebs!
Free beer? Finnaly, this blogging thing might be paying off!
Jay’s Saloon – 10th and Highland in Arlington.