Looking for Great Restaurants for Business Meetings at NAR Mid-Year?

Airlines have the benefit of a captive audience when it comes to their reading material. After all, nowhere else would SkyMall® catalogues (filled with roll-up electric pianos, dragon-shaped mailboxes, and massaging footbaths) manage to capture my attention. Sometimes, however, in-air reading material can prove valuable. Case in point: an article about where to eat in Washington, D.C.

Inspired by an article from US Airways “Washington Flyer” and in preparation for the May 8th kick-off of the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear Conference, I’ve done some research on must-taste Washington, D.C. eateries. These are places I haven’t eaten, but would love to try. Here’s what I found.

Breakfast

Mom was right – breakfast really is the most important meal, particularly when you’ve got a busy day at the conference ahead of you. Start things off right at:

• Ted’s Bulletin: Get breakfast any time at 505 8th St. SE.
• Capital City Diner: Yum! Did someone say “diner?” Count me in. Maybe I’ll see you there at 1050 Bladensburg Rd. NE.
• Birch and Barley: While not a great option for weekday breakfast, this is a highly-recommended option for weekend brunch. Birch and Barley is located at 1337 14th St. NW.

Lunch

Break up the day and refuel with a great lunch. Sticking near the Expo will probably be a priority for lots of folks at the NAR conference, so I’ve focused on restaurants near Woodland Park. Thanks, Yelp!

• Vace Italian Deli: Yelp users love this take-out Italian gem. Have a quick bite (at 3315 Connecticut Ave. NW) and get back to work!
• Siam House Thai Restaurant: Fresh, delicious, and not too pricy, this could be a great option for visitors who crave a little curry. Try it out at 3520 Connecticut Ave. NW.
• Byblos Deli: Taste the Mediterranean at 3414 Connecticut Ave. It seems to be a quick, flavorful, and affordable option.

Dinner

Wrap up your eventful day with a wonderful dinner. Here are some suggestions our research has uncovered:

• Palena: A classy spot with the option of a five course tasting menu, this restaurant is located conveniently near the Expo (at 3529 Connecticut Ave. NW).
• Bombay Club: Indian food is a great way to kiss boring goodbye. Located at 815 Connecticut Ave. NW #2, the Bombay Club has earned rave reviews.
• Komi: Clearly a favorite, most people (including President Obama) agree that Komi is a “must.” Join the happily initiated at 1509 17th St. NW.

Drinks and Small Plates

At events like the NAR conference, the day doesn’t end at 5 p.m.; most evenings are spent networking and in meetings. Keep the conversation going with small plates and delicious beverages at these hot spots:

• Morton’s Steakhouse: Indulge in “bar bites” such as petite filet mignon sandwiches, mini crab cake BLTs, and blue cheese steak fries. Pair these scrumptious tidbits with Morton’s award-winning wine selection of over 200 wines. You’ll find Morton’s at 1050 Connecticut Ave. NW #2 or 3251 Prospect St. NW.
• Estadio: Their yummy tapas and cocktails/wine are gaining a lot of positive buzz for this new restaurant. You can visit them at 1520 14th St. NW.
• Quill (at the Jefferson Hotel): Explore elegant atmosphere and flavors at this lounge. Pair your beverage with tapas such as lamb chops or a cheese plate. The Jefferson Hotel is located at 1200 16th St. NW.

Pizza

Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, snack, or breakfast, pizza is almost always a great idea. If you’re looking to unwind, reward yourself with some saucy, cheesy goodness.

• Il Canale: Enjoy pizza and other veggie delights at this Georgetown restaurant. Il Canale is located at 1063 31st St. NW.
• We the Pizza: For a traditional pie or something more adventurous, We the Pizza at 305 Pennsylvania Ave. is a great choice.

Dietary Restrictions: Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan

From friends and acquaintances, I’ve learned just how difficult it can be to eat out with dietary restrictions. It helps to be prepared.

• Gluten Free: Consider Morton’s Steakhouse; they have a distinct gluten free menu (available here). Helpful bloggers, the Celiac Chicks, offer this list of Washington, D.C., restaurants for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
• Vegan/Vegetarian: I found an excellent resource for vegan and vegetarian folks at VegDC.com. Skim the list and discover the many options for meat-free delights.

Do any of you have recommendations to guide us on our quest for good eats? Share them here.

See what technology products and services are available for brokers.

• The Digital Calendar of the Future
• Which Wordpress Should You Use?
• How to Leverage Customer Service