Which one? I assume you mean the ones on Constitution?

Museums are spread out on both sides of the mall so what's convenient for one is not so convenient for another.

When near the Museum of American History (and National Archives & National Gallery, my go to places are Teaism (Penn Quarter location) and Jaleo

First choice (by a landslide): http://www.jaleo.com/ Excellent food at great bargains in a comfortable relaxed setting. Go, go GO! Moderate prices

Other top choices very near the Smithsonian Museums:

http://www.oyamel.com/ Best Mexican restaurant in the area - BY FAR. Don't even THINK about Rosa Mexicana....Moderate prices

http://www.rasikarestaurant.com/pennquarter/ Best Indian food in the US (and possibly outside India). Expensive and a reservation is a must. Probably too late to get a table, but a serious epicure might want to try anyway.

A budget choice: http://www.paul-usa.com/ French super-casual chain next to Archives. Very good - save room for dessert.

If you decide to eat museum fare - go for the National Gallery of Art. NOT the vastly over-rated Museum of the American Indian cafe or (gasp!) any of the other museum cafes.

Agree with bardo1's choices - except I would put Oyamel as my first choice.
Some people like Hill Country barbecue.

I agree with bardo's choices. {Except in a pinch I would not turn away from Rosa Mex's guacamole and margaritas.} Patrick has probably visited the Paul chain in London.

I would choose Oyamel over Jaleo. I would skip the NGA cafeteria (and the Smithsonian cafes, as well); NGA is overpriced and mostly ordinary food. Teaism is casual and lovely, but finding a table can take some time during the lunch rush.

I see so many recommendations for Jaleo, but I ate there the last time I was in DC, and I just didn't like it. It was by far the worst meal of our trip. Maybe they were having a bad night; the service wasn't very good, and we had an awful table, so I'm sure those also contributed, but the food just wasn't very good. I'd choose something else.

On the other hand, we had an excellent lunch at Teaism, and it wasn't that crowded on the day we went (a Saturday).

I agree with Bardo that if you are going to eat museum fare, go to the National Gallery of Art. That's my "go-to" place when I'm on the Mall and it's clearly the best of the museum choices.

Hill Country--As a Texan, I'm not a big fan. The food is OK, but way overpriced for what you get. The service is mediocre, at best. I only go there when I'm DESPERATE for BBQ.

I too recommend looking into the National Gallery of Art. The Garden Cafe in the west building changes up its menu frequently, and is now offering "Americana" fare: http://www.nga.gov/pdf/americana-menu.pdf

When we visited in July, they featured Catalonian cuisine and wines. The theme of the food was paired with a Miro exhibition. Although served buffet-style, our meal was an unexpected delight.

>>When we visited in July, they featured Catalonian cuisine and wines. The theme of the food was paired with a Miro exhibition. Although served buffet-style, our meal was an unexpected delight.<<

That was one of Jose Andres pop up restaurants -- he is owner of two of the recommended spots here, Oyamel and Jaleo. Too bad, Doug, I've never had a bad meal at Jaleo. Guess anyplace can have an off day.

We ate at the NGA when they did the Catalonian lunch and it was very good. It was done in conjunction with Jose Andres . The regular cafeteria food is nothing special and I think expensive for what you get.

Wow. A lot to think about. Actually while looking at the site for Teaism, I was very impressed and enticed. Meanwhile I was also glad to see another Teaism near our hotel (The Fairfax) near Dupont Circle.

On a different vein. Friends want to meet us for Sunday breakfast/brunch at Founding Farmers near the White House. What do you think?

Its very LOUD and I don't think the food is that great. It opened up a few years back with much fanfare. I failed to ever experience a great meal there. U could do much better. Review from WPost reviewer this past Spring
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/founding-farmers,1153804.html

Wow. That's interesting. I had noted it is #20 of something like 1400 restaurants in DC, so somebody sure likes it. Hundreds of reviews, mostly raves about the food, although a number mention how loud it is. We'd just be doing breakfast, so I'm not sure how important many of the food criticisms are.

My friends live in Annapolis but visit their daughter in DC and this is apparently their favorite breakfast spot. I had mentioned Bistro Lepic in Georgetown, but I think it's a little high budget wise for them.

I love Bistro Lepic -- just had dinner there a few weeks back...great neighborhood place. R these reviews on TA? None of my friends have had good meals there, but u r right in that brunch could be just fine -- prepare to yell! Enjoy DC. Supposed to be decent weather.

I like Founding Farmers. A lot, actually. It was quite the darling when it first opened and has fallen a bit from lauded grace since then. Been there twice in the last 6 months -- brunch and dinner and was quite happy on both occasions. Upscaled comfort food, not super expensive. It is noisy but when you see the layout (first floor with mezzanine, lots of open and stainless steel surfaces) you won't be too surprised. Would it be my once in a lifetime choice? No. But I'd go back and almost certainly will.

Founding Farmers is pretty good, but on the weekends, the Farragut area is pretty dead (most restaurants close down since you're surrounded by a bunch of office buildings, including mine). That being said, if you're trying to eat close to the White House, your options may be a bit limited.

Back to your original question - when we're around the mall, we love taking people to the Eastern Market area, past Capitol Hill. It's a bit of a hike, but a desintation in itself. If you do head there, Belga Cafe does a great brunch (although expect a wait), but our favorite is Montmarte. For a very casual lunch, Goodstuff Eatery is always a hit (expect long lines though). If you're trying to stick closer to the mall, Teaism, Oyamel and Jaleo are all great recommendations, as is obvious by the number of people that suggested them. Another place that has gotten great reviews is the Mitsitam Cafe at the Native American Museum: http://nmai.si.edu/visit/washington/mitsitam-cafe/

And, since you are staying in Dupont - I definitely recommend going to Teaism - we go at least once a month. If you're still here, I would suggest on Sunday since you can also hit up the Sunday farmers market a couple blocks away. Teaism is reasonable and always good. Definitely try the scrambled eggs and ginger scones. Another amazing brunch spot is Tabard Inn. It is most likely too late to get a reservation, but you can walk in and eat at the bar.

Ah, so many places, so little time.

I mentioned the loud comment and other thoughts about Founding Farmers to my friend in DC. She was a little surprised -- yes, it IS loud, but fun -- and they reallllllly like the place for breakfast saying it's even worth the usual wait when you have reservations, and she already got reservations for Sunday, so we'll be sticking with it. She was surprised about negative comments on the food, which they think is really great for breakfast. And although I did see raves on TripAdvisor which I take with a grain of salt, there were more raves and a couple of major awards on Open Table. And when I checked Chowhound (where I tend to believe the people really know food), it was really raves for foods, particularly breakfast -- only a few issues with service and reservations. Simplicity with really good ingredients seems to be the overall impression.

By the way, another breakfast recommendation -- probably for Friday before going to the museums is Old Ebbit Grill. It should be quieter that day (Black Friday -- offices slow and everybody out shopping) and really is a place worth going to -- especially for breakfast". No?

Our hotel has mentioned that we can probably easily park on the streets -- all weekend is a "holiday" and is free and they expect the area around the Fairfax to be quite "deserted". Do you think? Beats the $40 plus a night for valet at the hotel. Again, we're at the Fairfax, 2100 Massachusetts at 20th Street.

Re. street parking near hotel - I concur. Street park and save yourself the $40/day. Just don't drive to the Smithsonian which generally is very crowded around the holidays with out of town guest - particular Black Friday. Apparently not everyone shops the day after Thanksgiving. I often play tour guide for guests that day and am always surprised at the size of the crowds at the museums (and the zoo).

bardo1, thanks. I guess that was actually our plan, so we may have to rethink. I know the Metro is supposedly great and we've never done that, but Peter has a new super camera with some lenses he wants to try out, so we're thinking of doing a major hop around the city shooting landmarks type of day also on Friday. Maybe I'll drive and pull over while he shoots out the window. LOL

My only caveat on street parking would be to carefully check the signage. There can be multiple and sometimes conflicting directions.

Residential parking restrictions, metered parking, rush hour & street cleaning parking restrictions will be in effect on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Otherwise you're pretty good to go with the holiday and the weekend.. Sounds like a fun trip, Patrick.

Residential parking in Dupont will be in effect on Friday, not on holidays or weekends or evenings (Not sure what time it goes off in that area in the evenings.) You can park for two hours in zone 2 (Dupont area) when residential parking is in effect. Not sure which day there is street cleaning which also limits the hours for parking.

Yestravel, the hotel concierge told me that THIS Friday is considered a holiday and there are no parking restrictions in the area.

Patrick, Double check that. Per DC Public Works Facebook page:

Trash/Recycling Not Collected; Parking Enforcement Suspended
Leaves will be collected as scheduled from Area B neighborhoods.

The Department of Public Works announced today how services will be affected in observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22.

Parking Enforcement: Parking meter regulations will not be in enforced. Residential parking and rush hour lane restrictions will not be enforced. Also, DPW will not tow abandoned vehicles. Parking enforcement will resume Friday, November 23.

My bold. https://www.facebook.com/dpwdc

There was a McDonalds tent just outside the Air and SPace a couple of years ago . . quick in and out!

Drat. Now the hotel concierge is not so sure about that after all. But now we also find we may not be able to get to our hotel or anywhere else in DC tomorrow morning due to the marathon!
Driving in from Baltimore and expect to arrive around noon or before.

Did the concierge say that you wouldn't be able to get to the hotel b/c of the Turkey Trot marathon? I'm confused. The course isn't near your hotel.

Agree with obxgirl's. Turkey Trot should not interfere with getting to Dupont Circle tomorrow. U don't really go near it and there are lots of routes that will get you to your hotel.
Also parking regs ARE most definitely enforced the Friday after Thanksgiving. As suggested above, just look at all the signs carefully. I have gotten tickets misreading a conflicting and confusing parking sign in DC. And DC tickets are not cheap.

Why do I get the feeling the Fairfax concierge doesn't have a clue about anything?

I was thinking that very same thing...that's why these travel boards are so invaluable with real people who know the area.

The Air and Space museum has a good restaurant.

Hi, Neo, we went to DC this summer. For a quick/easy meal:

1. Corner Bakery (near White House).
2. Potbellies, sandwich shop chain, surprisingly good. (Went to one near National Archives.)
3.Ray's Hellburgers, only if you're going to Virginia anyway. (Suburban Virginia, cash only)

Re parking in DC. Follow the rules/rates on the meters, because that's what the enforcers go by, despite what may seem like different or unlcear directions on standing signs. For example, where the sign says two-hour limit until 6:30 pm, it does not mean free parking after then, only that you may park and pay for a longer time in the evening. You would learn that detail from the meter itself.

Ok, we're back. And I learned even the department of public works isn't sure what's going on. We found that parking meters didn't seem to work in Georgetown on Friday. It seemed to charge the credit card, and sounded like it was trying to print the sticker for the car, but nothing would come out. We tried calling the number on the parking machine, and got an authorization number which we thought might come in handy if we got a ticket, since it was impossible to print a permit. But inside a restaurant we were told that indeed meters were free for Friday and that's "probably" why they weren't working. How would anyone know that? So the rules of the parking authority apparently don't apply to Georgetown?

I realize that the lunch in question has already occurred (and I hope it was great), but I want to put in a plug for the new Wolfgang Puck restaurant at the Newseum, which is called The Source. Amazing! Great food and service and a warm, modern, sun-splashed dining room. I highly recommend it. I had the Drunken Noodles, others had the crab salad sandwich, pumpkin soup, tuna tartare, and some sort of stir fry in lettuce cups, and it was all excellent.

I think that is wrong -- DC parking rules are pretty much a mess and confusing. I find it very strange that meters were not being enforced on Friday in Georgetown different from the rest of the city. Before the rules changed in 2010 parking was free at meters on Saturdays and I thought it applied everywhere. I was parked on a Saturday near the Newseum and even told some tourists they didn't need to put $$ in their meter. Well, I returned from the Newseum and had a parking ticket. Hopefully the tourists left before the tickets were issued. Turns out there were sections of downtown where meter parking was exempt from the No meters on Saturday -- who knew?

How was your visit and how were your meals?

yestravel, yes, it was very confusing about parking. And driving in DC is no picnic either. Streets were surprisingly not crowded over the weekend -- thank goodness -- or it would have been much worse. But even with a good GPS saying "turn right on New Hampshire at an intersectin of three streets coming together and NONE of them having visable signs -- how is one supposed to know which street is which? That happens a lot due to the angled streets -- as well as streets which have several names at the same time. I also loved a couple intersections where as you pull up you see a green traffic light and a red traffic light right next to each other. Which are you supposed to look at. Sometimes, with some very careful examination you can figure out that one of those lights is actually pointing at a slight angle for the angled street coming in also, but really both look like they are facing right at you -- and at night, even more so!

And while many said "just use the Metro", well, hmmm. Like to go from our hotel to the Kennedy Center we'd have to walk a few block to the Metro, buy tickets, wait for a train, then go half way across downtown to get to a station where we'd change lines --- walk and then wait for that train -- to head back to Foggy Bottom on the other line, then emerge and wait on the street for the shuttle bus to take us to the Kennedy Center. After the show we could repeat that in reverse. Meanwhile all bundled up against the cold. Or we could take the car and be there in 5 minutes (even though we'd have to pay for the garage, but it's indoors and just an elevator ride up to the theatre. We didn't even need to wear coats as we were never really outside. Guess which option we chose!

But I have posted a trip report. Click on my name to find it.
We had a wonderful time.