Mie N Yu
Georgetown

There is lots of international flavor at Mie N Yu, a stunning newcomer to the DC restaurant scene. The theme of the restaurant is "The Silk Road," but it blends influences from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Mediterranean. The rooms "are decorated to perfection," and it attracts a "great crowd." It is "a truly funky and fashionable place" with "excellent DJs who spin very hip, urban and world music." Read more.

Perry's Drag Queen Sunday Brunch
Adams Morgan

Perry's sunny rooftop and its Adams Morgan location make it popular among young, hip, single locals, but what really stands out is its Sunday brunch. Drag queens, dressed and adorned elaborately, work the rooftop deck and sing show tunes while you eat. Don't be surprised if a drag queen "sits on your lap while you enjoy your eggs benedict." It's a "Sunday brunch experience like no other," and the "food is as good as the entertainment." Try to make it at 10am for the first seating, or else you'll be waiting in line for a table.

Cakelove
U Street

Cakelove, along with its "sister business Love Cafe, across the street" serves dessert all daylong, accompanied by a light breakfast, lunch, and espresso drinks. The owner "dropped out of the lawyering business to open this bakery." It is on U Street, "an interesting, colorful area of DC." A noted favorite is "crunchy feet," a "creatively-shaped alternative to cupcakes." The cakes come in "unique flavors," one is a mango-cayenne blend. Although not low-fat, they are "all-natural and flavorful." Get your cupcake topped with "mouthwatering buttercream or fruit topping combinations," or order one untopped, without frosting. Read more.

Saturday Breakfast at the Eastern Market
Capitol Hill

The Eastern Market, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, buzzes with locals on Saturday mornings. Open from March until December it has "a real neighborhood feel, especially on Saturdays." Breakfast is an especially popular ritual amongst the residents, and some line up even before the restaurant opens. The "specialty is the blueberry pancakes," but grits, eggs, and scrapple are other popular menu items--all for under $5! For lunch, crab cakes and fried oyster sandwiches are seasonal favorites. Saturdays are the most authentic, full of many produce vendors.

Screen on the Green
The National Mall

Blankets start spreading out "as early as 5pm" for the Screen on the Green-"fast becoming a classic DC thing to do." This summertime movie ritual starts in June and runs through August on the National Mall; it's free and is open to all. Recline on the lawn, "in the heart of Washington, DC" and "gaze at a gigantic movie screen, playing a classic film." A few tips from the locals: "arrive early, bring a blanket and bug spray, and leave the tall chairs at home."

Bach Birthday Marathon
Chevy Chase

The Bach Birthday Marathon takes place on a Sunday in March around J.S. Bach's birthday. Local organists gather to play Bach's music on a 2,500-pipe, glass encased organ along with a choir. It's a "beautiful church, great organ and organists, and wonderful music." A catered German "church-basement dinner" is served following the performance for a nominal fee. This birthday marathon is "one of the best examples of the good, free classical performances" that take place most weekends from October through April in DC.

Dumbarton Oaks
Georgetown

Dumbarton Oaks is a "little miracle garden in the middle of the city tucked away above Georgetown." There are "various gardens spread throughout the acres surrounding the original, Federal-style house." "In addition to the amazing gardens," there is a free museum that features "a preeminent collection of Byzantine and pre-Colombian art." Go see the rose garden when the roses are in bloom. Read more.

Phillips Collection
Dupont Circle

The Phillips Collection is "an incredible private art collection" located in an old mansion in Dupont Circle, "a hip neighborhood" in DC. The permanent collection features Van Gogh, Picasso, Seurat, Pissaro, Manet, Monet, and Renoir's masterpiece "Luncheon of the Boating Party." It is an "eclectic collection with wonderful, high quality pieces." The best times to go are in the mornings during the week to avoid crowds or on Thursdays between 5pm and 8pm, when they host "Artful Evenings" with jazz and cocktails. Read more.

Ben's Chili Bowl
U Street

Ben's Chili Bowl has become a "DC institution," after surviving more than 50 years of change. Located in the historic U Street corridor, it is "still off the tourists' beaten path." Coming here for a bowl gives you "a taste of the real DC, away from the Mall and the monuments." Even celebrities like Bill Cosby come here when they're in town. "By staying relatively unchanged for more than four decades, Ben's Chili Bowl has become decidedly old school," and it's "the best chili you'll ever eat." The linoleum counters "lined with chili-dogs in red baskets" hasn't changed much. The only hint "of the modern era" is that they serve veggie burgers in addition to the chili, hot dogs, hamburgers, and steak sandwiches. Read more.

Five Guys
Georgetown

Five Guys is famous for its burgers, fries, and hot dogs. Some claim it to be "hands down the best hamburger ever." Choose from at least 15 free toppings, and try the Old Bay-seasoned fries--they are "excellent." Located "in the center of Georgetown with more around the metro area," it's the place where "all the locals go for burgers." They're open seven days a week and are "very inexpensive"--perfect after being out all night or for lunch. Read more.