What to do in Washington DC?

December 9, 2011 12:59 PM

Going to Washington, D.C. next week. Looking for some upscale restaurants and local events to keep me occupied - lectures, film screenings, and the like. I'll be in town from the 11th to the 16th.
posted by matkline to Travel & Transportation around Washington, DC (9 answers total)

Let mw know if you'd like a behind-the-scenes Library of Congress tour. Lots of MeFites have done it, including our favorite librarian/mod.
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:28 PM on December 9, 2011

Best answer: A few things that are coming up:

12/11, 2PM: Free screening of "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" at the Freer and Sackler Galleries (there are also gallery talks coming up, and you'll have a rare chance to see Whistler's Peacock Room with its shutters open on the 15th.)

12/14, 3PM: Behind the scenes tour of the conservation lab at the American Art Museum.

12/14, 6PM: Kimberley Phillips talks about her book War! What Is It Good For? Black Freedom Struggles and the U.S. Military from World War II to Iraq at the National Portrait Gallery.

12/15, 6:30PM: Free screening of "Hana: The Tale of a Reluctant Samurai" at the Japan Information and Cultural Center.

12/15, 7 & 10PM: "A Clockwork Orange" on the big screen at the AFI Silver Theatre [Silver Spring, MD, easily accessible by Metro - have a drink at the decidedly not upscale, but great Quarry House Tavern afterward if you go.]

12/16, 12:30 PM: Hirshhorn Museum curator Mika Yoshitake talk about Robert Smithson. Kara Walker will also be giving a talk about Andy Warhol on the 11th at 7PM.

12/16, 7PM: Poet Jacqueline Osherow and scholar Michele Osherow discuss the poetry of the King James Bible at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Exhibits: "Unbuilt Washington" at the National Building Museum, "ColorForms" at the Hirshhorn, "Harry Callahan at 100" at the National Gallery of Art.

I highly recommend having dinner at Nora and stopping for sandwich at Breadline
posted by ryanshepard at 2:25 PM on December 9, 2011 [2 favorites]

We recently had dinner at America Eats Tavern, slightly upscale and pretty cool. They collaborate with the National Archives and their menu reflects that. Can also recommend Oyamel for Mexican tapas.
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 3:08 PM on December 9, 2011

Rasika is a pretty upscale Indian place. I and everyone I know who's been there think it's one of the best restaurants in DC.
posted by sashapearl at 3:57 PM on December 9, 2011

When in DC, I always go to Jaleo. If you go, please have a sherry flight for me and some of those bacon wrapped dates.

Your trip sounds wonderful!
posted by pointystick at 6:16 PM on December 9, 2011

Oyamel, Jaleo, America Eats, and the as-yet-unmentioned Zaytinya are all run by Jose Andres. I've not been to America Eats, but the others are excellent, with Jaleo at the top of my list.
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:56 PM on December 9, 2011

Can you give us just a little more info? For example, where in DC will you be staying and what kind of food are you interested for the restaurants? That's where I can help the most, also I highly recommend anything at the Woolley Mammoth Theater, they're the best.
posted by echo0720 at 7:05 PM on December 9, 2011

I had an excellent dinner at Acadiana a few years ago.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:02 PM on December 9, 2011

seconding Acadiana and Rasika, and also try ...

Ceiba (part of the same restaurant group that owns Acadiana)
http://www.ceibarestaurant.com/ceiba.html

Proof is very nice if you're into wine.
http://proofdc.com/

Founding Farmers is also a win.
http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/

Ray's the Steaks if you want meat (technically this is in Arlington, but it's easy to get to)
http://raysthesteaks.com/

Also Ben's Chili Bowl is not the least bit upscale, but it's a local "thing"
http://www.benschilibowl.com/ordereze/default.aspx
posted by mccxxiii at 3:28 PM on December 10, 2011