I haven't done a question and answer post in a while because I've been crazy busy. Things are calming down a little now, and hopefully I'll get caught up with my emails, but for those of you that sent me questions that I didn't respond to, I'm sorry.

Jason,
I need a recommendation, and fast! I'm coming to town April 8th to advance celebrate my friend's wedding. It is my task to find a restaurant for Saturday night, in or around Dupont Circle. The ride-to-be would like some place classy where we can get dressed up and have drinks (in addition to a good meal). I need some place that won't break the bank.

Can you suggest a moderately priced restaurant with great food, a "grown up" atmosphere and a wine and cocktail list? Cuisine can be American, fusion, European... I prefer ethnic, but unfortunately, it's not me that's getting married!

Thanks and best wishes,
Maeve

Well, If I were going to go out for dinner in Dupont, I would either go to Komi, Al Tiramisu, or 21P. If you've read my web site at all, you already know my opinion of Komi. You'll have a great Italian meal at Al Tiramisu, but it will probably be more expensive than Komi and therefore not as good of a value. 21P is new, and I haven't actually eaten there myself, but I've heard some positive things about it.

If you're party is looking to get some drinks and have a fun night out, I don't feel like Dupont is your best bet. There are plenty of "trendy" places in Dupont, but I don't feel that any of them have a good combination of great food and service. If you're looking for that, your best bet is to go Downtown or to Penn Quarter. Rasika in Penn Quarter will please all of you, as will Ceiba or Acadiana in the Downtown area.

Jason,
My boyfriend lives in the DC area and I'm coming down this weekend for his birthday.  I'd love to take him out somewhere nice but we're both graduate students and therefore the budget is...well, tight. No other real restrictions though.  Do you have any inexpensive, but classy places that you recommend?  Even something along the lines of a brunch would work.  We love mimosas

Thanks for your help, and keep up the great work with your site and your son!  He is mesmerizing.

All the best,
Ashley

Brunches in DC aren't very good in my experience and the ones that are good are pretty expensive...

For classy yet reasonably priced you have a few options.
Dino has great food at reasonable prices. Get the lasagnette or cinghiale and ask for a recommendation from the extensive and reasonably priced wine list. Tabard Inn is a smart choice for brunch if you're not looking for one of those $20 all you can eat buffets and it has a talented chef as well. 2 Amys is one of my favorite places to eat in the city, but the atmosphere is loud. Finally,  there's Osteria del Galileo. It's been a while since I've eaten here, but it's very inexpensive and it's in the same restaurant as Galileo, run by world famous chef Roberto Donna (he was and will be on Iron Chef again.) If you go, specify that you want to sit in the Osteria -- it's the area to the right of the bar. The prices at the real Galileo will give you a heart attack if you're looking for reasonably priced fare. The only problem is that the food can be a little hit or miss at times because they rotate what's available on the menu frequently, but most of the time it's very good.

Jason,
By any chance are you aware of a Costa Rican restaurant in the DC area?
Gracias,
Emily

Sadly, there are none in DC. I think that's one of the few ethnic cuisines that we are missing. Anyone out there know of a Costa Rican restaurant that I don't know of?

Jason,
Help!  Easter Sunday in DC, son is vegetarian (not vegan)...we are from Rochester, NY but get to DC often, but holidays there always stump me. 
Thanks,
Way out there in UpState NY.

First, why are you yelling at me with big bold text? (kidding)

I'm going to toss this one up to readers because vegetarian cuisine isn't my forte, but Viridian and Vegetate come to mind.

Is there any way I could convince you to divulge where I might get
that extra special burger???

Nope. Sorry.