 | | | | | | | | | | BARS & CLUBS |  | Brickskeller: 1,000 bottles of beer on the wall -- give or take.
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| |  |  Dining on the National Mall
By Alexa Beattie
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Monday, March 10, 2003
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| |  The National Mall. (Photo by Robert A. Reeder/The Washington Post) | For the uninformed, finding something tasty on the National Mall is a chore that more often than not ends at the half-smoke cart. Most museums and galleries contain within their walls some kind of refreshment, even if it's only a sausage roll and a bag of chips. Some, however, take the concept a little further, providing more-glamorous full-scale meals. Check our list and see what tickles your fancy. National Museum of American History:
The Main Street Cafe is a self-service cafeteria located on the ground floor across from the Museum Shop. Stop in for a selection of hot entrees, burgers, hot dogs, deli sandwiches, etc.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Breakfast is served from 10 to 11.
The Palm Court on the first floor serves ice cream and light refreshments. Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. National Museum of Natural History:
The self-serve Atrium and Fossil cafes at the Museum of Natural History have salads, pasta dishes, soups and desserts. Bear in mind that during tourist season, the cafes can be packed. So plan on an early or late lunch to avoid the crowds.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. National Gallery of Art:
Between the East and West wings of the National Gallery is the Cascade Cafe/Espresso Bar. Come here for a wide range of foods, served canteen style: salads, pizza, hot dogs, burritos, deli sandwiches, antipasti, cookies, cakes and pies. Or select from the hot buffet of homey dishes that change daily -- roast pork loin, roasts of beef, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, etc. Sit down and be soothed by the cascading water sculpture after a hard day's slog through marble halls.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Note: The Espresso and Gelato Bar, in the same space, serves homemade ice cream, salads, some sandwiches and, of course, coffee. Its hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Garden Cafe, next to the gift shop on the ground floor of the West Building, is a full-service restaurant serving traditional American fare. Alabaster walls, a fountain and plenty of greenery make it a tranquil spot for lunch. The menu changes seasonally and offers a selection of interesting sandwiches (in spring: a vegetarian club, a grilled chicken and a smoked salmon with caper mayonnaise), good salads (marinated grilled vegetables with goat cheese and greens) and a few main courses (in spring: poached halibut, vegetable crepes and lasagna primavera). The Garden Cafe has a small list of wines and takes reservations. Call 202-216-2494. In the East Building, on the upper level beneath the Calder mobile, the Coffee Bar provides a nice view of the Mall along with a light snack -- cold drinks, cookies, espresso, etc.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. The National Gallery's newest food service addition is the Sculpture Garden's Pavilion Cafe that has views of the skating rink through its floor-to-ceiling windows. A pleasant little menu offers pizzas (garden, white and Italian), salads, wraps and sandwiches. A children's menu is also available. During skating season (through March 15), the cafe is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Otherwise, hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call 202-289-3360 for more information. National Air & Space Museum:
The world's most visited museum is furnished with the Wright Place Restaurant, which has menu items from McDonald's, Boston Market and Donato's Pizzeria. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 202-357-2700 for more information. Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden:
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Hirshhorn's Full Circle Cafe serves a variety of gourmet sandwiches, salads, fresh pizzas, etc., outside on the Hirshhorn Plaza next to the fountain -- a pleasant way to spend a lunch hour, providing it isn't too hot.
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (to 8 p.m. on Thursdays). Smithsonian Castle:
Known as the Commons, this 19th-century dining room at the Smithsonian Castle opens to the public daily. Arched windows, vaulted ceilings and heavy wood make for "ye olde" atmosphere that many will enjoy. Come on Saturdays for a set buffet ($15.95). Brunch on Sunday (in the company of a harpist) is $29.95 with special prices for seniors and children under 10; the menu consists of carved roasts, veggies, breads, desserts, etc. Call 202-786-1229 for reservations.
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:
The Museum Cafe at the Holocaust Memorial Museum offers a primarily vegetarian menu with a smattering of fish. Among the offerings: knishes, matzoh ball soup, tuna, egg and vegetable wraps, vegetarian salads, smoked salmon sandwiches and a selection of desserts.
Hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | | |
