The Diner

The cops love this Adams Morgan neighborhood diner, complete with red vinyl barstools, a tile floor, pressed tin ceiling, and Ella Fitzgerald crooning from the sound system. Open 24-7, The Diner promises to serve "early birds, night owls, and everyone in between." Portions go beyond huge to gargantuan. The "Croque and Dagger," a mystery of eggs, bacon, béchamel, melted Gruyère, and toasted French bread comes with home fries. For lunch or dinner, the succulent ginger-lime-glazed swordfish accompanied by steamed rice and a side salad is a tangy treat.

Sushi Aoi
Exceptional sushi can really suck the yen out of your wallet. But not at Sushi Aoi. Take the Roll Combo. The perfect choice for newcomers to sushi, the combo features a tuna roll, a cucumber roll, and a California roll. Each delicate roll uses exceptional ingredients that seemed far more luxurious than the $9.50 price tag. Miso soup and a mixed green salad come free of charge with all entrées. Dinner prices are just $2 to $3 higher, on average, than the lunch prices.

Next2 Amys