Restaurant review: Burrito Brothers
205 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C.
202-543-6835

Capitol Hill is known for prigs in suits, stumbling tourists, classic architecture and little else. It’s sure not known for its food.

Of late, a few advances have been made in the area, but in general, it’s a culinary wasteland. And don’t even try for a reasonably priced, tasty lunch.

One of the few edible establishment is Burrito Brothers, but only just.

Restaurant review: The Well Dressed Burrito
1220 19th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-293-0516

The Palm may be the most powerful lunch spot in Washington, but the Well Dressed Burrito, within spitting distance, is the most hidden.

Restaurant review: Meiwah
1200 New Hampshire Ave.
Washington, D.C.
202-833-2888

It’s a fact: Chinese food in Washington isn’t worth its weight in moo shu.

Other Asian cuisines boast delicious outposts in the region. Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian and Korean all feature excellent traditional restaurants, and some are even known to experiment with a more contemporary flair.

Even Malaysia, with 25 million residents, is accorded higher culinary acclaim in Washington than is China, home to 1.3 billion.

Meiwah, with its main location on New Hampshire Ave. and another in Chevy Chase, is one of the better choices for Chinese. It doesn’t take many chances, but the food is higher quality than many of its peers.

Restaurant review: Rumi
2001 L St NW
Washington, D.C.
202-331-1922

Rumi took over the space occupied by a lackluster pizza/Mexican luncheonette. Though the new owners must feel obligated to keep the truly mediocre pizza, some new menu items are worth a look.

Two sandwiches in particular are worth a try.

Restaurant review: Pedro and Vinny's
Southwest corner of 15th and K Streets

Street vendors and their carts are good for half smokes and Utz potato chips, right? Maybe a bottle of water on a hot day. But burritos?

Restaurant review: Casey's Coffee
2000 L Street NW Washington, D.C.
(202) 530-8897

This coffee shop serves up a pretty good lunch on the go, and their coffee isn't too shabby either.

Restaurant review: Galileo Grill
1110 21st St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-293-7191
Web site

UPDATE: Galileo Grill is closed until September 2007, but his sandwiches are available at Bebo Trattoria in Crystal City.

Smug (n) - marked by excessive self-satisfaction

Or...the emotion you feel walking back to the office with a sandwich from Galileo Grill each time you pass some workaday schmo with his limp Subway sandwich baggie.

Restaurant review: Greek Deli
1120 19th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-296-2111

By Pete Daniledes

As you approach the Greek Deli, the first thing you notice is the line, often stretching across the sidewalk to the curb. But take heart: the few extra minutes is a wise investment when the return is a large, made-that-day portion of quality Greek food from this takeout-only establishment.

Restaurant review: Bobby Van's Steakhouse
809 15th St. NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 589-0060
Web site

This manly bastion of wood panels and leather, steps from the White House, offers the typical Washington "power" dining experience: decent steaks, crappy service.