PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended

There goes the neighborhood, some say, only we're talking gentrification here. Some longtime residents are not so crazy about the fact that this precious restaurant/bar attracts legions, including food critics, who are awarding the place several stars. And you know what that means: double-parked cars, lines out the door, and rowdy customers into the wee hours. This part of D.C. is changing, no doubt about it; if you're intrigued, Café Saint-Ex is worth investigating. Named for author/aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the dining room builds on the flight idea with black-and-white photos of pilots and aviation memorabilia. The critics are crowing about the charming atmosphere and certain items on the menu, like the roast chicken; the grilled mahimahi; and the beets, grapefruit, and feta cheese salad. Personally, I love the fried green tomato BLT. D.C. hipsters stay on or arrive later to get in on Saint's nightlife scene, which features a DJ spinning hip-hop or indie tunes downstairs at Gate 54.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Washington, D.C. 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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