If you would like to hangout in places where political celebrities such as Senators and Representatives wind down, an advise is to familiarize yourself with power dining spots in Washington, D.C.  in areas surrounding Capitol Hill, White House, DC Penn Quarter and Georgetown.

Historic district

Another option for dining matters, not far from the power dining spots is Dupont Circle Historic District, a cosmopolitan neighborhood, the site of Washington’s finest museums, historic homes and foreign embassies as well as a variety of ethnic restaurants, luxurious hotels, bookstores, and private art galleries.

Dupont Circle is located in the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue NW, Connecticut Avenue NW, New Hampshire Avenue NW, P Street NW, and 19th Street NW.  The Circle, named after Rear Admiral Samuel Francis duPont in recognition of his Civil War service, is a green lawn with park benches, and a white marble fountain in the center.

Two types of housing dominate the Dupont Circle historic district : palatial mansions and freestanding residences built in the styles popular between 1895 and 1910; and three-and-four-story row-houses, occupied by middle-class professionals and official Washingtonians.

Depending on your time and resources there are ways to give in to the culinary lure of Dupont Circle dining establishments:

Dupont Circle food tour

Arranged by Zerve, the Dupont Circle Food Tour will take you to locally sourced dishes and specialty dining and such as Moroccan holiday cuisine, Eastern and African Tea and Authentic Japanese dishes. In some Saturdays the tour guide may even take you to try Specialty cocktails and Zero-filler crabcakes. Zerve believes that there are over 50 countries represented in Dupont Circle dining scene.

The Taste of Dupont

As an annual event, the Taste of Dupont run for an evening where participants create their own progressive dinner while sampling cuisine at some of the most popular restaurants in the area. Around 20 restaurants taking part in the event with $5 tasting tickets available, some with specially priced cocktails and wines. Raffles attracted visitors with $100 gift certificates to several of the restaurants. The Taste of Dupont  is sponsored by the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets.

Self exploration

Last week, on our trip to Washington, D.C., we walked along P. Street NW, west of Dupont Circle Metro Station to explore dining establishments in that particular street. Within 2 blocks we found quite a number of ethnic and American restaurants with different price ranges.

The ever-popular Scion Restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine that is sophisticated comfort food with menu that changes seasonally. Scion is the hard work and passion of Joanne and Julie Liu, daughters of immigrant restaurateurs in DC.   Last July, next to Scion, the sisters opened Crios, a new big modern Mexican restaurant, also based on comfort food philosophy.

Urbana Restaurant in Hotel Palomar  offered a five-Course Wine Pairing Dinner from Executive Chef John Critchley paired with legendary Clos Pegase wines. It was designed for both amateur enthusiasts and wine aficionados alike.

P Street is also abound with specialty cuisines such as Alberto’s, home of the Chicago Deep Dish ; Ezme Restaurant and Wine Bar, inspired by Turkish home made cuisine; Bangkok Thai Dining; New Dynasty Chinese Restaurant ; Panas Gourmet Empanadas, Latin fusion turnovers; Le Pain Quotidien , a bakery with a unique communal table; and Al Tiramisu, an Italian Restaurant with George Clooney as its celebrity customer.

Embassy events

The part extending along Massachusetts Avenue from Dupont Circle toward the National Cathedral is known as the Embassy Row, offices and homes to many of Washington's foreign embassies that in many occasions promote their countries’ culinary options.

The Indonesian Embassy, for example,  has organized high profile events with culinary elements, including the 2011 Indonesian Festival themed Celebrating Multiculturalism. This year, the  Embassy has held several events including, Bazaar Indonesia 2012, Indonesian Street Festival, and Indonesian Food Day part of DC Public Schools Global Food Day Program

Dupont Circle Farmers Market

Dupont Circle does not only cater to the culinary whim of Washingtonians, politicians, and diplomats as it also supports local farmers.  Every Sunday  FRESHFARMDupont offers fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, breads, flowers and  plants. On good days you just may meet political celebrities at Dupont Circle farmers market

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Images: Embassy of Indonesia, Omar Niode Foundation