There is a world out there beyond the "555 deal" and late night lo mein. College students can dine at many of D.C.'s most exclusive restaurants and still have money for tuition, if they know where and when to go.
Caf? Atlantico 405 8th Street NW, between D and E streets Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial (yellow and green lines)
The name Jose Andres might sound familiar. He's the James Beard Award-winning papa of small-plate restaurants Jaleo, Oyamel, Zaytinya and Latin-themed Caf? Atlantico. With the publication of his cookbook, Andres is set to become even more of an international culinary star than he already was.
Andres gives everyone a chance to sample his experimental (and sometimes slightly weird) cuisine at Caf? Atlantico. Try the guacamole, prepared tableside, any time for $10 (plenty for the whole table). From 5 to 6:30 p.m., Caf? Atlantico offers an appetizer, an entr?e and dessert for only $22 per person. Munch shrimp with candied pumpkin seeds, pumpkin puree, lime air (!) and vanilla oil on one of the restaurant's three levels.
Les Halles 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Metro: Metro Center (red, orange and blue lines)
With his gonzo kitchen memoir, "Kitchen Confidential," and Food Network specials, Anthony Bourdain has propelled New York-based chain Les Halles to fame. Try two courses between 5:30 and 7 p.m. for $17.89 - 1789 being the year of the French revolution. Start with a salad and then tuck into the brasserie's signature steak frites or gratin du macaroni (also known as mac and cheese).
Palena 3259 Connecticut Avenue Metro: Cleveland Park (red line)
It's delicious to dream about Palena's three tasting menus for $52, $59 and $66, but this Cleveland Park gem also houses a more reasonably priced front-of-the-house caf?. Get there before 7 p.m. or be prepared to wait in linebehind locals for the best cheeseburger in D.C. A juicy burger dressed in truffle-studded cheese on a homemade bun complemented with fried potatoes and lemons is a great deal for $9. Also try Ruta's organic roasted chicken for the same price. Swirl and sniff a $5 to $9 glass of wine and pretend you've graduated.
Citronelle, at Latham Hotel 3000 M Street NW Metro: Take a 32, 33, 34 or 36 Metrobus from Tenleytown.
Most of us mere mortals have not experienced fois gras brulee and lobster medallions next to celebrities. Take a seat in the lounge instead and skip to the dessert menu for real treats like chocolate flakes, minted milk, bergamot ice cream and the crunchy, creamy "chocolate bar." Chef Michel Richard is set to open Bistronelle, a more moderately priced place in Penn Quarter, next year.
Poste 700 F Street NW Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown (red, yellow and green lines)
Stop by swinging art-deco Hotel Monaco for truffled frites, crispy French fries dressed in $1,500-a pound-truffles, for $10.
Galileo Laboratorio 1110 21st Street NW Metro: Farragut North (red line)
Chef Roberto Donna vied (unsuccessfully) for the Iron Chef America crown a few months ago. See this celebrity chef in person, flinging homemade hot dogs for $3.50, small pizzas for $5 and pork shoulder sandwiches smothered in his green sauce for $5. Shoot an email to grill@galileodc.com for grill dates and times.
Old Ebbitt 675 15th Street NW Metro: Metro Center (red line)
Maybe this isn't exactly fine dining, but tell that to oyster-loving loyalists who jam into one of three bars for half-price raw shellfish Monday through Thursday from 11 p.m. to midnight. Old Ebbitt operators Clyde's Restaurant Group will open a Gallery Place outpost at Seventh and H streets NW sometime this month.
