I set out to pick up some soup for lunch at the Au Bon Pain inside L'Enfant Plaza's La Promenade set of shops, to find the store all closed up. In fact all of the shops around it were also closed. It looks like they are finally getting read to renovate that cluster of shops/eateries. (Hopefully a good Happy Hour spot will move in ... SW DC near my office is sorely lacking in the bar department). And while it appeared that most of the other eateries had moved to another location... Au Bon Pain seems closed for good :(

On the plus side.... I came across a pizza joint that has NYC by the slice pizza.... and it was GOOD! Its called Pizza Autentica..... 300 7th St SW.... basically kitty-corner to the HUD building.

I'll have been working in DC for 3 years come February... and since I have been here I have heard many times that the Native American Museum has a great cafeteria. And today is the day I finally went! My lunch buddy had heard that the previous group that had the cafeteria contract at the Ford House Office building now were working at Voice of America. So we started walking over there.... alas when we asked someone exiting if there was a cafeteria inside, he replied "Yes, but you need clearance to get in". So I suggested the Native American Museum.

Entry was quick and soon enough we found the cafe. Many choices from buffalo burgers, to salmon, to burritos, to tacos were to be found. I ended up with a Chicken Tamale with peanut sauce and a Key Lime tart. Both were good, but a bit pricey - over $13 and no beverage. But Federal workers get a 10% discount! So we may be back :)

Passed this sign yesterday. Potbelly now has online ordering! The Potbelly near my office always has a huge line after 11:45am so this could help. Quiznos "secret" salad/soup line may now have some competition in the contest to get the fastest service after noon!

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