Mdawg is pretty essential, but I promise you that Jumbo Slice is not as bad as its reputation. I don't even know how it GOT that reputation! I mean, yes, it's a touch greasier, but it's giant floppy thin crust pizza that is not -- I swear! -- that bad of an imitation of New York pizza. Also, it's right next to Pharmacy Bar (aka: the Best Bar in Adams Morgan. You heard me.)

What makes RX Bar so good?

Three things make Pharmacy Bar the best:

1. Great drinks. Never mixed too weak, never mixed too strong. Decent selection of beers (only three on tap, but they have bottled as well), but the bartenders are all really great. Can do fancy shooters, or a perfectly mixed cran and vodka, and it's NOT expensive in the least. Also, talking up the waiters often gets a couple drinks taken off your bill (and if you can draw, bring your art)

2. Great atmosphere. Lots of tables, seats, including a bar with stools around the giant bay window that looks over the street (fabulous for drunken people watching). They've also got a great, huge jukebox, two sets of video games (a shooting game, and a sit down table Ms. PacMan/Galaga game), and the bar is really set on NOT being crowded. If they feel it's too packed inside, they'll ask you to come back in a little bit instead of letting you in. That means whenever you're in there, while it might be hopping and full, you never feel too crowded, and you can still usually get a place to sit. That keeps the atmosphere inside relaxed and happy always.

3. Great staff and decor. They may all look like hipsters (that's the kind of crowd this bar definitly caters to), but all the waiters are SUPER nice (use them for table service.. it's way easier than fighting a crowd at the bar, they're fast and efficient, and they've never messed up one of my orders and I've been there with 2 people and with 12 people) and good at what they do. Also, the bar is decorated in a pharmacy theme (the owner was a Latvian pharmacist before he came to America and opened the bar), with pills laquered into the tables and old bottles and vials in medicine cabinets on the walls.

Even on the busiest Saturday night, Pharmacy is never overcrowded, never filled with obnoxious asshats, and never disappointing. And, on Sunday morning (and, well, every morning) they make brunch and lunch, and their food is really, REALLY good.

Clearly, this deserves its own post on my blog. Coming soon.