vietnam wall washington dc The ultra-cool attitude continues in the guest r ooms, which ar e sleek, modern, and subtly accented

INEXPENSIVE Arlequin SANDWICHES Opened by the owners of nearby Absinthe, a swanky restaurant for the pre-theater set, Arlequin serves the needs of hungry shoppers, sightseers, and local merchants vietnam wall washington dc in search of a nice, simple lunch in a lo vely setting. Order a homemade soup , a flav orful sandwich with a gourmet touch think r oasted chicken with tangy aioli or a freshly made salad and head out to the surprisingly pleasant and serene garden out back. or at least it will be ser ene until the kids start running amok. (Well, better outside than inside.)

The British tradition of high t ea is quite different vietnam wall washington dc from afternoon tea. High tea was a hearty meal eaten by the working class around the kitchen table, which often featured high-back chairs hence the name. Afternoon tea is a more delicate affair with guests perched on the end of cushioned chairs and sett ees, and with the lady of the house pla ying Mother, a term of endearment bestowed on the person in charge of pouring the tea.

The ultra-cool attitude continues in the guest r ooms, which ar e sleek, modern, and subtly accented rather than overcome by color. Wall units house entertainment centers, and shutters replace curtains on the windows. (The clean lines are handsome, but they don t block light completely.) Sharing a double-double could cut housing rates back to the moderate range. Connecting king and double-double r ooms work well for larger families. Rollaway beds are only allowed in Cool Corner king r ooms. Fantastic Suites, starting at $1,000, connect vietnam wall washington dc a Cool Corner r oom with a sitting room that has a Murphy bed. Other child-pleasing features include an indoor lap pool and r oom service. Adults will appreciate the views and the 24-hour concierge ser vices.

CALIFORNIA/BRUNCH Named after the street it s on, this low-key spot is in a part of town that really was once the town s end, with little beyond it except warehouses and other industrial buildings. Now the little neighborhood of South Beach FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING