We were lucky to be seated at this restaurant without reservations because it was absolutely packed on the Friday night we ate there. We had looked through a local restaurant listing from the hotel we were staying at and just chose Bangkok Joe's because it sounded interesting. We were more than pleasantly surprised. It was definitely the highlight of our eating experiences in Washington.

The restaurant is brightly decorated in reds and golds, with many ethnic sculptures and art pieces. It's a comfortable place but has a very busy, cosmopolitan feel to it. The food is fantastic, both in taste and presentation. We actually just ordered several appetizers instead of individual entrees so that we could get a taste of many different things, and we were glad we did because there were too many appetizing items on the menu to choose just one. Their dumplings are out of this world, but everything was delicious.

I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys Asian food. In fact, we enjoyed it so much, we plan to go back the next time we visit Washington D.C.

As a D.C. resident, I have toiled in the fields of famine seeking out decent restaurants. This is one of my current favorites. The food is reasonably priced, generously portioned, and offbeat enough to be fun. Presentations are beautiful, and this is one restaurant that is actually quiet enough for conversation! Let's just say it's my current favorite place to go with a friend for a fun meal and catching up. One tip - go for the regular menu items, the dumplings, buns, and rice and noodle bowls, as they are the best bargains and the "chef's specials" aren't special enough.

This funky little bistro offers great service (clientele is mostly Georgetown lawyers and lobbyists, who demand good service), good prices, funky decor, and fabulous food. One side of the restaurant is designated a "Dumpling Bar," and dumplings are well highlighted on the menu. You can get wontons, rolls, buns, or dumplings filled with lobster, pork, mushrooms, duck, or many other options.

In addition, there are noodle bowls and rice bowls with favorite recipes like pad thai and more experimental offerings like eggplant with spicy bean-basil sauce.

Importantly, most anyone can find a comfort zone here. Dad can get plain old pork fried rice with a spring roll, or yours truly, the vegetarian, can get squash potstickers followed by wild mushrooms and tofu with ginger sauce.

There's even a mixed green salad. Lunch is slightly cheaper than dinner, but even dinner entrees top out at $15.95.

How good is it? I work a block up the street - I go at least once a month for lunch, and everyone in my office takes visiting clients, and more importantly, visiting family, to Bangkok Joe's.