Vapianos

Cheesehead has recently introduced me to Vapiano's on 18th and M st. It's a small chain based in Europe. You go in, they give you a little card, and then whatever you order they put on the card (really helps if dinning with lots of people and splitting the check). You can order pastas, salads, and pizzas - all made to order. The place has a cosmopolitan loungy feeling to it, and can be fun for a happy hour or more inexpensive dinner before going out in Dupont or Georgetown. Plus I like the little desserts for 2.50.

My only complaint is, even though yes, it IS made to order, the lines are incredibly slow. You order at the counter and stand there while they make it, and it's probably a 5 minute process per customer. When you have a packed lunch crowd, thats a lot of customers and a very slow moving line. They're opening another outlet in Chinatown this December, I hope they get their act together on the timing before then because that one will be crazy busy. Also worth noting, there aren't really waiters per se, so you will need to get your own drinks if there for happy hour.