Calamari at the Hamilton. | Tierney Plumb/Eater DC Both situated right near the White House, the Hamilton is admittedly overshadowed by its older and more famous sibling, Old Ebbitt. While that cash-cow raw bar needs no introduction, the Hamilton remains a sleeper hit that strays from the ty pical American menu its Clyde’s Restaurant Group is known for (see: sushi served until late).  What to order You can’t throw a shoe without hitting calamari around these 9-to-5 parts of downtown D.C., but the Hamilton’s version is an all-time best seller for a reason ($16.99). The menu carves out room for Clyde’s classics like burgers, build-your-own charcuterie and cheese boards, and steaks that swing on the pricey side (mid-$50s). Subtle Asian influences show up in starters, from a miso-Caesar salad ($15.99), to a fish market section featuring sesame-crusted bigeye tuna ($36.99). Sushi is synonymous with going out, and a designated counter assembles stellar rolls until 1 a.m. A long list of cooked and raw rolls like the spicy yellowtail ($17.99) are $5 off for a few hours a day.  The vibe Snag a window booth to shield yourself from the tourist-heavy dining room via operable curtains. Even if your date is boring, at least you have prime vistas of a who’s-who walking into the Willard hotel across F Street NW. Know before you go Don’t drive; while there’s a designated garage on G Street, the area’s ongoing construction, hotel valets, and security details clog up street parking spots. The Metro Center stop is a block away. Insider tip  After dinner, head downstairs to Hamilton’s live music venue for free shows on Friday and Saturday featuring tribute bands to everyone from the Talking Heads to George Harrison. Equipped with a high-tech lighting and sound system, the subterranean stage surrounded by framed prints of lyrical legends like David Bowie and Amy Winehouse offers a temporary reprieve from the bulldozed chaos going on up top at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.  ...read more read less