The corner of 13th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. NW may contain the best lunch value downtown. No, we’re not talking about the the all-too-familiar basement level food court or street vendor. Instead, look up and join the world thought leaders at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Located in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, their café is a secret lunch spot of sorts, but it’s not too hard to find. All you have to do is: pass through the metal detectors at the southernmost entrance, sign in at the guards desk., take the Wilson elevators to the 6th floor, and make a couple of lefts. And one last thing … plan on a late lunch. Employees at the Center may dine anytime. For you? 1:30 – 2 p.m.

Once the scholars have had their fill, the café is opened to us regular folk. There’s enough food to go around, and the expected quality and below market prices are worth the wait. The sparse menu selection can be reminiscent of a high school cafeteria at times, but there are enough choices to please most anyone. Rotating entrée specials might include a roast leg of lamb. Tender and rare, it’s a dish a restaurant could charge over $20 for. We got it with two sides for $5.30. On themed days, such as Indian day, a plate full of daal, sautéed zucchini, and steamed rice goes for $2.60.