The Inaugural Lunch
For D.C. residents and visitors alike, it seems like the planning for Inauguration has been haphazard at best. Even the people tasked with running the show don’t know what’s going on. But there is one thing we can all be certain of on Tuesday: the Inaugural lunch. The Senate has put together an entire webpage devoted to Barack Obama’s first meal as president, complete with wine pairings and recipes. The meal, which is inspired by Abraham Lincoln, features “a brace of American birds” and will be served on a replica of Mary Todd Lincoln’s china. For the overly curious, you can also learn about the flower arrangements, artwork, and weird glass tchotchkes that will be presented during the meal.

Lunch on Tuesday may prove to be more of a challenge for the cold and hungry hordes lining the Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. After all, nothing works up an appetite like standing for seven hours in the cold waiting to catch a glimpse of Barack Obama’s head. In fact, dining out this entire weekend may be difficult given the record crowds. Below are some suggestions for keeping your bellies full on Inauguration Day.

24-Hour City
They say you can get anything you want in New York at any hour. For a few days that might just as well be true in D.C. The Post has a list of restaurants near the mall that will be opening early on Tuesday so you can get your breakfast before braving the security checkpoints. Throughout the weekend, a number of bars will have extended hours, and some restaurants will be serving food around the clock. Capital Spice has created a color-coded Google Map of the 213 establishments open late.

Pack a Lunch
If you’re heading down to the parade route, it’s a good idea to bring some snacks or a sandwich with you, as you won’t want to give up your spot to go looking for something to eat. City Desk has been all over the bag size limit story, so heed their advice: don’t pack your lunch in anything larger than a classic brown lunch bag, or security may turn you away.

Every week is Restaurant Week
Many restaurants are swapping out their regular menus for special (and often expensive) Inauguration prix fixe dinners. For the more budget conscious, Alexandria is holding their very own Inauguration Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants will be offering a three course dinner for $35.00.

Calling all Cinderellas
No responses to your Craigslist plea for Inaugural ball tickets? Nothing to wear to Chef Spike’s Burger Ball? Then you might want to head over to Comet Ping Pong on Tuesday for their free Inaugural bash. There will be delicious pizza and a show headlined by Eighteenth Street Lounge artist Federico Aubele.

Photo by CBinDC