Tuesday, February 14, 2012

DC residents: restaurant recommendation?

I'm only looking for recommendations for places you've personally been to in the past year or so. We'll be staying overnight in DC and would like a moderately romantic dinner setting. No suit/jacket requirements, please, but I would prefer to lean toward upscale. However, if the food is fantastic, I'll take any suggestions. I'm a steak eater, and he loves fish but will really eat anything flavored right. Prefer something close to metro stops and within downtown DC. Please no national franchises (Ruth Criss, Gordon Beirsch, Red Lobster, etc) as we're looking for something we can't find at home. Personal dish recommendations and description of your visit would be greatly appreciated! Any users who would like to second someone else's suggestion, please do so!DC residents: restaurant recommendation?
I have two great suggestions for you.



You don't say where you will be staying in DC, but I am assuming you will be in the middle of downtown and you want "regular" food (no unusual ethnic cuisines, for which we have plenty of good restaurants). If so, either of these will be terrific.



The Tabard Inn, at 1739 N Street, NW (near 18th and N) has a lovely, romantic atmosphere, with good meat and seafood. It is upscale but not stratospheric. At dinner, entrees are in the mid-$20's, so you might spend about $75 plus tax, tip and wine. (If rack of lamb is available as a special, splurge on that.) http://www.tabardinn.com/rest.htm



Prices are slightly lower at The Old Ebbitt Grill. It's been around (at different sites) for something like 200 years, although the current location is just in an office building. There is a bit more bustle at Old Ebbitt than at the Tabard Inn, but I think it still fits with the notion of "moderately romantic." Dinner entrees there are more like $18-20. If you go, stop at the bar and ask to see the stuffed bear that once belonged to Alexander Hamilton. The Old Ebbitt is on 15th Street, close to the White House. http://www.ebbitt.com/main/index-flash.c鈥?/a>



The Old Ebbitt is now operated by the Clyde's Restaurant group. Clyde's is another Washington institution, and might itself be a reasonable choice for something even simpler. (Think of pub food with a Ph.D.) The original location is in the Georgetown section, which is itself fun to walk around in, but I haven't been to the original Clyde's in several years. Just understand that Clyde's started out as a bar, and it made its reputation on hamburgers and chili. It has come a long way since then, but there is still some of that feel to it.



Whatever you do, try to stay away from the seafood restaurants along the DC waterfront. They are all huge tourist traps, with food that is never more than ordinary. (If for some reason you _have_ to eat in that area, the best of a not very good lot is Pier 7.)



Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit!!
There are so many great restaurants in DC! I like Firefly in Dupont Circle for romantic--they serve American cuisine. The cafe at Palena in Cleveland Park is also very good--the burger and fry plate is fantastic, but you can get other stuff as well. PS7's in the Chinatown area is also great for cured meats and wine. Check out donrockwell.com for other food recommendations.DC residents: restaurant recommendation?
Tabard Inn between the Dupont and Foggy Bottom Metros

(202) 331-8528 located at 1739 N just East of Conneticut



It is really good and very unique, set in an old hotel, great food and wine menu and won't break the bank. My wife and I went there following a dinner at 1789 (the DC of DC restaurants) and had the best meal with a bunch of friends. It blew 1789 out of the water. I had the Pork Tenderloin and it was so so so good!! With Wine and Tip $130 for the two of us.



Obelisk

2029 P St NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 872-1180 Near Dupont Metro

Obelisk fixed menu but really amazing food. Very hard to get a table as the restaurant is very small so call ahead. Great cheese board and appetizers. They bring you about 4-6 starters prior to the meal. Epicurean delight!!! A little more expensive than Tabarad but worth it. With wine and tip $200
My husband and I love The Oceanaire Seafood Room! It's a fantastic restaurant with delicious food, a beautiful atmosphere, and very good service. It's located at: 1201 F Street NW. We have never had a bad meal there.

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