Jump to content

Birthday Dinner and Lounge with a Pregnant Woman, Vegetarian, Motley Crew, and Only Moderately Expensive


ktmoomau

Recommended Posts

So my Hubby is having a fairly significant (not THAT significant, I am not that old, and he is older than me, just sayin) birthday on Jan 31.  His best friend also has a birthday (the next day) and is more a "I like to go out!" person.  Hubby would kind of like to do dinner then head to a lounge, so people that want just dinner can go then go home. People who want to stay out can do that, as well. I think it could also be a place that is kind of a combination. As his other best friend's wife is pregnant and his parents will also likely come out.  We will likely have a fair size group (10 give or take). Here are the complications:

1. Pregnant woman

2. Vegetarian (Dairy is ok, but no eggs, meat or fish)

3. Varied group of persons with different levels of food sophistication

4. Not too expensive (Entrees in the 20s are fine, over that we are pushing it with some of our friends)

There are a few places I have wanted to try like Baby Whale, which I don't know if it would be a good fit for this or not.  Hubby thought Old Town so we could potentially go to PX and Light Horse afterwards, but really we are up for anywhere in VA and DC.  I also thought about doing the cocktail portion at my condo and going to like Water and Wall, but there might end up being too many people for my condo, but I don't know...  Anyway I could use some advice, especially on the vegetarian side.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So my Hubby is having a fairly significant (not THAT significant, I am not that old, and he is older than me, just sayin) birthday on Jan 31. His best friend also has a birthday (the next day) and is more a I like to go out person. Hubby would kind of like to do dinner then head to a lounge, so people that want dinner and then go home can, and the people who want to stay out can do that, as well. I think it could also be a place that is kind of a combination. As his other best friend's wife is pregnant and his parents will also likely come out. We will likely have a fair size group (10 give or take). Here are the complications:

1. Pregnant woman

2. Vegetarian (Dairy is ok, but no eggs, meat or fish)

3. Varied group of persons with different levels of food sophistication

4. Not too expensive (Entrees in the 20s are fine, over that we are pushing it with some of our friends)

There are a few places I have wanted to try like Baby Whale, which I don't know if it would be a good fit for this or not. Hubby thought Old Town so we could potentially go to PX and Light Horse afterwards, but really we are up for anywhere in VA and DC. I also thought about doing the cocktail portion at my condo and going to like Water and Wall, but there might end up being too many people for my condo, but I don't know... Anyway I could use some advice, especially on the vegetarian side.

One of the more heralded chefs (forgetting who...not Ziebold, Ruta, Wiedmaier) is introducing a largely vegetarian restaurant in the city this year but that won't help you for the 31st.

Red Hen is great, has an active bar and the Italian emphasis would mean some great pasta dishes for the vegetarian and protein centric for you and others. They are pretty accommodating and take reservations.

14th St is now so packed with restaurants and bars you could walk a block or two from dinner to a drink spot. Kapnos, Ghibellina (former Palena sous Jonathan Copeland runs the Italian kitchen; a bit raucous of a dining room but not too loud to speak) or Lupo Verde are all good with diverse enough menus though not sure how accommodating Lupo is since haven't yet been. Can also walk to Dolcezza for a gelato after.

Or, Ripple is also really excellent, maybe a bit lost in the frenzy of 14th, Shaw and the like. It is the best now in Cleveland Park and has a beautiful dining room for a an adult celebration. Marjorie Meek-Bradley, the chef there, is also great. New American so versatile menu.

Finally, Marcel's has been entirely remade as described in today's WaPo magazine. As formal as anywhere in the city but now modernized though I'd call to see if they could really delight the vegetarian.

Edited to read: scratch Marcel's due to the expense. Others can all fit the pricing requirements with Ripple maybe a bit higher than the others.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Old Town-centric two cents:

What about dinner downstairs at Light Horse? I've had several good meals there (including last Saturday), and they have a broad enough menu that most everyone should find something to satisfy them.

I've celebrated a (slightly more ;) ) significant birthday at A la Lucia, with a similar sized group. We were able to reserve a table in private back room and had very good service from one of our favorite waiters. Their menu would hit all the price and dietary requirements, though I'm not entirely sure it meets the 'hip' criteria for young folks like yourself :P

With the news about the new chef, Columbia Firehouse might be worth a look, depending on when he'll be taking over the kitchen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unfortunately, I got overruled (I suggest Kapnos or Ghibellina followed by The Gibson or Black Jack)  we are going to Ping Pong Dim Sum then to POV for drinks.  Of course the one restaurant EVERYONE loved in India was the one I suggested and arranged, etc etc, but I digress.  But I am going to save these ideas because we go out with these friends fairly frequently.  I really didn't think about how complicated the no eggs part was, until I realized that meant no to most pasta.  I don't really get if you eat cheese, why you don't eat eggs, but I assume it's a religious thing so I haven't asked.  BUT I get to plan dinner now with Matt's parents because they are not going to come to this, so I can go to somewhere else with them.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...