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Restaurant Menus with Special Prices - Looking for Discounts at Off-Hours, on Off-Days, on Certain Things, etc.


nashman1975

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All--

My friend and I love to go out to all of the various restaurants in the area (low price to high price, DC to VA, steak joints to tapas) and we are looking for something to mix it up a bit and I wanted y'alls advice. Specifically, I need some advice on places that can do any of the following--

1. Offer tasting menus (Restaurant Eve, Maestro, etc)--either long (9 courses) or short (a few courses)

2. Have special pricing that allow for tasting a variety of things--such as Restaurant Tosca that has a 3 course $32 special from 5:30-7:00pm, or Charlie Palmers offering Restaurant Week pricing for lunch, or some place that may have a special deal to attract people on Mondays, etc.

3. Do something whimsical akin to #1 like Minibar, Cafe Atlantico's Latin Dim Sum brunch, 2941 "tapas on the terrace", or Tallulas minibites, or some place that takes a seasonal cuisine/vegetable and makes a menu out of it (say a menu using pumpkin)

4. Have cooking classes where you get to eat interactively (Galileo, Equinox, Oval Room, etc)

I am especially keen on #2, which would allow us to try more restaurants and food on a tighter budget w/o having to blow a wad on #1's all the time. I am NOT interested in half priced burger specials of happy hour specials (though they have their merit).

Thanks in advance,

Nashman

:lol:

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We have a 3 course menu from 5 to 6:30 seatings Sunday thru Thursday. Also 10 wines at 1/3 off including Moccagatta Barbaresco Bric Balin 2001 or Le Macchioche Brunello or Val di Suga Brunello 99. Wine pricing good till 7pm.

Edited by deangold
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Taberna del Alabardero has half-price tapas at the bar area, M-F, 3-6 PM. Normally ranging in price from $6.50-$17.00 (averaging $10 or so), they go way down to $3.25-$8.50 during happy hour. And the wines by-the-glass are well-chosen, beautifully served, and very good deals even at normal prices. This is one of my favorite secret hideaways for an early dinner, especially when Manolo is working - he's one of the best bartenders in town.

Cheers,

Rocks.

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21 P Restaurant at 21st and P St., NW (the Old Beducci's space on the corner of 21st and P, it's 1 block from Dupont Circle, website is 21 P Website) has a Pre-theater 3 course dinner from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm for $30 per person, but what's even better is the Bar happy hour from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with all appetizers at 1/2 price - normally appetizers are just bar food, but I had the Veal Cheeks and the Tuna Tartare and with a dessert, you basically have a 3-Course meal!

Here's the half-price menu (from 5-7 PM):

Curry Crusted Scallops w/ Coconut Grits and Pineapple Chutney

21P Olives and Olive Oil w/ Rosemary Focaccia

Truffle Potato Spring Rolls w/ Crème Fraiche and American Caviar

Cajun Braised Veal Cheeks w/ Garlic Custard and Red Pepper Coulis

Seafood Tamale (See Tamales)

Tuna Tartare w/ Wasabi Aioli, and Rice Cracker

Ask for Hanna, she's one of the owners and she will help you pair some wines with your dishes!

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Half price raw bar offerings at Old Ebbitt, Mon-Thurs 3:00-6:00 and then again 11:00-1:00 AM.  Just ask for the Orca  :lol:

edit: stupider misspelling

I'm actually a little irked at one item on their happy hour menu. Normally, the chilled lobster is $17.95, but during happy hour, it's $12.50! They'll give you $45 off an orca platter, but an extra $3.50 off the lobster would kill them?

Anyways, my contribution for the thread: Cafe Atlantico (www.cafeatlantico.com) has a $25 three-course pre-theater menu. You only have a handful of choices, but it's right in line with the deals mentioned above.

deangold: What is the pricing of your three-course menu, and what options are available?

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Cafe Atlantico (www.cafeatlantico.com) has a $25 three-course pre-theater menu. You only have a handful of choices, but it's right in line with the deals mentioned above.

Add my vote for the CA pre-theater deal. It's one of the best in the city and is often overlooked.

Edited by Banco
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I think Evening Star Cafe has a 3-course meal offering as well (all the time--not just an "early bird special," I believe), but I think the options are pretty limited (choice of one of two entrees). It works out to a free dessert, if my memory serves me correctly.

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I'm actually a little irked at one item on their happy hour menu. Normally, the chilled lobster is $17.95, but during happy hour, it's $12.50! They'll give you $45 off an orca platter, but an extra $3.50 off the lobster would kill them?

Anyways, my contribution for the thread: Cafe Atlantico (www.cafeatlantico.com) has a $25 three-course pre-theater menu. You only have a handful of choices, but it's right in line with the deals mentioned above.

deangold: What is the pricing of your three-course menu, and what options are available?

That menu at Dino can be found here:

http://dino-dc.com/menu/dino_sera.pdf

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From the Metrocurean website, it appears that they offer a $32 three course menu with many regular items included.

http://amandamc.blogspot.com/

Click here for more about Tosca's pre-theater menu. Marcel's also has a pre-theater deal - but at $48, and a limited menu, it's not as much of a deal, unless you are heading over to the Kennedy Center: it includes a free limo ride over. And if you want to come back for dessert after the show instead of before, you can do that too.

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Click here for more about Tosca's pre-theater menu.  Marcel's also has a pre-theater deal - but at $48, and a limited menu, it's not as much of a deal, unless you are heading over to the Kennedy Center:  it includes a free limo ride over.  And if you want to come back for dessert after the show instead of before, you can do that too.

Has anyone done this KC-limo ride deal? It sounds like it would be a very nice evening. I went to Marcel's once about 3 years ago on a recruiting dinner and had an excellent steak, but haven't returned since.

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Has anyone done this KC-limo ride deal?  It sounds like it would be a very nice evening.  I went to Marcel's once about 3 years ago on a recruiting dinner and had an excellent steak, but haven't returned since.

I did it a few months ago. The food at Marcel's is some of the best in the DC area, especially if your taste leans toward French food of the more traditional sort. The limo service went without a hitch.

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Has anyone done this KC-limo ride deal?  It sounds like it would be a very nice evening.  I went to Marcel's once about 3 years ago on a recruiting dinner and had an excellent steak, but haven't returned since.

I took the in-laws pre-symphony and everything was fantastic. I'd heard some mixed reviews of the limo service and was a little concerned but here's my experience in a nutshell:

Fantastic meal, fantastic wine service, and we opted for dessert before the show (they'll bring you back after if you prefer). The staff knows your showtime and keeps you on schedule. Our car was waiting outside and whisked us away in plenty of time. We took them up on the offer to bring us back for cocktails in the bar (we were feeling celebratory). After the symphony, placed a quick cell call to the driver, and I kid you not, he came whipping around the corner, dusting the taxi line and traffic, to screech to a stop right in front of the Kennedy Center. We felt like VIPs. Returned to Marcel's and drank and listened to the piano player in the bar. I was very impressed...

...and don't forget half price wine at Little Fountain Cafe on Wednesdays.

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Fahrenheit Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown has a deal where, between 6:00 and 7:00pm you get free valet parking, movie tickets to the Loews Georgetown movies and a three course (rather limited) meal for $39.50. I haven't personally tried anything other than drinks at the bar, so maybe someone else can talk about this restaurant since it seems to be one that never comes up. With the price of parking and movies in Georgetown though, this would seem to be an interesting option.

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Fahrenheit Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown has a deal where, between 6:00 and 7:00pm you get free valet parking, movie tickets to the Loews Georgetown movies and a three course (rather limited) meal for $39.50.  I haven't personally tried anything other than drinks at the bar, so maybe someone else can talk about this restaurant since it seems to be one that never comes up.  With the price of parking and movies in Georgetown though, this would seem to be an interesting option.

That deal is good enough that I might have to try it, despite what Sietsema said about the place a couple years ago:

"The Ritz-Carlton took a gamble with its design here, and it paid off, handsomely. But the hotel seems to have forgotten that people might want more than window dressing for dinner."

For that deal, I might be willing to see if things have changed.

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The DC Convention and Tourism Bureau is sponsoring a month-long promotion in February that has special discount theater offers as well as pre- or post-theater menus at many restaurants around town. Most of the menus are in the $25 to $45 range for three courses, although some places offer different arrangements such as a straight discount or a free glass of wine. The full list can be seen here.

Edited by crackers
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Before I post this - full disclosure: my husband is Saied Azali's partner in Perry's, although I do not work at Perry's or in the industry in any way. Anyway, Perry's recently introduced a bar menu:

Join us everyday for happy hour from 5:30-7:30pm. We now feature a bar menu including:

Drink Specials

$15 Bottles of wine

$5 Wine by the glass

$4 Bottled beer

$5 Smirnoff Cocktails

$9 Food Appetizers

Duck Quesadilla with Goat Cheese

Mini Tuna Burger with Melted Jack Cheese

Short Ribs with Curried Cabbage

Grilled Brie and Carmelized Onion Sandwich

Lamb Croquettes with Yogurt

*Prices available during happy hour only (5:30-7:30 pm).

PERRYS

1811 Columbia Road, NW

Washington, DC 20009

202.234.6218

PerrysAdamsMorgan.com

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At Mendocino I know it's Sunday. At least, they offered it a couple weeks ago on a Sunday...

Sunday nights feathure half-price bottles at both Mendocino (Georgetown) and Sonoma (Capitol Hill) off select lists...there are some definite jewels to be found at great prices.

Both nights are more casual, mellower neighborhood oriented nights, but reservations are still recommended.

Best,

Eli

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I've noticed that a ton of restaurants now offer pre-theater/event menus which typically offer a three course meal at a discount price albeit with limited options for each course. Kind of a poor man's restaurant week.

Anyways, I'm always looking for a good bargain. So who out there has a good pre-theater menu? I'm less concerned with service problems about not getting the food in time for the theater or other evening event. Focus on the food. Are the options good? Is it worth the typical $30 value?

Specifically, I'd love to hear people's thoughts on the early bird menu at any of the following places:

Zola, Tosca, Butterfield 9, and the Oval Room. But share your thoughts on any place. Thanks.

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http://amandamc.blogspot.com/2007/06/metro...mmer-deals.html

Oya, Dino, Charlie Palmer, and 1789 deals listed on Metrocurean:

"1789 is offering three courses for $36 through Sept. 11. Click here to sign up to receive the required coupon. One coupon is good for an entire party.

Dino welcomes the return of its Menu della Sera: Order before 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and you can get three courses for $24.

In honor of its second birthday, OYA is offering a $19 three-course lunch and $29 three-course dinner, both offered with a glass of sparkling wine. Your food is free, however, if you happen to find yourself in the preselected "dining on us" seat. And on Sundays and Mondays, OYA is offering a list of 30 wines for $30 a bottle.

Don't forget about Charlie Palmer Steak's year-round $20.07 three-course lunch deal."

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An update for Dino:

Sunday thru Thursday, Menu della Serra: 3 courses, $24. A multitudeof choices, order by 7:30pm.

Wine Wednesday: 3 wines plus an antipasto trio designed to go with them for $25

Sunday Monday & Wednesday: Wine Madness. 33% off wines over $50 a bottle.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday: Free corkage. Bring in your own bottle(s) with no charge. No limits!

Check our website for more details

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