funkyfood

Taken from Eater:

Izakaya Seki doesn't traditionally offer an omakase menu, given its casual atmosphere, but proprietor Cizuka Seki says the chef can arrange something like an omakase experience, given some advance notice. Contact the restaurant to ask for more information. The price depends on diners' needs, and has been more or less than $60 per person.

I have a random question that's not big enough of a deal to warrant its own Help Needed thread.

erin79 will be meeting up with her friends at Convivial for brunch.  I'd like to take our 3 year-old son somewhere within close walking distance for a much more casual lunch.  The places that came to mind first (Dino, Zenebech, A Baked Joint) are all slightly too far away -- I will have just landed from a redeye after several days of fun in Vegas, so trying to minimize further transit.  Any other ideas?

what about sundevich (closed on sundays) or chaplin's (just okay...)

Todd Kliman had similar thoughts yesterday

what about the omakase at izakaya seki?

They aren't doing the counter on weekends in April (they have a different schedule during the Cherry Blossom Festival), but I booked it for the Tuesday before.  Thanks for your help everyone--I'm excited!

I'm leaning toward that option.  I emailed them to see if they have availability that night (the dinner would be exactly one month from now)...Thanks for the insights.

How about Izakaya Seki?

We went to Seki on our SEKInd (sorry...) date, so while the nostalgia factor would be high, I'd like to go somewhere we haven't been.  That place IS great though...

The sushi counter at Sushi Taro is world class. I've never been to Sushi Capitol so I can't compare. The fact is, I haven't even been motivated to drive across town to eat at Sushi Capitol (because I don't believe the two are even comparable - but I could be way off base).

Interesting.  If it really is that great, that may be the best pick.  Thanks.

I doubt you can go wrong with any of those (with the caveat that obviously I've never eaten at P&P, and it's been a few years on Sushi Taro). I'd throw Kinship into the mix as well. It's absolutely fantastic, and would absolutely work for a special meal. 

I agree re: Kinship, but we ended eating there on a whim on a Tuesday a few weeks ago, which may tarnish its "specialness".

Hi all,

My lovely girlfriend is turning 30 next month.  We have been together for a while now and live together, so this isn't a celebration for someone whom I expect to be in my life for the short-term.  The night before her birthday, I want to take her out to a nice dinner.  Her favorite food is sushi ("I could eat it every night"), but she is quite an adventurous eater as well.  Recently, while at Kinship, when I was discussing the impending hoping of Metier and its likely cost (I guessed around $300 a person), she expressed disdain for such expense.  Still, she enjoys being pampered on her birthday, and this is a big one, so I want to take her somewhere special.  With that in mind, I'm debating between the below options (none of which any of us have previously been to).  Each has pros and cons:

• Komi: Great, cozy atmosphere, supposedly great food.  I've never been, but it seems like it is a bit heavier, with a mix of seafood and fish.  Definitely befitting of a special occasion.  Price tag may make her uncomfortable.
• Pineapples & Pearls: We both love Rose's, but no one knows what the menu at P&P will be like.  Similar pricing to Komi, but she'll never see the bill.
• Sushi Taro: She loves sushi, omakase counter is befitting of a special occasion.  We loved Sushi Capitol and I worry that Sushi Taro just isn't as good, despite the price tag (anyone been recently?)
• Fiola Mare: No prix fix, so she may be uncomfortable ordering lots a la carte.  Beautiful room, heard wonderful things.  Lots of raw and cooked fish that she'll love, plus she likely wouldn't leave as overfull as she would with a tasting menu.

Any of these jump out to you? I'm leaning toward Fiola Mare as of now.  It's not as "cool" as the others, but it may just be up her alley.  I wish they'd have a prix fix menu so she would not have to worry about feeling like she is spending too much (despite my efforts to assuage her of those concerns).  Any other picks I'm missing?

Couldn't find a thread here for this place, opening Tuesday.  It looks promising: they are importing all their masa and making everything in-house daily.  Menu looks interesting and ambitious, but expensive for Mexican food.  

"PoPville Preview: Espita Mezcaleria Opening Tuesday, 'Showcasing The Best Of Mexican Southern Cuisine'" on popville.com

Dinner Menu

I had a similar experience to WWZ.  i went both opening night and the night of the blizzard, and each time my companion (a different person each visit) and i felt that the portions were quite small and expensive, even by DC standards. i have found the cocktails and decor to be some of the best in the city though.  still, i find myself around the corner at convivial much, much more often. 

Based on many reviews, I recommended Masseria to my best friend to take his fiance for a special occasion.  The meal, in short, was a disaster from the start, he said.  The food was very good, but it ran more than 3 and a half hours, with no explanation and no communication from the staff.  He complained and a few days later the GM reached out to him with an apology and a request for them to come visit them again, on him.   Basically, it sounds like Robyn isn't the only one who had that experience.

Edit: He said the waiter/waitress was nice but overwhelmed and the upper level staff was entirely dismissive and unconcerned with his complaints.

Apologies for veering off topic, but I, too, have never understood Tom's love of Jaleo.  Had a number of mediocre meals there.  Dinner at Estadio last night was fantastic--as usual.  Never had a bad meal at Rasika either, though I would appreciate it they had SOME truly spicy dishes.