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Thanks for the feedback! I like the idea of each getting 3 courses. Will report back!

My husband is taking me to Cityzen for my birthday tomorrow night. I can't wait. Quick question - for my last birthday dinners (at Komi and Restaurant Eve) we had huge tasting menu dinners. They were wonderful, but so much food and we both left feeling extremely full. I hesitate not to get the tasting menu, because we don't get to experience these great restaurants that often, but I am wondering if I should skip it this time and get something more sensible, like a 3 course meal. Is this a dumb idea? Should I get the tasting menu and try to exercise some restraint (let's be honest, this is not my strong point)? or will I be just as happy with the 3 course meal? Any recommendations if I do go with the 3 courses? Thanks!

I live in the neighborhood and was so excited when Twisted Vines finally opened. My husband and I went one of the first nights they were open. Service was super shaky and weird overall, which made it hard for us to relax, but is to be expected right after opening I suppose. I REALLY wanted to love it, would have been happy if I liked it. The wine was fine, nothing amazing or very interesting. We each had a flight, split a 3 cheese plate and an order of the ground beef skewers. We thought the food was very overpriced and blah. I think our tab came to around $65. We were still hungry, but didn't want to drop a lot more cash, so decided to move on. The space is very cute. I like the feel of the place. Although when we were there, there wasn't any music, which seemed odd. So we weren't impressed. Given how close it is to my house, I will go again, just to give it a fair chance. I'd like to see if things have evened out now that they have been open for a while.

Perfect. Thank you all!

I am FINALLY going to Dino for the first time tomorrow night - I've been wanting to go for what seems like forever. We were only able to get a reservation for 4 at 8:45, but since my husband and I are going with a couple we haven't seen in a while, we'd like to meet them earlier to have a drink and catch up. My question - is there bar nearby that would be good for this? Or should we plan to meet at the bar at Dino. Will there be room for us to hang out there for an hour or so before our reservation? Also, what should I NOT miss? Thanks, ND

Thanks for the tips everyone. Right now it looks like it will be a buffet brunch in the back lounge at Talulla. Phew! Hopefully that will work out, we all love that place!

Hello, Well, I've done it again. I've waited until the absolute last minute to begin my party planning duties. I am in charge of throwing a baby shower for my sister the second weekend of December. Which means I need to get the invitations out ASAP. I can always throw it at home, but was hoping to get some ideas for a restaurant (or another venue, doesn't have to be a restaurant) to host it at. I have inquires in to Buzz Bakery, La Strada, and Talulla/EatBar. I need a space that can hold 20-25 - I'm thinking of doing an early afternoon event, so it doesn't need to be a seated meal - can be snack and drinks and some sweets. If I could bring my own cake, that would be great. It can be in DC, but Alexandria or Arlington would be especially convenient. I do need it to be affordable - since this is the first of 3 (yes, three) I will be hosting this season. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? I appreciate any thoughts! Thanks, Noel

Yep! Cheesetique in Del Ray sells it. I work there on Sundays and we have a handful of jars left. The cheese bar serves a hibiscus cocktail with sparkling wine. Yum!

Went last night with 3 friends. I was a bit surprised, the bar was smaller than I expected. I think the impression I had gotten before going was that this was a bar that served food. But it is really a restaurant. The space was nice and the people were friendly. Our server was sweet, but seemed a bit nervous (which is to be expected having just opened). We ordered a bottle of Chenin Blanc and my boyfriend got a vodka tonic, which he liked. The server brought the bottle to our table having opened the screw top, but didn't pour it. I'm fine with this I think, but since he didn't pour it, he wasn't there when we found out that although the outside of the bottle was chilled, the wine was warm. When he came back, I told him it was warm and asked if he had an ice bath or something he could throw it in to cool it quickly. He said he could take it behind the bar. This was fine, but annoying - especially since we tend to run through a bottle of wine fairly quickly, and don't really want to wait for it to chill. My friend got the burger. Her comments was that is was nice, but the bun was way bigger than the burger and the meat itself, while the texture was nice, was bland. I tasted it and agreed. I really like the fridge sauce. We also got a side order of rosemary and garlic fries. These - not good. And $6! I thought that was a lot of money for a cup of fries. We found them to be mushy and bleh. I love fries, so even average ones are good to me. But not these, at least not this batch. Overall, we thought it was a nice addition to the neighborhood, although we were all a bit perplexed about what kind of personality/niche it is traying to make for itself. But we all agreed that we would go back, and we want it to succeed.

I had a milestone birthday (30 too!) at Restaurant Eve and it was wonderful!

Hi, my name is Noel. I am not really new here - I've been a member for over a year, but I don't post very often. I can't even remember how I found this place, but it has really served me well. I live right between Courthouse and Clarendon and basically, I love to eat. All kinds of food, pretty much all the time. I love trying new restaurants, and especially enjoy good deals. Oh, and wine. Love wine. I also work at Cheestique in Del Ray on Sundays - where I am lucky enough to work with wonderful people, sample too many delicious cheeses and serve the nicest customers. Awwww.

I live down the street and while I have been very sad to see some of my favorite delicious, cheap dining options leave, I am SO glad it is not another Irish bar. I'm hoping this will be a new regular option for me and my friends - and not too much of a scene. I think I'll be stopping by tonight - will report back tomorrow.

I CANNOT wait to go tonight! I was just lamenting the lack of a delicious burger. But this is dangerously close to both my house and office!

Ok, he has decided he wants to keep it low-key. So we are going to go to Eammon's and then to PX (providing I hear back from them about reservations). This will be our first time at both places, so it should be fun! Thank you all for your great suggestions!

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. I am going to try to put together a few options and let him choose.