FVT

On 5/6/2019 at 9:30 PM, SRJ said:

If I was you, I'd go someplace with a nice outdoor view on the water. Any of the restaurants on the river in the Navy Yard (Ana at District Winery, Osteria Moreni), the Wharf (Del Mar, Kith/Kin, Rappahannock Oyster Bar), or Alexandria (Blackwall Hitch). They all have the contemporary decor you're looking for and I think a graduation calls for looking out at the bright horizons (instead of being stuck on a crowded city block or in a strip mall or an office park). The Wharf would give you a good backdrop for pictures on the piers with the Washington Monument in the background.

Love the way you put it .. bright horizons.  Yes.  

Thank you, MarkS, SRJ, and Don.  All great ideas.  Armed now with all the excellent choices, I will do some further research, run it by DD, and let you know what we decide and how the food was.  Thank you again!

Thanks, Mark, that always help to know it's a good choice.  I showed my daughter photos of Convivial and she loved it.  The bar area looks amazing. 

Thanks, dcs, especially for the NOVA ideas!  Have been to 2941, will check out the other two. 

Dear daughter is graduating from high school on June 5, 2019 (Wednesday).  The graduation is in the morning in Northern VA, so we are looking to go out for a weekday lunch.  Ideally we would stay in NOVA, but for the best experience we would be willing to drive to DC or MD.  Budget: about $40-50/person before gratuity, but flexible on this.  Party of 6.

Beautiful contemporary decor is a high priority.  DD loves the feel of Founding Farmers in Tysons, and she also likes the decor of Mama Chang in Fairfax.  So I am looking for a good weekday lunch place that has such beautiful contemporary decor.  My research has come up with Convivial and Centrolina for such decor as well as good food.  Any other suggestions (or comments on lunch at Convivial/Centrolina) would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Any tips on a lunch during Winter Restaurant Week (1/30/17 to 2/5/17)?  I was wondering if any particular deal caught your eye.  A friend and I are planning to have a weekday lunch in Northern Virginia.  Thanks in advance. 

On 1/1/2017 at 7:29 PM, Genevieve said:

Maybe this show at the 9:30 club? You can only buy 6 tix per household, so you'd need two people buying tickets. Teens are allowed at the 9:30 (mine has gone w/a parent and other kids).  http://www.930.com/event/1375337-lotus-washington/

The Black Cat also allows teens, don't know if this would be to your daughter and friends' taste (not live music): http://www.blackcatdc.com/shows/we-the-people.html

Restaurant but not music: I haven't been to this place in years, but Coco Sala was very fancy looking and has a chocolate theme and luxe desserts:  http://www.cocosala.com/menu/

You could even take them for a prix fixe 3 course brunch, if your daughter could do a party then: http://www.cocosala.com/themencode-pdf-viewer/?file=http://www.cocosala.com/media/menus/group/29-3courseBrunch2016.pdf

I just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions in helping me to find a great experience for my daughter's Sweet 16 birthday outing.  It was this past Saturday, and we wound up going to the 9:30 Club to see Lotus.  Before the concert we took the girls to Pentagon City Matchbox for dinner.  The meal at Matchbox was forgettable but the 9:30 Club was incredible.  A BIG BIG thank you to Genevieve for suggesting it.  I would have never thought of it.   

For future reference (and searches), it should be noted that the 9:30 Club is an all-age venue, so anyone can get in.  But they are serious about identifying minors and making sure they do not drink alcohol -- underage club patrons are stamped on both hands for ready identification and it seemed nearly impossible to wipe them off even with rubbing alcohol; so it was clear that the club was not going to be serving them had they tried.  The staff was extremely polite and helpful to us even though they were very busy at the sold-out show, despite many contrary comments that we saw on Yelp.  Music and the sound system were fantastic.  Overall, it was a great experience, exactly what we were looking for. 

That video is ridiculous.  So controlled.  OK, I'm in, I've been looking for a place to play and looked into George Mason's club, but this is better.  Thanks, Don.  And you are right, $45/hour for a lesson from a world-class coach is incredibly inexpensive.  Can't wait for my college table tennis buddy from California to come and visit me -- we always battle it out and he's usually a tad better, but this is going to change things!

1 hour ago, DonRocks said:

I was a ranked MATA tournament player (I guess about 5.0 in USTA league parlance, seeing as though everyone underrates themselves), but injury has reduced me to 0.0 - I haven't stepped on a tennis court in several years, and I've come home to table-tennis, which was my first love as a child. If you're a 4.0 steady baseliner, that means you can keep the ball in one place, so maybe we can hit if you don't mind aiming for one spot. Still looking for help if anyone sees this.

Don, I had no idea you were injured.  I wish I could give you that stellar recommendation you are looking for.  I do have a friend who is a PT.  He's not a big guy but he's very strong.  A good tennis player to boot.  He is not in private practice -- he works for Heatherwood Retirement Facility in Burke, VA.  But I'll ask him whether he knows someone who fits your need. 

I love table tennis as well as regular tennis.  My dad was a national level player but he never taught me how to play (he worked too much).  I played too much of it in college, especially during finals week; got to be OK but could never compete against tournament level players.

If you are still a healthy 5.0 in regular tennis I wouldn't bother to ask you to hit, but given that you are rehabbing, any time you feel like working off some of those great dinners I'm game.  I will do my best to hit to one spot.  

6 hours ago, DonRocks said:

An interesting factoid about CoCo Sala: Their owner is a tennis acquaintance of mine (he was a fine player on the amateur circuit), and his software company that he co-owned, CVent, was, well, I'll include an excerpt from one of his Facebook posts. I won't make this too easily searchable (i.e., I won't put this in the CoCo Sala thread, or use his name) because his FB post was only for his FB friends, but many, many people have seen it by now:

Off topic, but Don, you play tennis?  What level?  4.0 steady baseliner if you ever want to hit. 

Tell you what, this help forum is blowing me away with the creative ideas I'm getting.  Each time I think I have a favorite option another one comes in and it's just as good!  Thank you so much.  (To recap, I am looking for a musical, food or some other type of exceptional experience for a group of 15-17 year old girls from this area; budget, not Don's bankroll but open minded)

SAX -- holy $#^, had no idea such a place even existed here!  Definitely on my to-do list with the wife, but not the kiddies.  Thanks, DaRiv18.  :-)

Love the story about Co Co. Sala, Don.  Now I have a better understanding of the place as a whole. We hope to make it there on the 14th. 

Pat, we have thought and thought about Shadowboxers.  The venue is better for us, more manageable, but not sure that their Nashville-influenced sound would be a hit with the girls; but similar concern applies to Lotus at the 9:30 Club, too.  Will have to think about this some more. 

Genevieve, Story District's Top Shelf was our top choice at the time of that writing, but the girls changed their mind and wanted music after all.  Glad it sold out; sounded like a fantastic show, will try to catch it next year.  Doing just dinner there -- had not considered that option.  Interesting.  Will keep you posted. 

In case this has not been covered already -- Washington Post's take on the area's best BBQ: 

"The $20 Diner's 2016 Guide to the Best Barbecue in the DC Area" by Tim Carman on washingtonpost.com

Thanks, Don, I think for this age group of 15-17 chocolate trumps tea, but I will keep Ching Ching Cha for my in-laws next time they're here.  Lovely place.  And yes, you have the finger on the pulse of my search in the H Street Country Club, similar to earlier suggestion of Pinstripes; too bad it's not going to work for this age group.  Regarding your son's 16th B-party, I like your style, Don.  Taking notes. 

So the current top contender is Story District's Top Shelf at the Lincoln Theater on 1/14 at 6:30 pm, followed by dessert at Co Co. Sala (what a change from my original search and help request).  I happen to think 9:30 Club's Lotus show on 1/14 would be even more fun but daughter and friends have never been to a grown-up concert of this size before and they tell me they might feel awkward just standing around listening to music that they don't know.  Obviously young pups, but understandable where they might be coming from. 

Wanted to get the spelling right for such a beautiful place, Co Co. Sala.  Bears repeating, Love the decor. 

I so appreciate all the help I am getting here; it's tremendous.  The various suggestions are expanding our thoughts on what we want and what we might do (Sweet 16 birthday outing for music or some other type of special experience/dinner).  weezy, I looked at Jammin' Java again after your post -- I had passed it by during an earlier search.  I think I, the dad, would enjoy the band that will be performing on our party date 1/14 (Wrinkle Neck Mules), but their newgrass, alt-country sound is proving to be a tough sell to my daughter and her group of teenage girls from the DMV area.  Great suggestion, though, and I look forward to taking in a show there in the near future. 

Genevieve, I did not know 9:30 Club was even an option for the under-21 crowd.  I'm excited about this option!  9:30 Club's website had 2 performances on their calendar: concert by Lotus at the club; and Story District's Top Shelf at the Lincoln Theater.  Both sound excellent (to me) -- I'll write back after checking with the birthday girl. 

The Black Cat's event for 1/14 look a bit more mature than the typical DMV 15-17 crowd, but I'm not sure.  Have you ever been to a DJ Dredd show? 

Love Coco Salsa's decor, which I think would be a hit with the girls.  Choices and choices, thank you!

Pat, The Hamilton and Hill Country suggestion made us realize having food + live music would be absolutely perfect for our group of eight to ten girls (ages 15 to 17).  Unfortunately the artists playing on our date, January 14, do not fit the girls' current taste.  That made me look at other venues (prioritizing music over food) and had us looking at the State Theater on that date.  Turned out perfect, Gonzo's Nose's last performance, EXCEPT they're sold out!  Man, I would pay above and beyond for those tickets but there appears to be no secondary ticket source for this show.  So back to square one.

I guess my search has been reshaped as a search for an experience (music, food, activity) rather than purely a restaurant search as we've gotten to better know what we want.  Any further advice on this would be appreciated.  Musically, I think a good cover band is what the girls want, if somehow venue and dates align.  Thank you. 

BTW, reedm, Fiola looked great.  Saw its mention in one of Wash. Post's guides.  A contender if music concept doesn't pan out. 

Wow, thank you Bart, Pat, and reedm.  Those are terrific suggestions.  I'll be busy now for the next hour! 

I agree on Pizzeria Orso, having been there twice before ... but as Pat asked, yes, I think I am looking for something splashy more than food per se.  I'll write back after doing some research on the suggestions.  Thank you.

Thanks, weezy.  Looking for a little more upscale than a pizza joint, as much as dear daughter and her friends love pizza.  I realize the teenage + upscale-but-not-too-upscale is tricky balance.  Perhaps an enclosed rooftop place that might accommodate a teenage party of 8-10 might hit the spot.  Thanks. 

Daughter is turning 16 in a few weeks and we are trying to find a great place for 8-10 girls (age 15 to 17) to have a birthday dinner.  Not too fancy given the age, American menu, and ambiance and vibe are key.  Matchbox in Pentagon City looks cool from the outside, so we are going there to check it out today.  But otherwise we are drawing a blank.  We live in Northern Virginia and are willing to venture out to MD or DC for the perfect place.  Budget, we are open minded.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.   

Thank you, everyone, for such wonderful suggestions. Too bad only one can be chosen for this occasion. I'm currently mulling over all the great choices and am torn between Passion Fish, Restaurant Eve, and Cafe Renaissance. I'll report back after the meal. Thanks so much!

Don, contact me, you have my info.

Feeling blue, turning a big number soon, and have been sick with acid reflux, though recovered enough now to eat out. Dear sweet wife wants to celebrate in a nice way. I don't want to really, but I suppose it will do me some good. Passion Fish comes to mind, as it has a good reputation with Don and other experts here. Would love to hear of other special places in NOVA, the kind of place that says Happy Birthday to you just by being so excellent in something like ambiance, particular dish, service. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

PX, Restaurant Eve, all wonderful suggestions. My wife will be especially appreciative on a future night out. Thank you members, as always. I think I'll likely try Eventide tonight and save the other ideas for our next occasions. I'll report back if we encounter anything worthwhile.

Thanks for Eventide recommendation. I'll check it out. I recall having read a lot of good things about it here.

We are in Fairfax, but we can be flexible within the NoVa confines. No firm dinner plans either, but that seemed easier to decide than the place afterwards.

(Wish there was a way to correct the typo in my message title)

I have a cousin who's leaving the country soon, probably for good. So tonight, I'm planning to take him out to dinner and then drinks afterwards. I need a special place for an after-dinner drinks/coffee. Some place that offers something truly exceptional, whatever that may be, drinks, coffee, atmosphere, decor, view. It just has to be memorable. If the weather tonight wasn't so iffy I'd try the POV lounge at the W Hotel for the view, but that seems too far for tonight. So any suggestions in Northern Virginia would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.