aurelgrooves Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 i have an aquaintance coming to town from London. someone i don't know really well, much older than me. they are being nominated for a Grammy (?), so let's say they might have good taste, some money. I would like to show off some good DC food. however, it just so happens that saturday is valentine's day and so everywhere is all special menu with red roses and kisses and hearts. puke. so, can someone recommend somewhere nice, but not too expensive (so in the case we split the bill, i'm not broke) and won't have us interlock arms while we drink champagne? something that is DC (does that even exist?), a little unique? anywhere in NW that might have a table free next saturday? thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 You are so screwed! If it's just two, you might consider eating at the bar of one of the more elegant spots around town -- showing up at opening time at Palena, for example. I just had a fine meal at Marcel's, but it wasn't cheap; I think the minimum is three courses is $55 and the place is not chock full of wine bargains. You might also consider the bar at Vidalia, the lounge at Citronelle and, most promising, perhaps, the bar at CityZen ($50 for three courses). It might pay to eat early, though, given the inability to reserve. Plus, if your mate is flying in that day, 6:00 is 11:00 anyway... Or, just say the heck with it and drag him to Moroni Brothers, the only El Salvadoran restaurant in the world that also has a wood-burning pizza oven (or is it the only high-end pizza place in the world that offers plantains and pupusas for apps?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demandalicious Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 The bars at CityZen and Vidalia are great suggestions. You may also want to consider the bar at Urbana - which is great all-around but certainly a bit more casual than the first two suggestions. It's not fancy or in NW DC, but I hear that Granville Moores is really tasty and unique. It's within walking distance to funky bars, too - in case you want to show this person around the H Street scene a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngfood Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 the lounge at Citronelle and, most promising, perhaps, the bar at CityZen ($50 for three courses).SHHHH!!!!! At least one of these great ideas is already taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Not romantic? A&J. Story: last year I came home from work late, exhausted, freezing cold, and smelling like burnt rubber and hot brakes. Totally forgot it was Valentine's Day. Husband drove us over there and the place was freakin' mobbed. I've never seen a crowd like that there. We ended up sharing a five-top with another couple who were clearly bummed not to have a romantic little table to themselves, but thought it better than waiting an hour. We ate fast so they could canoodle without us. It was the antithesis of romantic. But seriously? I second the suggestion for Palena at opening time. They're cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 something that is DC (does that even exist?), a little unique? anywhere in NW that might have a table free next saturday? thank you! Definitely screwed. Trust me, I speak from 3 decades of experience here-finding a nonromantic spot on 2/14 is not easy or fun. That being said, if your dining companion is comfortable sitting at a bar you might see if you can do an omakase menu at Sushi Ko (glover park) or Kaz. Also, eating earlier rather than later will diminish the romantic factor somewhat.You are so screwed!If it's just two, you might consider eating at the bar of one of the more elegant spots around town -- showing up at opening time at Palena, for example. I just had a fine meal at Marcel's, but it wasn't cheap; I think the minimum is three courses is $55 and the place is not chock full of wine bargains. You might also consider the bar at Vidalia, the lounge at Citronelle and, most promising, perhaps, the bar at CityZen ($50 for three courses). It might pay to eat early, though, given the inability to reserve. Plus, if your mate is flying in that day, 6:00 is 11:00 anyway... If you are going to go the bar route check to make sure that the restaurant is serving at the bar. The past few years Palena has only offered the back room menu throughout the restaurant with reservations only. There are restaurants who don't do a special menu but they are few and far between. Dining out for a nonromantic meal, especially as a two top, on Valentine's Day is just bizarre. We won't discuss the time my father was mistaken for my sugar daddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 but dining out for a nonromantic meal, especially as a two top, on Valentine's Day, is just bizarre. We won't discuss the time my father was mistaken for my sugar daddy. Heh. That explains the reaction MrP and I got last year dining with a single very pretty lady friend, who wanted to get dinner before the show we were treating her to. What was that song from Cabaret...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 You should have seen the looks we got when my mother finally showed up. BTW-this was a few years ago at DC Coast. edited to take away comment that all you men would have had a field day with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I think the Ethiopian food is a bit unique, as the flavors here won't be found elsewhere, but only if your mates are into that cup of tea. Or maybe Peruvian chicken? Don Pollo is almost DC. This will really keep your costs down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I was discussing this subject with a friend yesterday, and she had an amusing story about attempting to find a place to get dinner with her brother one year on Valentine's Day. I'll skip the story, but they ended up finding a Chinese restaurant (don't know which one) that worked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithdcil Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 The sushi/asian place CHA at the new Donovan Hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngfood Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 If you are going to go the bar route check to make sure that the restaurant is serving at the bar. The past few years Palena has only offered the back room menu throughout the restaurant with reservations only.Good advice. Cityzen is not serving any food at the bar that night, but Citronelle Lounge is business as usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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