If I Was Dining Alone in DC or NoVA, Where Would You Send Me?

[lovehockey]

I have no problem sitting at the bar.

Merci.

[DonRocks]

You do realize you left the criteria somewhat "open," right?

What is it that you seek?

[monavano]

Virtue Feed and Grain and Majestic.

[dcs]

If it were me, and I was in the mood I am in tonight, I would sit at the bar at Willow.

[DonRocks]

If it were me, and I was in the mood I am in tonight, I would sit at the bar at Willow.

On a separate but related note, Chris wrote me recently and swore that Willow's hamburger was the best-kept secret in town.

Okay, now, I don't necessarily trust a dude who rides an Aspencade (the minivan of motorcycles) and who is my probable number-one cause of premature death (via drunken drive-by, if we start arguing about gun control), but he *did* discover The Pit Stop (which, incidentally, was supposed to have been in Italic, but wasn't).

[hillvalley]

Izakaya Seki

[Sthitch]

Okay, now, I don't necessarily trust a dude who rides an Aspencade (the minivan of motorcycles)

As long as the Can-Am exists the Gold Wing gets a pass.

But back to the subject at hand. Little Serow.

[Jimmy Chandler]

I second the nod for Izakaya Seki, if you can go at a time when there is a seat at the bar downstairs, preferably in front of Chef Seki, and you talk with the chef and find out what he recommends today. My favorite place to dine right now in DC.

[Ericandblueboy]

For one meal - Little Serow, because I like sampling lots of good food. Al Dente's 4 if you can get in, if you want to spend more and don't like spicy food.

[Escoffier]

The bar at CityZen.

[Gary Tanigawa]

The bar at Corduroy, unless it's Sunday.

[Tweaked]

Proof.

[Escoffier]

Vermilion in Alexandria.

[Pat]

I've only done it for lunch and not super-recently, but I've enjoyed the bar at Central.

[Escoffier]

Let's just do a three-fer....Brabo, Bastille, La Bergerie, Del Ray Cafe. Any of those.

[cheezepowder]

I'm a big fan of dining solo at the bar (but I'm particular about going at a time when it won't be too crowded. I hate having people crowding behind me trying to order drinks when I'm eating at the bar).

I'll second Proof (if there's no Verizon Center event) and add Green Pig, Daikaya Ramen, Graffiato, and Boqueria (if you're going on a weekend -- I think that weeknights there's a happy hour crowd at the bar).

[lovehockey]

Sorry, Don, for not answering your question earlier! The SO is out of town for a while so I posted the question in order to provide some incentive to get out and be a single diner, which I have no problem doing. He doesn't like seafood, and I like it as long as it's cooked (I'm boring that way). Otherwise, I'm open to pretty much anything.

I appreciate all the answers above! Some of the places I've visited already, but am in the mood to visit again!

[DonRocks]

Then it really *is* a good time to visit Izakaya Seki, among the numerous other recommendations above - all of which are excellent choices (they do not serve sushi there; some sashimi, but most of the fish there is cooked).

[ktmoomau]

I highly second Willow. The people at the bar tend to be a friendly lot and so is Chris, it's a great place to sit at the bar and have some good food while dining alone, but not feeling at all alone! I would also add the bar at Fiola.

[Sthitch]

If you want seafood and want to splurge a bit, grab a bar seat at Marcel's and order the Diver Scallops, Skate, and either the salmon or Dover sole.

[Ericandblueboy]

Azur for seafood.

[cheezepowder]

lovehockey -- I'm curious if you've gone out solo dining and where?

[lovehockey]

Cheezpowder, I've been to Vermilion and hope to make it to Corduroy and Willow sooner rather than later.