JAC13's Profile
3 days in DC.
This is a valid concern, but I will tell you that when you call to make a reservation, they will ask you about your dislikes and limitations. I don't recall anything being extremely out there. In fact, I have sent my parents, who I would not describe as very adventurous eaters, and they loved it so much they went back again with friends.
The 10-12 mezze you will get before the main course vary so I can't speak to them, but the main course (if it is still the same as when I was there) is either a whole spit-roasted goat, a roast sucking pig, or a salt-encrusted whole fish, and I bet you could request that you get one of those and not the others. I don't mean to sound like a salesman- CityZen is delicious so if you are more comfortable, stick to that and I think you will be very happy. If you still want to replace CityZen, another option is Tosca, which is delicious and high-end Italian. Good luck!
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CityZen Restaurant
1330 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
3 days in DC.
I would echo the sentiments of many above- Komi should be on your list. They do a hiatus from August 23-September 7, though, so keep that in mind.
One other idea is to make a reservation at the Columbia Room for their cocktail-tasting. The Columbia Room is the back of a neighborhood bar called The Passenger. The room has an 8-seat bar that allows you get up-close to the true art of the original cocktail, and feels like a throwback to prohibition-era. The cocktails are well-crafted and delicious, and they pair them with great small bites (my husband and I did it before a late dinner reservation and we were still able to eat dinner afterward but we are kind of gluttons :)). Enjoy your trip!
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Komi
1509 17th St NW Ste 1, Washington, DC 20036
3 days in DC... A little help
Georgetown doesn't really have any must-do restaurants IMO but if you are willing to go a little north on Wisconsin, you could go to 2 Amys, one of my favorite meals in DC. It is most well-known as a pizza place, but I think that they do their small plates (think an Italian tapas-style meal) the best and we often skip the pizza altogether. The plates often highlight the freshest, seasonal ingredients in a very simple way. If you go, just keep in mind that they don't take reservations so get there a little early and enjoy one of their great cocktails or reasonably-priced glasses of wine before dinner.
I agree that Rasika is great choice for your list, and I would also consider Proof, where I think the food is just consistently great and its a fun DC scene. If you like sushi, consider Kaz, which is in Foggy Bottom and walking distance from Georgetown.
I would skip Old Ebbitt, which is really just a tourist trap, unless you are doing the half-price raw bar happy hour (I think its 3-6pm and 11pm-1am on weekdays).
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Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Zaytinya - Recommended Dishes?
It's not on the menu, but whenever I go to Zaytinya, I always order this beef-stuffed pasta dish, which they serve with roasted garlic-yogurt and paprika butter. I am blanking on what it is called, but they always seem to have it in house for people in the know, and it is absolutely delicious! I also never miss their tzatziki, which is my favorite version of the dip anywhere!
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Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Simple...best Toronto experience. Cava or Guu?
I visited Toronto with my family this weekend, and one of our favorite meals was at Cava. The food was delicious and the service was really outstanding, with the entire staff bending over backwards to accommodate all 9 of us, despite multiple allergies and restrictions (one person is allergic to dairy, two keep kosher, and I am pregnant and allergic to nuts). The menu was so interesting, and every dish really delivered. The only complaint we had was the noise level, which made group dining difficult.
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Cava
1560 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4T 2S9, CA
[DC Metro Area] Sloppy Joe's?
G Street Food in Foggy Bottom does one. Having never had it myself, I cannot vouche for it, but my friend really liked his. The menu changes a lot but the sloppy joe seems to be a staple. http://www.gstreetfood.com/
I second ktmoomau's post about the bison sliders at Eventide- delicious!! Another messy, insane sandwich that may bring back the same food memories as a sloppy joe (and also in Arlington) is the buffalo meatloaf sandwich at ScrewTop. It is amazing- gooey and cheesy and even a little spicey. I highly recommend it.
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G Street Food
1706 G St NW, Washington, DC 20006
Oxford?
Jamie's Italian is wonderful. I spent the summer studying in Oxford and it quickly became a favorite- it was consistent, delicious, and reasonably priced! The Japanese restaurant across the street from New College is still there and also wonderful but it keeps some odd hours (closed Mon. and Tues. during the summer) so you may have to check it out.
Dinner to Celebrate Nephew's Engagement
Corduroy is solid but personally, for a celebration dinner I would say Komi. This is my absolute favorite restaurant in DC. It is my special occasion go-to and a meal of a life time!!
Anyone have good octopus in DC?
The last time I was at Komi they had an amazing pasta dish topped with the most perfectly cooked octopus I have ever had. Also, in Clarendon the Liberty Tavern does a wonderful octopus app. that features it a few different ways I believe.
Harry's Tap Room
I am with you on the HORRIBLE service. I actually live right above it, which makes it esp. sad. Unfortunately, I disagree with you on the food. I think it is mediocre and inconsistent which is a huge problem with their prices. I prefer Liberty Tavern any day- the owners (who are always around) and the staff actually care if you are enjoying your meal. I would much prefer patronizing a restaurant like. Plus, the food is soooo much better.
Favorite Seafood in DC
For seafood (which is my favorite food), I really like Pesce, Hanks Oyster Bar, and BlackSalt. All three are solid. I havn't been to DC Coast in a long time but they just got a new chef that I know is great from another restaurant so its on my list. I find McCormick and Schmick and Oceanaire to be boring and just ehhh. They never wow me and that is especially troubling in the case of Oceanaire, which is very expensive for what it is.
Any go-to places in Georgetown for dinner?
Yep- unfortunately, I found out the hard way when we had to cancel an evening there because my sister unexpectedly came into town.
Any go-to places in Georgetown for dinner?
Restaurant Eve is really good but in Alexandria. My favorite part of the experience there is the cocktails- amazing, original concoctions so don't miss that if you go. Jaleo is just ehh and tends to be spotty where both food and service is concerned. Honestly, I would skip it. If you want to try a Jose Andres restaurant, try another one. Oyamel and Zaytinya are pretty good. Cafe Atlantico is his non-tapas restaurant although they do a "latin dim sum" brunch on the weekends that is awesome and I highly rec. that.
Also, if you want to try Michelle Richard's food for lower prices and decide against the Citronelle Lounge, you could do Central. I really love it- bistro-stye, simple food so it certainly less fussy than Citronelle but it is solid and a fun spot. Make sure you partake is one of Justin's cocktails and dessert.
If you want a truly amazing foodie DC experience, you must try Komi. It is in Dupont. They don't take parties of more than 4 and it is a long evening but easily DC's best restaurant in my opinion. You will not regret the choice.
Any go-to places in Georgetown for dinner?
I love Mendocino Grill- a tiny wine-centric restaurant on M Street w/wonderful food. Hook recently lost its chef so I am not sure how it is now. Still, I have to respectfully disagree w/those who sing its praises- the last time I was there I found it to be very underwhelming- I know it is very trendy right now but I just don't really get it.
Out on the town- fun drinks in D.C.
I second Bar Pilar on Tuesdays. I would also check out the bar at Central- my personal favorite for cocktails in DC.
Best for Seafood...
Thanks! I actually left it out on purpose as much as it pains me to say it. When I first moved to DC 6 years ago, it was one of my favorite restaurants. Then, I went back last year for my anniversary and was soooo disappointed. Everything about it was just OK and in serious need of a makeover- the only thing that felt fresh and modern to me were the prices :(
Best for Seafood...
I also love seafood and these are the places I frequent:
-Pesce in Dupont is great and now they take reservations for parties of 4 or more, I believe. It is a relaxed and casual restaurant but I still really enjoy it for a special night out.
-Hanks Oyster Bar (w/2 location in Old Town and Dupont) but they don't take reservations so that may not work for your group.
-BlackSalt in the Palisades neighborhood of DC may, in fact, be your best bet. It is a little more high-end in terms of atmosphere and they also focus solely on seafood. They actually have a seafood market in the front of the restaurant so you can't get much fresher.
-SushiKo: I have a feeling this isn't what you had in mind but do consider it: they have some great entrees in addition to their amazing sushi.
-Hook in Gtown: would be an obvious choice but I can't recc. as I haven't been since the chef recently left.
Enjoy and happy birthday!!
Co Co Sala
Agreed on all fronts. As a choco-holic, I was very excited to try this place but left feeling very underwhelmed and as though I had really overpaid for what I got. We got several small plates before doing the dessert courses and I didn't find anything special in any of them. The service was lacking (the server never managed to get to our table in time to explain the courses), the selection of savory items very limited, and the cocktails EXTREMELY weak (they tasted like juice and I am usually a baby about alcohol). Also, maybe I am getting old but I found it to be annoying that there was a DJ playing very loud techno through dinner service and we were literally shouting at one another.
Central's decadent deconstructed Banana Split...
You're right- total heaven!! But my favorite dessert at Central remains their version of a kit-kat bar- crunchy, chocolately, hazelnut yumminess. Try that one next :)
Bridal shower venue in Bethesda/Rockville
I also hosted a group event at Positano and found them very easy to work with and that people were really pleased with the food.
Still, I think for a shower Addies or Black Market may be more suitable- they just seem more girly and the food tends to be lighter. I have also never had a bad meal at either place.
Best Birthday Cakes in N. VA??
Third! I just got one of these cakes for my birthday and every single person raved. It was an insanely good cake!!
good vietnamese/thai in arlington
I second Nam Viet. I eat Vietnamese at least once a week and this is where I go pretty much everytime. I have tried other places (including many Eden Center options) but this remains my go-to. I like the service and I have yet to have a miss.
For Thai, I like Sawatdee in Courthouse but I usually prefer to make the drive to Thai Square- maybe a little out of the way but worth it!
Seafood
Actually, they do now- not a huge selection but I think just your basic steak. It is a recent change I think.
Seafood
I agree w/Hook and BlackSalt but would also like to add Pesce and Hanks Oyster Bar to the list (both in Dupont). You can't really go wrong w/any of those. Enjoy your visit!
Girls Night- DC
If you can get in to Central, than that is your best bet. It is trendy and fun and the good is great- plus they have something for everyone.
Some other options are Rasika (high-end Indian that even non-Indian lovers will enjoy) and Oya (Asian fusion)- both have some great cocktails and food and all would fit the bill in terms of atmosphere. You could also do Zaytinya I suppose but you prob. won't be able to get a reservation and the wait is usually absurd.
Casual sitdown/get together place in Chevy Chase?
I second that- it has a cool European feel and great pastries
Great Food, Trendy and Georgetown????
I have to respectfully disagree w/you. I think Mie N Yu is in the same category as Milano- overpriced, snotty service, and just ok food at best. While I never really saw Georgetown as a restaurant desitination, Hook and Mendocino have breathed a litlle new restaurant life into the area....
Great Food, Trendy and Georgetown????
That has always been my feeling- it is the place to go if you want a real scene but that is about it.
