Restaurant in Bethesda for large-ish lunch meeting

[Anonymous]

I'm organizing a group of colleagues for a lunchtime meeting in downtown Bethesda or thereabouts. Does anyone have recommendations for a casual space that could seat ~15 or so people? Ideally someplace that wouldn't be too crowded - maybe Caddies or Rock Bottom? I have no idea how busy restaurants are for lunch in Bethesda at this point in the pandemic.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Caddies will be perfect. They have good lunch specials and won’t be overly crowded for a weekday lunch. The only place that’s usually mobbed at lunch in Bethesda during the week is Tatte.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Caddies will be perfect. They have good lunch specials and won’t be overly crowded for a weekday lunch. The only place that’s usually mobbed at lunch in Bethesda during the week is Tatte.

Thank you so much, PP!! I really appreciate the input - Caddies, it is.

[Anonymous]

I have some good group business lunches at True Food Kitchen, but the group must be relatively healthy eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have some good group business lunches at True Food Kitchen, but the group must be relatively healthy eating.

Ha - good to know! I was thinking True Food would probably be busier than Caddies or Rock Bottom, mostly because of the healthy eating Bethesda crowd (said as a Bethesda native).

[Anonymous]

caddies is gross, smells. and the food is not something i would bring a group of collogues to.

depends what day,. some places aren't open early in the week

[Anonymous]

I have lived in Bethesda 20 years and never stepped foot in Caddies. I think of it as a singles/sports bar not a restaurant.

[Anonymous]

Tommy Joes has a back room you can reserve for just this purpose. It's on the main floor, behind the bar.

[Anonymous]

Barrel and Crow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:caddies is gross, smells. and the food is not something i would bring a group of collogues to.

depends what day,. some places aren't open early in the week

+1 I’m not at all snobby about anything in life, but we planned to meet up with friends to watch a soccer game there around lunchtime a few months ago, and I lasted about a minute before walking out. Sticky floors, Lysol scent, and dark as could be. We went to Tommy Joes instead and had a lovely time there. Went back to Tommy Joes for the US Mens World Cup game on Saturday and had a great time again. Food is nothing special, but it’s large and clean and everyone who works there is great.

[Anonymous]

What about Tacombi? Very casual but a big space and good food.

Silver may be able to accommodate a largeish group as well.

[Anonymous]

No to caddie’s for reasons already mentioned. Rock Bottom is a decent option. If you don’t mind going farther up 366, Seasons 52 and Pinstripes both have private rooms that you may be able to book.

[Anonymous]

Mon Ami Gabi or True Food

Agree with pp that Caddies is NOT the place unless you are seeking a dive bar environment

[Anonymous]

Service was terrible for us at Mon Ami Gambi at lunch recently. Our server was running all over the restaurant. They are understaffed! It was hard to be upset bc I knew they were working hard. But our orders took forever and arrived cold (after I inquired a few times).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mon Ami Gabi or True Food

Agree with pp that Caddies is NOT the place unless you are seeking a dive bar environment

Ugh, I hate True Food. It’s literally a restaurant designed for people who want to pretend to be eating but would rather just not. Agree Caddie’s is a dive bar environment but their food and service is solid. Mon Ami Gabi is fine, not great, and kind of cramped and old lady-ish.