birthday dinner restaurant suggestions (romantic)

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for a new restaurant to try for a birthday dinner for my husband. We have a 6 month old baby and the fog is finally lifting. We need a night to reconnect and already have a babysitter lined up.

Any ideas? Thinking maybe seafood or Italian, but open to suggestions.

Some of our favorites that we've already been to are Zaytinya, Central, Bistro Bis, Montmartre (on Capitol Hill).

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

For a special Italian meal in a lovely quiet and peaceful setting, I really like Tosca restaurant downtown. For a meal in a cool setting (although neither Italian nor seafood oriented but based on your other likes) maybe try the Source in the Newseum by Wolfgang Puck. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Tosca is very good, and I wouldn't disagree that the setting is quiet, but IMO it's so understated as to be not very festive. I always think it could easily pass for a conference room if it wasn't for the white tablecloths.

Two new Italian places have opened recently, Bibiana and Siroc. I haven't tried either but have heard good (but not uniformly good) reviews on both. Tom Siestsma recommended Bibiana over Siroc for a birthday dinner in his chat recently.

[Anonymous]

Restaurant Nora in Dupont.

[Anonymous]

Restaurant Nora in Dupont

[Anonymous]

For Seafood, we're fans of Blacksalt (Palisaides). Though Kinkead's (Foggy Bottom) and Oceanaire (Downtown) are good too.

We also became big fan's of Cashion's Eat Place (Adams Morgan) when we lived near there - small & intimate, with great seasonal fare, definitely a great 'special occasion' restaurant and we never had a meal that wasn't superb.

And just went out for our own first post-baby date to the West End Bistro in the Ritz on 22nd. The food was really good, and the maragrita was terrific.

[Anonymous]

Corduroy, Komi, Palena, Ris, Blue Duck Tavern, Potenza.

[Anonymous]

Not really seafood or Italian but for a special night Citronelle or Restaurant Eve.

[Anonymous]

The City Zen tasting menu is an unbelievable way to spend a night, especially if you opt for the wine tasting. My kid was concieved after our last trip there! *drool*

[Anonymous]

Black Salt?

[Anonymous]

I would recommend Corduroy or Blue Duck over Potenza. I thought Potenza did very good Italian, but I didn't find it to be a very romantic atmosphere. If you're in VA, consider 2941 - I thought the view there was spectacular and the food and service were very good.

[Anonymous]

Matchbox

Komi

CityZen

2941

L'Auberge Chez Francois

[Anonymous]

Cafe Renaissance in Vienna

It was good enough for Steve Buckhantz as a proposal site

[Anonymous]

Black Salt is really good seafood and I like both the food and the atmosphere more than Kinkead's.

Palena is amazing and can be very romantic.

[Anonymous]

Komi is amazing. Intimate, quiet setting.

CityZen -- food is great, setting is very chic, impressive.

Palena - comfortable but nice feeling for the setting, very good Italian.

Tosca - agree with others that while it's nice and the food is very good, it's so understated so as not to feel special.

Citronelle -- food is very good, service can be pretentious, decor is seriously outdated.

2941 - Out near Tysons, but a very cool space and great food.

Restaurant Eve -- space more similar to feel to Palena. Excellent food; excellent service. Best drinks in the DC area.

L'Auberge - I found it kinda cheesy and the food uninspired, but others love it.

The Source - very cool, very chic. Food is excellent too.

Corduroy - I haven't been in years, but I always hear very, very good things about it.

Blue Duck -- Good, but the food is so focused on rustic and farm-to-table that at times I feel like it's not as interesting as it could be.

My top votes, in this order, are Komi, CityZen and Restaurant Eve. All are very expensive, though.