Restaurant Help!

[Anonymous]

I’ve been put in charge of picking a restaurant for a mini-reunion of college friends. I’m the only one who lives here and the three others are coming to the area for something else, so we thought we would take the opportunity to go out.

The problem is I am totally lame and I have no idea where the “cool” restaurants are. I’ve been looking online but I would trust someone’s personal recommendation of where to go over some article where you can’t even be sure if they actually went there.

Here’s the criteria they gave me:
Cool/trendy/Fun
Vegetarian options for one person, otherwise any cuisine
Excellent cocktails
Not $$$$; $$-$$$ preferred
Anywhere in DC is fine, we are starting from Glover Park area

I want to blame being lame on the pandemic and not going to restaurants anymore but that’s kind of a lie. I was lame before and only went to restaurants basically in my neighborhood or close because I am a creature of habit.

Thanks in advance, non-lame DC foodies!

[Anonymous]

Zaytinya

[Anonymous]

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-new-restaurants-heatmap-dc

https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/01/24/the-100-very-best-restaurants-in-washington-dc-2024/

[Anonymous]

Trendy restaurants anyone?

[Anonymous]

Lapis

[Anonymous]

Not sure of the size of your group but:

Rooster and Owl
Perry’s
Reveler’s Hour

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zaytinya

I was going to suggest this. Its heyday of cool and trendy is long gone but if your friends are from out of town they won't know that.

[Anonymous]

Maydan
Nina May
Anju
Lutece

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Zaytinya

I was going to suggest this. Its heyday of cool and trendy is long gone but if your friends are from out of town they won't know that.

I was going to suggest this right after OP posted, but thought I was probably too old to know what was cool anymore. But I think Jose Andres is pretty awesome regardless, and it's a great spot. (And veg friendly.)

[Anonymous]

how do you and your group feel about noise, OP? That's a deal killer for me if I am getting together with people I haven't seen in awhile and want to talk to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Zaytinya

I was going to suggest this. Its heyday of cool and trendy is long gone but if your friends are from out of town they won't know that.

I was going to suggest this right after OP posted, but thought I was probably too old to know what was cool anymore. But I think Jose Andres is pretty awesome regardless, and it's a great spot. (And veg friendly.)

I was going to say the same. The food is solid and I like the interior.

[Anonymous]

L’Ardente of centrolina for italian

[Anonymous]

Oyamel is another great one from Andres.

[Anonymous]

Revelers Hour or Lapis are my top choices - plus easy to go grab a drink after dinner if you choose

I like St Anselm but getting over there with a group will be a pain

Maydan or Compass Rose are great too

[Anonymous]

Boqueria has a really good tasting menu for groups. Tons of food for the price. I think tapas are festive.