Restaurant for foodies on budget

[Anonymous]

DH and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next week. We're foodies but on a budget, no huge splurge possible alas. Where can we go for dinner that will feel special but not a rip-off? Maybe a place with a cool view or fun vibe? Willing to pay slightly more for authenticity and interesting food but not for Instagram fake vibes.

[Anonymous]

What part of the dmv do you live? With this town, I’ve found more authenticity in Rockville, Wheaton and Annandale than I have in the district, but obviously the views are a challenge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What part of the dmv do you live? With this town, I’ve found more authenticity in Rockville, Wheaton and Annandale than I have in the district, but obviously the views are a challenge.

We live in Bethesda. Yeah we often go to eat in Rockville, Wheaton and Annandale but we haven't found a place that has "special anniversary vibes" - most of the places are in strip malls or such, right? Or am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

following. would love to find something (or a few things) like this too!

[Anonymous]

Peter Chang’s places are nice and the food is great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What part of the dmv do you live? With this town, I’ve found more authenticity in Rockville, Wheaton and Annandale than I have in the district, but obviously the views are a challenge.

We live in Bethesda. Yeah we often go to eat in Rockville, Wheaton and Annandale but we haven't found a place that has "special anniversary vibes" - most of the places are in strip malls or such, right? Or am I missing something?

Yea we’re in Potomac and you’re right. Il pizzico in Rockville comes up a lot with people I talk to. I guess a famous chef was pretty sick of the dc scene and opened a restaurant there. It is in a strip mall and next to a gas station, but I went in to buy a gift card once and it definitely had date night vibes.

[Anonymous]

What type of budget are you on? If you could give a price range, it would be easier to make recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Maybe somewhere with a nice view? A rooftop? Time it to see sunset.

[Anonymous]

Julii at Pike and Rose. Or Aventino in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Aventino is nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aventino is nice.

Could actually walk over to Hip flask before or after and get a drink on the roof of the new Marriott maybe

[Anonymous]

What about getting takeout and either taking it somewhere for a scenic picnic or bringing it home for a candlelight dinner?

[Anonymous]

I think you should take advantage of happy hour prices, on a Monday to Thursday night. Instagram Washingtonian recently did a list of good happy hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next week. We're foodies but on a budget, no huge splurge possible alas. Where can we go for dinner that will feel special but not a rip-off? Maybe a place with a cool view or fun vibe? Willing to pay slightly more for authenticity and interesting food but not for Instagram fake vibes.

+1

"no huge splurge" means different things to different people. Do you simply mean not one of those places like Minibar that is $500+ a person?
Or all in, you don't want to spend more than $200? $100?

[Anonymous]

Nina May has a $60 per person tasting menu

But all in with tip plus drinks, you'll probably still be easily over $200 total, so not sure if that is too much.