Excellent but not pretentious restaurant recommendations in DC?

[Anonymous]

A friend is celebrating her 50th birthday here in DC next week. Several of us are joining her for a night at the Mandarin Oriental and then the March to Restore Sanity on the mall. Yes, that was her request, the good liberal that she is! I am the only one that lives in the area and they are expecting me to come up with a great place to eat on Friday night. Honestly, I have no clue. I live in Mont. Co. and rarely venture in during the evening hours. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

How much do you want to spend? What kind of food?

[Anonymous]

Jaleo or Zaytinya would be fun for a group of women.

[Anonymous]

I think Sou'Wester in the Mandarin Oriental is reasonably priced and supposed to be good. Second the Zaytinya rec, too -- not expensive and always good for a group.

[Anonymous]

Three straight women and two gay men. Don't want spend more than $30 for entree. Drinks would be in addition to this. I think we all like most food. I'm not too keen on Jaleo. Lot's of little dishes....expensive and not really satisfying IMO. The 2 gay men live in NYC so they are way trendier and have higher expectations than we do.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Marrakesh for something different? It is the whole Morrocan theme where you sit on couches, eat with your hands, and belly dancers. It is a fixed course dinner for around $40 a person not including drinks. Just bring cash they don't take credit cards. Zaytinya is great but not if you aren't into the tapas scene.

[Anonymous]

What about Mie N Yu in Georgetown? Oyamel, Ceiba, Oya, Zenga or Zola are good too. I'd pick wherever you can get reservations

[Anonymous]

The front cafe part of Palena.

[Anonymous]

Rasika

[Anonymous]

Oyamel -- trendy and delicious.

I would not do Marrakesh -- too kitschy for NYC people.

Alternatively, you could do something like Ethiopian on U Street -- definitely something unique that DC has to offer.

[Anonymous]

Or someplace like Granville Moore's on Cap. Hill -- more bistro like, with mussels and Belgian beer.

[Anonymous]

Rasika for Indian. Not pretentious - but best indian food around.

I also really like Bistro Cacao on Capitol Hill. Not pretentious at all, and I thought it was a really good little french bistro.

Oyamel is not pretentious - and has amazing margaritas with a "salt foam" - also lots of small plates which can be fun - and more satisfying that Jaleo.

Zaytinya is not pretentious - also small plates and fun.

[Anonymous]

I have not been here yet, but what about Estadio on 14th Street: http://estadio-dc.com/. Also, Kushi is getting a lot of buzz.

[Anonymous]

I think Rasika is a very good suggestion. Brasserie Beck might be another possibility. I like Oyamel but if you're down on Jaleo I'm not sure Oyamel (or Estadio) is a good alternative. The front room of Palena doesn't take reservations (and it's a little less convenient than the downtown options). I'd stay away from Marrakesh, and I'm not sure Ethiopian says "50th birthday celebration."

[Anonymous]

You are never going to be able to compete with NY restaurants in the trendiness stakes, so why not go for a restaurant or bar with a great view of DC? I've not been here long, so I can't recommend one, but someone out there must know of such a place. In fact, I'm sure I've read about a hotel bar somewhere that has great views. Anyone help me out?