best and most fun seafood restaurant in DC proper

[Anonymous]

Hey all-

I am a seafood lover and am looking for a fun and excellent seafood restaurant in DC proper to go to for my birthday date with my husband in a few weeks. I want something good and nice and fancy-ish but not boring/too prim and proper. I'd love a fun, lively scene, etc. and good location. We're staying at the Willard that night if it matters, but can taxi around, etc.

Oceanaire? DC Coast? McCormick & Schmick's? Something else? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'd go to Blacksalt.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Blacksalt. Kind of a hassle to get to from the Willard, but it probably is the best fit for what you described. Oceanaire and M&S are chains - fine, but not special. DC Coast WAS great, but has seen better days. Kinkead's is a shadow of its former self (IMO, that would have been the hands down winner 5 years ago) and Hook is both slipping and closed b/c of a fire. I always liked Pesce, but I haven't been there too often recently. So Blacksalt it is - although a weekend reservation for a few weeks away may be problematic.

For lunch the next day, if you love fish, you might want to go down to Old Town and check out Eamonn's Chipper.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention, there are a couple of outsyanding sushi/Japanese restaurants (especially the revamped Sushi Taro) that would be worth your time if you want to go in that direction.

[Anonymous]

Johnny's Halfshell

[Anonymous]

I adore Blacksalt. Have been there at least a dozen times, and never had something that wasn't outstanding.

Highly recommend the fried clams appetizer, clam chowder (unlike any you've ever had before), and bouillabaisse. Also, the chef seems to particulary excel in dishes that include a little bacon - like the fish I had a few weeks ago served over blackeyed peas with bacon. So good.

[Anonymous]

Hank's Oyster Bar

[Anonymous]

Blacksalt. Get the chef's tasting menu--it's a bit of a splurge, but worth it!

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! This is helpful. Re: Hank's Oyster Bar, does anyone know if it is nice/fancy? Or is it casual? Just the name throws me off a bit.

[Anonymous]

I love BlackSalt as well, but I wouldn't necessarily call it fancy. I've always liked Oceannaire, and it might be closer to what you are looking for. Plus then you could walk and won't have to worry about a taxi.

[Anonymous]

Hanks = casual but good

[Anonymous]

Oceanaire is fairly fancy and expensive, but I think it's the most "boring/prim and proper" on the list. Total snooze. They do have delicious crabcakes though.

[Anonymous]

I vote for dc coast, I didn't notice it was slipping I really enjoyed my food, or Johnny's
Went to Kinkeads recently, it was good, but not much atmosphere-definitely not what I would consider fun!

[Anonymous]

Another vote for BlackSalt. I agree that Kinead's and DC Coast, while generally solid, aren't what they were and aren't where I'd go for anything innovative.

If you don't want to trek out to BlackSalt, I'd go to Johnny's Halfshell.

[Anonymous]

Blacksalt is definitely a white table cloth restaurant, although it is more casual at the bar. The last time we went, we sat in the back room (which is new) and it reminded me somehow of Palena in its feel.