Where to take cosmopolitan foreign visitors for dinner in DC?

Anonymous
My old boss and colleagues from my former work are coming to DC next week and I need someplace to suggest for dinner. Oh, they are from London and partners at a city law firm so are used to expense account dinners in posh restaurants. They will be paying so price is not an issue. And one of them is Italian so Italian food is probably not a good idea. Any suggestions? They are used to pretty lively places and we will be going out on a Saturday night. Anywhere on the red line would be good but not essential.

Thanks!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My old boss and colleagues from my former work are coming to DC next week and I need someplace to suggest for dinner. Oh, they are from London and partners at a city law firm so are used to expense account dinners in posh restaurants. They will be paying so price is not an issue. And one of them is Italian so Italian food is probably not a good idea. Any suggestions? They are used to pretty lively places and we will be going out on a Saturday night. Anywhere on the red line would be good but not essential.

Thanks!


If you can get in, Komi - but you're a little late. Actually, you're a little late for most places that fit your criteria - they all book up well in advance for Saturday nights. You may not have much of a choice - check out the Post 2011 Fall Dining Guide - came out yesterday - and start calling. Good lock.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My old boss and colleagues from my former work are coming to DC next week and I need someplace to suggest for dinner. Oh, they are from London and partners at a city law firm so are used to expense account dinners in posh restaurants. They will be paying so price is not an issue. And one of them is Italian so Italian food is probably not a good idea. Any suggestions? They are used to pretty lively places and we will be going out on a Saturday night. Anywhere on the red line would be good but not essential.

Thanks!


If they are from London, they will probably like Indian food. Take them to ether Rasika or Bombay Club in DC. These are elegent Indian restaurants and need reservation.
Anonymous
Palena. Back restaurant, not cafe.
Anonymous
Take them to Brasserie Beck. Lots of great beer and heavy but delicious "mmain courses -- things Brits care about.
Anonymous
Do not take them to Rasika or Bombay Cafe. The best Indian food in the world can be found in London and these restaurants will invite unfortunate comparisons.
Anonymous
Cafe Milano
Anonymous
Palena (restaurant not cafe) is a good idea. Central is another idea. Not Cafe Milano-- it's mediocre food (with suck-up service for the famous).
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Cafe Milano


Please tell me you're joking.
Anonymous

The Tabard Inn.

Anonymous
Agree with Palena and Central. Also Proof, Source or Fiola. Fiola is Italian but authentic and wonderful. Chef is from the Marche region.
Anonymous
Take them out for Ethiopian. Seriously. If they are foodies, it's not about the price, it's about the experience. DC has one of the largest Ethiopian immigrant communities in the world, and it's one of the few cities where you have a choice of Ethiopian restaurants. You can cab it to Zed's or to Etete.

I agree with PPs about Indian food. London's Indian food scene is far better and more diverse than what we have in DC.
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. Ethiopian is a great idea. Are there any good Ethiopian restaurants up near the zoo?

Anonymous
Komi would be a great pick but probably impossible to get in. I never ever want to pay for it again out of my own pocket but I'd go again in a heartbeat on an expense account. I also love Blacksalt, Rasika, and Central. I was pretty disappointed in Fiola but I was there for a big event and maybe the kitchen was overwhelmed by serving so many orders at once.

I haven't been to Etete but the last time I was at Zed's, I was pretty underwhelmed.
Anonymous
Etete is great. Sees is ok, but Georgetown might be fun for the guests to walk around after the meal.

You might also want to try a steakhouse--strikes me as very American and DC. Charlie Palmer on the hill?
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