Restaurant Rec for Date Night in DC

[Anonymous]

My husband and I unexpectedly have a babysitter for Saturday night. We would like to go to a nice restaurant in DC hopefully near a metro. It can be fancy or casual just as long as it is good. I'm pregnant so it would be nice if they have a good wine list by the glass for my husband and he loves a good cheese plate for dessert. We are adventurous eaters if that helps. We live in VA and are transplants so I am pretty clueless about what's good in DC.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Restaurant Eve in Alexandria (Old Town). Absolutely great food and an amazing experience overall. Wonderful date night too!

Also in Alexadria - Farrah Olivia.

They're both pricey, but if your husband is only drinking 1 -2 glasses of wine, it should be manageable.

In DC, there are just so many options. Anything to narrow it down?

[Anonymous]

Olives is good - near Farragutt West and North.

Chef Geoff's is also always good - near Metro Center.

[Anonymous]

Oh, how about Willow in Ballston?

[Anonymous]

I would do Jaleo or Zaytinya--both easy metro stops. Either Gallery Place or Archives. Fun to do the small plates and try different things. And I really miss the sangria at Jaleo...

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. We really would like to go into DC. The babysitters are my parents so we feel comfortable taking a long leisurely dinner. When we get a regular babysitter we tend to stay very close to home in Arlington so that is why we wanted to take advantage of trying something new in DC. I want to leave our car with my folks in case of an emergency so that is why we would like to be able to metro if possible.

We have been to Willow several times and I have heard many good things about Restaurant Eve but we don't really want to go into Alexandria for this evening. I did check out their menu and it looks delicious.

We have been to Jaleo in Crystal City and Zantinya. I thought we had been to Chef Geoff's but I didn't remember it being near metro center. Are there two locations? Keep the suggestions coming. I really appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

If you are willing to go as far as Cleveland Park, there are a number of good restaurants within a block of the Metro. The most famous is probably Palena, but we also like Ardeo. Near Dupont Circle, the Tabard Inn is very nice.

[Anonymous]

Blue Duck Tavern at 24th and M is great! I believe the closest metro would be Foggy Bottom.

[Anonymous]

Willow was horrible, in my opinion. But I will second the vote for Zaytina. Awesome food, service, location and price! Great wine list, too.
Have fun!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm hearing great things about Proof, I think they are also a wine bar so have a top notch wine program and the reviews of the food are really good. Komi in Dupont Circle is really great for a special dinner. That said, although you said you don't want to stay in VA, I have to tell you that Eve is my absolute favorite restaurant in the area (and I'm really into good food). You probably wouldn't be able to get a reservation for such short notice anyway, but keep it in mind for the future. In particular, the Tasting Room at Eve is an amazing romantic, adventurous eating experience, but you need to book in advance (and plan for a 3 hour dinner).

[Anonymous]

I would recommend Sonoma on Captiol Hill. It has a great wine selection, the food is outstanding (all organic, kind of adventurous) and they have an entire cheese course if you're so inclined (I don't do cheese personally, but we've heard others rave about it).

[Anonymous]

I second Restaurant Eve. DH and I went there for the first time on New Year's eve and it was just what the doctor ordered. A bit pricey, though, and you HAVE to make reservations.

[Anonymous]

If you like Indian, Rasika is terrific (funky, interesting, and fun food and setting) and it's near several metro stops. Near Dupont, second the Komi recommendation - very good, pretty fancy place, and Tabard Inn is romantic, with food that is fine but not amazing. Cleveland Park is a bit of a hike for you, but Palena is terrific, great food and and great for date night. If you're a seafood fan, or just love amazing mac and cheese, Hank's Oyster Bar in dupont circle is fabulous as well. More casual than the others, but delicious. (They don't have desserts, but you could always add on a visit to afterwords at kramerbooks for coffee and dessert or desserts by the bar/fire in tabard inn)

[Anonymous]

I thought Willow was very "eh" for the price. I've gone there for work events and have always been glad that I wasn't footing the bill! Closer to VA but farther away from the Metro is Black Salt in VA. Totally worth the money. The new tasting room is amazing. My husband doesn't like seafood but loved this restaurant!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I meant Black Salt in the Palisades on MacArthur Blvd. It's a short hop from Chain Bridge or Key Bridge.