Birthday Restaurant for 13 Year Old

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jaleo for tapas, Zaytinya for mezze, or Oyamel for Mexican small plates.

Oyamel is one of my 13 YO DD's favorite restaurants[/quot

Yup, my kids have regularly asked for Jaleo or Oyamel for specially occasions since they were young. Google chef Jose Andre first so your kid can learn how how impressive he is as a chef and humanitarian. He fed Puerto Rico after the hurricane, for God’s sake!

That’s part of why I recommended these restaurants. But they’re also just excellent restaurants that do have a slightly special feel. My 13 YO loves them.

Totally agree! My 11 yo DD loves these. Also another newer Jose Andres restaurant, China Chilcano. All have a fun, festive atmosphere and terrific food.

My 11yo DD also loves all of Jose Andres' restaurants, but I think Jaleo is probably her favorite. The decor is really quirky, and you can order lots of small plates to share, so kids can be a little adventurous in ordering because they're not stuck with a huge plate of something they don't like. My DD has chosen Rasika (amazing upscale Indian—don't miss the fried spinach) and Brasserie Beck (Belgian, for steamed mussels, steak frites, etc.) for birthdays in the past, and also loves Matchbox (mini burgers and wood-fired pizza) and Central.

Agree that Central feels a little fancy, but the food isn't too weird or confusing. This might be a really good bet, because there's something on the menu for everyone, and it feels special but not stuffy. They're used to out-of-town visitors, and I've seen people dressed up very nicely sitting alongside people who clearly just came from a museum day. The fried chicken is to die for—and my DD and I could both eat our weight in the cheese gougeres! Desserts are fun, too, with things like an larger, upscale version of a Kit Kat bar.

[Anonymous]

Peacock cafe in Georgetown.
Great food ( they have fries for kids if she is a picky eater) and nice, easy, ambiance but not too fancy.

[Anonymous]

If you do end up with Mexican, do Uncle Julio's, with the chocolate pinata for dessert. They'll love it!

[Anonymous]

Firefly in Dupont Circle is fun for a birthday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do end up with Mexican, do Uncle Julio's, with the chocolate pinata for dessert. They'll love it!

NP. I am trying to picture this in my head and failing. It sounds fun, though!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melting Pot is fun.

This is where I took my son for his 13th birthday. He invited a friend and they had a great time. Not cheap but good!

But they would have to go to Gaithersburg or Arlington - neither of those are DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do end up with Mexican, do Uncle Julio's, with the chocolate pinata for dessert. They'll love it!

NP. I am trying to picture this in my head and failing. It sounds fun, though!!!

It IS fun and really really good. The chocolate is great and then there are berries and cookies and things to eat with the chocolate.
I want one now!! Thanks for mentioning it....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fogo de Chao is fun.

Not for a 13 year old girl.

From someone with a similar aged DD:

Hill Country BBQ - it’s good (albeit pricey for BBQ) and loud. My kid likes it because they can pick out their food “meat market” style and their desserts are good. It’s also in Chinatown so there is shopping (Urban outfitters etc.) nearby.

Founding Farmers - people here love to hate it, but it has a huge menu and good desert too
!”
Navy Yard - lots of options from fast casual to sit down. You can also get ice cream and coffee and walk around the river front. Also if she likes thrills there is a trapeze school down there.

Our 13-year old girl loved Fogo de Chao. “I’m in meat heaven!” she said.

A lot of 13 year olds these days are vegetarians or vegans - ‘meat heaven’ ?? That is not a thing? More like ‘Meat hell’.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fogo de Chao is fun.

Not for a 13 year old girl.

From someone with a similar aged DD:

Hill Country BBQ - it’s good (albeit pricey for BBQ) and loud. My kid likes it because they can pick out their food “meat market” style and their desserts are good. It’s also in Chinatown so there is shopping (Urban outfitters etc.) nearby.

Founding Farmers - people here love to hate it, but it has a huge menu and good desert too
!”
Navy Yard - lots of options from fast casual to sit down. You can also get ice cream and coffee and walk around the river front. Also if she likes thrills there is a trapeze school down there.

Our 13-year old girl loved Fogo de Chao. “I’m in meat heaven!” she said.

A lot of 13 year olds these days are vegetarians or vegans - ‘meat heaven’ ?? That is not a thing? More like ‘Meat hell’.

I have had 4 13 year olds and none of them are vegetarian. A few of their friends are but mostly ones who have vegetarian parents.

[Anonymous]

Looks like OP has disappeared, but if you come back tell us more about what kind of food your DD likes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people suggesting chains like fago, nandos and melting pot?

Melting pot is just nasty.

Says the insufferable faux foodie.

And you know me how? I eat at plenty of dive places, plenty of fancy places, and plenty of inbetween places. Some are good, some are bad, some are ok, few are excellent. I give my honest opinion. And I have a ton of people that reach out to me on a regular basis for my opinion. And my opinion is that Melting Pot falls below bad, into the nasty category. People like it because it is different.

What do you like there? Do you think the price point justifies the quality of food and service?

[Anonymous]

Another rec for Melting Pot. Loved it as a teenager.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people suggesting chains like fago, nandos and melting pot?

Melting pot is just nasty.

Says the insufferable faux foodie.

And you know me how? I eat at plenty of dive places, plenty of fancy places, and plenty of inbetween places. Some are good, some are bad, some are ok, few are excellent. I give my honest opinion. And I have a ton of people that reach out to me on a regular basis for my opinion. And my opinion is that Melting Pot falls below bad, into the nasty category. People like it because it is different.

What do you like there? Do you think the price point justifies the quality of food and service?

I've eaten everywhere from Cracker Barrel to Gramercy Tavern and everywhere in between.

I think Melting Pot is fun. Is it high cuisine? Of course not, but it's fun.

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks for all the suggestions. My daughter likes any type of cuisine, really. Sushi, Italian, Mexican and seafood are particular favorites.

[Anonymous]

For special and unique, I would suggest Iron Gate Inn and Tabard Inn, both on N Street off CT. Excellent food and a different atmosphere. I think a 13YO girl would find Tabard especially elegant and classy. I always take out-of-town guests there and have never had a bad meal in decades.