DC Restaurant recommendation? Friends visiting from Cali.

[Anonymous]

Want to take them somewhere with a DC /east coast vibe and good food.

[Anonymous]

Not sure what constitutes a DC vibe unless we are talking about places like Ben's Chili Bowl or The Florida Avenue Grill. Otherwise Founding Farmers would be high on my list. Capital Grille too.

[Anonymous]

Also not sure what you mean, but Brookland's Finest has a DC motif http://www.brooklandsfinest.com/. You could also go to Bidwell at Union Market http://bidwelldc.com/.

[Anonymous]

It really depends what your budget is...but your looking at anything from 100-1000 dollars. Rasika is always a good choice if they like indian fusion. Oya is pretty, has good food, and prices are reasonable. Sax (same owner as Oya) is gorgeous inside, has a free burlesque show while you eat on certain nights (try to get a seat in the top balcony), the food was just "ok" but def worth it for the ambience/setting if you go on a show night (feels very "extravagant")

Ive heard good things about coco sala...But I've only been there for dessert.

[Anonymous]

I would add that the little strip of places on 11th Street in NW are also very DC small neighborhoodish. Thinking El Chuco and Wonderland Ballroom.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions so far. Not sure exactly what I meant by DC vibe either ?. Mainly just a good atmosphere or a restaurant that visitors to DC might appreciate. My favorite, and default, restaurant is CoCo Sala but wanted to switch it up this time.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried Compass Rose on 14th Street? I've been telling everyone about it lately. Had a fantastic meal there and it's a very cool atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends what your budget is...but your looking at anything from 100-1000 dollars. Rasika is always a good choice if they like indian fusion. Oya is pretty, has good food, and prices are reasonable. Sax (same owner as Oya) is gorgeous inside, has a free burlesque show while you eat on certain nights (try to get a seat in the top balcony), the food was just "ok" but def worth it for the ambience/setting if you go on a show night (feels very "extravagant")

Ive heard good things about coco sala...But I've only been there for dessert.

I forgot to add, Red Hen, nice busy atmosphere, hard to get a reservation though so try early

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what constitutes a DC vibe unless we are talking about places like Ben's Chili Bowl or The Florida Avenue Grill. Otherwise Founding Farmers would be high on my list. Capital Grille too.

Sorry to be blunt, but I'd be embarrassed to take out of towners to Founding Farmers, which is terrible, or Capital Grille, which is a chain with locations on the west coast.

How about some quality restaurants that are unique to DC:
Mintwood Place
Central
Cafe Milano (the food is nothing special but it's certainly a DC power spot if that's what you're after)
Fiola Mare--beautiful views of Kennedy Center, monuments
Grill Room -- Frank Ruta is probably the best chef in DC
Chez Billy in Petworth--good French food in a cool neighborhood
Red Hen in Bloomingdale--another one with great food in a real DC neighborhood

[Anonymous]

Tabard Inn

[Anonymous]

1789
Equinox
Oval Room
DC Coast

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, don't take them anywhere that serves 'Mexican.'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever you do, don't take them anywhere that serves 'Mexican.'

Ha, ha - no way!
Thanks everyone. I was drawing a blank but you all have given good suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what constitutes a DC vibe unless we are talking about places like Ben's Chili Bowl or The Florida Avenue Grill. Otherwise Founding Farmers would be high on my list. Capital Grille too.

Sorry to be blunt, but I'd be embarrassed to take out of towners to Founding Farmers, which is terrible, or Capital Grille, which is a chain with locations on the west coast.

How about some quality restaurants that are unique to DC:
Mintwood Place
Central
Cafe Milano (the food is nothing special but it's certainly a DC power spot if that's what you're after)
Fiola Mare--beautiful views of Kennedy Center, monuments
Grill Room -- Frank Ruta is probably the best chef in DC
Chez Billy in Petworth--good French food in a cool neighborhood
Red Hen in Bloomingdale--another one with great food in a real DC neighborhood

These are all some good ones! I also like Vinotecca down on U Street or one of the 14th Street/Logan restaurants - Estadio, Birch and Barley, Pearl Dive Oyster bar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whatever you do, don't take them anywhere that serves 'Mexican.'

Ha, ha - no way!
Thanks everyone. I was drawing a blank but you all have given good suggestions.

Unless they want Salvadoran food.