You are asking about 'similarly worth it' restaurants that compare to Inn at Little Washington which is the only 3-star Michelin restaurant in DC and costs upwards of a thousand dollars to eat there ($700 for food alone not counting drinks).

If that's the kind of dining level you want, then Minibar or Pineapple and Pearls which are 2-star Michelin restaurnts. I've not heard anything yet about Jont, but that's another 2-star Michelin restaurant.

Or, go to NYC where you will find tons of options akin to Inn at Little Washington (Per Se, Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernadin, and more)

If you're just talking about regular restaurants that are a little nicer than average, some of my favorite meals have been at Maydan, Rose's Luxury, Little Pearl, Komi, Rasika.

I had a great experience at Obelisk over a decade ago, not sure if it's still as good, but I still think about their fluffy gnocchi which were the best I've ever had.

Rose's isn't fussy at all. I'd go there on a weeknight. It's one of my favorite regular DC restaurants. It's not at all an Inn at Little Washington type restaurant (Rose's is maybe $200ish for a meal for two with drinks (?) while the Inn at Little Washington is $1500 for two with the tasting + wine paring menu)

Have only been to a few of these since the pandemic, but they generally hit a similar spot as you are interested in:

Prix fixe, generally really expensive:
Metier
Cranes

More aligned with The Dabney - excellent food, pricey but a good value:
Convivial
Little Pearl
Kinship
Centrolina

We really enjoyed Bresca! Food was delicious and not too fussy.

Anonymous wrote:Minibar was the best meal of my life. You may want to check on pineapple and pearls - I had one wonderful dinner there and one not so wonderful, but that was pre COVID.

Minibar was the best meal of my life, too. The best bite of food I’ve ever put in my mouth was their conch fritter.

Roses isn’t fussy— one of their famous dishes is a brisket sandwich.

Cranes was very good when we went. Also like Rooster and Owl a lot.

Anonymous wrote:Just went to Little Pearl last night & the food was amazing.

Do you know is their patio is heated? We have outdoor reservations there next week…

Masseria

Annabelle, Tail Up Goat

Just went to Little Pearl last night & the food was amazing.

OP

Blue Duck Tavern

It’s been a few years but I remember Rose’s being pretty reasonably priced. Thought it was very good and would recommend.

Oh, PP. You need to get out more.

Minibar was the best meal of my life. You may want to check on pineapple and pearls - I had one wonderful dinner there and one not so wonderful, but that was pre COVID.

I recently went to Inn at Little Washington but my partner wasn't there. It was expensive but special and good food. We have an anniversary and I'm wondering what's similarly worth it in town. We've been to Komi but haven't been to Rose's Luxury or Minibar. (I'm a bit worried they are too fussy and more for show than for food but don't really know.) We really like the Dabney and it is relatively reasonable, which is fine too. Any suggestions?