Black market Bistro in Garrett Park is also nice.

Seasons 52 in Rockville(across from White Flint Mall). We had an all-around exceptional experience there recently. Excellent food, service, ambiance.

I was going to say city zen until I saw your price point. So worth it
Though.

Palena has the celeb chef deal--Frank Ruta cooked for the Clintons in the White House. The bistro/cafe is more moderately priced but the food is still excellent. Dino is also fabulous. Both are in Cleveland Park. And you might check out West End Bistro in foggy bottom.

X4 Blue Duck. LOVE IT.

2nd nod for Dino. Komi is my fave but $$$ as PP noted.

Third Blue Duck.

Save a little dough and go to Vidalia for lunch and then take the rest of the afternoon off. http://vidaliadc.com/

Well, the best restaurant in DC right now is Komi near Dupont Circle. You'll have to make a reservation a month in advance. Prix fixe menu; $135. It is sublime. http://komirestaurant.com/

I love Washingtonian.com restaurant finder to locate a place by area and then read the reviews

Dino -- great wine list, farm-to-tableish, and one of my favorite moderately priced restaurants.

Palena (front dining room is casual, back room is formal.

Blue Duck was the first thing that came to my mind, too.

Blue Duck Tavern
Founding Farmers

Restaurant Nora has been around awhile and some people find it tired but I think it's uniformly excellent. It's def a DC landmark.

I'm hoping for suggestions for a place to take my husband for a nice birthday dinner. He's a bit of a "foodie" and wine snob, so taking that into account, I'd love to hear some recommendations of restaurants in the DC area (preferably DC or MD, not VA) that won't break the bank. (I'm thinking $15-30 for an entree?)


Ideas of things he might like:

- farm to table type places
- chef inspired
- good wine lists (or a place that's used to people bringing bottles from their own cellars)
- reasonably priced
- perhaps a DC landmark or well-respected restaurant/chef?

Thanks in advance!