I would second Columbia Firehouse in Old Town. If you make a reservation there be sure to mention if you have any people in your party who can't do stairs. It is a 3-level restaurant and I'm not sure if they have an elevator.

I love the Carlyle Grand in Shirlington, but like the PP mentioned, they do not take reservations so I would skip it for this particular event.

What about Clyde's? There's one in Chinatown.

I have had some pretty good dinners at Chart House but they also ROYALLY SCREWED UP my rehearsal dinner, so take that for what it's worth. That was a much bigger group though.

I think Carlyle is an awesome idea personally but depending on what day of the week it is, they may not be able to take a reservation. They do have call ahead seating but I wouldn't do it without a reservation.

Carmine's is another good suggestion and they do a wonderful job with groups. It's also deceivingly inexpensive - I guess it's because of the family style but we always end up spending less than expected when we are there with a large group.

I personally don't think the food at Old Ebbitt or the Hamilton is that great but the ambiance is.

Is Ruth's Chris in Crystal City out of your budget? (They have a really nice prix fixe I believe for about $30 p/p). We also really like Landini Brothers in Old Town and they do a great job with groups too. If you like Mexican, Rosa Mexicano at National Harbor could be fun.

What about the Carlyle in Shirlington?

On the Hill, I've taken a group about that size to Chesapeake Room on Barracks Row. With notice, they can combine tables and that outside seating area's charming in spring and can be easier than echo-ey inside places to hear.

The last time we had friends staying in Crystal City, we had a nice group meal at Legal Seafood in Crystal City. We also like McCormick and Schmidt's (but I've only been to the one in DC, not the one in Crystal City).

IME, they put families with kids in the atrium room--but you can probably request elsewhere. If Old Ebbitt is in the ballpark, you might try the Hamilton; it's run by the same folks, newer, and HUGE, so I'm sure they could fit your party in. Carmine's is also a good suggestion

Anonymous wrote:Old Ebbitt's in DC since they are good with large groups....some of the party can sightsee around the WH if the weather is nice. Columbia Firehouse in OT.

This is OP. My DH and I have gone to Old Ebbitt and we like it a lot, but it always seems really loud, especially since we seem to end up in the part of the restaurant that is in the office building foyer for dinner. Do they have tables for larger groups somewhere less noisy?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will look them up right now and would love to hear any others.

Anonymous wrote:I would do L'Auberge Chez Francois. Lunch is quite reasonable and is a fixed menu/price, it is very pretty out there in May, it's not that far from Crystal City, and they have plenty of space at lunchtime. Parking is easy and it is quiet, which older people tend to appreciate. We did a big family lunch there with about 15 people and it was perfect.

Love it also. The lunch is reasonable and they do a great job with groups. It will be a great place to go in May.

Sea Catch in Georgetown would be nice.

Old Ebbitt's in DC since they are good with large groups....some of the party can sightsee around the WH if the weather is nice. Columbia Firehouse in OT.

PP, I would disagree. That restaurant is very expensive, and waay over-rated, imo. Lunch or dinner somewhere else will be half the cost.

I would do L'Auberge Chez Francois. Lunch is quite reasonable and is a fixed menu/price, it is very pretty out there in May, it's not that far from Crystal City, and they have plenty of space at lunchtime. Parking is easy and it is quiet, which older people tend to appreciate. We did a big family lunch there with about 15 people and it was perfect.

Agree that the food isn't that great at the Chart House but I don't think it is terrible either. Plus you get to be right on the water and there is a parking lot right there too. All of my out-of-town family there was very impressed with it even if it isn't my personal choice. Especially as your grandmother doesn't want "experimental" food I would say the Chart House is fine, but I bet it fills up quickly for graduation weekend. The other standard graduation place is Sequoia in Georgetown on the water, but that is harder to get to (and also mobbed on graduation weekend).

I was about to say, Maggiano's.

Chart House is terrible. I'd recommend Carmines for any group over 10. They are used to crowds and very reasonably priced.

I am graduating (from graduate school) in May and my family and my DH's family are coming to town for the ceremony. It will likely be nine adults and two preteens (10 and 12), but a few more adults might be added to the group nearer the date.

They are staying in Crystal City, so I was thinking either downtown, Capitol Hill (where I live,) or VA, although I wouldn't be adverse to suggestions in other areas. I was thinking maybe the Chart House Restaurant in Alexandria on the waterfront because I know it can handle bigger groups.

Does anyone have any suggestions for restaurants that handle big groups nicely? It doesn't need to be really fancy, but it is a special occasion. We will have my 87 year-old grandmother, so probably nothing where the cuisine is really experimental or the restaurant has loud music, etc.

TIA!