Capitol Grill

Virtue Feed and Grain
Majestic
Eventide
Rays the Steaks
J Gilbert's

Bazin's isn't very frou frou and is still a nice restaurant.

Your husband sounds like my husband!

Here are some places we really like, though some probably wouldn't think they're fancy enough for an anniversary dinner. But my husband kind of hates fancy restaurants, he likes a warm atmosphere with good food.

Mad Fox in Falls Church is good especially if you or your husband like beer. There's a new Matchbox in Merrifield. Liberty Tavern which was mentioned. We really like the Dogwood Tavern - again, not fancy, but a really warm atmosphere and we just seem to have a good time there whenever we go.

No, do not go to 2941. We went there a couple of months ago for DD's birthday. The food was not good and it's not something your DH would enjoy. We stopped and got a pizza on the way home because we were all still hungry.

2nd on 2941. Brabo and Vermillion in Old Town are very good, as is The Majestic for something just a tad more casual. Rays the Steaks, as others have said, is excellent and would please your husband but the atmosphere is slightly lacking.

Virtue Feed & Grain?
2941?
Eventide?
Liberty Tavern?
Vermilion?
Farrah Olivia?

Personally I love 2941, but Mr. "real food" may find it a little foo-foo.

Love Ray's the Steaks. Great steaks, great price, unpretentious. But maybe not that special atmosphere for an anniversary dinner.

At the same time I cringe at chain steakhouses, but that may be what "real food" DH has in mind.

I agree with you that of the chain steakhouses, I like Capital Grille best.

There are a bunch of upscale steakhouses in Tysons. I like Capitol Grille the best but it might be too far outside your budget.

My favorite steaks are at Rays the Steaks in Arlington. If you tell them your celebration when you make your reservation they'll do something nice for you.

Cafe Renaissance in Vienna? Doesn't look like much on the outside but old-fashioned, white tablecloth nice interior. Classic French restaurant but I had a nice filet there. Great service - they will treat you well.

If you like seafood, then just across Chain Bridge is Blacksalt.

Vermilion is outstanding. Maybe Majestic? Evening Star Cafe?

Tallulah is great, but I'm not sure if they do full entrees or just small plates. It's definitely real food if you order right, but there may also be an airy fairy course or two on the menu.

Eve Bistro is also great, but pricey and potentially airy-fairy.

Is there a Morton's out there? If you tell them when you make reservations, they will create a personalized menu. Plus, it's always festive when they bring a live lobster to the table for the show and tell recitation of the specials.

Requirements -

Close-in VA. Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, McLean, maybe Vienna.

"Real food". According to DH he doesn't want a bunch of airy-fairy, two-bite, haute cuisine courses.

Special, but not requiring a second mortgage. Think entrees under $35-40/person.

We have a sitter lined up but need to finalize a restaurant choice and make reservations.