Raku on Woodmont

Westend Bistro
Rasika
Palena
Dino

If you are looking for steak, BLT has the best steak in town!

Grapeseed in Bethesda is excellent and perfect for a date night.

I really love Black Salt in the Palisades, and Black's Bar and Kitchen in Bethesda. Both are on the $$ side, but nice for an important date night. Enjoy!!

Anything in the Black's family - Black Salt being my first choice - start with a rock candy mojito.

I don't think all Bethesda restaurants are bad-- I just don't think there are any that are really good. Places like Haandi and Mias are fine/good, but I wouldn't recommend them to someone looking for a special place for their first date night in a year.

chickychen wrote:If you are planning on metroing in, take the red line down to metro center and dine at Tosca's. I haven't been in months, but dined there several times and always loved it. Also cast my vote to Rasika, but the are usually booked several weeks out. Though I haven't been yet, I only hear rave reviews of Thai X-ing - definitely worth a try f you're both foodies.

I was just about to suggest Tosca. I haven't been there since I left my law firm, which was in the same building, and I miss it! I've only had their fish but it's amazing, and others have said the same about the other dishes. It is expensive but not Komi-expensive.

Ceiba is good too if you want something a little more funky. The service can be a bit rushed but the food is really neat. Also on the Metro Center stop.

I disagree with those who say all restaurants in Bethesda are bad. There are some great casual places. Haandi (Indian), Maki Maki or Aji Nippon (sushi), Foong Lin (Chinese), Mia's Pizza (wood-fired pizza). But we tend to prefer Asian food.

If you are planning on metroing in, take the red line down to metro center and dine at Tosca's. I haven't been in months, but dined there several times and always loved it. Also cast my vote to Rasika, but the are usually booked several weeks out. Though I haven't been yet, I only hear rave reviews of Thai X-ing - definitely worth a try f you're both foodies.

07:52: OP again, I must agree with you about Founding Farmers. My brother was in town and I took him there for lunch thinking it would be good. What a disappointment! My brother's comment "it's like Cheesecake Factory but more expensive".

OP here, thanks all for the recommendations. DH didn't like the couple of restaurants we tried in Bethesda (although we had our kids with us so that pretty much took the enjoyment out of any dinning experiences lately). I'll call Komi and Rasika. We dont' mind how expensive it is as long as it's worth the price. I really dislike getting excited over a restaurant only to try to the food and it's mediocre but the bill is over the top.

Thanks again...

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking upscale for your first night out. Fiola is amazing! I'm surprised no one else has recommended it. I also like The Source.

You can do Citronelle if you go early and eat at the bar. Probably not what you had in mind.

Rasika is another great choice but it is hard to get a weekend reservation this close to the date.

Try the just opened Rasika West End - don't know if they have the same press yet.

I'm thinking upscale for your first night out. Fiola is amazing! I'm surprised no one else has recommended it. I also like The Source.

You can do Citronelle if you go early and eat at the bar. Probably not what you had in mind.

Rasika is another great choice but it is hard to get a weekend reservation this close to the date.

Agree with the person who said not to waste time driving. We had our first date night out in 10 months a week ago and hit up a local restaurant (Busboy's and Poets), ate wings and beer, caught a movie and had the BEST time. Don't overthink it.

Anonymous wrote:Woodmont grill. Bacchus. Founding farmers either location.

enjoy!

You haven't seen the latest Spring Dining Guide, have you? OP, stay the hell away from Founding Farmers.