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Looking for restaurant recommendations for Washington DC metro area…

Got GSPs

Got GSPs

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I’m trying to plan a couples dinner with a friend. He and his wife live in Bedford VA and we are in York PA. Looking at some place neutral, DC seems like the best area to target. What makes this tricky is that my buddy really gets excited about fine dining, but my wife doesn’t like super fancy with sauces or too many ingredients on the plate. Also, my buddy eats seafood but no other meat and my wife will never eat seafood. So, we need some place that has top end ingredients and technique, but not too fancy… and someolace that has plenty of seafood and vegetarian options, but also more meat and potatoes. Bonus points if they have a Michelin star or James beard award. I’ve been browsing but thought I’d ask the all knowing board.
 
Got GSPs

Got GSPs

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Oct 7, 2021
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Any thoughts on one of Jose Andreas’s restaurants, Jaleo Or The Bazaar?

Menus - Spanish Cuisine in Washington, DC - Jaleo by José Andrés

Brought to you by Chef José Andrés and his team, Jaleo brings alive the spirit and flavors of Spain through a traditional and cutting-edge tapas experience.
www.jaleo.com www.jaleo.com

www.thebazaar.com

Menu at The Bazaar by José Andrés | Washington DC

A vibrant mix of sophisticated cuisine, artful service and playful theatrics, The Bazaar by José Andrés is where dining transcends into fête extraordinaire. Each Bazaar location offers its own unique flair, all with the promise of an experience of a lifetime.
www.thebazaar.com www.thebazaar.com
 
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ApexLion

ApexLion

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Got GSPs said:
I’m trying to plan a couples dinner with a friend. He and his wife live in Bedford VA and we are in York PA. Looking at some place neutral, DC seems like the best area to target. What makes this tricky is that my buddy really gets excited about fine dining, but my wife doesn’t like super fancy with sauces or too many ingredients on the plate. Also, my buddy eats seafood but no other meat and my wife will never eat seafood. So, we need some place that has top end ingredients and technique, but not too fancy… and someolace that has plenty of seafood and vegetarian options, but also more meat and potatoes. Bonus points if they have a Michelin star or James beard award. I’ve been browsing but thought I’d ask the all knowing board.
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Lebanese Taverna on Connecticut.
Whole Brazino for the fish lover. Feed plenty of finger foods - hummus to the vegans.

Get the Mouzat - damn good. Ask for some Greek wines - you look like a hero.

plus it’s not crazy expensive
 
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MacNit

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Oct 12, 2021
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Got GSPs said:
I’m trying to plan a couples dinner with a friend. He and his wife live in Bedford VA and we are in York PA. Looking at some place neutral, DC seems like the best area to target. What makes this tricky is that my buddy really gets excited about fine dining, but my wife doesn’t like super fancy with sauces or too many ingredients on the plate. Also, my buddy eats seafood but no other meat and my wife will never eat seafood. So, we need some place that has top end ingredients and technique, but not too fancy… and someolace that has plenty of seafood and vegetarian options, but also more meat and potatoes. Bonus points if they have a Michelin star or James beard award. I’ve been browsing but thought I’d ask the all knowing board.
Click to expand...
Georgia Browns
 
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Ghost of OM

Ghost of OM

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Oct 30, 2021
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For some history maybe try the Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th St near the White House. Menu should satisfy all your requirements and a fun place to people watch.
 
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MadChill

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Got GSPs said:
I’m trying to plan a couples dinner with a friend. He and his wife live in Bedford VA and we are in York PA. Looking at some place neutral, DC seems like the best area to target. What makes this tricky is that my buddy really gets excited about fine dining, but my wife doesn’t like super fancy with sauces or too many ingredients on the plate. Also, my buddy eats seafood but no other meat and my wife will never eat seafood. So, we need some place that has top end ingredients and technique, but not too fancy… and someolace that has plenty of seafood and vegetarian options, but also more meat and potatoes. Bonus points if they have a Michelin star or James beard award. I’ve been browsing but thought I’d ask the all knowing board.
Click to expand...
Joe's Stone Crab - will meet all of your needs...

Joes Seafood

Joes Seafood Restaurant Website
www.joes.net www.joes.net
 
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Midnighter

Midnighter

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Okay, I admittedly haven't been out and about much in DC recently (and the places I've been probably wouldn't work for this exact request), but checking sources I trust I have the following (note: a lot of fine/upscale dining places have moved to a tasting menu format, so I'm trying to exclude those even though most have a fish and meat dish on them; I am including 'prix fixe' menus if they have good options). These were all recently featured as 'essential' DC restaurants by Eater DC:

Opal DC - https://www.opal-dc.com/

Pennyroyal Station - https://www.pennyroyalstation.com/eat

Rooster & Owl - https://www.roosterowl.com/ (have actually been here recently - excellent!)

Bresca - http://www.brescadc.com/homepage/

St. Anselm - https://stanselmdc.com/

L'Avant Garde - https://www.lavantgardedc.com/menus
 
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Got GSPs

Got GSPs

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Oct 7, 2021
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Midnighter said:
Okay, I admittedly haven't been out and about much in DC recently (and the places I've been probably wouldn't work for this exact request), but checking sources I trust I have the following (note: a lot of fine/upscale dining places have moved to a tasting menu format, so I'm trying to exclude those even though most have a fish and meat dish on them; I am including 'prix fixe' menus if they have good options). These were all recently featured as 'essential' DC restaurants by Eater DC:

Opal DC - https://www.opal-dc.com/

Pennyroyal Station - https://www.pennyroyalstation.com/eat

Rooster & Owl - https://www.roosterowl.com/ (have actually been here recently - excellent!)

Bresca - http://www.brescadc.com/homepage/

St. Anselm - https://stanselmdc.com/

L'Avant Garde - https://www.lavantgardedc.com/menus
Click to expand...
Opal was one of the places that I first checked out. Will look at the others.
 
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pamdlion

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Tons of great restaurants in Bethesda. All within a few blocks of each other.
 
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TiogaLion

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Go to the Hay Adams Hotel. Great restaurant and a really nice bar for drinks after dinner. They always have daily specials and if you want something without the sauce just ask. You'll like the location.

www.hayadams.com

Fine Dining in Washington DC | The Hay-Adams, Luxury Hotel

Experience exquisite cuisine and a luxurious atmosphere at one of our restaurants near the White House at The Hay-Adams in Washington DC. Book a table.
www.hayadams.com www.hayadams.com
 
Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie

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Oct 6, 2021
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Cafe Milano in the heart of Georgetown where you'll likely be dining with some recognizable politicians or you can try Founding Farmers 1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
 
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Ohio-Lion

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Oct 12, 2021
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Got GSPs said:
I’m trying to plan a couples dinner with a friend. He and his wife live in Bedford VA and we are in York PA. Looking at some place neutral, DC seems like the best area to target. What makes this tricky is that my buddy really gets excited about fine dining, but my wife doesn’t like super fancy with sauces or too many ingredients on the plate. Also, my buddy eats seafood but no other meat and my wife will never eat seafood. So, we need some place that has top end ingredients and technique, but not too fancy… and someolace that has plenty of seafood and vegetarian options, but also more meat and potatoes. Bonus points if they have a Michelin star or James beard award. I’ve been browsing but thought I’d ask the all knowing board.
Click to expand...
Martins tavern in Georgetown. Good food a ton of history. The owner will tell you all that went down there from JFK writing his speech to the Truman and the Manhattan project.
 
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Midnighter

Midnighter

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laKavosiey-st lion said:
pescatarian

very obviously a made up word
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Tom Hanks Fancy GIF
 
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TiogaLion

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A fair number of these restaurants have Chesapeake Blue Catfish on the menu which is good to see. The Blue Cats are an invasive species in the bay numbering in the millions and are eating the crabs. A concerted effort to develop this species into a commercial product was launched by the Maryland Governor and it looks like the efforts are beginning to payoff.
 
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Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie

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Midnighter said:
The most mean spirited review I’ve ever read. But - he’s not wrong….
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That review is from 7 years ago. Yes the lines are still exceptionally long but the food isn't bad and the prices reasonable. Good food usually means long lines. I've eaten there more than a couple times. Their beignets are very good as is the carrot cake. You have to hit it at the right time.
 
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Midnighter

Midnighter

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Hugh Laurie said:
That review is from 7 years ago. Yes the lines are still exceptionally long but the food isn't bad and the prices reasonable. Good food usually means long lines. I've eaten there more than a couple times. Their beignets are very good as is the carrot cake. You have to hit it at the right time.
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Yeah, I’ve been there a bunch of times. They’re all over the DMV now. I read the review when it came out and while it’s fairly accurate, it’s still just pure venom. One of many examples of why food critics matter less and less.
 
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