Hubby and I will celebrate 2oth wedding anniversary in Sept.!!! Trip planned to DC in late August (to avoid crowds) and booked to stay at Omni Shoreham through AAA for 5 days and 6 nights. Can anyone suggest a romantic restaurant for our "big night out"? What are the "must-sees"?

We plan to do the following:
Tourmobile Moonlight Monuments tour (first night in)
Arlington Cemetery (probably Tourmobile also)
Mt Vernon
Friendship Heights/Georgetown shopping
National Cathedral
Zoo
Washington Monument
War Memorials
Museums: Natural History, Potrait Gallery, Gallery of Art - West Building, American History, National Archives, National Air & Space, Air & Space - Udvar Hazy.

We contacted our Congressman for the White House tour a few months ago.

All suggestions/adivce are welcome as we don't want to overplan and want to have a really great time (maybe I should trim the "to-do list"?) Thank you!

What's your price range for dinner and what kind of food do u like?

I think your to do list is overly ambitious. One thing I would definitley eliminate is the shopping in Georgetown and FH. Really there are primarily chain stores in both areas and unless u have no shopping where u live, it isnt that much fun.

The Udvar Hazy is out near IAD and quite far from DC. You will need to take a cab which will likely be $60 or so each way.

I don't know where you're coming from, but given limited time in DC, I would excise the zoo (I'm not a huge fan of zoos, and you can go to one somewhere that doesn't have so much else to do and see), Udvar Hazy (unless you have a car), shopping in Georgetown/Friendship Heights (same reasons as yestravel, although I love strolling and window shopping in Georgetown and other "shopping" districts even if I don't love shopping itself), and the Natural History museum (again, because you can go to one elsewhere -- I want to spend my time in DC doing "only in DC" things such as Arlington, Vietnam War Memorial, Washington Monument, Capitol, White House, American History, National Archives (which is a "must-see" for me))

You might want to rent a car for two days, to go to the Udvar-Hazy and Mt Vernon. Maybe even start one of those days really early at the Zoo (although it's within walking distance of your hotel), then head out of town after the morning rush hour calms down.

I agree that the shopping makes no sense unless you live someplace that's lacking in chain stores.

The list is do-able a long a you don't try to see everything at every museum.

Check out the Web site of the Washingtonian magazine for restaurant recommendations -- http://www.washingtonian.com. There is also a food critic for the Washington Post -- http://www.washingtonpost.com. I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of his, but many people are.

"Must sees" depends on what you like. I notice the Holocaust Museum is not on your list. I would add that in. I agree with the other posters about things to cut.

I lived for years in Woodley Park and its neighboring Dupont Circle. Here are my top choices for "special occasion" restaurants in DC.

This one is directly across the street from the Shoreham, though I would have recommended it even if it were further away:

New Heights http://www.newheightsrestaurant.com/

The next is about 1/2 mile away between Woodley Park and Dupont Circle--a nice walk down Connecticut ave or very short cab ride:

Restaurant Nora http://www.noras.com/

Both are very nice and romantic. If I had to choose just one, I'd pick Restaurant Nora, (a bit warmer) though both are lovely choices for romantic dinner. Since you're so close, maybe you'll have a chance to do both!

And while we're talking food, if you like middle eastern food at all there is an excellent one in your neighborhood--a local small chain called "Lebonese Traverna". The interior is very warm, staff are lovely, food delicious and the menu is more wide ranging than the usual middle eastern fare.

Enjoy your trip and happy anniversary!

I seem to recall Restaurant Nora getting some less than stellar reviews in the last couple of years...

Check out 1789 restaurant in Georgetown. Historic, romantic, great food.
www.1789restaurant.com My husband and I became engaged there 26 years ago, and yes I have eaten there since then!

Our other fav restaurant in DC is TenPenh on the corner of Pennsylvania and 10th Street.
www.tenpenh.com
Fabulous Pan-Asian food; very vibrant place with great service and inventive cocktails.

If you do have a day to just "wander", Georgetown is the place. There are lots of chain stores on M Street but if you walk up Wisconsin on little side streets, you will find antiques and boutique shops unique to DC. There is a new jewelry store called Poppy off of Wisconsin that has lovely things that are reasonably priced (I've not been but was told). Lots of small restaurants to stop for a bite and a rest. The neighborhood itself is so beautiful and historic and there is a spectacular mansion and gardens called Dunbarton Oaks that is worth a look.

Have a wonderful trip!

Ooops, make that Dumbarton Oaks
www.doaks.org

Artsbabe--RE: Nora - I haven't been there in a couple of years, so I took a look at the menu and reviews. The current menu looks fab with interesting combos of fresh ingredients.

TripAdvisor has it listed as #34 out of 1,133 DC area restaurants, and 10Best has it listed as one of the 10 best American Continental Restaurants in DC for travelers. Wash Post review on the web seemed glowing to me. Yelp is giving it 4 stars plus. Most of the folks who give less seem to be not liking the price-tag, or portions, though the poster said she was looking for a "special dinner". I see the words "romantic" in many of the reviews, people happy with their special occasion dinners.

There are of course other special restaurants in DC. Perhaps the poster can give us more info on what she's looking for, and also take a look at the options suggested so far.

1789 is also a wonderful romantic restaurant. That was going to be my third rec! Congrats on your 25th anniversary, pbg!

If u decide to go to 1789 and want to save a bit of $$, ask for the prix fixed menu for $40. I like Corduroy at 1122 9th St NW, Kinkeads for seafood at 2000 Penn Ave NW and Komi's for many small plates and a few choices for a main course with fabulous service at 1509 17th St. Enjoy DC

Hi yt! I keep forgetting about Kinkeads! Great food, quite the power scene! I have alway wanted to try Corduroy, too.
Thanks for the sentiment tmagyari! Sometimes it seems like 250 years and sometimes like 2.5 years!! (Insert winking smilie face).
pbg

WOW!! I'm overwhelmed with the responses..Thank you everyone for the info.

Although we hope to sample several different food types during the trip, the big romantic dinner will be either Italian or Seafood. Thanks, tmagyari for asking preferences..I was pretty excited when I originally posted and have a bit of ADD 8*)

In response to "yestravel"..what type of food does Cordury serve? Thank you for the suggestion.

Two other must sees include Leonidas Belgian chocolates store in Georgetown (for me) and Fahrney's Pens (hubby). Suggestions for shops and restaurants that are unique to DC are more than welcome!

I really appreciate all the suggestions..thank you so much for your kind responses!!

I also noticed the holocaust museum is not on your list. It is one of the best museum experiences I have ever had... I highly recommend it. I also agree with SF to take out things that are "not" exclusive to DC.

I went in Oct and really enjoyed the city and dh and I often discuss going back together (I took our 12 year old daughter).

Hank's Oyster Bar might not qualify as romantic, but has excellent quality and a pleasant setting. Patio seating is also available if weather is good. The menu has an extensive seafood selection. The atmosphere is classic. Not far from Dupont Circle.

Hey 309--I forget about Kinkeads too, but i think some of the best seafood in DC and a lovely restaurant to boot.

20yrsnlove - I'd say Corduroy is "New American". Check out the website http://www.corduroydc.com/index.html. They moved maybe a year or so ago and I have not been to his new space, but it's supposed to be very nice...an historic bldg that he renovated for the restaurant space.
For Italian food Obelisk at 2029 P St NW is very good. Small restaurant and they offer a few entrees based on what's at the market. For a casual meal, right upstairs owned by the same person is Pizza Paradiso which has fabaulous pizzas and sandwiches.
Tosca in Penn Quarter also has very good Italian.

I don't think DC has a real identity food wise--lots of good restaurants, but no signature or unique place -- Ben's Chili Bowl has been around forever and is sort of a DC instution. I hear its been packed lately since Obama showed up there.

I think what is special about DC is the monuments and museums...most of which are free. U can go paddle boating in the Tidal basin and that's fun and u get a very different perspective of the monuments from the tidal basin. Weather could be nice in the end of August. A tour of the Capitol is certainly unique to DC. There is a visitor center now and you get your tickets thru that.

Check out the thread, "President Obama, Here We Come - Please Help The Maitais To Not Commit a "Capitol" Offense!" started by Maitaitom. It had tons of suggestions for places to visit and restaurants as well.