Washington DC - Restaurant before show?
 

Well, we are hoping to get tickets to see Miss Saigon at Warner Theatre when we visit in early November (indiv. tickets not yet on sale, but checking often). If we are able to see the show, I was looking for dinner suggestions for before the show. We're first-time DC visitors and celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary, so we're hoping for someplace special - good service and romantic setting are big plusses! I had heard that 701 was near Warner and was wondering what that was like. I think we've decided to stay at Hotel Madera near Dupont Circle. I understand from all the postings here that Dupont Circle has some great restaurants, too, but I was concerned about catching the show in time. Thanks!

Hi,

Ten Pen (sp?) is a Pan Asian restaurant that is very good. Its on Pennsylvania Ave. For a southern style restuarant, Georgia Brown (16th and H streets I think) is a great choice. If you want Italian, Galileo is great, with a fantastic dessert selection. These are all on the pricey side. Check www.opentable.com for prices and other options. There are links to the restaurants from that website I think.

Hope you get the tickes. Have a great trip. Happy Anniversary.

I think you got an excellent tip on 701. I think you'll find it an outstanding choice for this occasion. I've found it romantic, with sophisticated ambience, attentive service, and reasonably prices for a restaurant of its caliber in this area. And it is, indeed, a short and pleasant walk down Pennsylvania Ave. from the Warner. Be sure to look back over your shoulder at the Capitol building at the end of Pennsylvania.

"...celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary, so we're hoping for someplace special - good service and romantic setting are big plusses!"

momotx,

The Warner theater is at 13th and Penn Ave.

I strongly recommend Ten Pehn (at 10th and Penn Ave). It's everything you're hoping for and the tastes will be in your head forever. Reservations essential.
http://www.tenpenh.com

701 (at 7th and Penn Ave) is also a great choice, though 3 blocks further away from the theater. Reservations recommended.
http://www.701restaurant.com/

bardo

Should also mention Chef Geoff (directly across street from the theater) - great food.
http://www.chefgeoff.com/

Chef Geoff is not a place for a 10th anniversary. while nice the ambiance is not the best for a romantic dinner.

Could also try old Ebbitt Grill or the Occidental Grill as they are in that area.

Occidental Grill is an good idea, but I'd put Old Ebbitt Grill in roughly the same category as Chef Geoff (i.e., fine but doesn't sound like they are looking for).

I'd second (third?) either Ten Penh or 701. I think 701 actually has a nice pre-theater (prix fixe) menu. Another possibility if you like steak would be Les Halles (at 13th and Penn-- the Warner's a block away at 13th and E I think).

Made my first (and last) visit to Old Ebbitt Grill about 3 months ago. What a major disappointment. Can't see why people like this place. Food was marginal at best, service was lackluster to non-existent, and prices were on the high side for what you received. It was also rather noisy and certainly not the place for a romantic dinner. Go elsewhere.

MileKing,
Amen!

If I could offer a suggestion. Why don't you go out for your 10th anniversary dinner on a different night than the show. There are so many wonderful washington restaurants you would have to exclude in order to make your show. Many times when I've tried to get in a good dinner before a show in DC, we wound up having to rush through dinner for some reason to make the show. The result was that we paid good money for a dinner we barely remembered and then we're stressed out when we got to the show. I'd eat a light meal before the show and then go out for dessert later. Then, on one of the other nights, go out for you 10th anniversary dinner. One possibility would be L'auberge chez francois in Great Falls, Va. It's a bit of a drive from downtown, and you'd need to know how to get reservations, but that would be an anniversary you'd remember.

Thanks to everyone for all the great input! Skipop, great suggestion - you've definitely given me some food for thought. Why limit ourselves to just one special night when we could celebrate in two? That being said, I believe if we are fortunate enough to score some theater tickts, we may still stick w/ 701 b/c of their prix fixe menu before the show, and then try a different restaurant another evening to celebrate our anniversary. Any more suggestions for the anniversary dinner, since, hopefully, time won't be an issue? (again, romantic setting and service are important to us) I'm so glad I found this board b/c it has definitely helped me plan our trip (even though all my planning sometimes drives my husband nuts). Thanks again!

Since your now thinking of annivdersary dinner on a seperate night, I suggest you head back up to Dupont Circle for the most romantic dinner with the best food: Obelisk 2029 P St., NW 202-872-1180

Reserve your table far ahead - in addition to be very popular there are only a few tables.

Go go go !!!!!!

Here are some reviews:

http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/...s/Obelisk.html

http://www.epicurious.com/erg/dc/obelisk.html

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...dc/D34764.html

Yes, I was going to mention Chef Geoff's. I have never been there but my brother-in-law is a sous chef there. He has been trying to get me to come down for happy hour.

I would agree with skipop:
l'Auberge Chez Francois! They were just N of the White House for many years, but the subway construction in the early 70's drove them out to the 'burbs.
M
full disclosure - my French family is from Alsace.

L'auberge chez francois is very popular, but personally I did not find it lived up to the hype (perhaps the menu wasn't really what I was looking for). Plus, if you are visiting DC there are more than enough great places to try that are metro (or cab) accessible, without having to trek out to the Va. suburbs (Washingtonian.com has a lot of good restaurant info.).

701 is an excellent choice. Also Ceiba -- very cool, not far from theatres. I've never been wowed by Ten Penh, and L'Auberge.

Thanks for all the replies! I had looked at Ten Penh's menu online and decided that may not be for me since I eat at a lot of asian restaurants here in Houston, not to mention my mom's cooking (filipino). How about 1789 in Georgetown? Speaking of which, is it easy to walk there from Dupont Circle, or better to catch a cab? Thanks again for all the suggestions!

butterfield 9 has an interesting menu and is barely a block away.

a little farther away is Zaytinya, great room and modern Greek-Turkish mezzes. I love this place.

Les Halles is not far from the Warner Theater. I believe they may have a fixed price menu. It is on Pennsylvania Ave., NW.

For a very nice meal (but not on the same night you go to the theater), try the 1789 in Georgetown.

For the record, I like the Old Ebbit Grill more for the decor than anything else. All those animal heads are supposed to have been the result of Teddy Roosevelt's big game hunting. Who knows? It is a fun place but not really fine food.

For in town special occasion dining, I vote for 1789 in Georgetown. Excellent food, award winning chef and very romantic. Can't miss.

Washingtonian.com's review:

http://washingtonian.com/dining/rest...il.asp?id=1045

If you can do the 1.5 hour drive, the ultimate special dining experience is Inn at Little Washington. And if you can splurge on the $350/night and up tariff, it's a very romantic place to stay