Five Restaurant Resolutions 2008

[takajin]

I liked the the "best meals 2007" thread so much that it got me thinking about places I want to try in 2008. Reading over people's entries reminded me of so many places still on my list. So here goes a list of 5, in no particular order:

1) Komi: Will I feel like I can spend a few hundred dollars on one dinner there this year? I would love to try the tasting menu there.

2) Brasserie Beck: They have a beer sommelier. That's reason enough to go.

3) Taberna's happy hour. I just recently learned of their half-price happy hour tapas and the restaurant got so many nods on the best meals thread that I'll have to try it.

4) Ethiopian: I visited one of the area Ethiopian restaurants a few years back. Liked it well enough, but haven't been compelled to go again (not the biggest fan of injera). A recent thread on best Ethiopian places got me thinking to give it another try.

5) I'm going to leave this spot open for one of the many budget-friendly, ethnic restaurants in NOVA that I've not yet tried despite making good progress this year: Peking Gourmet or one of the other peking duck houses? Costa Verde or another Peruvian place? Sunflowers vegetarian restaurant (not ethnic, but sounds interesting)); a Korean place other than Gom Bah Woo? (not sure if I can cheat on my favorite)

Interested to see what others have to say.

[DCDOLL]

Just did your #3 the other night...it was great! The tapas are wonderful and the wine is good too...but the atmosphere really takes the cake. It' great! Make sure you tell them when you go in that you want to do wine & tapas happy hour because it's in a special room

[takajin]

Good to know. Thanks for the tip. Maybe we'll knock it early in the year as a birthday happy hour.

[jes]

MiniBar. Been wanting an opportunity for the experience of it.

I'll leave my other four for playing by ear.

[Indy 67]

The January issue of FOOD and WINE contained a very brief mention of the fact that MiniBar is expanding from six seats to 30 in 2008. Does anyone have more details?

[ktmoomau]

1. Komi- but I should have a hard time getting in with all you people trying to make reservations too.
2. Marcel's- BF has been, but not with me and likes it soo...
3. Hook- have to wait till my friend who obsesses about good bluefish can join.
4. Palena's Cafe- we always go to the back room because the BF can't stand to wait and likes reservations.
5. Spezie- haven't heard much since the remodel, so I think I should try it.

Not on my list, but always on my list is the Inn At Little Washington, but seeing what else the poor BF will be spending on this year, that one probably will have to wait.

[weezycom]

Nice topic choice! I have to stick to the low price point places, but here's my list for 2008.

1 - Hong Kong Palace in 7 Corners
2 - Restaurant Eve's lickety-split lunch
3 - new Lebanese restaurant that's opened in Springfield run by cousin of Lebanese Butcher
4 - Play hooky from work one day and head out to Wegman's midweek and eat my way around for an afternoon
5 - Thai Square in Arlington

[Elyssa]

Let's pretend that money is no object and therefore I will actually get to eat at some of these places :)

1) Komi-I have been dieing to try this place out. I've heard such wonderful things. Perhaps when my Dad is in town we'll check it out. He would love it.

2) Central-Just haven't gotten around to going yet. But I'm sure I'll make it there sometime this winter.

3)Black Salt- I think their new tasting room sounds like fun. My bf and I always discuss going there and then opt out since it's a schlep to get to if you don't have a car.

4) Marvin- Fried chicken and waffles---reason enough!

5) Locanda- I work right down the street and love fresh pasta so I'm sure this one will be visited soon.

[xena1441]

What/where is Marvin????? I didn't know they had fried chicken and waffles in this area!!!!!!!!!!

[Elyssa]

Do a search on this thread. I think it's off of U St. There have been a bunch of reviews and tons of rave reviews about the chicken and waffles.

[mordacity]

Marvin is on 14th just north of U St. I haven't eaten there yet but they have a nice rooftop bar with a nice beer selection.

[sbouldin]

1. Komi is a definite. I'm very much looking forward to eating there. It's next on our list.
2. Palena - have heard good things.
3. CityZen
4. Ray's the Steak - been craving a good steak lately
5. Brasserie Beck - didn't know about the beer sommelier.

[katecm]

Brasserie Beck is great for beer-lovers. When the husband and I went, we were undecided about what beers to get, so the waitress consulted with the sommelier and crafted beer pairings for each of our courses. They were perfect, and we had a lot of fun with it. Plus, they kept the prices reasonable, at about $8.50.

[The Chowhound Team]

We've removed an off-topic reply and would just like to remind everyone that this board is for discussing chow in the DC/Baltimore area. Please do add your local "resolutions" but if you'd like to discuss other restaurants around the world, please post on the General Chowhounding Topics board. Thanks!

[chickenlover]

1-Komi: I have reservations for January.
2-Central: I'm never organized enough to get a reservation
3-Beck: Ditto
4-CityZen Lounge: Don't think I can swing the dining room.
5-Most importantly, I need to stop being so lazy and to get out to Maryland and Virginia for good Asian food.