578769 Tue Dec 09 15:56:01 -0800 2008 19 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 4233776 Hi All: Help. It's been a really long time since I've posted, but I do occasionally lurk here. Anyway, a friend of mine is just about to ship off to Iraq and we'd like to take him to a fun, $40 per person (without wine), see and be seen kind of place. In a bit of a contradiction, we'd like to be able to talk so not so loud that we can't converse. It should be more central in D.C. and preferably metro accessible up to about Cleveland Park. We're open to suggestions on the type of food but seafood, Italian, mexican have all been mentioned. Look forward to your thoughts. sincerely, caphill Tue Dec 09 15:56:01 -0800 2008 61462 caphilldc 1 4234236 A few ideas: Cafe Atlantico (the top level tends to me better for conversation), Proof (get a table away from the bar), or Hook. Also I hear great things about Marvin, which seems to fit the bill. But I've personally never been. Tue Dec 09 19:10:27 -0800 2008 4233776 76776 Elyssa 2 4234351 Would not call Hook or Cafe Atlantico places to be seen. However, if your friend likes French food, Brasserie Beck would be a good choice (ask for a quieter table) or Rasika is good (once again, request a table in a quieter table). Avoid Oyamel and Zaytinya (way to loud in both of those places). Tabard Inn would be nice during the colder months, but not really hip. Cashions in Adams Morgan, DC Coast or Olives (don't think the food is that wonderful for the price). Tue Dec 09 19:58:09 -0800 2008 4234236 18011 Jacey 3 4235532 I really love Brasserie Beck but when I went it was insanely loud. I didn't mind but it certainly wasn't a place for a conversation without raised voices. Maybe they've changed this around a little and the tables in the back are quieter. But ours wasn't. This is why I didn't suggest Central. Central fits the bill up until you wanted a quieter environment. It was so-so volume-wise when I was there. But when my parents went on a Friday night a month or so ago they said it was VERY loud (and they are use to going to hip, popular restaurants). I've heard the same thing from friends. Cashion's is a good recommendation--in terms of a cool, yummy neighborhood spot. On the otherhand I don't think Tabard Inn is really what you are looking for. It's much more subdued. Wed Dec 10 09:27:51 -0800 2008 4234351 76776 Elyssa 1 4235220 i may get slammed for this but Zola might be nice. it's never been too loud there for me, although i admit i've not been there on a saturday night. Tryst is quieter and good for conversation, although it may not necessarily be a seen and be seen place or known for the food. Kaz sushi bistro has never been loud for me and the sushi is amazing but again, not exactly see and be seen. I definitely second the suggestion for Rasika. It's not my favorite but seems to fit your request well. Wed Dec 10 07:58:16 -0800 2008 4233776 181498 littlew1ng 2 4235520 I think Zola is a good choice as well. Certainly a chic place for your friend to hang out before heading to Iraq. They still have my favorite tuna tartar in the city. Wed Dec 10 09:24:43 -0800 2008 4235220 76776 Elyssa 1 4235611 Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll give some thought to Zola. We may just end up going to Tabaq for the view and to be on U Street. It's more about being with our friend than about the space. I was thinking about Central and I'm glad to hear about the loudness factor so I think we'll pass on that. Elyssa, I have been to Marvin and it's quite a good suggestion - I like the dark interior wood and it isn't that loud. When i went I recall the food as being good, but pricey. Brasserie Beck is fun. We went there last year (and ran into Dear Abby and Helen Thomas - much fun had by all). Wed Dec 10 09:49:00 -0800 2008 4233776 61462 caphilldc 2 4236756 Another option would be dinner at Creme and drinks at Tabaq. I personally think the food at Tabaq is eh...but the food at Creme is wonderful and simple. Wed Dec 10 14:46:19 -0800 2008 4235611 76776 Elyssa 3 4236950 Enough of the Creme recommendation for everything! I would not define it as hip nor do I (and many others I know) think the food is that good. Plus, the last couple of times we have had terrible service there. The last meal should not be here. Tabaq also has some pretty lousy service, too. Wed Dec 10 16:02:55 -0800 2008 4236756 18011 Jacey 4 4237578 Jeez! I do not recommend this for everything...far from it. I think the food is very good and a lot of people agree with me. Service is nice and its a good place to eat on U St. I respect your choice to disagree. Respectfully....... Wed Dec 10 20:13:31 -0800 2008 4236950 76776 Elyssa 5 4238030 For the record- I appreciate and agree w/ many of your choices, Elyssa. Also, the beauty of this website is that everyone has a different opinion, which should be honored- respectfully. Thu Dec 11 04:25:42 -0800 2008 4237578 204182 chicken kabob 6 4353878 There are so many incredible places to go in the DC area! I think Zola would be a good choice for you and your friend. Good Luck! God Bless our Troops! Sat Jan 24 11:11:17 -0800 2009 4238030 260094 anthonywatts 4 4238449 calm down Jacey.... it's just food. Thu Dec 11 07:56:33 -0800 2008 4236950 181498 littlew1ng 4 4353743 Sorry for being superstitious, but just want to clarify, it's his last meal in the States (at least for awhile), don't jinx the poor guy! As for recommendations- I'd second Brasserie Beck, or Proof. Sat Jan 24 10:21:09 -0800 2009 4236950 220645 mjhals 2 4240751 Dear Abby AND Helen Thomas in one night? that trumps my Carol Burnett sighting at a Daniel Boulud location in NYC one snowy Sunday AND John Waters at a cheesy Mexican place in SF. I did get the chance to give Beck (purposefully) bad directions once and offer my sympathy to Penny Marshall for not finding work after Laverne and Shirley... Central is good, but it is indeed loud. Thu Dec 11 20:25:46 -0800 2008 4235611 163722 hill food 1 4235651 Just thought of Zengo. In your price range, you can get either entrees or lots of fun and yummy small plates, hip atmosphere but not overly loud. Plus, your friend can get his Latin and Japanese fix before he goes. They also have greta cocktails. I've been a little disappointed with Zola lately. Wed Dec 10 09:59:00 -0800 2008 4233776 18011 Jacey 2 4236941 In the same vein...What about Oya? It's a great space, the fixed price dinner specials are quite reasonable, the food is good. There's a swank factor without any swank attitude. I think the service is always bordering on bad, but otherwise, it's fun. Excellent people watching! Wed Dec 10 16:00:21 -0800 2008 4235651 78030 dcandohio 3 4237117 I personally love Creme myself! Especially the warm mushroom appetizer /coconut cake! Wed Dec 10 17:12:09 -0800 2008 4236941 204182 chicken kabob 1 4244962 I don't think Proof is all that loud and is slightly more sceney with great food. I found Rasika loud, but if you can get one of the front tables it isn't so bad, but it is not scene, be scene, but let's face it a lot of those places don't have great food. I think Zengo would be fun, you could talk whoever suggested that made a good suggestion, it is hip while not sceney. I would say the same for Zola although I haven't been in a while. Also what about the Round Robin? It is sceney in a different way in a DC way, but popular, the food is pretty good, and the bartenders will get you whatever they want they are incredible, if the parties are drinkers it would be a very fun place, I went to part of a bachelorette party there recently and we all had such a fun time. If you can get the table in Central in the back in the metal beaded curtain much quieter. Sat Dec 13 19:28:45 -0800 2008 4233776 92426 ktmoomau 1 4353431 Darn - I forgot to check back in and tell you that we did end up at Tabaq and everyone enjoyed the view. Our service wasn't super but actually the food was pretty edible - sorry I should have gotten back here right away to tell you exactly which dishes we liked the most but now I can't really remember. Went to the Saloon afterwards and knocked back a few beers and we all had fun so that was the most important thing. Hill Food - Carol Burnett is a great sighting. I just ran into the woman who played "The Gimp" on Deadwood and it turns out that she is a stand up comic who was inspired to go into it despite disabilities by encouragement from Carol Burnett. I thought that was pretty cool. I used to run into John Waters a lot in his Roland Park grocery store in Baltimore. Thanks for all of teh suggestions in the thread - Elyssa I think you've convinced me to try Creme. I always walk by and think - gee, I should try that. Finally, my friend seems to be doing well in Iraq and so we keep our fingers crossed. Sat Jan 24 07:59:33 -0800 2009 4233776 61462 caphilldc