633144 Wed Jul 01 10:34:36 -0700 2009 13 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 4821515 hello all, i'm planning a date for me and my girlfriend for her birthday, and i've completed all the plans except for the most important part.....dinner!! i know its going to be hard and i keep looking and looking and looking and i found chowhound (which has been a great help) but i still havent come up on anything that really sparks the interest and keeps my bank account happy too. i'm in college (going to Howard U in the fall holla DC lol) and we all know the poor college student story, its not like i dont want to spend the money on her lol. i'm looking for something kinda intimate and romantic doesnt really matter what cuisine, shes a foodie too and loves to try new things somewhere near a metro stop if possible $100 or less..... :) we'll be spending most of the day around the national mall so somewhere near there would be great but if not thats also fine. shes turning 20 so drink drinks arent really on the menu....yet lol i appreciate your suggestions and opinions in advance!! thanks Wed Jul 01 10:34:36 -0700 2009 1090066 aurelia 1 4821610 I loved the Tabard Inn at brunchtime, so I can only imagine it's nicer at dinnertime. They have a garden area that you could maybe ask for while placing a reservation? It's near DuPont Circle, though. Am thinking most of the places near the Mall (i.e. Penn Quarter) are more "modern" than "romantic", but it's hard to gauge what people find romantic nowadays... Wed Jul 01 11:04:04 -0700 2009 4821515 271917 yfunk3 2 4821655 yea i keep hearing about the Tabard Inn so maybe i should look into that a little more, thanks! Wed Jul 01 11:15:54 -0700 2009 4821610 1090066 aurelia 2 4836309 I thought the Tabard Inn might be perfect as well, especially if you can get a table outside. The courtyard is very charming and the food is good and affordable at the Tabard Inn. Closer to the Mall you could try Bistro D'Oc for really food french bistro cuisine. Call ahead of time and request the table in front of the window. Equinox is also doing a special pre-fix menu anniversary special. I don't know the exact price but I think it should fall within your budget. This is a very high end spot offering a great deal (similar to 1789). She might also get a kick out of the fact that Michelle Obama spent her birthday at Equinox this year as well. Tue Jul 07 09:02:28 -0700 2009 4821610 76776 Elyssa 1 4821634 the little fountain cafe in adams morgan would be perfect for what you're looking for. Wed Jul 01 11:09:45 -0700 2009 4821515 181498 littlew1ng 1 4821638 also domaso italian trattoria in the hotel palomar in rosslyn would be a good choice. Wed Jul 01 11:11:01 -0700 2009 4821515 181498 littlew1ng 1 4822733 Iron Gate across from Tabard has a romantic atmosphere. Wed Jul 01 17:02:12 -0700 2009 4821515 18011 Jacey 2 4823713 But the food at Iron Gate is not very good...Tabard is definitely better. I do think Little Fountain has that "Simple but romantic" vibe. Mama Ayesha's is very pretty and softly lit - if you requested a corner table it could be romantic. Zola would work with your budget with no alcohol. Thu Jul 02 04:57:55 -0700 2009 4822733 78030 dcandohio 1 4823850 Rincon Espanol in Adams Morgan is very intimate. I recommend the platano relleno, the tortilla espanol and the Galician soup. Inexpensive. Thu Jul 02 06:14:39 -0700 2009 4821515 10156 Steve 1 4823884 If drinks aren't on the menu your options really widen, if you could eat earlier you could grab a pre-theater menu at Rasika for $30 (5-6:30), I find it romantic. You could also catch the price fix menu at 1789 offered at any hour, it is a little more traditional you would want to be dressed nicer, but I think it is romantic. Without alcohol you could probably even swing Proof, but it would be close with tax and tip. Thu Jul 02 06:26:59 -0700 2009 4821515 92426 ktmoomau 2 4825994 I would vote for 1789. Their 3-course dinner is $40. No drinks, 2 people = ((2x40)x1.1)x1.25) = $110 with tax and tip. Thu Jul 02 18:10:29 -0700 2009 4823884 323840 georgetownronin 1 4823943 I would go with Tabard or Raskia. I took my non-foodie, but Indian food loving, boyfriend to Rasika for his birthday and we do not drink. We ordered too much and it was just under $100. We got a table in the front corner, and it was lovely. Tabard is also wonderful. I also think that a corner front table at Firefly would be nice - and it's casual enough but tasty with very good desserts. good luck! Thu Jul 02 06:42:49 -0700 2009 4821515 51422 Jeserf 2 4823952 Neyla in Georgetown. Mie N Yu in Georgetown, too (for the atmosphere more than the food.) Thu Jul 02 06:45:42 -0700 2009 4823943 204182 chicken kabob 2 4825615 Firefly is good, but if you go there call and request a seat not along the wall where they have squished too many two tops or you can't have a convo. Thu Jul 02 15:38:28 -0700 2009 4823943 92426 ktmoomau