DC Restaurant Week--August 2009. Dates?

[Elyssa]

I literally just realized that July is almost over (how did that happen!?). Which in this foodies mind means that it's almost August and therefore almost Restaurant Week.

I know I was a little caught off guard, but is the restaurant world lagging behind as well? I haven't heard anything about dates yet. Anyone know anything?

[Jacey]

Do any of the restaurants on there have the option of having a glass of wine instead of dessert? I think more places should do this with a house wine but not all people like (or can have) desserts.

[deangold]

I know that some places let you order a second appetizers instead of a dessert.

[xoxoamy]

I think RW for summer is less popular for restaurants so a lot of places only do RW once a year.

i think Winter 2010 will be a lot better. I just made reservations for Vidalia and Vermillion. Hopefully, good choices...!

[arose]

I hope Winter RW is better! they used to offer so many good choices like citronelle and corduroy, but now it seems there are only places where $35 isn't that good of a deal (except for Rasika apparently :)

I have had a great experience at Vidalia during RW and I love the places that give the fullest menus....

[Elyssa]

Really? Citronelle participated in RW? This must have been before I lived here (7+ years ago). Although I'm surprised that Corduroy no longer does it. They use to be the best....a class above the rest in terms of RW. The first time I dined there was during RW and now it's one of my favorite restaurants (although I can't afford to go that often so I wish they still participated).

[emmaleeb]

I have Vidalia and Vermilion, too! Can only do lunch though ... Wednesday and Thursday.

If I go before you do, I'll let you know what's good and vice versa.

[Jeserf]

if you see any RW menus, post 'em here. I checked the restaurants I'm interested in, and nope...none have RW menus up

[msjess]

Usually a menu will be up in about a week or so.

[Elyssa]

Vidalia's RW menu is up, under Other Menus (looks awesome!!).

http://www.vidaliadc.com/index.html

Just so people know, the go to spot for menus is usually DCFoodies.com. They also have menus from years past so you can get an idea of what restaurants usually offer.

[Jeserf]

yep. checked DC foodies.

Haven't made a reservation anywhere because I don't know what my options will be.

might try to do Equinox with old coworkers for lunch, and someplace for dinner with girlfriends....or maybe cocosala brunch if it looks like a good value. PS7 for dinner maybe.

Restaurant week is never a good value for vegetarians, so trying to pick a place that might be!

[Elyssa]

PS7 is great for RW. They also are offering a special next week--a pre-restaurant week menu.

I went to Equinox this past winter. While it is one of my favorite restaurants in DC, I was a little disappointed by the meal I had there. It wasn't horrible--far from it. But I felt it was a little "dumbed down" for that week.

If you like Indian maybe you want to try Bombay Club or Rasika. Those are usually good spots for vegetarians.

[Jeserf]

Have reservations at Raskia for the week before - boyfriend and I could easily get out of there for less for $35 a person on a regular night.

I think I'm meeting former coworkers at Equinox for lunch and maybe girlfriends for a meal at PS7 unless Coco Sala has a good deal.

[Elyssa]

I'm impressed! Bf and I went to Rasika and our check came to around $200! RW would be a major deal for us haha

[Jeserf]

for Boyfriend's birthday, it was $100 and we got too much food.

It's not expensive, but I think that's a perk for veggies. he DID order the salmon, but I don't think he'll do that again (it was a pretty small piece of salmon for $20, and i begged him to do it for the protein since he spends all day, every day, working out). We also don't drink alcohol. That helps keep the price down.

Rasika is one of my favorite meals ever though.

[littlew1ng]

so sad the rabbit pappardelle isn't on there this year :( but that sweet garlic velouté sounds amazing.

[littlew1ng]

oh and do get the pecan bar, if you like pecans....it's a pretty solid dessert.

[Elyssa]

Is it super duper sweet? I like pecan bars/pies, but sometime I find them too sickly sweet.

[littlew1ng]

I didn't think so. i don't have much of a sweet tooth at all, and I really never order dessert except during restaurant week because it's included. That being said, I AM from the South, so maybe I've become more accustomed to that sort of pecany/praliney/caramely sweetness that some such as yourself (from....northeast somewhere correct?) may not enjoy quite so much.

[Elyssa]

Yep, I'm from Boston. I've had to slowly lower my self into the sugar pool over the years. It's taken me awhile to get use to sweet tea and super sweet pecan pie. :)

[littlew1ng]

Hahahaha, duly noted. Then I'd suggest you do what I always do when I'm not sure about a dish — make your boyfriend order it ;-) I really don't think it's too sweet so I hope you get to try it.

[DCDeb]

Does anyone know which restaurants are extending their specials?

[Elyssa]

I bet in the next week you'll find more info on DCFoodies.com (usually the go to spot for menus and this info). But I know Dino is planning on extending a week into September.

And PS7 is doing a pre-Restaurant Week 3 course meal next week.

[WashDC33]

I just got an e-mail from SEI saying that they are going to do RW for the entire month of August.

[Elyssa]

Just read that Vidalia will be extending through Labor Day.

[Jacey]

After reviewing the list, it seems like it's smaller this year. Has anyone noticed any restaurants that have dropped off the list this year?

[Sabine12]

VOLT participated in the last DC restaurant week (despite the fact they're in Frederick), and it broke my heart to see they aren't on the list this time 'round. Best RW meal I've ever had and definitely one of my favorite meals in the DC area in recent memory.

[emmaleeb]

Does anyone have any amazing Restaurant Week experiences to share (in terms of food, choices, best "deal", etc.)?

I'm having trouble deciding where I would like to make reservations because I want to try too much. I've read that some restaurants aren't really worth it because they limit their menu too much, etc., so if anyone has any great experience stories to share, I'd be really appreciative!

[Elyssa]

You should do a search because there is always an on going thread with Restaurant Week experiences. But for a variety of different reasons the best experiences I have had in the past have been at 1789, PS7, TenPehn, Ardeo (although I felt a little rushed there) and The Prime Rib.

[Jacey]

Do all these places have a lot of choices? I know TenPehn and Ardeo (and all the other restaurants in this group) offer just about all their entrees on their regular menu or they did in years past.

[Elyssa]

Yes. Now this might have changed since I was there but in all these cases there are at least 5+ options in each category and in many cases (TenPehn and more or less PS7) it's the entire menu.

Prime Rib might have less options but the deal is just so darn good for that restaurant. And if you want to have a fancier meal (gentlemen have to wear jackets) it's the perfect choice.

[Elyssa]

Rumor has it that the dates will be from August 24-30 this year. (Much later then in years past). The list of restaurants hasn't been released yet though, but according to Going Out Gurus the new restaurants Eatonville and Columbia Firehouse will be participating.

More info will come on Monday.

[WashDC33]

The Wash Post GOG has a list of participating restaurants up now: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/goin...

Official list will be out Monday.

[Elyssa]

Thanks so much for posting this. Already have reservations for Vidalia and Art and Soul! :)

[Rob_Stern]

Hello Elyssa and fellow foodies,

Here's what I know: The announcement with the actual dates will be made on July 27, says the Restaurant Association of Metro Washington, http://www.ramw.org/ . Rob

[jqw3827]

I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.

There is going to be a Bethesda/Chevy Chase Restaurant week next week (from July 27 - August 2):

http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?p...

[WashDC33]

See recent thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/637654 Looks like the dates/participating restaurants will be announced next Monday 7/27