665854 Mon Nov 09 11:31:32 -0800 2009 5 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 5167542 With my wife, special occasions are big and always center on food We gravitate toward multicourse tasting menus and wine pairings (think Inn at Little Washington, Minibar, Restaurant Eve). For a twist, I thought a daytime meal would be a nice surprise. I don't want a brunch menu, or a watered-down version of the dinner menu, or a quickie working lunch. What I want is an extraordinary food experience, with excellent wine, over the course of an unhurried afternoon. I thought this would be a particularly decadent way to spend our anniversary. Probably on the weekend, but swinging that on a workday would make it all the more extravagant. All food adventures are welcome, often contemporary but really covering all cuisines. Money is no object. New York has some of what I'm talking about, but nothing I know of in DC really fits. Your ideas? The anniversary's a month away.... Mon Nov 09 11:31:33 -0800 2009 1123052 Jigger 1 5167684 I would contact Tosca and see if they could put something together. It isn't Minibar, but the food is really good and they are always really accommodating. You could also contact Vidalia to see if they could put something special together for you. It sounds up their alley too. But I would call and speak with someone maybe the GM and see if they could put something neat together for you. Mon Nov 09 12:19:04 -0800 2009 5167542 92426 ktmoomau 2 5168477 These are terrific options. I've been to Vidalia but not to Tosca or Equinox. Both might be great to try. Any other ideas on restaurants that would cater to such a request? Mon Nov 09 16:25:22 -0800 2009 5167684 1123052 Jigger 3 5168820 I had thought about Trummers on Main as the space is really stunning and the brunch menu is really interesting,but they don't seem to do lunch. I am trying to think of places where the chefs really work with their customers and do a lot of special events. Maybe Proof, although I don't know if they would customize something like Vidalia who does a lot of different events... and you have already been to Restaurant Eve it was the other place I thought of... too bad Le Paradou isn't still around it would have been perfect for that. And New Heights doesn't do lunch or brunch. Mon Nov 09 18:29:22 -0800 2009 5168477 92426 ktmoomau 1 5167734 A couple of years ago my boyfriend treated me to a wonderful late lunch at the Prime Rib. We both got dressed up and had a three course meal of soup, steak, amazing sides, and the best key lime pie in town. We enjoyed a glass of wine and the company of a seasoned server who had great stories about the restaurant's past. We made sure to schedule lunch around 1:30-2pm in order to not be surrounded by suits and business meetings. It was a really memorable meal. Another option would be Equinox. I bet if you called the restaurant, as ktmoomau suggested, they would be willing to put a tasting menu together for you and your wife. Chef Grey likes challenges and cares very much about the experience of the diner. I'm sure he could work with you. At Equinox the meal would be delicious and seasonal. Mon Nov 09 12:32:18 -0800 2009 5167542 76776 Elyssa 2 5168162 What about Rasika? Open for lunch, lovely setting. Lunch is definitely not a watered down version of dinner. Mon Nov 09 14:30:12 -0800 2009 5167734 78030 dcandohio