CH from Montreal-Where to go???
Hello fellow CH,
I am a beloved fan of this site and now really need advice as I am going to your lovely city of Washington next week, (staying at the Palomar) and have 4 nights of wow places to go enjoy your food.
I am really wanting to stay away from tourist traps.
I really love Italian, the more authentic (from northern Italy to east, west and south), its all good, as long its delicious and fresh.
We are going to a Jazz supper on Monday.
What else is different, your favortie places, the budget is not limited at all too! Yay for work expenses!
Thank you!
By Richelle
on Mar 15, 2010 03:35 PM
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I think you can search the site and find a lot of places. The big breakdown is whether or not you want dives or not. For higher end, I would go to Oyamel (for upscale Mexican), Brasserie Beck, for Belgian, and someplace for a crabcake. Now if I could only get my hands on some Spruce beer.
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lol.....true...spruce beer in a glass bottle is awesome.
Thank you for the advice, I have taken the notes down and will do the research, I just seem to be running out of time.
I wonder if you could mail order spruce beer?
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You have pretty good Italian food in Montreal. For almost a taste of home, there is a South African, Mozambiquean, Portuguese roasted chicken chain with two places here in DC, Nano's Piri Piri. Zaytinya, Jaleo and Oyamel are all owned by the same Spanish Chef, Jose Andres.
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If you like Italian, and certainly if you like wine you should check out Dino in Cleaveland Park. Tosca in Penn Quarter is also very good and has wonderful pastas.
I would also recommend Rasika for modern Indian.
If you want different perhaps head to Minh's for Vietnamese? I also like Cafe Atlantico and Zatinya (I could survive on their homemade pita).
For more traditional cuisine, but done well, I really like Proof and Palena.
If you can afford to splurge maybe try CityZen?
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Regarding Cafe Atlantico, if you are here on a Sunday, you can enjoy the delicious Latin Dim Sum brunch. I just love that!
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I think you would love Obelisk and that it would fit your needs perfectly - but I doubt that you'd be able to get a last minute reservation there. I think you'd have this problem at all the best high end places in town (Komi and Restaurant Eve are two others). You might be able to get in at Dino, which is very good and has a great wine list - and is not nearly as expensive as Obelisk.
I agree with the recommendation for Brasserie Beck - wonderful mussels and frites, among other things, and a great Belgian beer list.
Rasika is a very creative take on Indian food and is unique to DC - but again I think you'll have the last minute reservation problem here, especially for a larger group. If you are alone or maybe with one other person you should be able to sit at the bar.
Zaytinia (Mediterranean) and Jaleo (Spanish tapas) are both good and might be able to accommodate you.
Any additional guidelines (location, types of food other than Italian that would be acceptable) would be appreciated!
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Second for Obelisk. Worth a call. (202) 872-1180. It's also very close to the Palomar (one of my favorite properties).
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That sounds good,(Obelisk) I am alone on Wednesday for supper..is it a good place to go alone? Unless some CH would join me. heh.
I have reservations for Cafe Milano on Tuesday...and Thursday is still up in the air.
I do plan lunches at the other places you guys gave me. Yay!
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Palena (you must go here, get reservations for the back room)
Komi
Rasika
And then loads of other places to choose....
Tosca
Brasserie Beck
Corduroy
Central
Blue Duck Tavern
Proof
PS7s
Kaz Sushi Bistro
Taberna del Alabardero
Dino
Blacksalt
Two high end places that others swoon over are CityZen and Restaurant Eve. I find them to be very good, but not nearly as swoon-worthy as Palena and Komi
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Hello everyone and thank you! I am definately going to try out a few, on one eve, I am going to be alone, I would rather not go too far from the Hotel, its either the Mandarin or Palomar, depending on the nights.
I am truly excited to be spending those fine days in your city.
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If you are at the Mandarin and all by yourself, the bar at CityZen is a good choice, and right in the hotel.
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I shall be there....worry not..checking out martinis! That be Wednesday when I am on my own....should a chowhound come around.
Alright, I am just about to start on reservations....lord, I am excited.
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Can't argue with martinis at the bar at CityZen -- a great place. But, if you're in search of a quiet place where the emphasis is more on food than atmosphere, I'd steer you back to Obelisk (a block from Palomar). If you're staying at Mandarin, CityZen is the more convenient option. And, dinner at Obelisk is much more of an investment in food and time -- only option is a wonderful 5 course meal at starts with antipasti. Then, pasta, entree, cheese and dessert. Come hungry. Leave dazzled.
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Cafe Milano for high end italian in Georgetown. usually will see someone famous either from politics or entertainment industry
I have not been to Philomena's in Georgetown for a long time but i have seen chowhound posts saying it is still good for italian.
Jaleo for tapas is fun, Zlatyanya for middle eastern small plates has Top Chef contestant Michael Isabella cooking.
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Richelle,
I see that Living Social's Deal of the Day today is 50% off food/drinks at Dino. (Buy a coupon that costs you $25 - get $50 worth of food/drinks at Dino - it expires 3/18/2011.) You can get this at the Living Social website - and it must be bought TODAY, 3/18/2010:
http://livingsocial.com/deals/1087?ref=DCDeal031810email&utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=buy+now&utm_content=eae430@gmail.com&utm_campaign=DCDeal031810
You might need to sign up for a daily email to get this, but you can cancel the email later. I have used Living Social coupons (and Groupons, which are the same sort of thing - www.groupon.com) a number of times and have never had any problem with using them.
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Hi!
I wll have a better account later of this trip, but had to let you know I am having the best fresh pasta ever. At Siroc, tagliatelle with scallops.
Ciao!
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Some of the best cooking in DC right now is at Dino....can't miss! EVERYTHING is deliciously conceived and prepared.
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Thank you, I might try to go there for lunch if they do lunch. We have a personal invite frrom the chef at CityZen tonight, so I think that is just where we may go.
As of now, I have gone to Altiramisu, Blues Alley( what fun!), Cafe Milano, Bistro Francais, Siroc, with only today left, I will simply have to return. I am also hoping if I cannot make it to Dino's to get to Brasserie Beck, either one.
As of yet, Cafe Milano had the best lamb ever, Siroc the best tagliatelle and poached pear, oh that poached pear! Bistro Francais serves a mean gazpacho, perfectly seasoned and for cold soups, that is not easy.
Anyhow, off to breakfast, work, then lunch, Jefferson Memorial ad such!
Ciao!
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Brasserie Beck. Right now, this was so good, the duck ravioli and the mussel and frites! I had the chorizo and fennel, waiting for my cafe latte before heading out to more explorations of your beautiful city.
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