Hip place to bring parents Friday night?

[jamiechiri]

My parents are coming to DC for their annual visit, and I need to make a res somewhere on Friday night. I love my parents, but hate choosing restaurants for them. I obviously like to go out to eat as well, so I'd like for it to be somewhere fun for me to try too!

Reqs:
-Full bar, fun atmosphere
-Must take reservations, they will freak if they need to wait more than 10 mins
-Moderately priced - $20-25 for an entree is ideal...not a place where entrees are consistently above $30
-Not sushi, not entirely seafood (dad is "allergic"), not Indian, or French
-Parents like American, tapas, Spanish/Latin, Asian influenced (just not sushi), Mediterranean. They like those flavor profiles, but nothing that is too stuffy or "weird"/gourmet or rich (hence no French)
-Location...coming from Arlington and would like to go out in DC, pretty much anywhere in the city is fine except for far away neighborhoods like SW, etc

Thanks for your help!

[dining with doc]

You have a lot of great recs but I would agree most with Ceiba with Jaleo a close 2nd and also you should consider Central by Michelle Richard

[Elyssa]

I would either go to Jaleo for Spanish tapas (every out of town person I've ever taken there loved it!) or Masa 14 for Asian/Latino-style small plates.

-----
Masa 14
1825 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

[spinachandchocolate]

Another option would be Bodega in Georgetown for Spanish tapas.

[monkeyrotica]

If they like tapas, they should try Cava Mezze. I prefer it to both Zatinya (loud and crowded) or Jaleo (hit or miss and crowded). Cava's lamb dishes and particularly the grilled octopus are some of the best I've had in DC. I also think Barracks Row is a lot easier to get in/out of and find parking in than Penn Quarter or 14th Street. It's right off the SE Freeway with ample street parking and a metered lot near the Marine Barracks.

http://dc.cavamezze.com/home

[jamiechiri]

Thanks! I made a res at Cava and am going to try that!! @erinf I took them to Oyamel last time and they LOVED it :)

[lawhound]

We ate at Cava last Saturday night and loved it. Very reasonable prices for very high quality food. In Baltimore (where we're from), it would immediately be one of the top 20 places. The only drawback is that it gets pretty loud, if that's something that matters to you.

[monkeyrotica]

The loudness issue is a valid criticism, but it's also an issue with any restaurant trying to be "hip." The louder the noise, the greater the "buzz," therefore, the more hip the restaurant. But this is also an issue with most restaurants (hip or not) on a Saturday night.

[erinnf]

What about Ceiba? The food is very good ( i love the fejoada (sp?)) and the cocktails and drinks are good. It is in DC and not too far from the metro, and takes reservations.

I love Proof as well, but there are some dishes that can qualify as "weird," e.g., sweetbreads, etc. Also, I think Oyamel is the best tapas restaurant around, consistently good. The food is not weird, the drinks are great, and the place is hip.

[Jeserf]

what about trying Birch and Barley?

-----
Birch and Barley
1337 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

[chicken kabob]

Proof?

[hamster]

I just brought my parents to Birch and Barley last Saturday, and they loved it. They particularly enjoyed the serious beer menu and the highly competent staff, but the food was good as well, and not too exotic. They've got a cookie plate with grownup versions of a Hostess cupcake and an oatmeal pie, you get the idea. Kind of pricey but within your specifications.

-----
Birch and Barley
1337 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

[MrsWheatie]

How about PS7's for great cocktails and food!

-----
PS7 Restaurant
777 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

[ktmoomau]

Well in the same line as Zaytinya there is Jaleo.

Other ideas: Sonoma, Oya, Ba Bay, Cava and perhaps Zentan?

-----
Sonoma Restaurant
223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003

Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

[woodleyparkhound]

I second Jaleo (Spanish tapas). They take reservations through Open Table and it falls within your budget. I think it would be ideal.

[jamiechiri]

what about Estadio? I've been to Jaleo, don't think it's that great :)

[woodleyparkhound]

I think Estadio is excellent, but more costly. In addition, they only take reservations up to 6:00 pm. If they arrive after that, parents will "freak out" at the wait.

[jamiechiri]

Also...I know Zaytinya would be a good option, but they don't take reservations (only walk ups) at this point...so let me know if you have other ideas!

-----
Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001