Looking for an anniversary dinner place?

[meglikeschow]

It's my boyfriend's and my one-year anniversary at the end of this month, and we'll be in DC for one Saturday night. We're looking for a place to celebrate together that isn't too expensive, but is still fine dining, or close to it. I'm generally pretty laid-back, but I don't want to end up in a lounge or cafe place for a special occasion. We're in our early 20s, so it doesn't need to be super fancy - we're just looking for something delicious that isn't a burger! We're willing to spend about $50 a person, give or take, and I was hoping to find somewhere with outdoor seating. I've been searching for a good prix-fixe menu and/or a place with good steak (if there's any kind of steak on that menu, my guy's going to be all about it). Bonus if there's a reasonable wine selection, and preferably in Adams Morgan area. I know that's super specific, but has anyone got a suggestion?

[Elyssa]

Not sure about the steak but if I were you I would try to get a reservation at Cashion's. It seems like exactly what you are looking for...good wine list, perfect for a special occasion, outdoor seating, laid back environment, Adam's Morgan. I went recently for dinner and had a delicious meal!

[ktmoomau]

Depending on what you order Zaytinya may work, they have nice outdoor seating. Palena Cafe has more outdoor seating now too. Neither are in Adam's Morgan though.

But also agree on some of the above recs.

-----
Palena
3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

[Bart Hound]

I'll second the Zaytinya suggestion. It's hip and festive and they don't take reservations (after 6 I think) so you'll get a table.......you just might have to wait a while as it's always packed.

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

[marcj]

I like Cashion's but a) I doubt you can get dinner there for $50 pp, unless you skip either wine or dessert, and b) although I haven't been in a few months, I don't remember ever seeing either a prix-fixe option or steak.

I'd suggest Cafe Saint-Ex on 14th (http://www.saint-ex.com/). It's got great outside seating, nice drinks if you want them, the food ranges from good to very good, and they have a fantastic 3-course prix-fixe option: you order off the regular menu, but get three courses for a set price; I think $30 or $35 before 7, a bit more afterwards (but don't quote me on that bit of detail). And last time I went, one of my friends had a steak and liked it quite a bit.

[Jeserf]

I'd recommend Dino...cleveland park - one metro stop from Adams Morgan. That or Cashions Eat Place on Columbia Road. For steak, there's Medium Rare that opened up in Cleveland Park which has gotten god reviews on here (I don't eat steak, so I couldn't tell you). I'd also look at Ardeo's menu - they just redid the place and menu and it looks good.

-----
Cashions Eat Place
1819 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

[Doh]

Those are good suggestions (I was thinking Dino too, until I got to the part about outdoors and Adams Morgan, which made me think Cashion's).

There are some good prix fixe/pre-theater menus but they tend to be downtown. Tosca is very nice for Italian. Cafe du Parc may have one too, and I think they have outdoor seating.

[Jeserf]

I'm fairly certain dino has outdoor seating, and while it's not in Adams Morgan, the one metro stop is worth the good food, wine and atmosphere.

I know that Medium Rare also has outside seating as well.

[Doh]

That's right, I forgot Dino has those tables outside (although the one time we sat there the waiter seemed to forget about us).