What about Noras?
I am visiting my daughter in DC and we made a reservation for Noras but now I am finding there are mixed reviews. So is Noras worth the price since service and food are unpredictable. Do you have any other suggestions for DC or Alexandria/Arlington area? Also we are going to Little Washington and any suggestions for dinner (no, we are not going to the Inn at Little Washington) would be appreciated. Also we are going to the Northern Neck. Do you have any suggestions for good lunch and dinner places that have fantastic seafood?
By suzieq4
on Oct 19, 2011 09:26 AM
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I haven't heard too many good things about Nora recently. It was truly a pioneering restaurant in DC, but that was a while back.
What sort of place are you looking for? We can help. Something similar to Nora in price and menu?
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Actually it would be better if it was a little cheaper than Noras. It doesn't have to be organic. We want a restaurant that has interesting food (I know that is a trite phrase but what I mean by that is that the cooking is superb for what you are having- good flavour, presentation, maybe somewhat cutting edge, nice atmosphere and wine list). It can also be ethnic food too. Since I live in Chicago, I always like a great seafood restaurant since we don't have that in the midwest. We have eaten at Fishers and Farmers, Citronelle, Blue Duck Tavern, Restaurant Eve to name a few. Thanks for your help. Sorry to be so vague. We like all types of food so your ideas would be great.
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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Citronelle
3000 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Blue Duck Tavern
1201 24th Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
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Have you been to Brasserie Beck? I think they often have some of the best fish dishes around, and not just the mussels. If they still have the skate, get it! Central also have a great way with fish. Will you have a car? Black Salt would be fantastic.
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Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
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It's not a seafood place (although I've heard the Black Cod is amazing), but Rasika is a great place with "interesting food" that you may not find elsewhere.
For seafood, I've always enjoyed Hook in Georgetown.
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Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
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I can't find Hook on the internet. Found Firehook but that is a bakery. Does it have another name? Thanks.
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They may not have re-opened after the fire. In any case - I think you can do better. Rasika, Brasserie Beck and Black Salt are all wonderful - I think you'd be happy at any of those places. I personally like them in that order.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bl...
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Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
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I don't think they have reopened yet. I had forgotten all about the fire!
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Locolat is a tiny Belgian spot that is super casual and has a very limited menu highlighted by savory waffles. All the toppings are excellent including the escargot, flammande, chicken and mushrooms in a cream sauce, grilled vegetables, smoked salmon, and crabcake. Also this place makes superb chocolates, so go ahead and splurge, especially any of the tropical buttercream chocolates or dark chocolates topped with sea salt.
For more upscale you can get very good seafood at Black Salt or at a place that specializes in southern cuisine, Vidalia.
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Locolat Cafe
1781 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
Vidalia
1990 M Street, Washington, DC 20036
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Wow, you guys are great. I will check all these places out on the internet. Yes, we have a car.
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Highly second Steve's recommendation of BlackSalt. Brilliant seafood restaurant - I think it hits all your requirements.
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BlackSalt
4883 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, DC 20007
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The suburbs provide a lot of Chowhound excitement, even better if you have a car. Seriously good Lao, Burmese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Bolivian, Peruvian, Sichuan, Persian, Senegalese and many others.
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Steve,
any suggestions on these ethnic restaurants. Names would be great. My daughter lives in Alexandria but we can travel. I think we have decided on Black Salt for the fish restaurant. Thanks everyone.
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One quick point at BS: you will enter via a seafood market. The chef is happy to prepare a fresh filet of fish from the market display as your entree. So...on your way in, take a gander at the choices sitting on ice. One might be preferable to the menu entrees (after you peruse the menu). Also, the kitchen does a good job frying seafood, esp calamari.
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My top choices for Falls Church, VA:
Bangkok Golden, Lao menu
Myanmar, Burmese
Nha Trang, Vietnamese
Hong Kong Palace (Sichuan)
Luzmilla's (Bolivian, lunch only)
Rose Kabob (Persian - Vienna, VA)
Vit Goel, Korean (Annandale, VA)
Chez Aunty Libe (Senegalese - DC)
Do a search on this board for specific recs.
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Near Little Washington in Culpeper VA -- Foti's, which is downtown. Terrific.
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For Alexandria you coud do: Fish Market, vermillion, eamonn's chippery, hank's oysters, Rustico, Brabo, Tasting Room Brabo, and Evening Star. If you go to Evening Star try to go to Cheesetique for a glass of wine and Dariy Godmother for custard.
http://www.fishmarketva.com/
http://www.eamonnsdublinchipper.com/
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Rustico
827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
Evening Star Cafe
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
Fish Market Restaurant
105 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
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Thanks everyone for all you recommendations. I have eaten at Hank's Oyster Bar a number of times and really liked it. I will check all these ideas out.
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Hank's Oyster Bar
1026 King St Ste 1, Alexandria, VA 22314
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In Alexandria, it's also worth looking at Vermillion. I REALLY liked it. They have another spot - Rustico - which has an outstanding looking menu right now.
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Rustico
827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
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We ate at Black Salt tonight. It was weonderful. Had the crab cakes(not on the menu). They fixed it different ways/ Also had the mussels and oysters. Great desserts and wine -liked the key lime pie znd he chocolate dessert.
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We also ate with friends at Le Chat Noir in Friendship Heights. The wine is half price on Tuesdays. A number of us had veal dishes that were excellent. We had alot of seafood over the weekend when we were in the Northern Neck. We ate at Tommys in Reedsville which was a down home old style seafood restaurant.
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Le Chat Noir
4907 Wisconsin AV NW, Washington, DC 20016
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