Work birthday restaurant recommendation?

[erinnf]

Some colleagues want to take me out to lunch for my birthday - yay! They want me to suggest a place to go. They'll be paying for mine, so I don't want anything crazy. I'm near Chinatown/Penn Quarter and typical places we've gone in the past have been Oya, Cuba Libre, Zola, etc. I'm probably more of a foodie person than them. My dream place to go is Central, but that might be a little far away. Also, I want to give a couple options, one Central price-range and one less expensive. Any ideas or recs? This is of course a non-drinking lunch :). Thanks in advance!

[Elyssa]

How about PS7, Jaleo, Acadiana, or American Eats Tavern? All are in the Penn Quarter area. All would be a nice place for a birthday celebration lunch.

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

Acadiana
901 New York Ave NW Ste 200A, Washington, DC 20001

[erinnf]

Thanks for all the good recommendations. Turns out my colleagues love Indian, and I was able to nab a reservation at Rasika, which still amazes me. Pays to go to lunch at 11:30!

I'll have to check out the rec for the deconstructed lobster cobb at zola - sounds ridiculous!

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Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

[woodleyparkhound]

Great! I think you will love it - and if you stick to vegetarian items and don't drink, it's very reasonably priced. Whatever you do, be sure to order the palak chaat!

[Jeserf]

I think CoCo Sala is a great recommendation, too - I went to a ladies lunch from work at my old job there and it was wonderful. Check it out for another event! Rasika is awesome, too.

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Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

[katecm]

These are all good recommendations, but I have had a few work lunches at Poste lately that I have really, really enjoyed. Also, if you haven't been to Zola since they got a new chef, that would be worth considering. I had a wonderful lunch there two weeks ago. The deconstructed lobster cobb was awesome.

[J_DC]

I think these have all been great recommendations, and I include Rosa is a fun envionrment and safe, even if not a top option.

Other options that could be fun for lunch and may not be too far are Co Co Sala, American Eats (although it's gotten somewhat mixed reviews here and elsewhere), and Oyamel. Other places I'd recommend that may be more similar in price to Central are Poste, Brasserie Beck and Bibiana.

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Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

Co Co Sala
929 F street NW, Washington, DC 20004

Bibiana
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005

[woodleyparkhound]

Rasika?

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Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

[Jeserf]

What about PS 7? To me, the menu seems to suit all price ranges.....