Good place for upscale casual lunch in DC?

[elegantelliot]

Location isnt really an issue. Thanks!

[Misha3373]

Zola, Potenza, Bibiana, Vidalia. Have fun.

[BrianD]

I think Fiola would be a great choice. They have a couple of very reasonably priced multi-course lunch deals in addition to a la carte.

I had a great lunch there last week.

[elegantelliot]

We ended up at Teds Bulletin. I realize its not upscale casual, but I appreciate all of the recs. It happened to be great! Good service, good food, fun desserts and a nice ambience. Would definitely go back.

[ktmoomau]

What about Corduroy?? They are still open for lunch aren't they? I would also consider Bistro Bis.

[Bob W]

Last time I checked, Corduroy was not open for lunch. That was my first choice for lunch with my brother.

Good call on Bistro Bis.

Another place that seems to fly under the radar (unlike at the beach) is Nage.

[woodleyparkhound]

You also didn't say what day you will be dining. Lot of places are only open M-F for lunch.

[elegantelliot]

thanks for the responses! it would be a week day. price range is pretty open and so is the cuisine. just something good and preferably fun, if something like that exists.

[woodleyparkhound]

I would recommend Central, though the other recs you have gotten above are very good as well. Check out the menus of these places and go whichever appeals the most - you can't go wrong.

[elegantelliot]

Thanks, Central is a go to spot for us, not that you would know that, so I was really hoping for something new and different.

[woodleyparkhound]

Another thought is Brasserie Beck - I love the moules and frites there, though someone on another thread said they have recently changed their frites - and not for the better.

[Bob W]

That was me! The frites are definitely worse than before -- the three sauces are the same, though, but the fries are thicker and soggier, at least on the day I visited.

Some places I'd also think about are Acadiana, Zaytinya, and Rasika. I'm trying Ceiba later this week with my brother and occasional poster Orson W.

[woodleyparkhound]

Bob W -- I had a wonderful dinner at Brasserie Beck last night. I shared the mushroom moules with someone. We got the frites. They were as good as I had remembered and the sauces were delicious. I don't think they have changed their frites at all. Perhaps your experience was a one-time thing?? (I hope so anyway.) In any case, last night they were fine.

By the way, my other companions got the steak frites (delicious) and the cassoulet. He liked the cassoulet but I found it very heavy and overpowering. In any case, I could never stray from the moules menu there - I love the way they do them.

[Bob W]

Thanks woodley -- as you note, the mussels are always the star, and you can certainly get your carb fix by soaking the excellent bread in your broth. Still, I need to go back and check on the frites.

[Jeserf]

PS7 has a great lunch menu. Bibiana is a great spot.

[Elyssa]

You don't really say anything about price range or cuisine but I would check out Central, Bibianna, Againn, or The Source.