Recommendations for big birthday dinner for two

[chinaplate]

My SO has a milestone birthday coming up on a Monday night. We'll go out with friends the weekend before but I thought a nice birthday dinner (in the district) that night would be appropriate.

If I can get reservations at Komi (won't be able to call for a couple weeks still) for the night following, I will be willing to celebrate a day late. But if not, I'd like to take him someplace special on Monday.

He's been to Rasika a few times (though I have never been!) so not there. But otherwise open to ideas. We have done very little fine dining since moving to DC from NYC (our go to style is more gastropub or farm to table type stuff ... with Hanks being a seafood favorite) so likely anything you suggest will be a novelty.

[ktmoomau]

I would go to the back room at Palena if you can't get into Komi, or possibly Rogue 24 (I have never been) or CityZen.

[Elyssa]

I would suggest The Source. The food there is out of this world and worthy of a special occasion.

[woodleyparkhound]

Rogue 24!

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848496

[chinaplate]

I looked at the website and am super interested. Also, hopefully we will be able to get a reservation since looking for early in the week.

What do you recommend ... the 8, 16, or full meal (I'd have to let my SO do the full meal and at most do 16 myself ... no way I'd make it!)

[woodleyparkhound]

I wouldn't recommend the 24. See my post about my experience contained in the link I referred to above. .

[katecm]

FYI: You've posted this twice, so are going to get broken up conversations.

Anyway, I would definitely recommend Birch and Barley. Their tasting menu is phenomenal, and they have arguably the best pastry chef in the city, which of course is important on your birthday! And if he's a beer drinker, get the beer pairings.

[chinaplate]

Thanks for letting me know! The first time I tried it looked as if there was a network failure. We do love Birch and Barley but have actually been more than once.

[chinaplate]

I don't see the second post actually.

[shake N baik]

If you're thinking of Komi I'm assuming you don't have a budgetary constraint? For a big birthday dinner not only does the food but the service has to be top notch. For me, Citronelle would fit the bill. For birthday's they do know how to make someone feel special.