Anyone want to critique my plans for next month?

[zin1953]

Following on the heals of http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/878250 -- I have the following reservations/plans for the third week of February . . .

Dinner Reservations:
Tue., 2/19 -- minibar
Wed., 2/20 -- Rasika Penn Qtr.
Thu., 2/21 -- OPEN
Fri., 2/22 -- OPEN
Sat., 2/23 -- Blue Duck Tavern
Sun, 2/24 -- Dino

Lunch:
For Wednesday and Thursday, lunch is at the conference, so that's taken care of. For Friday through Monday (our flight home takes off Monday at 5:00 pm), we haven't made any reservations. So far, we're thinking of Oyamel and Zaytinya, maybe Estadilo and/or Equinox . . .

Other dinner ideas include possibly going to Rogue 24 and Ardeo + Bardeo, maybe Fiola.

Anything we should consider instead? Substitutions? Additions?

Thanks in advance . . .

Jason

[DCDOLL]

Obelisk or Tosca (italian), Oval Room

[Bart Hound]

Damn! Impressive list. I'd love to know what your total food and drink bill will be.

Komi is a high end place that's not on your list. If you can score a table, definately go there. If not, the new hot place is right next door and done by the Komi chef - - Little Serow. The only catch is it's very small and they don't take reservations (which may actually be a blessing). It's nothern Thai cuisene (not your typical Thai place!)

[dinwiddie]

I'd definitely consider Fiola. I'd also see if you can get a reservation at Komi. Another good choice is Palena (back room, not the Cafe although the Cafe is good).

[Bob W]

I like Zaytinya, others seem to see it as more of a "scene" than a place to eat.

Oyamel has been getting some negative pub lately -- from Tom Sietsema in the WaPo chats, for example. If you want something along those lines, I'd hit Jaleo, which just seems to be getting better over the years.

[zin1953]

Oyamel is probably the easiest restaurant to scratch off the list; after all, being in the SF Bay area, we get loads of great Mexican food here. We've been to Jaleo (in Las Vegas) several times -- one of our favorites -- so I'm not sure we need to go to the one in DC (unless it's to pay homage, and I thought we'd do that by going to the minibar!). ;^)

[Elyssa]

Seems like you are off to a seriously good start (mostly because you snagged a reservation at Minibar...which I hear is close to impossible). If you want another high end option I would go with either The Source, Equinox, J&G Steakhouse or Blacksalt.

Other excellent options are Mintwood Place or Ris.

[zin1953]

Equinox has been on our list, but I accidentally left it off above. We've now added Blacksalt, and their Pearl Dive Oyster Palace . . .

[Elyssa]

Pearl Dive Oyster is great---and a fun spot to check out.

[moosy]

I know people here like Dino, but it is not in the same league as the other restaurants on your lists. I would do Bibiana if I wanted a top notch Italian.

[zin1953]

Owner Dean Gold and I go way back -- to the days he had a restaurant on Melrose (Beverly?) in Los Angeles. I used to sell wine to his place back in the 1980s. It might not be DC's greatest Italian, but I've always liked his food, and the wine list is first-rate. But Bibiana is on the list for our next trip . . . thanks for the recommendation!

[dining with doc]

i am with you. i like dino and like talking to Dean. His food is good, his seasonal menu items interesting and usually local.