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Where Would Todd Go for Restaurant Week?

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Our dining critic's picks for the best deals during Summer Restaurant Week.

By Todd Kliman   Published Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Comments

If you haven’t try Oceanaire yet, go! I heard there is still space on Sunday. Fantastic service and food last night, worth going. Check out the bar menu while you’re there, their old bay homemade chips are perfect with drinks.

Posted by: Chris, Aug 28, 2009 09:18:16 AM

link to my review of Vidalia on 8/25/09 here:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vidalia-restaurant-washington#hrid:7sHj0Tyg-otb05O5qmTO4w

Posted by: tae b., Aug 26, 2009 01:30:50 PM

My coworkers and I went to Nage last week during their "preview" week and were thrilled with our choice. The service and attention from management were impeccable, truly living up to the spirit of RW! AND, they are extending through next week! Great pick, Todd! P.S. Vidalia on Thursday for lunch! Can’t wait!

Posted by: Monica, Aug 26, 2009 08:36:39 AM

Huh? Not Zaytinya, Oyamel or Jaleo? You get 4-5 Tapa/Mezze plus dessert for $35....

Posted by: Ryan, Aug 25, 2009 02:37:47 PM

Thanks for taking the time to come back and respond, Todd. I completely understand your reasoning.

I’ll be sure to come back and let you know what our experience is like on Saturday - after they’ve had a full week of RW diners to contend with. Hopefully they’re using this as a chance to make new fans (agree with your assessment that many places don’t).

Posted by: Mike on H Street, Aug 24, 2009 08:28:21 AM

Debbie J -- New Heights isn’t a newcomer in the sense of being a new or emerging restaurant. But it *is* a newcomer to my twice-yearly Restaurant Week pick-lists.

And it has a new chef, which makes it an entirely different restaurant from before.

Also ... Adour is generating some good chatter on here, and I wanted to take a moment to address its omission on my list.

One of the things I want to see from restaurants who participate in RW is a sense of conviction -- of embracing the week, as opposed to enduring it. Too many places don’t.

Over the years, I’ve heard from many, many diners who felt they were treated by staff as if they’d come in with a freshly snipped coupon, and left feeling dispirited and defeated -- even if the food was good. Or, the dish options were so limited, and so lacking in imagination, that it was not hard to tell that the place was mailing it in.

If Adour takes the week seriously, that’s terrific. Good for Adour.

In all candor, I can’t say I would have guessed it of the restaurant -- and preparing a guide to RW, I should point out, does involve a fair amount of guesswork, since RW is so different from any other time of the year and menus are often drastically refashioned. It’s also not as if Adour, like Tosca, has a long track record with RW to point to.

There are, as someone pointed out, 170+ restaurants who are taking part this time around, and I decided to place my bets on other options.

TK

Posted by: Todd Kliman, Aug 20, 2009 08:49:53 AM

Left out the not before; it should read:

I am not sure why Adour is not on the list. Perhaps the food was NOT a good value when priced well over $40 for an entree. But when the three-course dinner is $35, plus what you would add on anywhere for tax, tip, and beverages (and we had a few items from the chef), it is definitely worth the time and $$$.

Posted by: Jacqui, Aug 19, 2009 11:48:15 PM

I just read a few of the comments and saw someone questioning Adour. If you plan on cancelling Adour, don’t. Let me know and I will go in your place. I love the ambience, decor, service, and the food was definitely special.

I am not sure why it is not on the list. Perhaps the food was a good value when priced well over $40 for an entree, but when the three-course dinner is $35, plus what you would add on anywhere for tax, tip, and beverages, well, it is definitely worth the time and $$$. I loved it.

Posted by: Jacqui, Aug 19, 2009 11:45:04 PM

Two of us ate at Adour last night learning from the person answering the phone that they extended Restaurant Week for additional days beginning last night, adding that they were fully booked for Restaurant Week.

There were three choices for first and second courses and two for dessert and what we had was deelicious and well worth the $35.09 + tax, beverages, and gratuity. We tried two appetizers and both desserts but each of us ordered the lamb chop entree.

Since the regular menu is out of my budget range, I am making a note to come again for the next Restaurant Week. I am surprised it is not on any of your lists, especially because it is such a bargain!

Posted by: Jacqui, Aug 19, 2009 11:39:41 PM

What about the Palm? How can dinner at the Palm be a bad choice for $35.09

Posted by: Dave, Aug 19, 2009 07:24:31 PM

What are the odds that Todd actually checks in here and responds?

Adour is a splurge by any measure...the fact that they didn’t make his list seems telling, but I want to be sure.

Posted by: Mike on H Street, Aug 19, 2009 03:05:37 PM

Good info Sylvie, thanks. I am sticking with my gut and keeping my reservations as is.

Posted by: Tim, Aug 19, 2009 12:45:33 PM

Zola also offers their regular memu and is consistently excellent.

Morrison House menu does not impress me--small portions that are too art inspired.

Posted by: Mary , Aug 19, 2009 12:36:28 PM

I went to New Heights last summer for RW and it was awful...portion size was ridiculously small I thought that maybe they intended to feed a 1 year old. Bob Kinkead’s was extraordinary! food was great, portion size was just right.

Posted by: LORENA, Aug 19, 2009 11:19:27 AM

Since Todd only mentioned 19 restaurants out of the 170+ that are participating in RW, these recommendations are just one person’s opinion.

Don’t cut yourself short by NOT visiting a restaurant that didn’t make a tier this year - there are so many great meals out there!

there are also other online sites (Yelp, UrbanSpoon, OpenTable) that offer guest feedback if you’re still feeling nervous.

Posted by: Sylvie, Aug 19, 2009 11:02:26 AM

Hey how about the Grille at Morrison’s in Alexandria? We’ve heard only good things about them - and it’s take us 3 years to get a reservation there during RW!

Posted by: Marsha, Aug 19, 2009 08:47:59 AM

You have a few of my favorites on there. I am a big fan of Acadiana and Nage. I was disappointed in all the upcharges at Bistro Bis last year, but enjoyed the food. I really need to make it into Tallula as I always get sidetracked and end up drinking in Eatbar instead.

Posted by: Lavendertigerlily, Aug 19, 2009 08:04:28 AM

What about Cheff Geoffs? They are also offering their full menu. Should I be re-thinking my reservations here? I typically try to go to a new restaurant every year and have not been here yet and heard good things from them in the past.

Posted by: Tim, Aug 19, 2009 07:53:04 AM

New Heights-a new comer? Check your info again.

Posted by: Debbie J, Aug 19, 2009 07:23:59 AM

Natalie, I think he’s saying Rasika’s only worth it at lunch.

Posted by: Emily, Aug 18, 2009 01:30:16 PM

Rasika has a dinner menu for RW on there website in addition to their lunch offering.

Posted by: Natalie, Aug 18, 2009 12:33:02 PM

Any reason Adour didn’t make your list of recommended ’indulgences?’ We snagged a reservation there and I’m wondering if we should rethink.

Posted by: Mike on H Street, Aug 18, 2009 07:53:28 AM

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