5 DC Restaurant Week Spots To Try

5 DC Restaurant Week Spots To Try
Whad’ya know, it’s almost that time of year again when restaurants in DC provide Washingtonians a chance to experience fine dining on a budget. This summer, D.C. Restaurant Week runs from August 17-August 23. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been eagerly waiting for restaurants to post their week’s special menus.

 

Whether you’re new in town, or just here for the summer, Restaurant Week is particularly great because you get to sample some of DC’s top restaurants without breaking the bank. The lunch prix fixe is $22, while the dinner prix fixe is $35 not including tax or gratuity. For those that have lived here a while (Restaurant Week veterans, if you will), you know it’s your chance to head to the normally crowded spots – think Le DiplomateRose’s Luxury or Barcelona DC. 
 summer-restaurantweek-logoWith over 200 restaurants participating, it can be intimidating to pick the right place to eat. Not all the restaurants offer value for money, and the rule of thumb is generally to skip restaurants that serve tapas-style plates because you are going to leave the table hungry.

 

Not to worry, I’ve scoured this summer’s list, and am happy to report my top 5 favorite restaurants to try during DC Restaurant Week.

 

Sushi Taro
Get your reservations in NOW because you are without a doubt getting your money’s worth! While I can say it’s the freshest sushi I’ve tasted in the city thus far, there are others that claim it to be one of the top sushi restaurants in the country! If I had to pick just one restaurant to dine at during Restaurant Week, Sushi Taro would be it. They’ve been around since 1986, but it wasn’t until 2008 that they moved from being the neighborhood sushi spot to serving up higher-end menu items.
Sushi Taro, 1503 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

 

 Rasika
If you’ve lived in the District for a while, you know that Rasika is the go-to spot for satisfying one’s Indian cuisine cravings. Unless you’re ready to shell out some $$$, I say save a visit for lunch during Restaurant Week. The reason I suggest lunch is because more likely than not dinner reservations (at a reasonable hour) are booked solid. The first time I visited (not during Restaurant Week), my friend & I made reservations a month in advance! Oh, and you simply must try the famous palak chaat – crispy baby spinach with sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney. You will not regret it!
Rasika, 633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

 The Oval Room
Looking for an intimate date night out during Restaurant Week? Look no further. The Oval Room is a pretty fancy DC restaurant (think white linens), and in addition to offering impeccable service, the food is just delectable. Being from Dubai, I have no qualms about dressing up just to have dinner with a girlfriend!
The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006

 

Fiola
Fiola is Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s first owned restaurant located in the heart of DC’s Penn Quarter, and if you haven’t yet had a chance to dine there, definitely give it a go during Restaurant Week. Though if you get a bottle of wine at dinner, like I did, it ends up not being so budget-friendly. Oops!
I’m sad (but not surprised) to see the dinner menu is exactly the same as last year’s. Of the two appetizers, the burrata of buffalo mozzarella is imported direct from Italy, and out of this world (or heh, more accurately, country!)
 Fiola, 601 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Birch & Barley
Out of all the restaurants listed, Birch & Barley is the only one I haven’t been to yet! I’ve heard nothing by rave reviews from friends who’ve dined there. Restaurant Week (they only offer dinner) would be a great way for me to suss it out because I’m not the biggest beer fan (insert shock/horror here) – their creative menu is designed to pair with their 555 choice-brew list! Also, outside of Restaurant Week, they offer Beast Feast dinners where at $95 per person for your group of friends you can expect to be served the best of what Birch & Barley’s producers brought in that week. 
Birch & Barley, 1337 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

 

And there you have it, the top 5 places I’d dine during DC’s summer Restaurant Week. I do have to say an honorable mention goes out to Water & Wall in Arlington. I’d been there when it first opened up, and it was a wonderful dining experience – my friend could not stop raving about their wings. FYI, to those that refuse to venture out of the city limits, they’re opening up a spot in DC…stay tuned!

Thanks to Travelabulous, here’s a map of our 5 DC Restaurant Week spots to try.

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About Author

Christabel

Christabel is the blogger and editor behind Where's Bel. She lives to travel, and is often restless if she's not out exploring, scoping out new restaurants or happy hours. Say Hello!

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