Restaurant recommendations in DC?

February 20, 2008 6:55 AM

Can you recommend a nice, fancy restaurant in DC that has an intimate space(s) suitable for about 10 people?

This is for a retirement party. I can't think of any restaurants that have small back room type spaces like that in the DC area, but hopefully you can. We don't have any food restrictions - we like everything. We do want a festive, celebratory sort of ambiance.

Barring that - where would you take your wonderful boss in DC if you wanted to do it right (and you had about 10 people attending)?

posted by Amizu to Food & Drink (15 answers total)

I'm sure you'll get many, many recommendations, but the first place that comes to mind is Gordon Biersch at 9th and F streets, which offers several options for private functions. But I would suspect that most of the nicer restaurants in DC would have similar spaces. Find out your boss's favorite place(s) and call them.
posted by arco at 7:22 AM on February 20, 2008

Places with intimate spaces for large groups off the top of my head:
McCormick and Schmick's
Smith and Wollensky's
Ruth's Chris (in Dupont)
Old Ebbitt Grill
Melting Pot * doesn't have separate room from what I remember but can easily hold 10 in a private booth
posted by CAnneDC at 7:37 AM on February 20, 2008

I don't have anything to add but to say that the crab cakes at Old Ebbitt's Grill are out of this world delicious.
posted by mmascolino at 7:58 AM on February 20, 2008

A pretty fun place to go is Marrakesh, a Moroccan place with great food and even a belly dancer later on in the evening. You can get one of those big tables that everyone can sit at with cushions and such, and you eat some of the food with your fingers. Very tasty and definitely a fun atmosphere.
posted by Grither at 7:59 AM on February 20, 2008

I really like Mark and Orlando's (right off of Dupont Circle, around 20th & P). They might be able to give you what you want -- they have an upstairs that's usually used for more casual fare but might serve well for a private function.
posted by kdar at 8:04 AM on February 20, 2008

Sam & Harry's in Dupont also has a private room. They'll also put together a fixed price dinner for you--folks can choose their entree, but side dishes are served family style. Classy, for sure.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:05 AM on February 20, 2008

The Ruth's Chris near Farragut North (further down Connecticut Ave) also has a very nice private room (more than one, possibly) and excellent atmosphere for a smallish private function. (Just in case the one at Dupont is booked.) Honestly, most of the DC steakhouses (except for Ray's the Steaks) are going to have something like this. We need to see if we can offer you something better. I'll think on it.
posted by somanyamys at 8:25 AM on February 20, 2008

And by "better," I only mean more variety of answers. Too quick on the post button. Argh.
posted by somanyamys at 8:26 AM on February 20, 2008

1789 in Georgetown has a private room that would fit a group of about 10 nicely.
posted by dbolll at 9:40 AM on February 20, 2008

Zola in Chinatown has a nice private room/long table setup and excellent food. I don't know where you work/live/would be coming from, but it's easy to get there by car/metro.
posted by troika at 10:04 AM on February 20, 2008

I'd suggest also asking the Going Out Gurus (washingtonpost.com chat, on Thursdays at 1:00). They're good for this sort of thing.
posted by inigo2 at 10:08 AM on February 20, 2008

IIRC Brasserie Beck has a room that's probably a good size, with a nice selection of wine and ([yummy] Belgian) beer. There's a private room at Dino in Cleveland Park, and if you're nice to Chris (I think his title is "Chief Mixologist") you can probably get him to create a special cocktail for your boss for the night. For something slightly less relaxed than those two, there's Equinox, which appears capable of handling private parties of a few different sizes.

I've never been pleased with Gordon Biersch, although it's possible I've just had bad luck. Conversely (or perversely) I've always had good luck (and food and service) at Bebo (which has a so-called semi-private room), across the river in Crystal City, so I guess it all balances out. I don't think I'd take the boss to Bebo without vetting it again, though.

Of all of those, I think Brasserie Beck is probably the one I'd call first.
posted by fedward at 10:31 AM on February 20, 2008

Also: Etrusco in Dupont is a tiny but lovely - perfect for an intimate gathering. The food is absolutely incredible. The menu changes constantly, and the owner will prepare a special menu for special events (like this one).
posted by troika at 10:53 AM on February 20, 2008

The Chef's Table at Blue Duck Tavern is what you want.

If it's not in your budget, some other ideas:



Science Club has a second floor space that is FREE - you just pay for the drinks.

You might also consider the upstairs rooms at Maggianos but I can't say I have personally hired them.

Vidalia has a private room too but it's pricy
posted by chickaboo at 11:43 AM on February 20, 2008

Seconding Sam & Harry's. We use them (the 19th street location) all the time for small VIP work lunches, and they do a great job. The Wine Cellar room holds 10 comfortably, 12 if you squeeze it a bit.
posted by gemmy at 3:45 PM on February 20, 2008