DC dining advice

M

MLipton

Mark Lipton
Jean and I will be in DC next weekend (Aug 12-14) with Andrew and two nephews in tow. We'll dine out with them one night but then dine out as a twosome on another. We're considering Palena and Corduroy and I would appreciate any feedback from our DC contingent on either or both.

As an aside, I have put out a jeebus inquiry on the seldom-visited jeebus page.

Mark Lipton
 
I'm not the DC contingent, but I loved3 Corduroy, which I went to at Maureen's suggestion. That was the old location, so I couldn't tell you if anything's changed.
 
Just for the record, the old location was in the Hotel (upstairs in the Sheraton Four Points, IIRC) and the new location is in the town house like structure near the convention center. Worth the visit. Palena is also nice, but I have not been in a while.
 
Gail and I were at Palena last month and enjoyed it very much. I would also put in a vote for Peter Pastan's Obelisk, which used to get more buzz, but which is still as good as it used to be.
 
I dined at Palena last Friday night and had a superb meal - the corn ravioli with chive butter and crab meat was a highlight.

Good stemware and service, good (not fabulous but much improved) wine list, and $20 per bottle corkage. A bit cheaper than Corduroy also. I've not been to Corduroy's new location but it is reputed to still be excellent. I think Corkage there is $25 and limited to two bottles.

I've also been dining at the Tabard Inn this summer with much success. Again, $20 corkage, no limit, and excellent stemware and service.
 
Drive out to Maison Fitzsimmons in Culpeper. I can't promise the food will knock you out, but the air is good, you'll have the pick of the wine inventory, and the Blue Ridge is beautiful.

Kidnap Maureen and bring her with you.
 
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
Gail and I were at Palena last month and enjoyed it very much. I would also put in a vote for Peter Pastan's Obelisk, which used to get more buzz, but which is still as good as it used to be.
Click to expand...

Since rumors abound that Obelisk will be closing, I'd definitely eat there. One of the best spots for dining in the US, IMO. I've had good meals at Palena too, but it isn't unique the way Obelisk is.
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
Gail and I were at Palena last month and enjoyed it very much. I would also put in a vote for Peter Pastan's Obelisk, which used to get more buzz, but which is still as good as it used to be.
Click to expand...

Since rumors abound that Obelisk will be closing, I'd definitely eat there. One of the best spots for dining in the US, IMO. I've had good meals at Palena too, but it isn't unique the way Obelisk is.
Click to expand...

I understand the viewpoint, but Jean is disinclined to dine at Italian restaurants, so we usually avoid them. Because of this, I've had to scratch the otherwise excellent Obelisk from the list.

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by MLipton:
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
Gail and I were at Palena last month and enjoyed it very much. I would also put in a vote for Peter Pastan's Obelisk, which used to get more buzz, but which is still as good as it used to be.
Click to expand...

Since rumors abound that Obelisk will be closing, I'd definitely eat there. One of the best spots for dining in the US, IMO. I've had good meals at Palena too, but it isn't unique the way Obelisk is.
Click to expand...

I understand the viewpoint, but Jean is disinclined to dine at Italian restaurants, so we usually avoid them. Because of this, I've had to scratch the otherwise excellent Obelisk from the list.

Mark Lipton
Click to expand...

Being really heavily Piedmont influenced, it is only nominally what most folks consider Italian. I don't think I've ever eaten anything with a tomato there.

And the winelist is fun and corkage is cheap and the staff friendly.
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by MLipton:
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
Gail and I were at Palena last month and enjoyed it very much. I would also put in a vote for Peter Pastan's Obelisk, which used to get more buzz, but which is still as good as it used to be.
Click to expand...

Since rumors abound that Obelisk will be closing, I'd definitely eat there. One of the best spots for dining in the US, IMO. I've had good meals at Palena too, but it isn't unique the way Obelisk is.
Click to expand...

I understand the viewpoint, but Jean is disinclined to dine at Italian restaurants, so we usually avoid them. Because of this, I've had to scratch the otherwise excellent Obelisk from the list.

Mark Lipton
Click to expand...

Being really heavily Piedmont influenced, it is only nominally what most folks consider Italian. I don't think I've ever eaten anything with a tomato there.

And the winelist is fun and corkage is cheap and the staff friendly.
Click to expand...

Took the words right out of my mouth. Nothing like what people mean by Italian. And Peter Pastan is an Italian wine geek and his list shows it.
 
originally posted by VLM:

Being really heavily Piedmont influenced, it is only nominally what most folks consider Italian. I don't think I've ever eaten anything with a tomato there.

And the winelist is fun and corkage is cheap and the staff friendly.
Click to expand...

Believe me, I understand. I never said that her aversion was rational, did I?

Mark Lipton
 
I admit I find it hard to imagine not at least liking Obelisk. I kinda worshiped it, but it's been far too long since I've been. I still remember the panna cotta with (real) balsamic vinegar, followed by very reasonably-priced Torcolato. One of the best finishes to a meal ever.
 
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