D.C. BYOB

There are tons of options in DC. Preference in cuisine?

PH

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
There are tons of options in DC. Preference in cuisine?

PH

French or Spanish would be my preference. I've done a bit of research, but for a group of 8, I need a place that won't limit to number of bottles...or do they just say that but allow more on request?

For French, I'm a big fan of Le Paradou. I'm not sure their limit on BYO. Very upscale, and fantastic kitchen.

If you're around on a Monday, Lavandou in Cleveland Park offers $0 corkage with no limit. They are very BYO friendly on other evenings as well. Very small, but we've offlined there with larger groups. Definitely call ahead, especially on a Monday. Good solid Provencal kitchen.

PH

Thanks PH,

Lavandou sounds perfect...great menu, reasonable prices and BYO friendly.

Enjoy. Look forward to your review. Their onglet with red wine sauce is very nice, fwiw....

PH

Bumping this - as I am visiting DC in March, looking for the same sort of place as Pinotlvr - any recs for good places with BYOB? Are teh places suggested above still around/worthwhile?

There are many great choices. Corkage is permitted and almost always charged at places allowing BYO in DC. Offers of tastes and being low-maintenance may help in this regard.

Give us an idea on your cuisine/$$ preferences and I'm sure you'll hear from some folk in the area.

PH

Thanks for the prompt reply - I'm looking for French or Italian, probably. Also fond of places interested in locally sourced or slow food etc. etc. In terms of $, I'm usually all too happy to pay a fair price for a good meal...

Don't miss Blue Duck Tavern; modern american but an incredible kitchen and BYOB friendly. Well priced IMHO.

Its been a few years, but when I lived there (Woodley Park) Palena for more elegant yet not pretentious CA-Frech and Dino for super-casual Tuscan-ish, both in Cleveland Park both served me many awesome meals. I also used to love Obelisk on Dupont Circle, which has 22 seats, no website and a 4 or 5 course menu that changes every day - Italian and fairly expensive but quite casual. Taberna del Alabardero (Spanish) was my primary go-to for a nice dinner, but I suspect its chef has changed, so I don't know... Corduroy used to be very easy for a nice Western European inspired New American downtown. Marcel's was a very classy night out to an up-scale French (French-Belgian)... I wonder if any of the current locals have experience with these places? I'm sort of curious how my old haunts are doing? If they are still like they were, I think you'd enjoy any of them, 7smcb.

Thanks v much - I will give them a look. Anyone have any thoughts on Table or any knowledge on their corkage policy?

+1 on Palena.

Dino, unfortunately, is relocating downtown and the Woodley Park location is closed.

I like Lavandou (also in Woodley Park) for simple bistro food. Very corkage friendly.

Tosca for Italian. I've come full circle on this restaurant, and my last 2 meals here were very memorable.

Haven't been to Blue Duck (must remedy) but I've heard good things. Meringue's recommendation is a plus.

Obelisk is still very, very good. Very small and prix fixe, so pairing might be challenging. Their cocktail program is pretty good, so you might want to go in that direction and get a glass of wine or two with dinner.

Will post more as things pop into my noggin....

PH

quote:

Originally posted by 7smcb:
Thanks v much - I will give them a look. Anyone have any thoughts on Table or any knowledge on their corkage policy?

Have not been, but they received a very good write-up from the Post's restaurant critic last year. No idea on corkage...sorry.

PH

Similar to PH, i have come full circle on Jaleo (spanish). Last meal i had earlier this month was pretty good. I am not a huge fan of Taberna del Alabardero. There is also a new spanish (Estadio) that i have heard good things about but i have not eaten there yet.

quote:

Originally posted by Merengue:
Similar to PH, i have come full circle on Jaleo (spanish).

Glad to hear this, Meringue! I read your earlier comments about Jaleo, and was puzzled. I've always enjoyed them.

PH

PH,

Agree on Palena. However, it, as is Lavandou, is in Cleveland Park, not Woodley Park. Don't make folks walk the extra distance from the METRO.

Another place I like that is under the radar is Cedar on E Street in the Penn Quarter (between 8th and 9th)

Just for folks to use as a reference, there is a list here that while I cannot say how up to date it is, has the name and phone number of restaurants in DC that permit corkage.

http://www.wideworldofwines.com/corkage.php