You can’t get any closer to the stages of the Kennedy Center than the Terrace Roof restaurant, which overlooks the Potomac River and serves classic American fare with an eye on culinary trends. The dining room, with its ’60s-swank bar and linen-white tablecloths, is located at the top of the performing arts center and offers small portions that are quickly served by attentive servers. The lobster salad is drizzled with a lemongrass emulsion.
Who can predict his actions when the musical Legally Blonde arrives in town in December? The chef occasionally designs a cost-effective three-course fixed-price menu based on the current show’s theme. The downside? The limited menu is priced similarly to that of a high-end restaurant, with starters costing between $9 and $14 and main courses ranging from $22 to $34.
There are only a few options within walking distance. Bianche Notti, the quaint Italian restaurant located at 824 NW Ave., New Hampshire, offers a pretheater menu with a three-course meal for $35. They also provide free parking. If you prefer, you can leave your car with the valet for $10. Additionally, their sister restaurant, Bistro Circle, located slightly farther away at 1 NW Cir., Washington, also offers a three-course menu for $35.
At Marcel’s, you can enjoy three delectable courses prepared by the renowned chef Robert Wiedmaier for just $52, making it perhaps the best option. The dining room at Kinkead’s is also a fantastic spot, offering a comfortable bar and excellent seafood, including a delicious Thai-style mussel pot and a round of fresh Malpeque oysters. Moreover, there are many other excellent restaurants just a quick drive away.
National Theatre and Warner Theatre
The happy-hour promotions commence once again at 9:30 and continue until 11:30. If you find yourself famished after the performance, there are additional happy-hour promotions—complimentary snacks and $5 mixed drinks—in the lounge adorned with palm fronds at the Ceiba restaurant, which offers a three-course theater menu for $29 on weekdays until 6:30. You can visit the bar at the high-end tavern Chef Geoff’s for excellent—and incredibly affordable—happy-hour hamburgers and beer (operating hours differ). There are numerous options to choose from within walking distance of these two venues.
Just make sure to reserve a table. It’s worth taking a short walk to get there. You can indulge in Richard Michel’s comforting food at 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, but keep in mind that there might not be a theater deal. Tosca Ristorante puts the spotlight on excellent Italian pastas on their daily $35 three-course menu.
Studio Theatre
The restaurant scene around 14th Street NW is thriving, and Cork Wine Bar has some of the best food and cocktails in the neighborhood. If you want to avoid the rush, it’s best to get there early. Tanaka Ron, the chef, puts out sharable dishes such as salad, trout, house-cured citrusy and gremolata, tossed fries, mousse, chicken-liver ultrarich with slathered toasts, and charcuterie cheeses.
ACKC (1529-C 14th St., NW) offers a delightful selection of imaginative hot chocolates and an abundance of truffles at their chocolate-themed cafe that stays open late. It’s the perfect spot for a sweet treat after enjoying a show. Stoney’s (1433 P St., NW) is a classic hangout where you can enjoy delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. Izakaya (1440 P St., NW) is a sushi restaurant located within Whole Foods, and there are also plenty of quick dining options available on P Street. Don’t forget to try the incredible drinks at Bar Pilar (1833 14th St., NW), a dimly lit establishment with a strong admiration for Hemingway. They also offer a variety of small plates that change with the seasons.
Shakespeare Theatre’s Sidney Harman Hall and Lansburgh Theatre
The menu around the corner is pretheater, which has a terrific price of $35.08. The Atlántico Café, located across the street on Eighth St. (NW), is a small-plates Mexican destination with colorful decorations. Right next to it, on Seventh St. (NW), is Oyamel, a Spanish tapas house. On the same block of Penn Quarter, practically every block, is Jaleo. So, practically every block in Penn Quarter has a worthy restaurant to choose from. The question for Night Twelfth fans is not “Where to eat?” But rather “Where isn’t it?”
The outpost of Nando’s, a South African chain of chicken restaurants, fits the bill for a quick something to eat. If you’re hungry after checking out the Wagyu cheesesteak at Proof’s late-night bar, you can also try the bento box at Teaism on 8th St. NW. The creative brasserie at Poste on 8th St. NW and the wine bar at Proof on G St. NW are also options. Closer to Harman, the playful American spot PS 7’s is a good choice. Nearby, on D St. NW, you will find Rasika Indian Modern, which has a menu that includes black cod with honey and dill, as well as flash-fried spinach dishes. Although the theater menu is $30, it’s worth trying these two star dishes at Rasika.
Arena Stage’s Temporary Homes
If you’re headed to Virginia, try the excellent pizza at St. 23rd 507 in Crystal City, Arlington. In addition, Crystal City offers a variety of dining options, including the rustic and sometimes good Italian cuisine at Donna’s Roberto Trattoria Bebo. You can also find chains such as Jaleo, Morton’s Steakhouse, and McCormick & Schmick’s in the area. If you’re a theatergoer, Crystal City has a theater called Dr. Crystal Arlington, which offers dessert-free shows. Another solid option is the Arcade Square Crystal, which is located across the river from Penn Quarter. Additionally, the José Andrés’s branch of Jaleo in Arlington is worth a visit. Lastly, the Stage Arena in DC Southwest is currently running shows during its renovation.
Etete (1942 Ninth St. NW) offers some of the finest Ethiopian cuisine in the vicinity of the Lincoln Theatre. Creme (1322 U St., NW) serves delectable shrimp ‘n’ grits, tangy pork-and-beans, and other high-end Southern dishes, where Arena guests receive a 10 percent discount on their bill.
Signature Theatre
The middle of the Village at Shirlington is where you’ll find the new, bigger digs of this theater, which has been in the complex for 22 years and is still the best place for dinner. It usually gets crowded and reservations are limited, but they have a devoted following. You can call ahead and put your name on the waiting list at The Poets and Busboys outpost nearby, on Campbell Ave. In Arlington. It offers good vegetarian sandwiches and burgers, as well as creative salads and oversize cocktails. The cafe has a progressive-minded, arty-cool vibe. Best Bread Buns and CakeLove & Co., On Campbell Ave. In Arlington, known for its caramel brownies and cupcakes, is also a great dessert spot. Despite the recent influx of fresh places to eat, the Carlyle 4000 building on Campbell Ave. In Arlington is still the best. It’s comfortable and stylish, and there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops in the expanded maze.
Music Center at Strathmore
Addie’s, located at 11120 Rockville Pike in Rockville, is one of the closest eateries to the concert hall in Bethesda North. This farmhouse-chic bistro is known for its creative American cuisine, offering a reliable selection of entrées and salads. The menu includes dishes such as flank steak with chimichurri, roasted chicken, and shrimp with grits. Addie’s also offers a variety of burgers, making it a great spot for a short car ride away from the Black Market on Garrett Ave in Waverly Park.
We enjoy the lobster and Cuban burgers, sweet-potato fries, and onion rings at the recently opened BGR Burger Joint (4827 Fairmont Ave.), Located in downtown Bethesda. Additionally, we have a preference for the artisanal pies offered at Mia’s Pizzas (4926 Cordell Ave.).
This article was published in the October, 2008 edition of The Washingtonian magazine.
Creative Dining: Where to Eat Near the Museums.