Haikan ramen shop is participating in its first summer restaurant week. (Photo by Haikan)
D.C.’s annual summer restaurant week returns from August 14 through the 20, promising harried waitstaff at the city’s top restaurants as diners turn out for three-course $22 brunches and lunches and $35 dinners.
The promotion has its pros and cons—there are deals to be had, but finding a true value among the 250 participants takes some digging. Still, restaurant week can be a good excuse to try something new with a little less pressure. There are handfuls of reliable options from top restaurateurs and acclaimed dining rooms, but there’s merit in thinking outside the box, too.
Here are 10 restaurants that are offering something a little different than the standard mold of the three-course appetizer, entree, and dessert menu.
An offshoot of Ambar, Baba in Clarendon (2901 Wilson Blvd.) focuses on Balkan cocktails and regional small plates with more of a bar feel. Its restaurant week menu is following that vibe by including an alcoholic drink with both its menus. Brunch includes a starter, an entrée, a piece of baklava, one brunch drink, and coffee. Ditch the standard Bloody Mary or mimosa and branch out with a Basement Cooler, made with tequila, watermelon, jalapeno, and basil leaves. Dinner includes a choice of three tapas (a vegetable, a seafood, and a meat) along with one cocktail for $35. An interesting option is the B&B, with rum, beet juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and mint.
In addition to a $22 brunch, this cheese-embracing restaurant is one-upping restaurant week with a $35 dinner for two. Cheesetique (800 N Glebe Rd., Arlington and 4056 Campbell Ave. in Shirlington) is ideal for a couple or group who prefers to graze rather than get into a formal three-course dinner. Start with a three-choice meat and cheese board and them move into an entree like mac and cheese or one of a few grilled cheese choices. The meal finishes off with a serving of chocolate mousse to share.
This intimate crudo restaurant in the back of Italian restaurant Alta Strada is offering a version of its finessed tasting menu to restaurant week guests. The four-course menu at Conosci (465 K St. NW) offers a chance to get a refined and inventive meal at an affordable price. Plates are expected to include Arctic char sashimi, American red snapper ceviche, a snap pea salad, and a Maryland blue crab risotto. Additional courses will be offered for $10 each. Make reservations now, as space is limited.
Etete (1942 9th St. NW) re-launched this spring with a focus on being more than a destination for Ethiopian cooking, though those influences remain. Many of these more globally influenced items make an appearance on the restaurant week dinner menu, such as crispy green lentil rolls or injeera tacos with berbere-spiced chicken. Berbere short ribs, teriyaki crispy beef tibs, and a vegetable selection are among the available entrees.
If the goal is to eat as much food as possible for $35, it’s hard to beat skewers of Brazillian-style grilled meats at Fogo de Chao (1101 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). Dinner here normally runs about $55, so this is one of the best deals going next week. You can pack in as many courses as you can handle, plus dessert (if you’ve saved room). And unlike most dining rooms, it’s a lively and informal setting that can accommodate both couples and larger groups.
Haikan
This is the first summer restaurant week for Haikan (805 V St. NW), the Sapporo-style ramen shop at Shaw’s Atlantic Plumbing Building. The five-course dinner menu includes three appetizer bites, a small bowl of ramen, and a dessert. Examples include a choice of lomi lomi salmon or tuna sashimi, fried pig’s ear or fried oyster, and shaved ice or mochi ice cream to finish off dinner. Both the large outdoor table and the bar overlooking the bustling kitchen make for interesting locations to sit and slurp.
Embrace those vacation cravings with a trip out to Hula Girl in Shirlington (4044 Campbell Ave.) The brick-and-mortar outpost of the popular food truck opened in 2016 and serves up Hawaiian favorites like ahi poke, chicken teryiaki, and kalua pork. Come for lunch or dinner for restaurant week and indulge in some island-style comfort food with lots of pork, eggs, rice, and macaroni salad. Add on a cocktail like a Mai Tai or a local beer and you’re set to go.
Customers have been queuing for the colorful macaroons and confections at this Parisian import since it opened in Georgetown in May. There’s more to the shop than just sweets, though. Laudurée (3060 M Street NW) will showcase its kitchen during restaurant week lunch (Monday through Friday) and brunch (Saturday and Sunday). Lunch dishes include French favorites like a croque monsieur with turkey and Emmental cheese; a “pizette végétarienne” with tomato, eggplant, and mozzarella; and choice of ice cream and two macarons (of course). Brunch includes scrambled eggs, finger sandwiches, granola, and a hot beverage. The restaurant is not taking reservations.
If a country road trip is in the cards next week, consider hopping in the car and heading west to Clifton, Virginia and the rustic Trummer’s On Main (7134 Main St.) It’s serving a variety of restaurant week menus, starting with $35 for three courses and going up to $85 for six courses for those wanting to splurge. With the standard deal you can choose among dishes like like tomato gazpacho, terrine of rabbit, Icelandic black cod, grilled flank steak, chocolate mousse, lemon yogurt panna cotta, and plenty more.
Stable
Swiss cuisine was pretty much nonexistent in D.C. until Stable (1324 H St. NE) opened this spring along the H St. NE corridor. Head here during restaurant week to soak in the alpine decor and get a taste of plates like gooey, cheese raclette, veal bratwurst, “aelpler macaroni,” and other regional staples. The brunch menu includes a Bloody Mary or mimosa along with choices like the banana waffle with chocolate spread, a homemade Swiss-style doughnut, and smoked salmon tartare.
