Summer Restaurant Week kicks off Monday with over 150 restaurants offering discounted prix fixe menus. This isn’t our first rodeo; here’s a list of the places we love that offer the best deals.
How It Works:
Participating restaurants will offer a prix fixe three-course dinner option for $40, $55, or $65 and/or a brunch/lunch option for $25 or $35.
Keep It Budget Friendly:
- Go for lunch if you can. It’s often similar to the dinner menu, but half the price.
- Resist the urge to add cocktails or wine tastings. They can easily double your bill.
- Don’t go in starving. Many of the menus are pared down.
- Don’t discard the classics. Some of the best deals are at neighborhood standbys like Iron Gate, Ottoman Taverna, or the José Andrés restaurants.
Notable Newcomers:
First-time Restaurant Week participants include Namak, Claudio Stable, dLeña, ilili, La Boucherie, Lucy Bar, Mallard, Pastis, Piccolina, Seven Reasons, and The Saga.
Bar Japonais. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Where To Eat:
Look through the full list of participating restaurants, but these spots are where we’ll be trying to snag reservations:
A newcomer that’s worth the hype. You get a lot of choice on their Restaurant Week menu, which includes tons of mezze options, kebabs, and roasted veggies. The pistachio baklava is non-negotiable. (Dinner $55)
This underrated neighborhood gem in Mount Rainier is anything but basic. They haven’t released their Restaurant Week menu, but you can expect favorites like bone marrow mac n’ cheese, gnocchi ratatouille, and honey BBQ pork shoulder. (Dinner $40)
This Filipino spot’s brunch plates are spectacular and you can grab one with a latte and pastry for $25 next week. The dinner option includes a dry-aged beef tartar, cod wrapped in banana leaves and caramelized coconut, and a summer corn ravioli. (Dinner $65, brunch/lunch $25)
Restaurant Week selection at Casa Teresa. (Courtesy of Casa Teresa)
French and Japanese come together on this menu that won’t leave you hungry. Think various sashimis, katsu curry, and ginger crème brulé. (Dinner $55)
Grab a Lebanese lunch at The Wharf in the garden-like Ilili dining room. The menu includes the lamb burger, shish taouk, stuffed grape leaves, and baklava. This is the first time ilili is partaking in Restaurant Week and it’s a steal. (Lunch $35)
This award-winning Peruvian spot is normally too pricey for me, but it’s perfect for Restaurant Week. Grab charcoal-grilled skewers and various ceviches, or sweet plantains with pork tallow and chimichurri. (Dinner $55)
Chef Matt Adler's love letter to coastal Italy is offering brunch with ricotta blueberry pancakes and truffle omelets, or dinner with summer pastas and arctic char. (Brunch $25, dinner $40)
This Spanish-inspired menu is served family-style with favorites like las croquetas, béchamel fritters, corte de cerdo, and a cheesecake served with walnut praline. (Dinner $65 per guest)
