Congratulations: you’ve closed a big deal. But where do you take your clients, their new landlord and building manager? Everyone knows The Palm is there for power dinners, but here are the spots you’ll see dealmakers this fall.
Estadio
Address: 1520 14th St NW
Cuisine: Spanish/Portuguese
Signature dishes: Mini pork-belly sandwiches, Chorizo bocadillos
Reservations: 202-319-1404
This Spanish and Portuguese tapas restaurant has been on Washingtonian’s Best Restaurants list for years, and with good reason: it serves delicious tapas in a fun atmosphere. Cushman & Wakefield senior managing director Bobby Schwartz told us he had a fun closing dinner here recently. “It really lends itself to a larger party where you can order all the different items they have.” Plus, 14th Street has more nighttime energy than downtown: Bobby’s party went out for drinks after dinner.
Rasika
Address: 633 D St NW; 1190 New Hampshire Ave NW
Cuisine: Indian
Signature dishes: Palak chaat, tandoori lamb chops
Reservations: 202-637-122, 202-466-2500
Rasika and Rasika West End have earned their reputation in the city as the very best Indian food you can buy. And what better way to celebrate a closing than at the restaurant of a James Beard Award-winning chef?
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab
Address: 750 15th St NW
Cuisine: Steakhouse and Seafood
Signature dishes: Stone crab (only from October to May), Key lime pie Reservations: 202-489-0140
This scene-y steakhouse opened in January 2014 and still courts DC’s power players. As well it should: it’s just a few blocks from the White House, and serves classic steakhouse fare with a twist, thanks to its Miami ancestor. The prices lend themselves to the corporate credit card, and everyone wants to impress clients based on who else is in the room.
BLT Steak
Address: 1625 I St NW
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Signature dishes: Wagyu skirt steak, stuffed mushrooms
Reservations: 202-689-8999
Speaking of expense accounts, this hot spot in the CBD is a business-lunchers dream. While a closing dinner would feel right at home, this is a popular spot for those early afternoon meetings when a deal gets done. And when a side of French fries costs $10, accounting’s going to want you to be sure that deal is closing.
Blue Duck Tavern
Address: 1201 24th St NW
Cuisine: Modern American
Signature dishes: Pork weisswurst with red cabbage, Roasted bone marrow
Reservations: 202-419-6755
There are more downtown steakhouses to come, but let’s take a detour back to the West End, where this restaurant in the Park Hyatt Hotel has developed a fantastic reputation. CBRE executive vice president Meredith LaPier recommended Chef de Cuisine Brad Deboy’s kitchen, which is known for farm-fresh food.
Mastro's
Address: 600 13th St NW
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Signature dishes: Veal chop, Maguro lime sushi roll
Reservations: 202-347-1500
When this steakhouse opened in May, many around the District rolled their eyes at another expense-account-grabbing venture. But in the few months since opening, Mastro’s has proved it belongs, with lobster-topped mashed potatoes; an impressive wine list; and live music at 6pm, where guests can eat right next to the grand piano.
Casa Luca
Address: 1099 New York Ave NW
Cuisine: Italian
Signature dishes: Baby monkfish with artichokes, jamon Ibérico with figs
Reservations: 202-628-1099
The East End enters the list with the newest Italian restaurant from DC star Fabio Trabocchi (also of Fiola and the former Maestros in Tysons). Another Meredith recommendation, this should surely please the crowd that's buying office buildings for $800/SF and up, or leasing offices for more than $60/SF.
Nobu
Address: 2501 M St NW
Cuisine: Japanese
Specialty dishes: Sushi (everything really)
Reservations: Fall 2016
So we cheated with this one, but when one of the best restaurant chains in the country finally decides to come to our town, we're allowed to cheat. Nobu has an international following, almost two dozen locations and incredible sushi. Almost makes you want to hold off on that closing dinner until Q3 2016...
What's your favorite restaurant for closing dinner? Send pics, anecdotes, or just your honest opinion to Ethan.Rothstein@bisnow.com. We'd love to hear from you!
