Bad news. Old Ebbitt has nothing available for a group our size for 9/30. I've tried Clyde's of Gallery Place, which is in the same restaurant group and has a similar menu. They can handle us, but at 2 separate tables that they can't guarantee would be together (though they'd try). Their private room is too large. What do you say?

Here's another option: Indigo Landing. It's actually on the VA side, by the marina. That means, however, no access by mass transit. You'd need a car or cab to get there. It's not far from National Airport. The food is southern style. Here's a review: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=799764

Thanks for the update, Crystal. I appreciate you doing this for us.

While Indigo Landing sounds nice, not being able to rely on mass transit may be a hindrance. Therefore, should we persue Occidental, or 701, which Tom suggested or Georgia Brown's?

Crystal:

How about Ireland's own in Alexandria if we are going to cross the river? There is also a Chart House right on the river in Alexandria, too.

Clydes is always good. I have never been to one in Gallery Place.

By the way, why aren't Olivia and Joanna on the list? John and Tonya, are you a definite to attend now?

The Occidental is closed for renovations until November. 701 and Georgia Brown's could be worth looking into, if people are interested. I have to admit I'm not a fan of Ireland's Own, and I REALLY dislike Chart House. Both are accessible by Metro but a bit of a hike.

I've been to the Clydes at Gallery Place. It's right next to the Verizon Center and steps from the Gallery Place Metro. There's a heavy metal concert at the Verizon Center on Sept 30th, so it could be a crazy atmosphere around the restaurant.

Oh boy, I'm not much help here. Let me think on it, but we are just not that familiar with restaurants in DC - I am surprised that Old Ebbitt can't accommodate in the atrium.

Crystal,

If you would be so kind as to inquire at Georgia Brown's, maybe that would work out for all of us.

Thanks, again, for your efforts.

Just called Georgia Brown's. They don't take reservations for large groups on Saturdays. Shall I try 701?

Please do, Crystal.

I am looking on Zagat and found this one called Chef Geoff's that got a good review

Chef Geoff\'s

Edited to add - How about DC Coast?

DC Coast

Corduroy?

Corduroy

Sorry that this is becoming quite a project for you, Crystal.

JoAnn, to get the Atrium at Old Ebbitt, we'd have to pay a room rental and a very large food and beverage minimum. We could get the Cabinet Room, which would have a total rental and food and beverage minimum of $1,000, which is a minimum of $62.50 if 16 people show up (and less if more show up). And, of course, if less than 16 come, that's more per person. I suppose that's a possibility if people are willing to go that direction. Otherwise, I can check into these other places.

Cheff Geoff's is a new one on me. Last time I was at DC Coast, I was pretty disapointed.

Personally speaking, I think we should look into restaurants that don't require a minimum. Things happen in people's lives that force them to cancel plans, despite the best of intentions.

Sorry to hear about your disappointment with DC Coast. It got stellar reviews in Zagat. Shall we give 701, Corduroy and Chef Goeff's a go?

I honestly didn't think that this was going to be so challenging.

Duplicate sorry (I always wondered how people made duplicate posts.... now I know!) :o

Boy.... this is becoming quite a project! :eek: AND it is still 2 months away. Maybe someone should call and find out if George and Laura can accomodate us.... :D

Thanks for all the work you are doing on this Denise and Crystal :nw:

Yikes Crystal. I've never heard of that before at Old Ebbitt - last time we were there, was several years ago after a performance at Fords Theater, and we had about 10 people, and they just put us out there, along with several other "small groups". Thats outrageous! Guess they have gotten quite impressed with themselves! Whew!

Now, if everyone wants to come out here, I would be happy to host it here at our home, we could BBQ and it should still be nice enough on the deck, and I promise not to charge a minimum, add a tip or require a minimum number of people!! :D :D :rolleyes: realize of course thats a difficult thing for most people because we are not super close to the Vienna metro, although we are not super far either!!

I truly don't know what to suggest. Crystal, you are doing and awesome job on this, thank you for all your hard work.

Give me a litle time and I'll see what I can find out. 701 and Corduroy would both be good choices. Tom.

deleted with my apologies

Thanks, Tom.

I appreciate everyone's assistance in helping to pull this gathering together.

deleted with mine also.

All things considered, my suggestion is that we wait and see if Tom is able to make arrangements with either 701 or Corduroy. Let's give it a few days, as he suggested, and see what he comes up with.

All in agreement?

Another thought is to change from dinner Sat. night to brunch on Sun. Maybe arranging a group for brunch would be easier at one of these restaurants. Any thoughts on this if all else fails?

Hi Denise. Sunday brunch is not good for me. I have to work.

I'll make some calls tomorrow and see what I can come up with for dinner Saturday evening. I think what we're looking for is a restaurant that is metro accessible in downtown DC, in a safe neighborhood, reasonably priced, not overly spiced food, and not so noisy that you can't hear a conversation.

I'm sure we can come up with something. Tom.

Randy and I won't be able to do Sunday brunch either. We will need to leave early Sunday AM so Randy can get back to Ocracoke that evening.

So good of you, Tom, to seek out a restaurant. I'm sure Crystal will appreciate your assistance in her endeavors. Let's hope that 701 or Corduroy can accommodate our group.

We'll scratch brunch. Just a thought, but if it doesn't work for one, it doesn't work for all. We'll come up with something. Just a matter of finding the right place.

Maybe the D.C. restaurants were warned about LCT get-togethers and this is the cause of the difficulties ;)

Thanks, Tom. Let's hope one of those work out. If not, I'll be happy to pick back up.

Tom and Crystal, You guys are the best! Thank you!

Another suggestion forthcoming, thanks to JoAnn. Come on, JoAnn, post it!

alright guys check this one out! Tom/Crystal, need input from you, do you know this place. I have heard of it and its reputation seems to be good, although we have not been there and it always seems to come up in the Washingtonian Magazine Best Eats survey, and the Wine Room might just be perfect for this group.

www.iricchi.net/menu.htm

OK don't know how to post it as a link, sorry, I do have my limitations!!

editing to say - whoops guess it posted itself as a link - I'm better than I thought! :app:

Menu and atmosphere look great. Lots of varied entree selections to choose from, several of which are not spicy. Good for those with dietary concerns.

Thanks, JoAnn.

I've eaten there. Great place. Good service delicious food, nice atmosphere. Very authentic Tuscan. Zagat rates it as more pricey than it is.

JoAnn had made that very comment to me about Zagat's price rating.

If we are unable to go there as a group, this is a definite for Alan and me some other evening.

I think we have a few very good possibilities. Hopefully, we will have a reservation in place soon, thanks to Crystal and/or Tom's efforts.

I'm not familiar with this one, but it does look promising.

The food at Iricchi is very good. I'll add them to my list to call. It's close to where I work so I can stop by and take a look at where they would seat us. But it is probably the most expensive of the restaurants we are looking at.

I'm not sure it will work for the type of dinner we need. According to the website, the banquet menu runs about $80 a person without dessert. And there is a $125 fee to eat in the wine room. Tom.

Tom, for that type of money we can eat in the Willard Room.

Okay go back to work for my first full day and the thread is hoping... :)

Okay- talked to Carole this morning. She said that www.iricchi.net/menu.htm is very expensive and small rest.

Carole is going to be out and about today- she doesn't think that she will be in the office to even post.

One of her suggestions was to get 2 tables of 10 or 8 and then once you are there- try and put the tables together and maybe move up the time before the Sat. night crowd comes in???

She is going to think of some other places also. I thought that was a great idea about getting 2 reservations under 2 different name.

Just throwing it out to you all.

Jan

Tom, Iricchi looks beautiful and menu enticing; however, that's very expensive. If it's comparable to the Willard Room, as Marc stated, I would have no problem arranging a dinner there, as we are staying at the Willard. However, to be respectful of everyone's budget, a moderate restaurant would be the direction I would take, unless those attending feel otherwise. Maybe Iricchi will permit us to order off of their regular menu, rather than the banquet menu.

Thanks so much, Tom, for taking the time to do this.

Denise- you had mentioned DC coast which looks good. Can't pull up the menu of the 701 place.
Jan

Jan

Here you go

701

The Willard Room at the Intercontinental Willard Hotel is very reasonably
priced--they have early dinner specials. So if we met at 6, we could take
advantage. Some people may stay there too. Across the street from Ebbitt

I found the place! McCormick and Schmicht---seafood, etc--it's a
chain--1600 something K street. Walking distance from Ebbitt Grill.

I know they will be able to accomodate a group

Carole E Downey

McCormick and Schmicht is good. We've eaten there and the M&S Grill a few times pre and post theatre. It's not just seafood. There are steaks, chicken, etc. Very similar menu to Clydes.

The sample menu at McCormick and Schmicht's looks great, but I'm a seafood freak.

I still have a few calls to make but I would like everyone to look at 701 and see if you like the menu and prices. I think this would be the best option. They are available on Sept. 30th. The food is good. The restaurant is not very noisy. It is at the Archives Metro stop. They have a corner they could put us in (check the private functions area of the website.) Up to 18 people could sit at one large table. We could order from the regular menu. They would give us separate checks with the gratuity included. Tom.

http://www.701restaurant.com/

701 works for me.

McCormick and Schmicht is a chain, with restaurants all over the country. There's one across the street from my office, so I eat there all the time. It is good, but if you want a DC dining experience you can't get elsewhere, M&S is not the place.