Dining In Dc – Food and Restaurant Blog

Just because it’s wintertime, doesn’t mean that we can’t go out and have a good time, right? Besides great company, one of the best things that always makes a meal more enjoyable is music. With that being said, this special feature is all about DC Restaurant Week participating restaurants that also offer music or live entertainment. Together, it’s a Deal that Sings!

1905. Photo courtesy of Opentable.com

At 1905 Restaurant (1905 9th Street, NW) where New Orleans speakeasy meets European bistro, enjoy unique renditions of Mid-Atlantic, Southern, and European comfort food. Although their DC Restaurant Week menu hasn’t become available, you can still plan ahead and book your reservation for Thursday, January 12th to enjoy free Live Jazz beginning at 9 p.m. 1905 offer Live Jazz every Thursday with a rotating schedule from three of DC’s finest jazz groups along with special guests.  Let yourself be taken back to the jazz era of the 30s and 40s – gypsy style with the Hot Club of DC. Stephan Caucheteux (guitar) leads the trio with Rick Netherton on bass and guest Ken Matthews (Laissez Foure) on clarinet. Sounds like the perfect combo for a great time: great food and incredible music.

Ranked as one of my Top 20 picks for DC Restaurant Week, Co Co. Sala (929 F St., NW) is know as the uber-chic place to gorge oneself on lusty fine cuisine, gourmet chocolate and decadent desserts. During DC Restaurant Week, Co Co. Sala lures guests into their opulent den by offering an incredible value and then sweetens the deal, on Friday and Saturday nights by offering a Lounge DJ. Although, cocktails are not included in the deal, I would be remiss not to mention that Co Co. Sala’s cocktails, are to die for and are the best that I have ever had. Co Co. Sala is a must-do any day of the week, but don’t miss the chance to taste the hand crafted from luxurious Valrhona chocolate.

Inside Cuba Libre DC. Photo by L. Shapiro

Enjoy delicious Cuban cuisine and refreshing mojitios during DC Restaurant Week, but stay for the dancing. After dinner service is over, with it’s dramatic movie-like streetcape, Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar turns its dining room into a sizzling salsa party on weekends with “Viva! Fridays” and “Bailamos Saturdays“. Begginning at 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights until 3 a.m., professional dancers twirl their way across the floor to a lively set of salsa, merengue and bachata hits while percussionists play along with the help of the DJ lures couples onto the dance floor.  According to manger Christopher Bowie, Saturday’s crowd “has become more international than just Latin focused,” he says, so there’s more radio-friendly pop music on the playlist, while Friday draws more serious salsa dancers with more traditional music. According to Fritz Han of the Washington Post, to beat the crowds – and watch the dance performances that begin the night – arrive before 10:30 p.m. By midnight, not only are you facing a $10 cover charge, but the wait to get in can be up to a half-hour as diners trickle out after their meals. Free before midnight with an RSVP to rsvpDC@CubaLibreRestaurant.com. Otherwise, $10 per person. For my review, click here.

If you love barbecue, then you’ll love Hill Country BBQ DC (410 7th St., NW) which was named “Top 10 Barbecue in the U.S.” by the Wall Street Journal. Enjoy finger lickin’ good brisket, sausage, ribs and more while enjoying free live music along with your meal in their ‘Boot Bar’ Tuesday through Saturday. Or drop by for their LIVE BAND karaoke every Wednesday starting at 8:30pm and feel like a rock star! For their official DC Restaurant Week lunch and dinner menus click here. Book your reservation for January 10th- 15th in order to insure yourself a good seat for a good time.

SAX: Photo by FotoBriceno for Bizbash.com

If you have never been to SAX Restaurant & Lounge (734 11th St., NW) then now is as a good time as ever. Self-indulgence is expected with the opulent red velvet, gilded leaf and crystal décor (see photo above) paired with a modern French-inspired menu guaranteed to titillate the senses.  DC Restaurant Week is a prime opportunity to enjoy Chef Jonathan Seningen’s sensual and satisfying dishes. I was blown away by my dinner at SAX, and have already recommended it to friends. Chef Seningen is strutting his stuff at SAX and will not disappoint. The wine list prepared by Andrew Stover, also at Oya and Sei has the perfect pairing to every dish. Along with incredible food, SAX offers cabaret performances nightly, an experience that is lavishly unique in the nation’s capital. Inside of the expansive 9,700-square-foot lounge sits the 20-foot enclosed infinity stage which is visible from all corners of the two-story space and host grandly costumed cabaret performers throughout the evening. Guests can expect to see artists ranging from illusionists and mimes to other alluring performances that border on burlesque. Skip going to Vegas, and enjoy a SAXual dining experience right here in the nation’s capital.

Do you have a suggestion? Comments welcome.