Rehersal Dinner Suggestions for Downtown DC

asha03

Anyone have any suggestions for a Rehersal Dinner spot that is in downtown DC?  I would prefer one with a private room or area.  Any ideas?

SwizzleStiX

Where is your rehearsal going to be? What area are you looking at having the dinner, specifically?

Our church is in Georgetown and we're opting to stay in Gtown for the dinner because of traffic. We're also starting the rehearsal at 4pm so that we can get people into the city a little earlier in the afternoon and hopefully traffic won't be so bad.

snydera

We are having our's at the DC Chophouse.  They have a private room downstairs accessible by elevator.

asha03

My Rehersal will be at St. Matthew's Cathedral (17th and Rhode Island Avenue).  Unfortunately, our rehersal time is set at 6 PM, because they have multiple rehersals on that day, so I was trying to find someplace not too far.  My wedding is at 10 AM the next morning, so I wanted some place close, so we can get there quickly and spend the most amount of time without it getting too late.  My wedding is not until July, but I wanted to start looking early, in case places get booked up.

psmith1216

I looked into the following places downtown and they were all reasonably priced with private rooms:
-Old Ebbitt
-Chef Geoffs
-Tuscana West
-Fire & Sage*

*Fire & Sage is at the Marriott at Metro Center (12th and H) where we are having our reception so it's convienient for us because that's where our guests are staying.  They have valet parking (which only some places do) and they have a private room with lots of menu options/combinations.  Email me know if you want the contact person's information.  psmith1216 at gmail dot com

GL!

asha03

Thanks for the suggestions.  I really like Chef Geoff's, so that is definetely one of my finalists.  I think Fire & Sage would be good for a smaller number of people, but I am actually have a lot of people at my rehersal dinner (47 people to be exact), so I don't think that one will work for me.  All of this talk of restaurants is making me hungry

janegalt

We're having ours at Darlington House, but you could also try the Tabard Inn or the Beacon Hotel . . . both have private rooms and at least the Tabard Inn also has great food.

asha03

Thanks!  My FMIL called Chef Geof's last night, but they were closing, so she left a message for them to call her back.  Has anyone eaten at Chef Geof's before?  Is the food good?

snydera

I have been to the one dwt and the one in Tysons for lunch and happy hour various times.  The food is fine, nothing that really wow's you.  I did find their prices for private events to be expensive compared to others in the area.

Have you looked into Zola?  We were orginally going to hold our's there, but then decided we didn't want to spend as much on the RD, it was going to be 3-4K at Zola.  They have a large private space upstairs with large windows looking out. 

psmith1216

I agree with pp - Chef Geoff's is fine - any guest could find something to eat there (we have a lot of non-adventurous / picky eaters).  Not sure of your budget but the quote I received for a 30 person rehearsal dinner (with the lowest bar package) was going to be $3k. 

asha03

Well then I may not do it at Chef Geoff's, if the food is just okay.  For the price, I would  want something that is more than okay.  I did like the look of Darlington House and it is close to my church, where I will have my rehersal, so I might check into that as well and I will try looking at Zola also.  It was 3-4K at Zola for how many people?

snydera

My information may not be accurate based on my memory, but  I believe Zola had a $2500 min. for use of the private room and we were looking to have around 35 people.  They have information avail. on their website.

BellaMcCarthy

We are having our rehearsal dinner at the St. Gregory- M Street Lounge.  It is only a few blocks from the Cathedral and they are SUPER flexible there! 

asha03

I think we might do it at the Tabbard Inn, because it is walking distance from the church...has anyone eaten there.  I read that they have a good brunch there, but has anyone had dinner there?  Is it good?