Ed. note: I have a super special and scrumptious surprise for y’all tomorrow, so make sure you stop by. BECAUSE I SAID SO!!!! xoxo
I normally don’t take it upon myself to do restaurant reviews; I generally like to leave that stuff to the experts. But I had an experience last week that I just have to share… because it was officially Amazing with a capital A.
You all know how B and I spent our Valentine’s Day. But we had also decided it would be nice to go out for dinner last week as well, especially since it was Restaurant Week, and because neither of us can remember the last time the two of us actually treated ourselves to a real meal out, you know, with silverware and everything.
So we decided on the District ChopHouse, since B had been before and said it was the perfect atmosphere; classy, yet laid-back without being too stuffy. So last Thursday, gussied up in my hot-ass boots and wind-swept hair, we made our way to the ChopHouse. Upon hearing our name, the host promptly picked up two menus and seated us in the coziest booth in the place, overlooking the center of the restaurant. This was already beginning well.
You see, B and I are sort of jaded when it comes to our restaurant experiences, as we’ve had terrible luck with service the whole time we’ve been dating. Now, I know that a large portion of this can be explained by the fact that I spent a decade working in restaurants as a host, server, bartender, in the kitchen- you name it, I’ve done it. So, while I understand the hardships of the job better than most, I also know exactly how easy it is to give relatively decent service. I’m not asking for you to crumb my table and push my chair in; just to be there when we need you and more importantly, to NOT be there when we don’t.
I think our experience can best be summed up by an open letter to our server.
Dear Robert, you were perfect.
You had perfect timing, and you gave us the perfect amount of attention. We were given water immediately. You could tell we were cool when we quickly discarded the Restaurant Week menu in favor of a bacon-wrapped filet and the Porterhouse. You recommended the perfect wine, easily and without pointing to the most expensive thing on the menu (although the entire drink menu was extremely reasonably priced). You brought us piping hot corn bread. The spinach dip came with toasted pita, complete with grill marks. The steaks were the perfect shade of bloody while maintaining that gorgeous outer crust that is so hard to achieve.
The atmosphere was fun and lovely- the lack of sound carrying despite the sky high ceilings was nice, (although Ol’ Blue Eyes was crooning and I could hardly hear him, but I forgive you). Your bussers kept our water full, our empty plates cleared, and were totally Casper about it- friendly ghosts.
We chatted a bit to show you our appreciation, and you’re also a totally cool guy. It wasn’t enough for us, so we grabbed the manager on the way out to express our gratitude for the entire experience. Even though we saw him coming a mile away with that black button down shirt and silver tie, he quickly melted our hearts when we realized he was near tears from the stress of Restaurant Week, and we had just given this man an extremely necessary breath of fresh air.
“I just really needed to hear that,” he choked out. “This week- it’s so hard, on me, on the staff.”
“I know, I know,” I tried to soothe him without actually patting him on the back, “I’ve been there.”
We showered him with as many compliments as we could, and I resisted my urge to hug him goodbye as the friendly hostess bid us adieu.
So thank you, Robert, and the District ChopHouse, for giving us the most perfect (unofficial) Valentine’s Day ever. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have changed a single detail about the experience, and that you made two new regulars that night. We will be back.
Love,
LiLu
I also had a fabulous brunch yesterday at Marvin with my girlies as well- maybe I’m on a roll? Where else have you been recently that knocked your socks off? Cause I’m kicking ass and taking names, as far as awesome restaurants go.
{ 50 comments }
I worked in a restaurant in college. I so appreciate good service. You don’t get it often enough anymore!
So glad you had such a great unofficial vday!
i swear C and i always have problems when we go out to eat. it really is a great feeling when the people are nice and attentive.
When I was working in restaurant management, I rarely cried.
Punching the walkin? Oh, every night.
God I hated that job.
You should have hugged him–your hugs are very life affirming.
I always feel like I got the best service ever whenever I go to the Old Ebbitt Grill. That place is sweet.
I ate at the District Chop House twice last time I was in DC (we were staying across the street soo…) and I have missed their beer and cornbread ever since. Great place.
I’m not from DC so I haven’t had many restaurant experiences there, but I’ll have to keep the District Chop House in mind for my upcoming trip to DC!
I had a really bad experience with a server last night, but usually I luck out with someone who is at least half way decent.
This sounds delightful. I love Casper the Friendly Ghost Servers. They should all be required to take classes to be like this.
Aw – this is too cute, I’m glad you were able to ease the stress a little!
Restaurant week must be a little bit of a trial by fire for those involved on the other side of the line. But it does still sound fun!
I gotta admit Marvin was pretty effin’ awesome. And since I don’t go to many restaurants anymore — well.. that’d be my experience that I can discuss.
My roommate always gushes about the ChopHouse, and you totally just won me over with bacon-wrapped filet. I’ll be going there soon.
I haven’t had my socks knocked off lately, but that same roommate recently had a great experience at The Palm — and then her hot waiter called her and asked her out on a date.
Huh.
We went to Chili’s.
Bitch.
I can name you a few places here..in Jakarta though.:P
Sounds like a divine dining experience.
I can’t believe I missed restaurant week again.
I’ll have to try out District ChopHouse at some point.
Always so good to have such a great experience!
from someone who waited tables for over two years – thank you.
Lot 12 Public House.
Yea, yea…it’s in WV. Roadtrip? Yes?
jane: I know- it’s so hard to find!
ria: you are so right- especially in this economy.
Snay: I think every walkin goes through a LOT of beatings. I know mine did.
Lemmonex: you get my extra special skwudges, too.
Del-V: I love Old Ebbitt. Great atmosphere there too, with all the heavy dark wood- it’s so cozy.
Bethie: that cornbread was amazing, truly.
Jacqueline: definitely keep it in mind. Need a date?
JPP: it is an art form, truly.
Kyla Bea: it was much needed relaxation!
Deutlich: yesterday was a blast, with or without the great service.
Flipflops: let me know when you go!
mooooog: how were your chicken tenders?
Lolita: I’ll let you know the next time I’m in town
Marie: I think they extended it! Let’s go back.
survivingmyself: you get it. You’re welcome.
Maxie: as long as deutlich is driving!
I’m so glad you had a lovely night, dear…you totally deserve it.
i love the great waiters… and i love it when people take the time to say something good!
ps a wrinkle in time? you’ve officially become awesome
I love your new template. Yes, I’ve been remiss in catching up. Finally deciding to take a much needed breather here and there at work to catch up on bloggies!
You are so cute. That poor Manager. Holidays and restaurant week bring out all the amateurs, and I can totally understand losing it during those times.
Is now a bad time to say that I ate at the DCH once and had an impromptu throw-up from something there? I called my friend after and said, “You’re not going to believe this but…” and she said, “Did you just yack? Cause I did!!!”
Very odd.
I love the District Chophouse.
For reals.
I think a handy would have been appropriate for Robert. B would have understood.
Funny how having been on the other end of the hot line makes you appreciate a good experience, no?
I waitressed for six years, and can say with some certainty that I’m a better tipper (and patron!) because of it.
Sounds like a great evening!
On the walk to work, I was just reminiscing over a dinner in Capetown, South Africa (at Karibu for anyone who cares). We called a manager over to gush about the service. She was so shocked.
Other than that, I’ve had nice dinners at PS7 and Liberty Tavern recently. No “let me gush to a manager” but very nice.
YUM and so glad it was such a hit.
i love that you took the time to tell the manager how happy you were.
Yum! I love that restaurant! You should email them a link to this post. I bet they’d be happy to see that on such a public blog (and voluntarily!). xoxo (btw, now I’m hungry and want cornbread!)
Totally KWYM…my BFF and I both used to hostess and waitress, and it never fails that when we got out together, we end up with craptastic service…EVERYWHERE! Glad you had such an awesome time!
I wish we could brunch every day. Every. Single. Day.
People in the service industry and treated badly and taken for granted far too often so it was so nice of you to show them some appreciation!
Fearless: You know what? We really freaking did. Thanks, babe.
mylittlebecky: Favoritest, ever. Def.
Velvet: Thanks, love! You obviously have a VERY close relationship with your gf…
Good to have you back!
HAHA I love this. I love having great restaurant experiences! I also have extremely bad luck at places.
rs27: He probably would have. The steak was that good.
Racquel Valencia: Seriously, I don’t think I don’t ask for much more than adequate. Why is it so hard to find? And YES, it definitely makes me appreciate the amazing experiences so much mroe.
Kristin: PS7 is very close to me. I’ll put that next on my list. Though of course I’d RATHER be going to S Africa…
brookem: I couldn’t help it. And I’m so glad I did- the guy clearly needed it!
Wearing Mascara: I thought about it, but I don’t want to manager to get in trouble for almost crying on us. I probably will anyway
margelina: It’s rare, trust. So rare that I wrote a whole damn post about it!
freckledk: Me too, love. Me too.
Hannah: I was on the other side of it for far too long- I can’t let great service like that go unappreciated.
Kristen: Me too- and those are easy to pick apart via blog. It’s nice to be able to rave for once!
You and B are good people, LiLu. I have to imagine that Restaurant Week is really stressful and hard on restaurant staff – when it seems like restaurant work is stressful to begin with.
I heart Robert! I hate steak (I know, I know), but that man makes me want to eat it anyway.
If you make it to downtown Baltimore, go to Roys at Harbor East on Alicanna Street. A-maz-ing.
I keep hearing about this restaurant week and have never heard of it before. I guess unless Pizza hut is on the list of places to eat then I will never know about it.
I like “just good people” places. Especially when they make good food, too.
Don’t you just love it when the food AND the service are good!
I went to restaurant week at DCCH three years a ago and it was THE BEST. The service was the best and and the food was great. They had normal size meals instead of the reduced size restaurants usually serve during restaurant week. I will always visit them whenever I do restaurant week.
Lisa: True story. I’m glad we could brighten their day a little
Kate: I heart Robert, too. He’s a good egg.
JoLee: Oh, I definitely will! I always head up for some BoSox games…
LBluca77: Hey, no one’s knocking the Hut. They forever have a place in my heart after coming up with stuffed crust.
f.B: Such a great combo, no?
SMB: Yes, I really, really do.
Patty Duke: Twinsies! I know we’ll be back many more times.
When I was in Phoenix, I had this incredible dinner at a steakhouse (the name escapes me at the moment)- the steak was perfect, and so was the service, and the raspberry martinis were to die for, and I could have eaten the mac and cheese till I was sick. It was a perfect meal, from beginning to end.
There should be a ‘Missed Connections’ for servers.
Great review!
My cousin lives in DC. I really need to get out there again.
Nice review…I think I may have eaten there once!
We used to LOVE restaurant week… But now we can’t afford babysitters let alone dinners out – and we live way out in the sticks…
But I have many fond memories of hopping in a cab to try out a new restaurant. The only thing with restaurant week is that you see the “real” menu as well as the special one – and chances are – you just go with something from that. So the whole cheaper menu thing was always kind of a bust for us.
I tried this Irish place called “McDonald’s” last week, and the service was appalling. I mean, I know it’s hard to stick with a theme, but Salvadorean waiters in an Irish restaurant? This is almost as bad as the last time I went to Panda Express, transported to the wonders of the Orient via more Salvadoreans. What is with this town?
i’m glad you wrote this! so many times we only post about the bad experiences.
Doesn’t it just make the whole dining experience that much more enjoyable when there are good people going the extra mile in the restaurant? Love that review – sounds like a restaurant we’re going to have to check out!
They ought to pay you!
Sounds like you two had a wonderful evening. I agree about the fact that it doesn’t take much to give good service, so bad service is very aggravating. But excellent service is such a blessing when you luck into it!
see? that’s why I feel the way I do. I’ve also put my time in as a waitress so I know it’s NOT THAT HARD people.. it’s really.NOT.that.HARD.
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