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Strange as it may be, despite my three years in the District, I have yet to experience RW. I've heard that some restaurants often don't have all their prix fixe menu offerings available and that table service can sometimes be lacklustre. Has that been the case for you?

Posted by: Natasha D'Souza at July 21, 2006 1:48 PM

It's true that many restaurants don't put their best faces forward during RW, whether it's by cutting the menu down to bare bones or toning down the service component. However, for every restaurant that goes down that road, there's another one that strives to be its best in order to attract new customers.

I've experienced two RWs so far, with mixed results. Vidalia was just as excellent as when I paid full price, and they had their full menu available (with a few upcharges for high-ticket items). Acadiana had a limited menu, but it highlighted the restaurant's specialties, and our meal was wonderful. Galileo had its whole menu available with upcharges, but the service was a disaster and the cooking was disappointing. Taberna del Alabardero's menu offerings were shoddy at best, but everything tasted lovely and the service/atmosphere were just as good as my non-RW meals there. IndeBleu was sort of average all around (except in the area of pretentiousness, where they lead the pack).

At the end of the day, it's a risk--but dining out is always that way, and I'd much rather risk $30.06 than $300.06, you know?

Posted by: bettyjoan at July 21, 2006 2:56 PM

Jeanette and I had very good experiences, for the most part. Most restaurants end up putting their RW menus online, and though that doesn't do you much good when making reservations (they don't put up the menus till long after reservations are filled, generally), our experience was that everything on those menus was available.

• Galileo - Food left something to be desired, but service was great. It was the kind of food where its fanciness was supposed to make up for a lack of pure enjoyability. You know, the kind where they use iceberg lettuce, but then drizzle truffle oil over it. On the other hand, best tiramisu I've ever had.
• Mie N Yu - Awesome and unique food, awesome and unique atmosphere, great (and yes, unique) service.
• Cafe 15 - Loved the food--everything was perfect. It was a very small place, so the service was great. Atmosphere is just good.
• Acadiana - Awesome food (fancy cajun), good service.
• Ardeo - service was just alright, food was good but not anything special.
• Bistro Bis - service was fine, food was fine. Nothing special.

Posted by: Barzelay at July 21, 2006 3:25 PM

I should note, though, that in none of those cases was I disappointed at having paid $30 for it.

Posted by: Barzelay at July 21, 2006 3:28 PM

Making an RW booking early is definitely the way to go! Alas, I was a bit of a waffler but I've decided to dine at Corduroy on Sunday unless I can nab an earlier time on OpenTable. I feel something like a online pirate, refreshing the screen every now and then, ready to jump on the next available slot! Arrrr....

Posted by: Natasha D'Souza at August 16, 2006 3:24 PM