Zaytinya (Turkish for olive oil) is wonderful. A bit pricey for those also enjoying a bit of raki but a good meal.

Just as an aside, I'm certainly not married to the idea of Zaytina, and actually, I might have a slight preference for something in NoVa if only because I have a friend who has never been to DC before and who likely be arriving to meet me just as lunch is wrapping up. I'd prefer to be able to give her directions to a place not in the middle of the District and then be with her to navigate the Metro to wherever we decide to go sightseeing. But if the group does want to do Zaytina, I'll be quite happy to go along with that--depending on how things work out time-wise with her arrival, I just might need to scoot out a bit early.

Shoot, can't make it this weekend. Look forward to the next Happy Hour.

Alright, I'm back in the country. Let me see what I can come up with. Taking jackel's stated preference for NoVA into consideration, first thoughts include Fire Works Pizza, Toscana Grill, and Cava Mezze, all in the Clarendon-Courthouse area. Anybody have a preference among these? Or a suggestion of something else?

Friend had to cancel her trip down from PIT (classes got in the way--just found out about a big test on Monday she needs to prepare for).

So, I'm back to being free for anything, including Zaytina (no strong preference -- fine either way). Also, this means I'd be perfectly happy with moving it back to a normal/later lunch instead of an early lunch, and if we do that, then I'd probably just come down that morning instead of coming down the night before and having to find a place to stay.

Wasn't there an earlier suggestion for Ray's to the Third? It's also in the Courthouse area.

If that won't work, I had a very good lunch at a retirement party at Toscana Grill earlier this year.

FYI for next time, the Gallery Place stop on the Yellow, Green and Red lines is about 2 blocks away from Zaytinya

Let's go with Zaytinya, tomorrow at 12:45 pm. I tried making an online reservation for a party of 8, but Open Table said there were connectivity issues preventing the completion of the reservation. Let's just plan to show up and wait for a table, if necessary.

Who's in?

jackal
gvdIAD
mhnadel
mot29

She wouldn't have any idea how to find a Metrorail station to park at and how to read a system map and find Gallery Place/Chinatown. She's from Alaska--I doubt she's ever ridden a subway in her life. :)

What's the parking situation like on a Saturday in the Penn Quarter area? It'd shave off some time (and let me sleep in a few more minutes :p) if parking is not impossible. Otherwise, I'll probably park at Forest Glen and ride in like I usually do...

Assuming no major daytime event tomorrow (and I don't know of any, but then again, I just got back from BKK & SIN so I'm not that wired in), there should be plenty of garages with available spaces. You can probably also find on street parking, though you will have to pay for it.

Thanks. Do District street meters take cards (like the ones in ANC do :p), or should I scrounge up a few bucks in quarters?

2h in a nearby garage can be had for $10, so if I don't immediately see street parking, that's what I'll probably do.

Metro notices for Saturday

This weekend: No Yellow Line trains; use Blue & Green instead. Buses replace Green Line btwn Archives & Navy Yard. Red Line every 8-16 min. Orange Line every 20 min. Click for details.

Unfortunately, I have a 1:00 pm appointment at the Verizon Center, not far from Zaytinya. I probably won't have time to have a drink with you all but at least I can say hello and chat with some of you before my appointment.

All right, on my way…with luck, I should be there right at 12:45 PM. :)

This Sounded Cool
 

I'll have to come out and meet you guys next time.

Got in early on the Widroe glitch and am hitting up Milan this winter for next to nothing.