Washington DC is a wonderful town for dining and one of the best (of many) is Kinkead's. (2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Near the Foggy Bottom Metro)

The wine list is exceptional, if heavy with high priced but wonderful wines. There are some reasonably priced ones on the list too. For example, the 99 Marrimar Torres is priced at $59. He also has a very good but extremely high priced "Master Reserve Cellar".

But the food...

Exceptional seafood. Try the grilled squid with creamy polenta and tomato fondue for a starter. I had the Black Pepper Crusted Rare Tuna with Flageolets, Grilled Portabellas, and Pinot Noir Sauce the last time I was there. Que bella!! My son started with an excellent Salad of Marinated Artichokes, Oven Dried Tomato, Roasted Peppers, Pesto & Fried Mozzarella and then dove into a grilled Rib Eye Steak with braised mushrooms in a "Beurre Rouge", with grilled onions, spinich and blue cheese potato souffle. My wife started with the Fried Ipswich Clams (absolutely wonderful) then had Seared Sea Scallops with Caramelized Fennel Tart Tatin, Smoked bacon, Rose wine and Manilla Clam sauce.

Then we binged on a Lemon Dessert Sampler (lemon and wild strawberry crepe souffle, lemon sorbet, lemon mousse Napolean and a mini lemon raspberry tart)and a Key Lime Custard Cake with Mango Tropical Fruit Salsa and Passion Fruit Sauce.

We had theater reservations that I mentioned when I made the reservation. The server had been informed and apologized when he came to ask about dessert, that he might be rushing us a little, but he didn't want us to miss the start at the Kennedy Center.

The service is discrete, efficient, and helpful. We have eaten there five times in the last year and have never had any reason to be less than completely satisfied. It is great place to take that someone special for a special day.

Everyone I have ever sent there came back with a thank-you for
the recomendation.

For those of you who are into looking at restaurant internet sites, Kinkead's url is:www.kinkead.com

I agree with Din. Great place for dinner. They serve a good lunch as well. Their prices are a little high - both food and wine - but what do you expect of DC.

And it's at 2000 Penn - a mini-mall in downtown that looks like a block of row houses. You can shop for a CD at Tower Records and eat a lovely dinner all in the same trip.

This has been on the to-dine-at list of Mrs. TJ's and mine for a while. We just haven't found the excuse to get there yet. Sounds like a must do in the near future, though.

I'll also agree. True, the prices were a bit steep, but the food and service was exceptional.

My fiance's family and I will be surprising her for her birthday with dinner at Kinkead's on 3/13 (DC is her hometown). Can't wait. Will be sure to report back.

Make sure to let them know it is a special occasion (birthday) when you make the reservation.

Does anyone know what the corkage is at Kinkeads?

Kimber,

I am almost positive the corkage is $15. However, Kinkead's is one restaurant you might want to order off the wine list at. The better wines ($50+) on the wine list, by and large, seem only to have a 50%-60% markup over retail and the list is amazingly well thought out. The somellier, Michael Flynn, is the best I have ever dealt with.

(Of course, I'm going there on April 3rd and I'm bringing my own wine )

a