Restaurant Week in DC – Sette Bello

If you’ve never experienced Restaurant Week in DC, you are missing out.  It comes around a couple of times a year and is a great opportunity to check out the restaurants that may normally be a bit out of reach price-wise.  We usually go for the dinner meal but with a baby and still being new to eating out, we decided to do lunch since it’s not as crowded.

Our restaurant of choice was Sette Bello, in Clarendon.

I have to admit that I’ve driven by it numerous times but never noticed it.  Surprising, really, given that the inside is huge.

We got there around 1:00 but, as you can see in the pictures, the place wasn’t exactly hopping.  For some reason, they sat us in the very corner, all by ourselves.  I didn’t know whether to be offended or to be grateful.

I chose to be grateful.  Even though taking babies out to restaurants is possible, it’s not always easy, so the more space the better.  You know, in case any food goes flying or baby has a melt down.

Thankfully, Henry was on his best behavior.  He sat quietly in his car seat and chewed on his toys.

Maybe it was because Daddy laid down the law as soon as we got there.

Or maybe it’s just because he’s a sweet kid.  Either way, his good behavior allowed us to enjoy our delightful bread while we waited for our appetizer.

Let me interject here to tell you a little about Restaurant Week so that you’ll understand how it works.  For lunch (or dinner) at any of the participating restaurants, you can get an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert for either $20 or $30, respectively.  You have a set menu from which to choose (our menu included three selections under each course) so it is a bit limited, but you get to try new food and experience a new place so it’s worth it.

It’s usually pretty fancy food too and by fancy I mean food that I wouldn’t fix myself (not that that’s saying much really).  Take, for example, our first course: a lovely salad with spinach greens, onions and raw salmon.  Yes, raw salmon.  This for a girl who has never had, nor probably ever will have, sushi.  But, since it was Restaurant Week and I had promised myself that I would try the dish no matter what, I managed to swallow two small bites.

I wasn’t a big fan.

Not to worry, though, our main course was much better.  I might go so far as to call it delightful even.  Creamy sauce, delicate mushrooms, and handmade ravioli filled with pureed chicken.  Yum.

I probably would have licked the plate if we hadn’t been in such a fancy place.  But I restrained myself since I didn’t want to embarrass Henry.

Our dessert came next.  For me – a piece of cheesecake.  For the CPA – ice cream or Gelato (since we were in an Italian restaurant).

I gotta tell you, the cheesecake was only okay; it didn’t wow me.  I don’t say that lightly because I consider myself quite the cheesecake expert.  In fact, I was kicking myself for not ordering the CPA’s dish because quite frankly, it was some of the best ice cream I have ever eaten.  

It was rich and silky smooth and absolutely heavenly.

It was the perfect end to a wonderful meal.  We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and left there with full tummies and happy faces.  I can hardly wait for the next Restaurant Week to get here.

Oh and if you’re ever in town – Sette Bello is a definite must.

Just don’t order the raw salmon.

Do you have a Restaurant Week, or something like it, where you live?