Tasty Pre-theater Options In Dc For Dinner Before The Show

In keeping with the nation's capital's theater season, area restaurants are offering up tempting three-course tasting menus to give guests a great opportunity for exceptional dining before the show. Award-winning Rasika Penn Quarter restaurant, along with its newly opened sister restaurant, Rasika West End, offer Chef Vikram Sunderam's pre-theater menu for $35 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). The menu at Rasika Penn Quarter is available Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The menu at Rasika West End is available Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Rasika Penn Quarter is located at 633 D Street, NW, with validated valet parking with dinner for $8. Rasika West End is located at 1190 New Hampshire Avenue, NW and valet parking is available for $8 at dinner service. For reservations or more information, please call either the Penn Quarter location at (202) 637-1222 or the West End location at (202) 466-2500 or visit http://www.rasikarestaurant.com.

The Oval Room offers a three-course prix fixe sophisticated American menu created by Executive Chef Tony Conte. This special dinner is priced at $35 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), and is served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. nightly. The Oval Room is one of DC's top destination restaurants and is located at 800 Connecticut Avenue, NW, just steps from the White House. The restaurant is consistently ranked in the top 10 in Washingtonian's "100 Best" and earned three and half stars (out of four) from The Washington Post's Critic Rating. The Oval Room offers valet parking for $8 nightly with dinner validation. For reservations or more information, please call (202) 463- 8700 or visit http://www.ovalroom.com.

For authentic northern Italian fare, pay a visit to Ashok Bajaj's Penn Quarter gem Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca at 1100 New York Ave, NW. Executive Chef Nicholas Stefanelli offers a three-course pre-fixe menu for $35 per person from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Bibiana was named one of the top new restaurants in 2010 by Esquire magazine, and was selected as one of Washingtonian's "100 Best" while also earning three stars (out of four) by The Washington Post's Critic Review. Bibiana offers valet parking for $8 with dinner validation. For reservations or more information, please call (202) 216-9550 or visit http://www.bibianadc.com.

A Washington institution, 701 Restaurant offers modern American cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Ed Witt. Located at 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, guests can enjoy a three-course pre-theater menu for $32 per person from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. 701 also offers valet parking Monday through Saturday for $8 with dinner validation. For reservations or more information, please call (202) 393-0701 or visit http://www.701restaurant.com.

Located in the heart of Capitol Hill and just steps from Union Station, Johnny's Half Shell presents guests with three courses of the freshest and most sustainable seafood to enjoy before a night out, priced at $35 per person (tax and gratuity excluded). James Beard award-winning Executive Chef Ann Cashion offers this special menu nightly from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The restaurant has complimentary validated parking in an adjacent garage every evening after 5 p.m. Johnny's Half Shell is located at 400 North Capitol Street, NW. For reservations or additional information please call (202) 737-0400 or visit www.johnnyshalfshell.net.

Jose Andres's critically acclaimed restaurant Jaleo is offering a tempting three-course pre-theater menu for $30 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) from Sunday to Thursday fr