About us
DC Metro Dining (formerly The Weekly Dinner)
We host organized, seated dining experiences across the DC metro area for people who enjoy good food and real conversation. Our events are designed to be social, relaxed, and thoughtfully run.
Before attending your first event, please take a moment to understand how our dinners work and what we ask of members.
→ Learn how DC Metro Dining works
→ Notifications are Key to Attending & for Awareness of New Events
What we do
Most of our events are dinners, with occasional brunches or happy hours. Group sizes typically range from 6 to 12, depending on the venue. We focus on well-regarded restaurants and test many places ourselves before hosting events there.
Who joins
Members range from their mid-20s through early 60s. Some attend solo, some with friends, some as couples. What people tend to share is an interest in social dining, good conversation, and being present at the table.
What to expect
This is not a drop-in happy hour group. Our events involve reservations and fixed seating. Because of that, we ask members to RSVP thoughtfully and communicate if plans change. Doing so helps keep events fair, enjoyable, and sustainable for everyone.
Is this a singles group
No. Definitely not. People come for the food and the company. Connections happen naturally sometimes, but the goal is a respectful, comfortable dining experience for all. Keep things friendly, social, and considerate.
If this sounds like a fit, we’d love to have you join us!
For full details on how our events run and member expectations, please review our Overview about who we are, how we approach events, and what are member expectations.
Upcoming events
1
Mezze Plates at Zaytinya (Penn Quarter / Chinatown)
Afghania, 2811 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA, Washington, DC, USNEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS
Before attending your first event, please take a moment to understand how our dinners work and what we ask of members.
→ Learn how DC Metro Dining works
→ Ensure Group Notifications are Setup (Announcements + In on Waitlist/Attending List)RSVP CUTOFF
The final opportunity to change your RSVP from Yes to No is Sunday, November 8, at 10:00 a.m.After that point, please do not change your RSVP without contacting the organizer. Last-minute cancellations, no-shows, and failure to communicate may affect future participation.
INTRO: We're heading back to Zaytinya, José Andrés's Mediterranean restaurant in Penn Quarter, for a dinner inspired by the cuisines of Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon.
Zaytinya is built around mezze, the Mediterranean tradition of ordering a variety of smaller dishes to share. Rather than choosing one entrée each, we'll have the opportunity to explore a broader range of flavors, from dips and vegetable preparations to seafood, grilled meats, and Turkish-style flatbreads. The format makes this a particularly good fit for our group, with plenty of ways to mix and match dishes according to individual tastes and budgets.
FOOD: We'll be ordering à la carte, giving everyone the flexibility to choose their own dishes while sharing a variety of flavors across the table.
Recent diners have highlighted several favorites, including hummus, grilled octopus, crispy Brussels sprouts, lamb, giant beans and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves). These offer a good introduction to Zaytinya's Greek, Turkish and Lebanese influences, with a mix of dips, vegetables, seafood and meat.
The menu makes it easy to mix and match smaller plates, adding seafood or grilled meats according to individual tastes. We'll be ordering from the regular dinner menu rather than a fixed-price tasting menu.
→ Explore Zaytinya's Dinner Menu: https://www.zaytinya.com/menu/dinner-1/
-= SPENDING EXPECTATIONS =-
Spending expectation: Approximately 45–70 per person before tax and the restaurant's service charge, depending on selections and beverages. Given the generous portions, sharing several appetizers or larger dishes can be a good way to explore the menu without everyone ordering a full entrée.SPACE: Zaytinya has a sleek, contemporary interior with Mediterranean-inspired design, a large dining room and a lively atmosphere. The restaurant is popular, and recent diners have praised both the food and the service. The trade-off is that the dining room can become quite noisy when busy, so expect a spirited restaurant environment rather than a quiet, intimate dinner.
→ Visit the restaurant website:
https://www.zaytinya.com-
Tax/Tip combo is our required 30% tax/tip policy (see the FAQs for more details)
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Limited to 8 slots
See you there,
JoeNCLOSEST METRO
Gallery Place–Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green Lines) is the most convenient Metro station. From the station, use Exit B aka the 7th Street exit and walk west toward 9th Street NW, then continue to G Street NW. Zaytinya is at 701 9th Street NW, near the corner of 9th and G. Allow approximately 5–8 minutes on foot, depending on the exit and walking pace.
PARKING
Zaytinya is in downtown Penn Quarter, where several commercial garages are within walking distance. Street parking is available in the surrounding area, but spaces can be limited, especially when nearby venues have events. Is a Sunday though, street parking should be doable but watch the signs even on a Sunday!For directions using the Metro, try using the Trip Planner | WMATA Rider Tools https://share.google/V5iOWbEbTGTvrqF8T
There are commercial garages throughout Chinatown, Metro Center and the surrounding area. For advance parking reservations, check SpotHero or Parking Panda.
Attendance Notes
- If you RSVP “YES,” please commit to showing up & timely responses to Event Lead DMs*. With 5,400+ members and limited seating, we can’t afford no-shows. It’s not fair to other members or to our relationship with the restaurant.*
- New Members / 1st Timers: Trying to get a slot? Join the Waitlist and check back frequently: spots often open up on the morning of the event. You may also receive midweek confirmation emails to reconfirm your RSVP, so please check your Meetup DMs and please respond timely to Event Lead communications.
- Billing Reminder - Add 30% for tax and tip to your food and drink total. This is part of our group’s expectations and helps smooth out service with the restaurant.
Looking forward to dining with you!
JoeN
1 attendee-
Past events
1028
