Simple Pretheater Choices in Washington, D.C.

Some of Washington's finest restaurants make you an offer you shouldn't refuse: a three-course dinner for just a little bit more than the cost of a typical entree. It's the pretheater dinner, available in the early evening on certain nights at certain restaurants, and while your choices may be limited, your meal will undoubtedly be delicious.

At one end of the spectrum is Marcel's, whose $68 fixed-price includes three courses, perhaps pan-seared scallops with shallot sauce to start; an entree, like beef short ribs; and a dessert, perhaps a napoleon of caramel sponge. Marcel's offers this menu nightly from 4:30 to 6:30pm or so and throws in complimentary limo service to and from the Kennedy Center.

Many other restaurants offer a pretheater menu, including Rasika.