RSS FeedValet Parking Blingo
It may not be something you think about until you pull up to the restaurant but when the sandwich board comes into view and you see two digits instead of one, you realize you’ll need to reach for a Jackson instead of a Hamilton. Valet parking is the topic and an informal survey yielded the following valet costs for a few restaurants in the area:
Zengo – $12
Oyamel – $11
Zaytinya – $11
Oya – $10
PS7 – $10
Chophouse – $10
Cafe Atlantico – $10
Caucus Room – $8
Rasika – $6
Acadiana – $6
Le Paradou – $5
Oyamel and Rasika are less than half a block apart and valet parking costs $5 more at one than the other. I can swallow the 10% tax on prepared foods but when parking starts costing more than an appetizer, this blogger’s visiting friends start getting bad tastes in their mouths.
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Comments
Ironically, the most expensive restaurant, Le Paradou, has the cheapest valey parking, while the most afordable, Zatinya and Oyamel, have the most expensive.
Also, I’ve always wondered where your car goes once it gets whisked around the corner… Do these guys typically keep space in local garages? Or do they stake out street/alley spots?
Maybe your friends could take the metro or a bus? I realize that’s not an option for everyone, but there’s also plenty of public parking at night down by Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Constitution.
PQ, these restaurants are steps away. Why are you driving?
Seriously, our neighborhood is on every metro line and countless bus lines. If you have to park a car, you should have to pay for it. I see no problem with it.
I can only assume that the folks making comments about public transportation don’t have beautiful wives who like to get dressed up occasionally in high heels and treated nicely. Do you ask your wife to a special night out and asking her to take the bus and only walk a few blocks?
I agree that people who choose to drive into DC should also pay a premium to park here. Better yet, if you are going to drink a lot with your dinner, take a cab. I see way too much drunk driving in the neighborhood.
Walking is so much fun, and being the limosine liberal that I am, I will gladly pay for our guests valet parking.
I am someone’s “beautiful wife” and I happily take public transportation – even if I’m dressed in nice clothes.
Gosh, it seems that many of the wealthy people in DC do not have an urban/city mentality. The luxury of walking a few blocks or taking public transportation to your destination are the PERKS of living in a city. Having to use a car is part of the misery of suburban living.
I AM a female who likes to dress up for dinner and receive nice treatment. However, my favorite evening is when my husband and I take a casual stroll to dinner and back. The evening is much more pleasant experience and allows more time to talk.
Driving around and looking for a parking spot isn’t my idea of an evening; nor is it giving the attendant a premium fee for a spot, when I already pay well over $200 a month for one.
If the weather isn’t cooperative, we take a cab. No drinking and driving risks.
As Americans we are way to dependent on our cars (I know, I grew up in California). In addition, we all could use the added bonus of exercise and do our part for the planet.
As for what do the attendants do with the car when you drop it off…Does anyone remember the movie Ferris Bueller? Remember what the attendant did with the sports car? Whoopee!!!
Thanks for the bus suggestion, what a fantastic idea!
Early in the Evening: “I have a surprise tonight honey, we’ll be taking the bus tonight to dinner.”
After boarding the bus. “Okay, I’ll take this seat up here next to the guy mumbling to himself and furiously scratching his head. You go wedge yourself in next to the tow homeless people in the back with beet-red, glazed-over eyes who are taking sips out of their bagged drinks. Just ask them to move their garbage bag belongings off the seat.”
I have a suggestion for those afraid of public transportation. Sell your place, and move to the suburbs. You sound like frightened tourists or xenophobes. Embrace this city and its diversity. Talk to the homeless. Please be urban, or move!
On the question of where your car goes when the valet drives off….I know that some restaurants illegally park cars in the alley just off 9th street between G & F. Hmm…I wonder who is responsible for paying to get the car back when it is towed away for being illegally parked?
I think the Old Ebbitt Grill deserves to be recognized for having FREE valet parking (not to mention 1/2 price oysters during happy hour). I love that place.
Is this post for people who actually live in the neighborhood? You walk, of course.
For people living in the suburban areas, if your lady is wearing high heels – you drive. If it’s a casual night out, try and take Metro. If you drive and get street parking nearby, great. If not, you pay up.
The all overall strange thing is that surbanites proudly tell me that they have never been on the metro, they don’t even know how much it costs.
There are guys I have dated (more than one!)in Northern Bethesda, Rockville who want me to meet them at Bethesda metro and bring me back there to. If I am dating someone long-term, surbanites prefer that I stay in MD over the weekend and still want me to metro back and forth. When they are dating someone new who lives in MD, they meet at the destination, restaurant, theater, etc. It’s a different mentality.
FWIW several police officers have told me horror stories about valet parking and advised to never do it regardless of the cost.
None of the restaurants listed require ballgowns for dining and avoiding Metro because you’re wearing heels is ridiculous.
I agree with previous commenters: if your friends want to make a silly decision to drive into a neighborhood served by many Metro stations, then I’m not doing to cry about their valet costs.
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Take metro. Save a few bucks – and the planet.