Going on a first date with Marvin

Going to a new restaurant is almost equivalent to a first date. You stand in front of a mirror with your outfit, with a lot of questions in your mind. Am I too dressed up or too casual? What can I expect from this evening? And most importantly, will there be a great first-date “goodnight kiss”?

Marvin, located at 2007 14th St. NW, has been open since October. Popularity is definitely a word to describe the place, as I had to wait two days to be able to make a reservation that was perfect for both Marvin and me.

Dark brown panels dress the walls and a gigantic painting of Grammy winner and legendary musician Marvin Gaye, a D.C. native that the restaurant is named after, certainly gives a great first impression that is hard to forget.

The restaurant offers a lot of food choices and I find it hard to obtain anything in Marvin that I really don’t like. Appetizers are available for $7 to $15 and include seafood, fish and meat dishes as well as vegetarian options. Entrees are between $14 and $25 and you have everything from lobster and halibut to fried chicken served with waffles to choose from. Desserts are between $6 and $10, and Marvin also offers various forms of salads and Belgian-style french fries — “Moules Frites.”

“The whole idea [about Marvin is to] put Belgian and Southern or soul food together,” said Executive Chef James Claudio.

The Belgium touch is certainly noticeable in the menu. Not only does Marvin offer five types of “Moules Frites,” but the fried chicken is served with Brussels sprouts, the homemade burger is served with Belgian “Chimay Grand Cru Cheese,” and the croquette appetizer is made of Belgian Cheese, according to the menu. Also, half of the desserts include Belgian chocolate.

The atmosphere is relaxed at the restaurant with patrons ranging from 20 to 60 years old, both formal and informally dressed. To Marvin, you come as you are.

On the second floor you can enjoy a small but cozy bar, perfect for a before- or after-dinner drink. Next to the bar you also find Marvin’s veranda bar where you in early April without doubt can sit outside without getting cold. Not because of the D.C. weather, though, but because of Marvin’s many heated lamps.

Every night, different DJs perform for the second floor’s public with funk, soul and hip-hop music, according to Brandan L’étoile, sous chef of the restaurant.

Marvin has a great first impression, delicious food and a relaxing dinner-friendly atmosphere. But what happened with the “goodnight kiss”? The bill of 30-something dollars each for a couple, including a shared starter, an entrée and a glass of wine each is not bad. In fact it is in my opinion very price-worthy for an excellent dinner. So will there be a second date with Marvin for me? Absolutely.