Area Restaurants Wrap Up Holiday Dinner
The final countdown is on until Christmas. If your presents aren’t bought, you better head to the malls tonight. You need to get wrapping. If you are cooking Christmas dinner, you need to begin thawing the turkey soon to do it safely so no one ends up in the emergency room with food poisoning.
If you have questions on cooking a turkey, call the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. (Photo: Stock Image)
The safest way to thaw a frozen turkey, according to Butterball, is in the refrigerator, but it takes one day for every four pounds. If you don’t have that much time, you can thaw it by submerging the turkey in cold water and changing the water every 30 minutes. That method take 30 minutes per pound. Butterball says you can safely store your thawed turkey in the refrigerator for four days.
If you have questions on preparing your turkey, you can call the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Christmas Eve to talk to experts at 1-800-Butterball (1-800-288-8372). You can also connect through email or online chat at the Butterball website.
For those who prefer a stress-free holiday, many area restaurants are offering Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinners.
1789 Restaurant
Located in the historic Federal townhouse at 1226 36th St. NW, 1789 Restaurant will showcase festive holiday specials in addition to its seasonal a la carte menu on Christmas Eve. Dishes include Nantucket Bay scallop crudo with roasted celery heart, fennel soubise, Mountain Rose apples and smoked paprika oil; foie gras torchon with orange marmalade, brioche, Medjool dates, pickled celery and hazelnuts; garganelli with wild boar bolognese and fried rosemary; rack of lamb with eggplant caviar, Picholine olives, chickpea panisse, roasted tomatoes and parsley oil; roast duck breast with caramelized endive, confit wild rice, cranberry mostarda and foie gras cream; as well as smoked and roasted sablefish with fennel confit, pickled red onions, rye crisp, everything bagel spices, trout caviar and dill crème fraîche.
1789 Restaurant will be open from 4-10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Dishes are priced from $13-$48. For reservations, call 202-965-1789.
Ardeo+Bardeo
Ardeo+Bardeo, 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, will serve the restaurant’s regular a la carte menu on Christmas Eve along with specials such as roasted butternut squash soup with cranberry chutney and brown butter croutons; crispy Brussels sprout salad with frisée, poached hen egg and bacon vinaigrette; and Berkshire pork chop with trotter grits, haricoverts and port jus. Complete the meal with confections such as white chocolate Bavarian mousse with coffee cremeux center, chocolate gingerbread cake and cinnamon stick crème anglaise, or the eggnog crème brûlée with berry salsa, pecan crumble and whisky foam.
Christmas Eve dinner will be served from 5-9 p.m. For reservations, call 202-244-6750.
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, 1100 New York Ave. NW, will offer a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. The menu includes grilled eel with onion compote and red wine vinaigrette; fried shrimp with calamari, smelts, oysters, cauliflower and lemon; black spaghetti with Catalina Island sea urchin and ‘aglio olio d peperoncino’, as well as seared cod with tomatoes, olives, raisins, capers and pine nuts with olive oil crusted potatoes. Dessert include Amalfi Coast sponge cake filled with lemon cream. A limited a la carte menu is also available
The meal will be served from 5-9 p.m. Christmas eve and costs $65 per person. Valet parking is available for $8. For reservations, call 202-216-9550.
Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern, located in the Park Hyatt Washington on the corner of 24th and M Streets NW, will be showcasing farm-fresh favorites. On Christmas Eve, the restaurant will serve an a la carte dinner from 5:30-10:30 p.m., offering a variety of specials. On Christmas Day, the restaurant will present a three-course holiday meal from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Brunch begins with an array of starters set throughout the open kitchen, including seasonal salads, breads, cheese and meats, followed by choice of a plated entrée and side dishes showcasing produce from regional farms. Dishes include shrimp and grits with shellfish butter and chorizo and a roasted black bass with oyster stew and leek jam. Holiday desserts will be on display in the pastry pantry to complete the meal.
Christmas brunch is priced at $100 per person for adults and $45 for children between 6 and 12. Children under six are free. For reservations, call 202-419-6755.
Casa Luca
Indulge in rustic elegance and bold Italian flavors with the Christmas Eve tasting menu at Casa Luca, 1099 New York Ave. NW.The restaurant offers a collection of Marche traditional dishes as well as new classics. The menu includes bruschetta of razor clam crudo with rosemary focaccia and Sicilian fresh herb salmoriglio or mangalitsa prosciutto with pomegranate, radicchio tardive and parmigiano grissini; smoked potato gnocchi with cockles, light saffron and basil or agnolotti of beef short ribs with toasted alba hazelnut and crispy sage; Adriatic seafood farrotto with grilled Arctic char, Penn Cave mussels and smoked Tuscan grain faro or Casa Luca lamb shoulder rack boscaiola with porcini crema and roasted wild mushrooms; and a classic Christmas yule log for dessert. An a la cart menu is also available.
The four-course meal costs $85 plus an additional $55 for a wine pairing. For reservations, call 202-628-1099.
Del Campo
Del Campo, 777 I St. NW, is putting an inland Argentinean spin on the Italian tradition with the Feast of the Seven Beasts.The five-course meal features beef, port, venison, lamb, goat, crab and duck.
The special will be available through Dec.24 for $78 per person. Reservations are available at 202-289-7377.
Et Voila!
Et Voila!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, will showcase festive holiday specials in addition to their regular a la carte dinner menu on Christmas Eve. Specials include fois gras terrine with quince compote and brioche; veal sweetbread cromesqui served on a bed of spinach mousse and red wine sauce; lobster cocktail with chestnut pear and lime; Muscovy duck breast with baby turnips, faro, hazelnut, house-made duck sausage and orange sauce/ and Dover sole with Champagne mousseline, grey shrimp from the North Sea, baby leeks, and a croquette of Yukon gold potatoes. Dessert will include a special buche de noel.
Et Voila will be open for regular hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner is served from 5-10 p.m. Specials range from $10-$28. For reservations, call 202-237-2300.
Fiola
Join in a Fiola tradition in its fourth year. The restaurant at 601 Pennsylvania Ave. will serve its Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Dishes include Maine belon oyster with Prosecco zabaglione and ostera caviar; classic Venetian cod baccala with mantecato; barbequed Rappahannock eels with Hudson Valley foie gras and smoked potato; Nantucket bay scallops with fresh herbs risotto; Nova Scotia lobster with chestnut “cappuccino”; Madai snapper with Adriatic seafood brodetto; halibut with porcini crema, barbera and Norcia black truffle. Dessert include the Flavors of Christmas Panettone with marzipan vanilla gelato, candied winter fruits and rum-soaked cake.
The seven courses and dessert are $145 per person with an additional $80 for a wine pairing or $110 for a premium wine pairing. A four-course a la carte meal is available for $135. For reservations, call 202-628-2888.
Fiola Mare
Fiola Mare, 3050 K St. NW., is offering a five-course Christmas Eve chef’s seafood tasting menu. The menu includes crudo of razor clams with winter citrus; classic Venetian cod baccala mantecato with Maine lobster and bread tuile; Neapolitan paccheri with langoustines, gilled calamari and Catalina sea urchins; butter poached Maine lobster with celery root puree, celery leaves and Norcia black truffle; and traditional Christmas yule log. An a la carte menu is also available.
The five-course tasting menu is $150 per person plus $80 for a wine pairing or $110 for a premium wine pairing. For reservations, call 202-628-0065.
G by Mike Isabella
G by Mike Isabella, 2201 14th St. NW, brings back the Feast of the Seven Fishes for a second year. The traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner will be available through Dec. 24. Seven seafood delicacies are highlighted in the five-course menu. Included on the menu is oysters either roasted in bottarga butter, parmesan and chili flake or on the half shell with winter mignonette; cioppino with muscles, prawns and salmon; snow crab arrabbiata with hand-cut spaghetti, guanciale and uni; pan roasted bronzino with clams, leeks and lime; and a choice of seasonal desserts.
Reservations are available by calling 202-234-5015.
If you don’t feel like cooking a holiday meal, many area restaurants will be open Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. (Photo: 1ms)
The Hamilton
The Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW, will serve holiday specials in addition to its seasonal a la carte menu on Christmas Eve. The menu includes foie gras torchon with griddled brioche and pomagranite compote; lobster bisque with cognac cream, Maine lobster and chives; Feast of Seven Fishes with mussels, bay scallops, shrimp, little neck clams, calamari, Maine lobster, red snapper, white wine, saffron broth and crostini; Muscovy duck breast with baby turnips, savoy cabbage, whole grain farro, orange segments and roasted duck glaze; classic prime rib roast with wild mushroom bread pudding, creamed Tuscan kale and natural jus; and house-made Christmas ham with chestnut apple stuffing, braised collard greens, spiced fig and port wine reduction. A variety of burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and sushi are also available priced from $5-$59. For dessert, guests can enjoy malts and milkshakes with or without booze including toasted marshmallow, cookies and cream; pumpkin spice and the root beer sinker.
The Hamilton will be open from 11 a.m.-1 a.m. on Christmas Eve. For reservations, call 202-787-1000.
Legal Sea Foods
Legal Sea Foods, with locations in Chinatown, Crystal City, Tysons Corner and Ronald Reagan National Airport, will serve its a la carte menu along with a special holiday entrée through the end of the year. For every $200 in gift cards purchased, customers will receive a free lobster dinner. The lobster dinner voucher will be good from Jan. 2-Mar. 31
The restaurants will be open Christmas Eve from noon-9 p.m. at 704 7th St. NW; 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. at Tysons Galleria and 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Crystal City, and from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. in National Hall at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Christmas Day hours are noon-10 p.m. in Chinatown, noon-9 p.m. at Tysons and Crystal City and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. National Airport. For reservations, call 202-347-0007 for Chinatown, 703-827-8900 for Tysons, 703-415-1200 for Crystal City and 571-551-5988 for National Airport.
Lupo Verde
Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, will offer a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes from 5-11 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The meal will consist of fish and pasta, following the Roman Catholic tradition to refrain from the consumption of meat on holy days. The numerology represents the seven sacraments and seven days of creation. The menu includes fresh swordfish crudo with radicchio, blueberry, burrata and fennel oil; breaded cod with rapini, sweet pepper and white wine; squid ink ravioli with fresh prawns, chickpeas puree and black olives; almond-honey-herb crusted halibut with red wine glazed vegetables; homemade spaghetti with anchovies, mussles, pine nuts and parsley pesto, and farro and fresh gurnard soup with tomato confit and fresh herbs. Dessert will be the traditional Italian panettone, warm cream, chocolate and torrone irpino.
The meal is $85 per person. For more reservations call 202-827-4752.
Nopa Kitchen + Bar
Nopa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, will offer a seasonal a la carte menu Christmas Eve. Specials include a grilled Moulard duck breast with mustard braised savoy cabbage, red wine apple puree, chestnut-crackling crumble and spiced jus, and pan roasted lamb loin with vadouvan, golden raisins, cauliflower “cous cous” and black garlic jus.
Dinner will be served Christmas Eve from 5:30-9 p.m. Valet parking is available for $10. Reservations can be made by calling 202-347-4667.
Old Ebbitt Grill
Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th St. NW, will showcase festive holiday specials in addition to their regular a la carte menu on Christmas Eve. Dishes include carbonara fettuccini with butternut squash, prosciutto, sage, black pepper, poached egg, and parmesan; roast prime rib of beef with pommes anna, creamed spinach and natural beef jus; pan-seared duck breast with port wine braised red cabbage, roasted baby carrots, fingerling potatoes and sauce a l’orange; baked farro gratin with lacinato kale, butternut squash, chestnuts, gruyere cheese and wild mushroom broth; jumbo lump crab cakes with Old Bay red bliss potatoes, tart apple-beet-celeriac slaw and remoulade sauce; as well as Atlantic salmon with kale, butternut squash, red quinoa, farro, cauliflower puree and walnut pesto.
Old Ebbitt Grill will be open from 7:30 a.m.-2 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Entrées are priced from $16.95-$27.95. For reservations, call 202-347-4800.
The Oval Room
The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave. NW, is serving a three-course, prix fixe Christmas Eve menu featuring items such as roasted chestnut soup with foie gras, maple, and sage; crispy veal sweetbreads with cauliflower purée, celery and white truffle; truffle pasta with black truffle, pecorino grand cru, olive oil and croutons; butter roasted beef strip with potato pavé, chanterelle mushrooms and cippollini onions; butter poached Maine lobster with crispy pork trotter, split pea purée and sherry vinaigrette; and beet agnolotti with local goat cheese, pistachio and farm butter. For desserts, choose from warm pear spoonbread with honey gelato; bûche de noël with pomegranate and chocolate malt ice cream; chocolate sweet potato panna cotta with spiced pumpkin seeds and charred meringue; or warm spice cake with eggnog, chai and vanilla bourbon ice cream.
The special meal will be served from 5-9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and costs $55 per person or $90 with wine pairings For reservations, call 202-463-8700.
Rosa Mexicano
Rosa Mexicano with restaurants in Chinatown, Friendship Heights and National Harbor, will serve a four-course prix fixe menu available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The menu includes their signature guacamole and antojitos for the table, followed by an individual choice of entrée and a sweet finish of churros for the table. Highlights include Maine lobster ceviche with cucumber, tangerine supremes, roasted poblano, cilantro and avocado; roasted turkey with huitlacoche stuffing, chile de arbol roasted turkey with mole xico, huitlacoche-sweet plantain stuffing, roasted fall vegetables and Mexican chorizo potatoes; and shrimp and scallop brochette with grilled wild jumbo shrimp and scallops marinated in garlic served with cilantro-mint brown rice and roasted tomato-jalapeno caper sauce.
The price-fixe menu will be served at the Rosa Mexicanos at 575 7th St. NW, 202-783-5522; 5225 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-777-9959; and 153 Water Street, National Harbor, 301-567-1005.
Station 4
Station 4, 1101 4th St. SW, will serve a three-course, prix fixe menu Christmas Eve. The menu starts with an amuse of foie gras tartalette with apple compote, micro greens and sea salt followed by a choice of starters such as crab tartar with avocado, cucumber, lemon aioli, chive oil and wasabi foam; burrata with prosciutto di parma, aged balsamic vinegar, mixed greens and grilled bread; or cream of butternut squash soup with shaved chestnuts and white truffle essence. Main courses include house-made lobster ravioli with tomato butter and dill; beef tenderloin with a bone marrow sauce, potatoes au gratin and asparagus; or butternut squash farro risotto with pecorino cheese and Brussels sprouts. For dessert, guests can choose white chocolate bread pudding with salted caramel gelato or a house-made gelato trio.
The prix fixe menu is priced at $40 per person and will be served from 5-11 p.m. on Christmas Eve. For reservations, call 202-488-0987.
Sushiko
Those looking for a non-traditional meal, can dine at Sushiko, 5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, which will offer a variety of traditional and creative Japanese dishes including seared lobster and scallop with sauteed spinach, enoki, creamy ponzu and seared scallop; smoked mussel miso soup with fried eggplant and enoki; Brussel sprouts with soy-caramel and ichimi togarashi; beef tenderloin tataki with trio vegetable, red wine-daikon reduction served over a bowl of rice; and the Element Roll with tuna, avocado, shiso, potato crisp and wasabi tartar.
Prices range from $3-$40 for sushi, $5-$17 for sharing plates and $18-$27 for entrées. Sushiko will serve from noon-10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. For reservations, call 301-961-1644.
Ulah Bistro
Ulah Bistro, 1214 U St. NW, will offer a three-course prix fixe menu in addition to its regular a la carte menu this Christmas. Options include turkey-barley soup with winter vegetables and pouched egg, or the pear and burrata salad with cranberry vinaigrette, warm pear, frisée and roasted hazelnuts; prime rib au jus with potatoes au gratin, Brussels sprouts and horseradish-demi; and lobster pot pie with lobster ragout, vegetables, puff pastry, Spanish chorizo and garbanzo beans. For a sweet finish, guest can select from a strawberry tart with aged balsamic reduction and mascarpone, or and apple tart with cinnamon gelato and salted caramel.
The Christmas Eve menu will be served from 4 p.m.-midnight. The three-course, prix fixe menu is priced at $40 a person, and includes a glass of Champagne. For reservations, call 202-234-0123.
If you want to take advantage of these Christmas Eve and Christmas Day specials, you better make reservations now.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.
