Restaurants Help Ring in New Year
New Year’s eve is only a few days away, and if you don’t have plans yet there may still be time to make reservations. Besides local clubs and hotels, many restaurants are offering special New Year’s eve dinners.
1789 Restaurant
1789 Restaurant 1226 36th St. NW, will be serving on New Year’s Eve from 5 p.m.-1 a.m., with the last reservation available at 11 p.m. The restaurant will offer a seasonal a la carte menu as well as a New Year’s Eve tasting menu. The six-course tasting menu is priced at $125 per person. Suggested wine pairings can be added for $50 per person. The tasting menu must be ordered for the entire table. The tasting menu begins with caviar raviolo with quail eggs, buckwheat crepes, hackleback caviar, red onions and smoked crème fraîche followed by Wagyu tataki with arugula puree, smoked oyster mushrooms, parmigiano-reggiano and black truffles. Next is a cappelletti with bone marrow, octopus, panko bread crumbs and Meyer lemon confit followed by Maine lobster with Chinese black imperial rice and glazed baby bok choy and a 35-day dry-aged N.Y. Strip with black truffle pomme purée and matsutake mushrooms. Dessert includes silky Champagne panna cotta with Champagne gelée, pomegranate sorbet and Italian meringue.
701 Restaurant
701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will offer two seatings on New Year’s Eve. Guests dining at the first seating, from 5-7:30 p.m., have the option to order off the seasonal a la carte menu or enjoy a four-course prix fixe menu priced at $110 per person. During the second seating, from 8-10:30 p.m., the four-course menu, which includes a Champagne toast at midnight, will only be available. Featured dishes on the prix fixe menu include slow poached jidori eggs with sea urchin-Champagne cream and paddlefish roe; roasted foie gras with Jerusalem artichokes, pistachio and apricot mostarda; Maine lobster with red curry, turnip and Brussels sprouts; roasted cauliflower with caramelized onion panisse and a caper-raisin emulsion; and rack of lamb with fregula, green harissa and sheep’s milk yogurt. Dessert options include sticky bun parfait with brown butter ice cream and candied pecans; cheesecake with peanut butter crumble and concord grape sorbet; and pear crisp with streusel and vanilla ice cream. Live jazz music will play until midnight to help ring in the New Year. Valet parking is available for $8.
Ambar
Ambar, 523 8th St. SE, is serving a special New Year’s Eve menu showcasing the best dishes throughout the Balkan peninsula with a modern twist. Ambar is offering two seatings, the first from 5-8:30 p.m. includes a bread basket and kajmak bar followed by a choice of three items off the pre-selected menu, which is priced at $45 per person. The second seating, from 5 p.m.-close, is priced at $65 per person. It includes a bread basket and kajmak bar followed by a choice of three items off the tasting menu along with a Champagne toast at midnight. The $65 prix fixe option will be the only menu available after 9 p.m. Guests dining during the second seating will enjoy specials not typically on the Ambar menu. The New Year’s Eve menu includes choices such as veal and vegetable soup with sour cream and fresh chives; roasted mushroom crepes with red pepper emulsion, béchamel and gouda; shrimp skewer with prosciutto, asparagus, pepper and spicy lemon aioli; slow cooked pork with Yukon potato mash with kajmak and cabbage slaw, and sesame crusted salmon with horseradish sauce, spicy eggplant and arugula, among others. Ambar will offer a $30 Balkan wine pairing for those who opt for the four-course menu. Wines include Cricova Prestige chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon from Bulgaria; Budimir Tamjanika Zupska from Serbia; Bulgariana “Thracian Blend” from Bulgaria; Agrina Portuguiser from Serbia; Visconti della Rocca Riserva Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva, Italy; Stobi Winery Vranec from Macedonia, as well as Budimir Margus Margi Cabernet Sauvignon from Bulgaria.
On New Year’s Day, Ambar will offer unlimited small plates and free-flowing brunch cocktails from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Priced at $35 per person, guests will enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of mezze, soups, salads, sandwiches, egg dishes, pastries, crepes and sweets, along with seven brunch cocktails. Bottomless brunch must be ordered by the entire table and the menu is offered exclusively for the prix-fixe service. Dishes include Balkan salad, tomato, peppers, cucumber, onions and aged cheese; veal and vegetable soup with sour cream and fresh chives; the Balkan Burger with beef and pork, cucumber yogurt, roasted pepper spread, aged cheese and cabbage slaw served with homemade potatoes. Breakfast fare options include eggs Benedict served on an English muffin with ajvar, prosciutto and kajmak sauce; salmon or prosciutto omelet, steak and eggs, sirloin served with homemade fried potatoes and chimichurri sauce, and the Balkan scrambled egg with red and yellow peppers, onion, aged cow cheese served with homemade potatoes. Ambar also serves ham and cheese or roasted mushroom crepes, plus two types of savory pies, cheese with cucumber yogurt and ajvar emulsion,and meat made with ground pork and beef and marinated peppers. Bottomless cocktails include the traditional mimosa; Bloody Mary and the Ambar mimosa with Champagne, peach puree and blood orange.
Arcuri
Arcuri, 2400 Wisconsin Ave. NW, will offer a three-course prix fixe menu from 5:30-11 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Priced at $68 per person or $93 with suggested pairings, the menu begins with Jonah crab with celery, apple, blood orange and American caviar paired with a holiday punch made with lambrusco, orange and nutmeg followed by butternut squash agnolotti with sage brown butter, amaretti and aged balsamic paired with Damilano Langhe Arneis, and pan roasted quail with fennel glazed, root vegetable caponata stuffed with pork sausage paired with Chionetti San Luigi Dolcetto di Dogliani. Dessert includes maple pudding budino with blood orange granita and pecans. Those who want to ring in the new year with late night unlimited libations can swing by Arcuri for an open bar of draft beer, rail drinks, house wines and a Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets for the late night celebration are priced at $50 per person. Open bar will be available from 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Ardeo+Bardeo
Ardeo+Bardeo, 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, is featuring a three-course, prix fixe holiday menu from 5-11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Priced at $65 per person which includes a Champagne toast at Midnight, the menu begins with an amuse of beau sole oyster with yuzu mignonette followed by starters such as celery root bisque with lobster mushroom and smoked olive oil; octopus carpaccio with hearts of palm, mache and piquillo; as well as beef tartare with cured egg yolk, pickled shallots and Japanese sweet potato. Entrée options include duck breast with artichoke risotto and orange and cherry marmalade; Atlantic halibut with blue crab cous cous, kale and a cherry tomato sauce verge; and rack of lamb with crispy lamb belly, salsify, braised leeks and olive caponata. For dessert, guests can choose a dessert trio of chocolate pot de crème; and cranberry-pear tart with caramel ice cream and Snickers crumble. Valet parking is available after 6 p.m. at $8 per car.
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, 1100 New York Ave. NW, two seatings. Diners during the first seating can enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu for $50 per person 5:30-7 p.m. During the second seating, from 8-11 p.m., a four-course menu for $85 will be offered which includes a Franciacorta (a sparkling wine from Lombardy) toast at midnight. The menu standouts include burrata, soft pugliese mozzarella with pickled red onion, eggplant jam and aceto balsamico monodori; midollo osseo, roasted bone marrow with balsamic onion jam, served with country bread crostini; gnocchetti, ricotta dumpling with roasted chesnut and taleggio cream served with crumbled amaretti cookie; maialino, milked braised suckling pig with crispy kale, spiced smashed winter squash and lentils; and spigola nera per due, whole roasted black bass for two with mixed olives, caperberries, grilled lemon and salsa verde. Desserts include chocolate chestnut torta caprese with chestnut cream and madeira sultanas; Blue Duck Tavern, 24th and M Streets NW, will present a four-course menu, and diners will choose from a variety of market selections along with a Champagne toast for the table. Dishes include smoked beet salad with candied Georgia walnuts, sheep’s milk blue cheese and sherry vinaigrette; or porcini mushroom soup with poached egg, truffle cream and caramelized onions. Priced at $120 per person, dinner will be served from 5:30-11 p.m. At Blue Duck Tavern’s lounge, guests can ring in the New Year with a sophisticated celebration. Priced at $185 per person, the party will include a premium open bar with specialty cocktails from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. with live music by Karla Chisholm until 1 a.m., small plates, a Champagne toast at midnight and desserts. On New Year’s Day, Blue Duck Tavern will serve its weekend a la carte brunch from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The Bombay Club, 815 Connecticut Ave. NW, is offering two seatings on New Year’s Eve. Guests at the first seating, from 5:30-7:30 p.m, will enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu priced at $50 per person. During the second seating, from 8-11 p.m., a five-course menu for $75 will be offered, which includes a Champagne toast at midnight. Dishes from the five-course menu include tandoori shrimp, pomegranate, fennel and yogurt, and green pea kedgeree; malai lamb chop, clove smoked, yogurt, fennel, black pepper and coriander; or fish caldin, rockfish with cilantro, garlic, coconut and okra. For dessert, guests will enjoy a dessert sampler of chocolate mousse, pistachio kulfi and mango crème brûlée. For one night only, Central Michel Richard, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will be transformed into Michel Richard Citronelle. The Citronelle-at-Central celebration includes two seatings, with two prix-fixe menus and optional wine pairings. For the early birds and party hoppers who want to begin the night with Champagne and caviar, a $55 three-course menu is available from 5-6:30 p.m., and designed to get you to the show on time. The early seating menu includes hamachii tartare with Osetra caviar, citrus and cauliflower foam; followed by an entrée of roasted Pennsylvania veal loin, with winter black truffle, butternut squash, celeriac and turnips; and meringue and ice cream snowball 2015 dessert. A $25 optional wine pairing may be enjoyed that includes a glass each of Champagne Gosset NV and Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Cambon de la Pelouse. The $105 Citronelle-At-Central five-course haute tasting menu reservations are available from 7-11 p.m. Favorite dishes grace the menu, such as hamachi tartare and Osetra caviar, with citrus and cauliflower foam; a foie gras duo: cold with balsamic-lentils and seared with praline sauce; Michel’s signature Maine lobster “porcupine” with lobster-raspberry sauce and apple risotto; roasted Pennsylvania veal loin, winter black truffle, butternut squash, celeriac and turnip pearls. The menu finishes with a festive Snowball 2015, meringue filled with ice cream and whipped cream; and the final fine dining touch, chocolate grapes and macaron petits fours. An optional five-course French wine pairing, completes the culinary experience for $75. Wine selections include Champagne, Gosset, “Excellence”, Ay, Brut, NV, Chenin Blanc, Domaine Champalou, Couvee Fondraux, Vouvray, 2013, Chardonnay, Jean Marie Guffens, Vergisson La Rouche, Macon, 2013, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Cambon de la Pelouse, Haut-Medoc 2010, Crémant de Loire, Marcel Martin, NV. Total price of the menu with wine pairing is $180. Central’s bar will remain open throughout the evening into the New Year for walk-in guests. All guests are invited to join the revelry with a Champagne toast at midnight, complete with noisemakers, party hats and confetti. City Tap House, 901 9th St., will offer a prix fixe menu featuring three courses, along with a complimentary glass of Champagne from 6:30-9 p.m. for $70 per person. Dinner begins with an amuse bouche of smoked salmon with chive potato blinis, caviar and horseradish cream or sunchoke soup with pine nut and parsley pesto followed by appetizer choices such as roasted kabocha squash salad with aged gouda, pumpkin seeds, chicory and honey crisp apples; chicken liver mousse with red onion jam, spiced port wine jelly and grilled baguette; or Diver sea scallops with truffled parsnip puree, curry apples, leeks and sea urchin sauce. Entrées include black sea bass with curried buy lentils, mustard greens and black cardamom honey glaze; black angus beef tenderloin with bone marrow crust, wild mushroom ragout, Yukon gold potato puree and bordelaise sauce; and gnocchi gratin with roasted leeks, wild mushrooms truffle and mornay sauce. Desserts include dark chocolate terrine with raspberry gel, peanut crumble and powder and espresso gelato or pineapple upside down cake with coconut gelato and dark rum-raisin sauce. Those who want to ring in the New Year with late night beer and cocktails, can swing by City Tap House for some late night fun, which includes a premium open bar, live music and a Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets for the late night celebration are $40 per person for premium open bar only or $100 per person to enjoy the three-course dinner and the premium open bar. The open bar will be available from 10 p.m.-midnight and a live DJ will play music from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. On New Year’s Day, City Tap House DC will host a recovery brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dishes on the a la carte menu include ham and cheese, shaved Benton’s ham, spicy pimento cheese, pickled green tomato and crostini; strawberry-almond French toast with vanilla mascarpone and Marcona almonds; biscuits and gravy, country sausage gravy, buttermilk biscuits, Cabot cheddar and fried eggs; house smoked salmon hash, shaved fennel, fingerling potatoes, poached eggs and hollandaise; and The Big Chick, buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, Benton’s bacon, sausage gravy and a fried egg. Prices range from $6-$26. City Tap House also features a bottomless brunch bar, which includes endless Bloody Marys, mimosas and beer-mosas for $18 per person. Copperwood Tavern, 4021 Campbell Ave., Shirlington, will offer a four-course prix fixe menu from 5 p.m.-1 a.m. New Year’s Eve. Seasonal small plates will include French onion soup, caramelized onions braised with Scotch ale, beef and chicken broth, topped with a garlic crouton and gruyere cheese; bison meatballs, seasoned ground bison with huckleberry gravy; wild mushroom bruschetta with herbed goat cheese and balsamic reduction; and prime rib, slow roasted grass-fed 14-ounce cut prime rib served with fresh horseradish sauce and au jus. Dessert includes stout brownies with Nutella ice cream. The prix fixe meal is $59.99 per person and includes a complimentary glass of Champagne to toast at midnight. On New Year’s Day, Copperwood Tavern will serve its a la carte brunch from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Menu highlights include Scotch egg, boiled egg wrapped in breakfast sausage, breaded and fried, served with frisee salad; blueberry ricotta pancakes served with orange honey butter; duck hash, duck leg confit, potatoes, onion, carrot, bell pepper and two poached eggs; bagels and lox with house cured salmon, avocado, tomato jam, pickled red onion and cream cheese; breakfast burrito with chorizo, black beans, eggs, salsa and queso fresco; and short rib benedict, root beer braised short ribs served with hollandaise. Prices range from $4-$18. Additionally, guests can enjoy a variety of cocktails including the traditional mimosa, bellini, spiced milk punch with Laird’s apple brandy, spiced tea syrup and milk, or order one of four varieties of house made Bloody Marys from Copperwood’s Bloody Mary bar: classic Bloody Mary, vegetarian Mary, BBQ Mary and the seafood Mary. Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, 801A 9th St. NW, will offer a Cuban feast to celebrate the New Year with two seatings. Reservations for the early seating will be from 4-8 p.m. and guests can select from an a la carte menu which includes a selection of ceviches, a variety of tapas and other signature dishes reflective of Old Havana. Early guests who make reservations before 6 p.m. will receive a $25 Cuba Libre gift card per couple to be used on a $50 purchase during a future visit. The late dining option, with seatings between 9-10 p.m., will feature a five-course prix fixe menu for $99 per person with a Champagne toast and party favors for the midnight celebration. Dishes include grilled oysters, grilled oysters on the half shell with mango pico de gallo and red chile-horseradish; ham and pear arugula salad, plancha seared Anjou poached pears with serrano ham chips, arugula and a cantaloupe melon-smoked paprika vinaigrette; porchetta, fennel and orange flavored pork belly wrapped around a center cut pork loin with moros y cristianos and onion-sour orange mojo; Yellowfin tuna, plancha yellowfin tuna, mojito salsa verde made with olive oil, fresh herbs and citrus juices, served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes; vegetable paella, grilled broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, leeks, eggplant, wild mushrooms, artichoke hearts and saffron long grain rice; and an asparagus and roasted piquillo pepper salad. For dessert, guest can enjoy banana bread caramelo, butter-toasted house-made banana bread with vanilla ice cream and warm butterscotch sauce. Diners at the second seating will be able to keep their reserved table throughout the evening, and they will also receive a $25 Cuba Libre gift card per couple to be used on a $50 purchase during a future visit. Daikaya, 705 6th St. NW, is offering two seatings on New Year’s Eve. The first seating is from 5-8 p.m. and the second seating is from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Both include a choice of lil bites, lil bites round 2, green things, fish and meat things, skewers, rice things, dessert and glass of Champagne for $75 per person. The New Year’s Eve menu includes shiso leaf wap with sea urchin, nori and Wagyu beef; lobster korokke with Japanese curry sauce; grilled avocado with tomato-ponzu, jalapeño-yuzu kosho and micro cilantro; Sweetbread Karaage; Pineapple Wrapped Eel with avocado-negi purée; and salmon dunburi. Dessert choices include warm red bean with vanilla soft serve; mochi ice cream and marinated cream cheese with toasted bread. DJ Denman will be spinning from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. to help ring in the New Year. Daikaya’s ramen shop will also be open and serving from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Karaoke will be available in the ramen shop starting at 10 p.m. DC Harvest, 517 H St. NE, is offering a three course prix fixe menu on New Year’s Eve priced at $50 per person with an optional $30 wine pairing for each course. Dinner reservations are being accepted until 10:30 p.m. and the bar will be open until 1 a.m. The meal will start with a choice of appetizers including kona kampachi tartar with avocado, white soy, yuzu, blood orange trout roe and potato crisp; frisse and arugula salad with crispy bacon, 65 degree egg and lemon ver jus vinaigrette; or yellow carrot and fennel soup with whole wheat croutons, crème fraiche and micro carrot greens. Entrée choices include grilled American Waygu steak with Yukon gold potato puree, roasted broccoli and zinfandel demi-glace; Pennsylvania duck leg confit with rye spaetzle, roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts, blood orange and duck jus; pan roasted Arctic char with maitake mushrooms, French beans and celery root puree; or winter squash farrotto with red kuri pumpkin, celery root, kale, crispy shitake mushrooms and allegany chevre.. Dessert choices include Whatchamacallit, a peanut butter crisp with caramel, chocolate, honey roasted peanut crumble and bruleed banana; olive oil cake with candied tangerines and roasted strawberry gelato; or a farmstead cheese plate with gala apples, pear butter and grilled bread. Del Campo, 777 I St. NW, is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a feast accented with optional tableside smoked white sturgeon caviar service. The a la carte menu will be available at the bar, with many dishes served with a touch of caviar. In the dining room, a five-course, prix fixe menu will be offered that includes a Champagne caipirinha cocktail, scallop ceviche with smoked roe, fennel, smoked uni, capples and chives; burnt beets and burrata with beet greens, pinenuts and currants, smoked spiny lobster with ricotta “noquis” and white truffles, Uruguayan filet mignon with grilled foie gras, maitake quinoa and black truffles; and a molten dulce de leche chocolate cashew cake. A DJ in the lounge will welcome the new year with Latin tunes. The fixed price menu is $120 per person. An option wine pairing is an additional $55 and the smoked white sturgeon caviar service is an additional $120. El Centro D.F., with locations at 1819 14th St. NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Georgetown, is offering two tasting menus on New Year’s eve. The first option is available from 5-7:30 p.m. and begins with traditional guacamole for the table followed by a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert priced at $45 per person. The second option includes a choice of El Centro’s signature guacamoles for the table, followed by an appetizer, entrée and dessert and a Champagne toast at midnight priced at $65 per person from 5 p.m.-close. The $65 prix fixe option will be the only menu available to those dining after 8 p.m. Guests dining during the late seating will be able to enjoy specials not typically available El Centro’s menu such as spicy crab guacamole with chile de árbol, roasted garlic and cilantro; mushroom empanadas with oaxaca cheese, roast corn, rajas and creamy salsa verde; braised short rib flautas with morita salsa, crema fresca, bean puree and cotija cheese; beer battered lobster tacos with Mexican slaw, cilantro rice, corn tortilla and pickled jalapeno; and N.Y. Strip Alambre with crab, bacon, poblano, oaxaca cheese, refried pinto beans and Mexican rice. Desserts include banana tres leches with a passion fruit sauce and toasted soft meringue; churros with chipotle caramel and canela-spiced chocolate; and a chocolate cigar with dark chocolate mousse, hazelnut chocolate cake served with coffee ice cream. Also, El Centro will offer Segura Viudas Cava and Segura Viudas Cava Rose from Spain priced at $9 a glass and $34 a bottle. On New Year’s Day, both locations will serve an all-you-can-eat authentic Mexican brunch menu. Brunch is available from 10 a.m.-5 p.m for $35. Guests can enjoy an endless selection from the entire brunch menu, with options such as potato and chorizo pambazo sandwich with crema fresca, lettuce and cotija cheese; enfrijolades, scrambled eggs, morita bean sauce and chorizo; bacon, egg and cheese tacos served with chihuahua cheese and scallions; fried egg divorciados smothered in red and green salsa with chorizo and black beans; and picadillo empanadas, ground beef, carrots, peas, potatoes and Mexican cheese. Bottomless brunch drinks, such as the Michelada, Bloody Maria and choice of seasonal aqua fresca cocktails, complement the unlimited brunch offering. The all-you-can-eat brunch menu must be ordered for the entire table, and all items are available a la carte priced between $5 and $15. Dinner will not be served New Year’s Day. Et Voila!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, will showcase festive holiday specials in addition to the a la carte dinner menu during regular hours on New Year’s 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, or the Dover Sole with Champagne mousseline, grey shrimp from the North Sea, baby leeks, and a croquette of Yukon gold potatoes. Desserts include the winter sweet garden or the Rocher chocolate praline. Specials range from $10-$28 each. Graffiato, 707 6th St. NW, is offering a $65 five-course menu from 5-7 p.m. New Year’s Eve and a $75 five-course dinner with Prosecco toast starting at 7:30 p.m. The Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW, is offering a variety of options to ring in the New Year. The pop/rock band, the Old 97s, will be preforming alternative country-rock hits at The Hamilton Live. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are priced between $60-$85, which includes a Champagne toast and gumbo dinner. Guests can enjoy The Hamilton’s regular a la carte menu between 6:30-7:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., the kitchen will close, and the show will begin. Then, during intermission, a gumbo dinner will be served. At The Hamilton Loft, the 19th Street Band, which has shared the stage with country music stars such as Craig Morgan, Chuck Mead, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith, will perform New Year’s Eve from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Fans will pay a $10 cover charge to enjoy the music and a cash bar throughout the evening. Those who wish to forgo the musical acts can opt for The Hamitlon’s festive holiday specials in addition to the featured a la carte menu on New Year’s Eve. Dishes include skillet roasted calamari with roasted tomatoes, butter beans, pickled fresno, chiles, kalamata olives and celery hearts; honey crisp apple salad with arugula, spinach, apple cider vinaigrette, goat cheese and walnut raisin croutons; duck carbonara with duck confit, butternut squash, black pepper, parmesan broth, sunny side duck egg and fettuccine; 8 ounce beef tenderloin with whipped potatoes, Swiss chard, confit garlic, chanterelle mushrooms and black truffle demi; American red snapper with crispy potato cake, chanterelle mushrooms, roasted fennel, spinach and olive vinaigrette, as well as Beckshire pork roast with Anson Mills grits, lacinato kale, caramelized apples and mustard vinaigrette. A variety of burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and sushi are also available with prices ranging 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. Malts and milkshakes are from $7-$13. Il Forno, 900 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, is offering a three-course $55 dinner and a five course $75 dinner, which includes Champagne toast, on New Year’s Eve. The first seating is from 5-7:30 p.m. and the second is from 8-10 p.m. Both meals include crostino of warm salt cod, micro arugula and basil sweet garlic aioli, burata of persimmon aigre doux, mizuna and radicchio; and a choice of entrée from Berkshire pork loin with beluga lentils, pork belly and caramelized apple jus; a 4 ounce, center-cut ribeye filet with salsa verde, Yukon gold gnocchi and baby kale; lobster fra diavlo with spicy campari tomato sauce, spinach, linguini and herb bread crumbs; or foraged mushroom risotto with chantrelles, parmesan broth and mascarpone; dessert of chocolate truffle with vanilla sauce and chocolate shavings; and a panettone of check presenter- chocolate truffles, macaroons and almond cookies. The five-course menu includes an antipasti of prosciutto with pomegranate, walnuts and shaved fennel salad; a pasta of winter truffle ravioli with celery root, ricotta filling and shaved winter truffles For New Year’s Eve, Kapnos, 2201 14th St. NW, is supplementing its regular a la carte menu with a list of sparkling wines from the house of Louis Roederer. The Champagnes including Cristal, will be available on special by the glass and bottle. Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, will offer a traditional Italian feast with two seatings available New Year’s Eve. The first seating is available from 5-6 p.m. with a special a la carte menu. Those who dine after 6 p.m. get a choice of five items off the regular a la carte menu for $95 per person, or enjoy a pre-selected six-course menu for the same price along with Champagne toast at midnight. Menu highlights include stuffed culatello and ricotta cannelloni with frisee salad, raisins in passito di pantelleria; scallops au gratin with basil, sundried tomato and pistachio pestos; house-made trotelloni with duck ragu, artichoke veloute and shaved black truffle; baked seabream with black olives, orange, vegetable stuffed langustine and bread crumbs; and cotechino with lentils, sage and leek cream. Dessert is the traditional Italian panettone, a traditional sweet Italian bread loaf mixed with fresh fruit. Masa 14, 1825 14th St. NW, is offering two prix fixe menus on the main level of the restaurant New Year’s Eve. Masa 14’s New Year’s Eve dinner service has an early seating for reservations between 5-8:30 p.m. and a late seating after 9 p.m. Parties who reserve an early seating have a two-hour window to enjoy dinner in the downstairs dining room, before heading to their celebration. The early prix fixe menu is $55 per person and includes a choice of three plates from the featured menu and dessert. The second prix fixe menu, priced at $75 per person, is available throughout the entire evening in the downstairs dining room and includes a choice of three New Year’s Eve specialty dishes, dessert, and a Champagne toast at Midnight. The $75 prix fixe option will be the only menu available after 9 p.m. Guests dining during the later seating can enjoy specials not typically available at Masa 14 such as Kobe flatbread with truffled avocado crema, queso fresco, red onion and white truffle; hamachi crudo with yuzukoshō, red tobiko, pickled daikon and cilantro; spicy tuna bucuchkiku roll with gobo, avocado, tuzu kosho and sweet chili, as well as coffee seared lamb poterhouse with harissa demi, fingerling potato, kale and golden raisin chutney. For dessert, guests can choose from options such as carrot cake with chile d’arbol frosting and spiced pear butterand chocolate terrine. Also, Segura Viudas Cava and Segura Viudas Cava Rose from Spain is available for $9 a glass and $34 a bottle. On New Year’s Day, Masa 14 will serve their prix fixe brunch in the main dining room from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for $39. The last seating is at 4 p.m. Brunch includes an unlimited selection of cocktails such as the traditional mimosa, Masa mimosa, lychee bellini, Bloody Mary and lemon lager. The menu features a selection of fatbreads and salads, eggs, benedicts and omelets, and sandwiches including wild mushroom flatbread with jack cheese, roasted red pepper and avocado; chilaquiles, corn tortillas, chorizo, queso cotija and soft scrambled eggs; smoked chicken hash with caramelized onions, chilies, chipotle hollandaise, yucca and poached egg, as well as Korean short rib ropa vieja with wasabi black bean, smoked spinach, fried eggs and kimchi pico de gallo. The special brunch offer must be ordered for the entire table. Brunch can also be ordered a la carte with prices ranging from $4-$13 per dish. Dinner will not be served New Year’s Day. Mio Restaurant, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, will offer a four-course prix fixe menu showcasing the best of Puerto Rican cuisine from 5-10 p.m. New Year’s Eve. The menu begins with an amuse bouche of carpaccio de atún, tuna carpaccio, corriander marinated chayote and avocado vinaigrette, or roasted pumpkin cappuccino, creamy pumpkin with spicy pepitas and roasted kabocha foam followed by a choice of appetizers such as crema de langosta y guineo, banana and cognac scented lobster bisque, or queso de cabra y remolacha, walnut crusted goat cheese with roasted baby beets, poached pear, taro crisps and a brown butter balsamic. Second course options include ravioli de yautía, yautía mousse and wild mushrooms, or the pastel de pollo en yucca, stewed chicken wrapped in yucca and plantain masa with chimichurri aioli. Entrée options include chuleta kan kan, fermes, St.-Canut Farm’s milk fed piglet pork chop and belly with pigeon pea and mushroom risotto and crisp plantains; espada al sartén, pan seared swordfish over northern white bean stew, or the slow braised osso bucco with manchego polenta, baby vegetables and coffee demi-glaze. Dessert choices include barriguitas de vieja, roasted pumpkin fritters with cinnamon ice cream, or dulce de lechoza y queso crema, preserved papaya and cream cheese mousse. The prix fixe New Year’s Eve menu is priced at $85 per person and includes a Champagne toast at midnight. Those who wish to forgo dinner can swing by Mio Restaurant for some late night fun, which includes a cash bar, a DJ spinning lively tunes and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets for the late night celebration, which includes plenty of dancing, are priced at $35 per person. The late night celebration runs from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Nage Bistro, 1600 Rhode Island Ave. NW, will offer a Starry, Starry Night New Year’s Eve package from 5:30-11 p.m. including a four-course prix fixe menu priced for $65 per person, which includes a Champagne toast at midnight. The menu begins with an amuse bouche of carmelized onion tart with black mission fig and chevre followed by a choice of appetizers including lobster crab cake with lemon habanero tartare and basil sauce; winter citrus salad with pomegranate, walnuts and honey vinaigrette; or tuna tartare hamachi with yellowtail, avocado, apple chili oil and fried rice. Entrée choices include 45-day dry-aged beef loin with young onions, gold nugget potatos and lobster mushrooms; whole roasted loup de mer with caramelized fennel, salsify and citrus; or Berkshire pork poterhouse with hoppin’ john, black kale and delicata squash. Desserts include sweet potato doughnuts with cinnamon, brown sugar and whipped cream; PB&J, peanut butter pie with concord grape sorbet and candied peanuts; or Champagne crème brûlée with raspberries. New Year’s Day, Nage will host a Blurry, Blurry Days brunch from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dishes include the Kill It Skillet, mac n cheese, chorizo, bacon, truffle frites and a fried egg; ricotta pancakes with berry compote and maple syrup; baked avocado huevos rancheros with sofrito potatoes, salsa, and chorizo; Chesapeake benedict, two poached eggs, crab cake, English muffin, hollandaise, and sofrito potatoes; shrimp and grits, Anson Mills organic cheddar grits, gulf prawns, tasso ham, kale, tomato and shellfish buerre blanc; and country fried steak, eggs any style, white gravy and sofrito potatoes. Prices range from $8-$16 each. Signature cocktails made with Gatorade will be available, since some say the electrolytes will act as a hangover remedy. Cocktails include No Painsville No Gainesville, lemon lime Gatorade margarita with Jack Rudy grenadine; I Can See Clearly Now, glacier freeze Gatorade and gin martini with frozen grapes; and the See Ya Later Gator, orange Gatorade with apple pucker, vodka, tequila, rum, triple sec and gin. Guests can also enjoy bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas for an additional $15 per person. Nopa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, will showcase a special holiday menu New Year’s Eve. Offering two seatings, the first is available at 5 p.m. featuring a seasonal a la carte menu. A second seating, starting at 8 p.m., offers a $75 three-course, prix fixe menu with Champagne toast at midnight. Dishes include pan roasted Carolina quail confit with cranberry-chestnut puree, apple fennel salad and spiced jus; foie gras pate with dijonnaise, house pickles and crostini; farro and black quinoa risotto with sage-pumpkin seed pesto, Winterbor kale, spaghetti squash and parmesan; grilled barrel-cut rib eye with crispy fingerlings, black trumpet mushrooms, pearl barley, crushed broccoli sauce; and pan roasted diver scallops with Meyer lemon, parsnip puree and Skuna Bay caviar sauce. Guests can add shaved burgundy truffle to any dish for an additional $8. The dessert selection includes chocolate porter bon bons; smoked almond nougat glace and poached Forelle pears. Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th St. NW, will showcase festive holiday specials in addition to their regular a la carte menu on New Year’ Eve. Dishes include polenta gnocchi with braised sausage ragu, chili rapini, lemon ricotta and pecorino romano; roast prime rib of beef with pommes anna, creamed spinach and natural beef jus; roasted Duroc pork rack with parsnip puree, apple mustard and caramelized bacon-Brussels sprouts; stuffed 1.25 pound Maine lobster with blue crab-brioche and leek stuffing, winter citrus salad and beurre blanc; and grilled New York strip with potato puree, sautéed Swiss chard, braised wild mushrooms, bone marrow and bordelaise. Entrées are priced from $16.95-$27.95. The restaurant will also host a New Year’s Eve dance party with DJ Charity, who will spin a mix of house, 80s, indie rock and oldies beginning at 9:30 p.m. Cost is $99 per person and includes a premier open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres including a farmhouse cheese board; rib eye carving station; meat lasagna; vegetarian gratin; mini crab cakes; braised short rib sliders; fried oyster sliders; mini potato and kale cakes; butternut squash crostini; porchetta sliders and an assortment of mini desserts. At midnight, guests will enjoy a balloon drop and complimentary Champagne toast. The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave. NW, is offering a four-course, prix fixe menu from 5:30-10 p.m., priced at $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings. Dishes include oysters and caviar, Kumamoto oysters and Spoonbill caviar with Champagne emulsion; pan seared foie gras with warm carrot cake, carrot relish and carrot ginger reduction; braised beef cheek ravioli with basil fed snails, Perigord truffles, beech mushrooms and garlic soubise; black cod with cockles, bacon, marble potatoes and razor clam vinaigrette; tamarind glazed squab with fairytale pumpkin, chili and chocolate mole; and juniper scented venison loin with charred avocado puree, trumpet mushrooms and huckleberry jus. A variety of sweet confections will also be available including warm spice cake with eggnog, chai and vanilla bourbon ice cream; and apple crisp with compressed apple and cranberry sorbet. Rasika, 633 D St. NW, will serve a special New Year’s Eve menu with two seatings available. A three-course menu priced at $55 per person or $85 with wine pairings will be available from 5:30-8 p.m. During the second seating from 8 p.m.-close, a four-course menu will be available priced at $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings. The four-course offering includes foie gras galouti with smoked lamb, cashew nuts and saffron; lobster hawa mahal, lobster souffle with makhni sauce; black cod with coconut milk, fennel and lemon rice vermicelli; duck roast with green chilies and curry leaves; and paneer ke mattar, cottage cheese dumplings with tomatoes and dry fenugreek. Rasika West End, 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW, is offering a specially crafted New Year’s Eve menu with two seatings. A three-course menu priced at $55 or $85 with wine pairings will be available from 5:30-8 p.m. During the second seating, from 8 p.m.-close, a four-course menu will be available priced at $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings. The menu features crab chili garlic, lump crab meat, onions and chili-balsamic; black-eyed pea quinoa tikki with cumin, black pepper and peanut chutney; sea bass amritsari with carom seeds, malt vinegar and onion pakoda; Raan-E-Rasika, lamb shank with kashmiri chili and rum; bhuna baingan, smoked eggplant, cumin, onion and tomato; and chicken hot pot, homestyle chicken curry with jeera aloo. Second State, 1831 M St. NW, will offer a four-course prix fixe menu from 5 p.m.-1 a.m. New Year’s Eve for $69.99 and includes unlimited open bar until midnight. The menu includes Manhattan clam chowder, tomato broth with bacon, carrots, celery, onions and potatoes; beer truffle salad, mixed greens and seasonal vegetables tossed with a house-made wit beer truffle vinaigrette; potato and cheddar pierogies sautéed with bacon, caramelized onions and brown butter; root beer braised short ribs over parsnip garlic confit purée; and roasted pheasant with pan roasted pearl onions, apples and a cider jus. For dessert, diners will enjoy the stout brownies with Nutella ice cream. Station 4, 1101 4th St. SW, will offer a three-course, prix fixe menu for $65 from 5-11 p.m. New Year’s Eve. The menu starts with an amuse of smoked trout mousse with California beluga caviar served on olive oil toast followed by a choice of starters such as roasted chestnut soup with duck confit; Chesapeake golden oyster with cranberry mignonette gelee, or shaved fennel salad with apple, endive and walnut vinaigrette. Main courses include roasted prime rib with dauphinoise potatoes, jumbo asparagus and foie gras bordelaise sauce; pan-roasted Chilean sea bass with roasted cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrot couscous and a black truffle beurre blanc; or the house-made vegetable lasagna with eggplant, zucchini, squash, mushroom, fresh tomato sauce and pecorino romano cheese. For dessert, guests can choose holiday favorites such as double dark chocolate ganache tart with black currant puree and French vanilla ice cream or coffee amaretto crème brûlée with almond biscotti. Sushiko, 5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, will offer it’s a la carte menu along with a nine-course chef’s tasting menu priced at $90 per person. The menu consists of seven original small dishes, a sushi course and dessert. Another option, exclusive to the sushi bar, is the sushi omakase. For $60 per person, the meal will end when the diner is full. Toro Toro, 1300 I St. NW, is offering two New Year’s Eve tasting menus. The first seating runs from 5-8:30 p.m. and includes a prix fixe menu beginning with an amuse bouche followed by a choice of first course, second course, main and dessert for $90 per person. The second seating is available from 5 p.m.-close and includes an amuse followed by a choice of first course, second course, main course, dessert and a Champagne toast at midnight, which is priced at $120 per person. The $120 prix fixe option will be the only menu available to those dining after 9 p.m. Guests dining during the later seating will enjoy dishes not typically available on the Toro Toro menu including Aji Panca butter poached tiger prawns with purple potato, crispy red quinoa, cilantro micro greens and lime; arepas, corn cakes, short rib, guacamole and crema fresca; churrasco platter, picanha, achiote chicken, chorizo, prime ribeye, New Zealand lamb chops and chimichurri sowrdfish along with an assortment of sides for sharing. Guests can add shaved French burgundy black truffle to any dish for $20 for three grams, or add five grams of American wild hackleback sturgeon, American paddllefish, and Russian ossetra served with corn blini, crema, egg and chives for an additional $55 per person. Toro Toro will offer three sparkling wines by the glass and bottle: Biutiful cava from Spain ($9/glass and $34/bottle); Conde de Subirats cava rose from Spain ($10/glass and $38/bottle) and Veuve Clicquot Champagne from France ($27/glass and $130/bottle). On New Year’s Day, Toro Toro, will offer brunch service from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Brunch is priced at $39 per person and begins with a choice of Pan-Latin small plates that showcase South and Central American cuisine, including seasonal salads, meats, raw bar and assorted breads and cheeses. Next, diners can enjoy Toro Toro’s “Rodizio Experience,” with choices that include picanha steak, chorizo sausage, achiote chicken or chef’s daily selection. Diners can also order from the chef’s daily creation of hot sides such as papas bravas; tortilla espanola; chorizo and potato hash; chipotle-agave bacon; Mexican-chocolate waffles with nutella and bananas, and chilaquiles verdes. Brunch is complemented by a Bloody Mary bar where guests can create their own cocktail by selecting from a list of premium spirits, house-made mixers and a large collection of rare hot sauces and garnishes. Also available are a bottomless supply of featured cocktails such as the traditional mimosa; Toro mimosa with Champagne and fresh passion fruit puree; mango mimosa with Champagne and fresh mango puree, or the blood orange mimosa with Champagne and fresh blood orange puree. Dinner will not be served New Year’s Day. Ulah Bistro, 1214 U St. NW, will offer a three-course prix fixe menu for $100 per couple from 5 p.m.-midnight New Year’s Eve with a complimentary bottle of Champagne. The menu includes duck and dumpling Soup with duck moulard broth, duck legg confit dumpling and spiced peanuts; Brussels sprout salad with warm pancetta vinaigrette, shaved boiled eggs and blue cheese; pork nuts stuffed roasted quail with Brussels sprouts, pomegranate syrup and butternut squash puree; and dry-aged prime rib with braised root vegetables, creamy potatoes and au jus. For a sweet finish, guest can select from hazelnut-chocolate mousse with orange jam and cocoa nibs, or pecan pie with vanilla gelato and salted caramel syrup. Zengo, 781 7th St. NW, 20001, is offering two tasting menus on New Year’s Eve. The first option is a four-course menu priced at $55 per person from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and a four-course, tasting menu with additional specials not available at Zengo, which will be served from 5 p.m.-close along with a Champagne toast. It is priced at $75 per person. Only the $75 prix fixe option will be u available after 9 p.m. The New Year’s Eve menu choices include the Angry Zengo Roll, spicy yellowfin tuna, avocado, cucumber, sesame, green onion, wasabi tobiko and chipotle rouille; mofongo shumai dumpling, foie gras, pork, plantain and XO black vinegar sauce; lobster fritters, roasted corn, rajas and aji Amarillo tartar sauce; wok seared scallops, bacon, sushi rice, corn, yuzu Sriracha aioli, kabayaki, scallions and cilantro; and the hoisin barbecued Colorado lamb chops served with a Chinese mustard potato purée and sweet tomato chutney. Dessert choices include the Mexican chocolate tart with cocoa nibs, cinnamon whip and chile ancho anglaise; Mango Sorbet with fresh berries, or the Asian Pear empanada with warm cajeta, dulce de leche ice cream and sesame. Segura Viudas Cava and Segura Viudas Cava Rose from Spain will be available for $9 a glass and $34 a bottle. On New Year’s Day, Zengo will host its bottomless brunch with unlimited small plates and cocktails for $39 per person and $10 per child under 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of ceviche and sushi, salad, dim sum and antojitos, and brunch plates along with seven distinctive brunch cocktails. Bottomless brunch must be ordered by the entire table, and the menu is offered exclusively for the prix-fixe service. The unlimited brunch menu includes small plates such as shrimp ceviche with coconut, charred pineapple, red onion, basil and bonito flake; Thai chicken empanadas with chile poblano, oazaca cheese and mango salsa; achiote-hoisin pork arepas, corn masa, avocado and crema fresca. Additional brunch plates include short rib hash with poached eggs, potato, rajas and caramelized onion; house cured bacon and eggs, ancho cured bacon, black beans and pico de gallo,as well as Hanoi pandan waffles with strawberry-guava sauce and whipped cream. Zengo’s brunch menu is complemented by a bottomless supply of featured cocktails such as the Bloody Mary, Bloody Maria and sake sangria, as well as four types of mimosas: traditional, passion fruit, guava and pomegranate. Signature cocktails are available from the full menu for an addition $5 per cocktail. Dinner will not be served New Year’s Day. 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.The Bombay Club
Central Michel Richard
City Tap House
Copperwood Tavern
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
Daikaya
DC Harvest
Del Campo
El Centro D.F.
Et Voila!
Graffiato
The Hamilton
Il Forno
Kapnos
Lupo Verde
Masa 14
Mio Restaurant
Nage Bistro
Nopa Kitchen+Bar
Old Ebbitt Grill
The Oval Room
Rasika
Rasika West End
Second State
Station 4
Sushiko
Toro Toro
Ulah Bistro
Zengo