It is time to celebrate the incoming New Year in and around the DMV, and restaurants are offering diners a lively and delicious array of choices.

Many area restaurants are offering New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day specials. (Photo: Fashion Squad)

1789 Restaurant, 1226 36th St. NW, will offer a seasonal a la carte menu as well as a New Year’s Eve tasting menu from 5-11 p.m. The six-course tasting menu is $125 per person or $179 with suggested wine pairing. The tasting menu must be ordered for the entire table.

701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will offer two seatings on New Year’s Eve. Diners 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 three-course prix fixe menu for $55 per -person. During the second seating from 8:30-11 p.m., only a four-course menu priced at $110 per person including a Champagne toast at midnight will be served. A four piece jazz band will play music until 1 a.m. 701 Restaurant will be open for regular dinner service on Jan. 1 with guests receiving a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

Ambar, 523 Eighth St. SE, is serving a special New Year’s Eve menu showcasing dishes from the Balkan Peninsula with a modern twist. The first seating from 5-8:30 p.m. includes unlimited small plates and drinks for $69 per person. The second seating from 9-10:30 p.m. is $99 per person to dine in the main dining room or $79 per person at the bar and includes unlimited small plates and drinks with a Champagne toast at midnight. Guests dining during the second seating will enjoy unlimited food and drinks until 12:30 a.m. A cash bar will be available for those wishing to order additional drinks between 12:30-2 a.m. On New Year’s Day, Ambar will offer its fixed price brunch of unlimited small plates and cocktails from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for $39 per person. Unlimited brunch must be ordered by the entire table.

Ankara, 1320 19th St. NW, is celebrating New Year’s Eve in true Turkish style with a four-course prix fixe dinner menu for %44 per person featuring specials from 6-8:30 p.m. along with specially priced wine selections. chosen to pair beautifully with the cuisine. Diners will receive a complimentary glass of Ridgeview Fitzrovia Rosé Brut to start the evening. Guests will also enjoy Turkish coffee and Belgian-style dark chocolate from Divine Chocolate to end the meal on a sweet note. The first course for the table served with house-made pide included hummus; shakshuka made with diced sautéed eggplant, tomato, roasted pepper, garlic, red pepper paste and parsley; sigara böreğI, fried, phyllo stuffed with feta and herbs; and mercimek köfte made with red lentils and bulgur patties, herbs and onions. The second course include the choice of coban salatasi, a diced blend of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, radishes and herbs; or lahmacun, a flat bread topped with minced beef and lamb with tomatoes and onion relish. The third course includes the choice of kuzu pirzola, grilled lamb chops, lightly seasoned and served with Ottoman rice; izgarada dana antrikot, a grilled rib eye steak served with Ottoman rice; tavuk siş, a grilled and marinated chicken breast served with Ottoman rice; or grilled branzino served with a seasonal vegetable sauté. For dessert, choose either baklava or kayisi tatlisi, poached apricots served on bed of crème.

Ardeo+Bardeo, 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, will offer two seatings New Year’s Eve. From 5:30-7 p.m., features a special a la carte menu. At the second seating, from 8-11 p.m., guests will enjoy a three-course, prix fixe holiday menu priced at $65 per person including Champagne toast at midnight. The restaurant will be open for regular dinner service on Jan. 1, and guests will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

All Set Restaurant & Bar, 8630 Fenton St., Plaza 5, Silver Spring, will be celebrating New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. with a dozen oysters and bottle of Pihu Simonet Brut Champagne for $40, a raw bar platter with one dozen oysters, six littleneck clams and four jumbo shrimp with a bottle of Francois Montand Brut Champagne for $60 or a raw bar deluxe platter with one dozen oysters, crab cocktail, lobster cocktail and four jumbo shrimp with a bottle of Francois Montand Brut Champagne for $80. The restaurant will also offer a three-course menu featuring surf and turf and wine pairings for $50 per person.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, 1308 G St. NW and 7511 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, is offering mini doughnuts on New Year’s Eve. The box of minis includes two mini crème brûlée doughnuts, two mini vanilla glazed doughnuts with chocolate buttercream, two mini chocolate glazed doughnuts with gold sprinkles, two mini Nutella glazed doughnuts with chocolate shavings and a white chocolate drizzle, two mini strawberry jam filled doughnuts with vanilla glaze and 2016 written on top and two mini vanilla pastry cream filled doughnuts with chocolate glaze and 2016 written on top. A box of minis costs $20.

Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, 1100 New York Ave. NW, will offer Italian fare to help ring in the New Year with seatings available at 5:30 and 7 pm. Diners during the first seating will enjoy a special a la carte menu. During the second seating, a four-course pre fixe menu priced at $85 per person will be offered, including a Franciacorta (a sparkling wine from Lombardy) toast at midnight. Bibiana will be open for regular dinner service on Jan.1, and guests will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

BLT Steak, 1625 I St. NW, will offer a special New Year’s Eve blackboard menu from 5-11 p.m. featuring Nantucket Bay scallops with kumquat preserve, black trumpet and yuzu nage; grilled veal sweetbreads with chanterelle, celery root and caper butter; roasted porcelet rack with glazed pork belly and quince jus; prime dry aged rib eye with bone marrow and A5 wagyu butter; and honeycrisp apple cake with crème fraîche and malted ice cream. Diners who stay until the ball drops will receive a complimentary Champagne toast..

Blue Duck Tavern, 1201 M St. NW in the Park Hyatt Washington, will present a four-course menu for $130 per person from with a variety of chefs’ market selections, along with a Champagne toast for the table. At At Blue Duck Tavern’s lounge, guests can ring in the New Year with a premium open bar with specialty cocktails from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. for $195 including live music by Karla Chisholm until 1 a.m., small plates, a Champagne toast at midnight and chocolate desserts. Tickets are available online.

The Bombay Club, 815 Connecticut Ave. NW, will serve a special New Year’s Eve menu with two seatings. A three-course menu priced at $55 per person will be available from 5-7:30 p.m. During the second seating from 8-11 p.m., a five-course menu will be served for $85 per person. The restaurant will be open for regular dinner service on Jan. 1, and guests will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen, 3126 12th St. NW, will partner with Sloppy Mama’s food truck on all-day menus that will be available from Dec. 30-Jan. 3, as well as a special New Year’s Eve dinner menu and a New Year’s Day brunch menu. The all-day menu includes smoked whole wings, pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches as well as entrée versions of the brisket and pulled pork. Sloppy Mama’s signature BBQ sauces, Kansas City, Georgia Gold and North Carolina, will also be on the menu. On New Year’s Eve, a three-course $35 menu will be available including a charcuterie plate, pork three ways with smoked ribs, seared pork belly and pulled pork and smoked chocolate truffles for dessert. A glass of prosecco will be served with the menu. On New Year’s Day, brunch begins at 10 a.m. with items like the Brookland burrito with smoked brisket, pulled pork or smoked turkey sausage and scrambled eggs, green chili sauce, Tillamook cheddar and potato hash, and smoked wings served with potato hash and tossed in Kansas City or Georgia Gold Sauce.

Centrolina, 974 Palmer Alley NW, will serve it’s a la carte menu from 5-11 p.m. Optional sparkling wine flights will be available for $45.

City Tap House, 901 Ninth St. NW, is offering a three-course, prix fixe dinner from 6-11 p.m. for $65, a open bar from 10 p.m.-midnight for $40 or both the dinner and open bar for $95 on New Year’s Eve. DJ Premonition will play from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. The prix-fixe menu include an amuse of crispy deviled egg with house ranch and Sriracha, and a first course of Asian pear and arugula salad with cambazola, candied walnuts and vanilla bean vinaigrette; sausage stuffed quail with sweet potato hash, blackened green beans and cranberry compote; or Parisian gnocchi with ‘nduja cream, escarole, Meyer lemon and crispy garlic. The second course includes a choice of surf and turf with petite filet, half a lobster tail, truffled potato risotto, roasted asparagus and sauce Americaine; Moroccan spiced lamb with ras el hanout, fall ratatouille and minted yogurt; John Dory en pappillote with marble potatoes, vanilla braised endive, crispy prosciutto and grapefruit beurre blanc; or heirloom squash pappardelle with kabocha squash, baby kale, Tokyo turnips, maple-walnut cream and pomergranate. Dessert includes black forest ganache cake with bourbon cherries and Kirsch Chantilly cream; or lavender-white chocolate crème brulee with lemon-poppy biscotti. A free glass of Champagne will be offered to every guest at midnight.

Many area restaurants are helping to ring in 2016. (Photo: iStock)

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar,801A Ninth St. NW, will offer a festive Cuban feast to celebrate the New Year. The first seating from 4:30-8:30 p.m. features an a la carte menu with a selection of ceviches, tapas and other signature dishes including several New Year’s Eve specials. Guests who dine before 6 p.m. will receive a $25 gift card per couple to be used on a $50 purchase during a future visit. The late dining option, with seatings between 9-9:45 p.m. will feature a five-course prix fixe menu for $99 per person with a Champagne toast, balloon drop, DJ and dancing, and party favors for the midnight celebration. Guests at the second seating will be able to keep their reserved table throughout the evening.

Del Campo, 777 I St. NW, is serving a New Year’s Eve Asado menu. The meal includes complimentary provoleta, black truffles and country bread. Diners have a choice of smoked uni and crab angel hair; Hamachi ceviche smoked caviar; or pumpkin risotto with tiny scallops and grilled goat cheese. The asado to be shared includes Iberico pork loin and caviar; smoked Wagyu bavette; grilled lobster; or grilled sweetbreads; burnt Brussels sprouts; jalapeno mashed potatoes; or grilled greens served with chimichurri, salsa criolla and smoked hollandaise. Dessert includes a choice of dulce de leche crepe soufflé; chocolate cashew cake; or tres leches Twinkies. The cost is $88 person, $100 with Champagne or $128 with win pairings. The restaurant will also serve it’s a la carte menu.

Le Diplomate, 1601 14th St. NW, will have a strolling mime providing entertainment all evening along with several specials and its regular a la carte menu. There will be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

El Centro D.F., 1819 14th St. NW, is hosting a chef’s table experience in their 24-seat taqueria from 8-10 p.m. from $110 per person. Guests will dine on three communal tables and feast family-style on a variety of dishes. Partygoers will also receive carafes of margaritas, Mexican beers and sparkling wine to toast the New Year. Tickets can be purchased online. Those dining in the main dining room of the lower-level requileria and enjoy seasonal a la carte specials priced from $12-$29 each. Additionally, bar patrons will enjoy happy hour specials from 4-9 p.m. with $5 bottled Mexican beers, house red and white wine, tequila infusions and signature cocktails. On New Year’s Day, the restaurant will serve an all-you-can-eat Mexican brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $35 per person including bottomless brunch drinks. The all-you-can-eat brunch menu must be ordered for the entire table, and all items are available a la carte priced from $5-$15.

El Centro D.F. Georgetown, 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, is hosting a New Year’s Eve bash on their tented outdoor patio from 6-10:30 p.m.. For $70, diners will enjoy a variety of passed hors d’oeuvres from 6-10:15 p.m. and carving stations from 6-9 p.m. Also, guests can take advantage of El Centro’s popular happy hour specials throughout the evening including $5 bottled Mexican beers, house red and white wine, tequila infusions and signature cocktails. The party is limited to 75 people. Tickets must be purchased online. The main dining room will offer a la carte specials priced from $12-$29 each and guests will receive happy hour drink specials from 4-9 p.m. at the bar. On New Year’s Day, the restaurant will serve an all-you-can-eat Mexican brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $35 per person including bottomless brunch drinks. The all-you-can-eat brunch menu must be ordered for the entire table, and all items are available a la carte priced from $5-$15.

Et Voila!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, will offer holiday specials in addition to their regular a la carte dinner menu on New Year’s Eve. Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve will be available for $125 per bottle along with a Moscato d’Asti for $24

The Fainting Goat, 1330 U St. NW, will celebrate with retro New Year’s Eve specials from 5-10 p.m. and a complimentary midnight Champagne toast. Retro-inspired dishes include lobster thermidor, prime rib with twice-baked potato and Brussels sprouts, and baked Alaska in addition to its regular a la carte menu.

G by Mike Isabella, 2201 14th St. NW, will serve a five-course New Year’s Eve tasting menu for $65 per person with an optional $39 house wine pairing or $49 premium wine pairing. The first course is shaved winter vegetable panzanella with lobster, burrata and radish, followed by the second course of charred octopus with Calabrian chili-honey glaze, white beans and cipolini onions. The third course is pasta blanca with cauliflower ragu, carp roe and cavier, followed by the fourth course of crispy snapper with crispy potatoes, cauliflower romesco and rosmary gremolata or N.Y. strip with sunchoke, creamed escarole and pickled pearl onions. The final course includes a choice of seasonal desserts.

The Hay-Adams Hotel 800 16th St. NW, will offer a three-course prix fixe menu priced at $80 per person from 5:30-10 p.m. Diners will receive a complimentary glass of house Champagne for toasting the New Year.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon, 2007 18th St. NW, will offer a “Beer, Bourbon & Southern BBQ” pre-bash on the rooftop terrace from 5-8 p.m. New Year’s Eve, an all-you-can-eat and drink for $45 per person with all-you-can eat Southern BBQ with complimentary brews and bourbons. The dining saloon will offer several specials from 5 p.m.-1 a.m. including vintage cocktail flights, a special chef’s prix-fixe menu and a special menu of the 20 best whiskeys to drink before the ball drops. Beginning at 6:30 p.m.-midnight, Dram & Grain will offer a five-spirit cocktail tasting for two with drinks paired with snacks. Cost is $125 per couple. On New Year’s Day, there will be a Hangover Roast from 3-10 p.m. on the heated rooftop terrace with pork and Southern sides, such as a whole roasted Vermont pig, Hoppin’ John, collard greens and buttermilk biscuits for $15. Drink specials will include $4 cans, $5 drafts, $6 punch and $7 cocktails. Guests can also sample a flight of Whistle Pig “Old World” rye whiskey, finished in special wine barrels such as madeira, sauternes and port, for $30.

Legal Sea Foods four DMV locations will be open on New Year’s Eve. They will serve an a la carte menu as well as a special holiday entrée. The restaurant at 704 Seventh St. will be open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Tysons Galleria in Mclean and 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Crystal City will both be open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and the newest location at National Hall in Ronald Reagan National Airport will be open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. The restaurants will also be open regular hours on New Year’s Day.

L’Hommage Bistro Francais, 450 K St. NW, will offer a five-course tasting menu from 5 p.m.-close for $95 per person. The menu begins with torchon de foie gras served on brioche with fig jam and chestnut soup with chestnut honey crème fraîche and brioche croutons followed by Maine lobster with linguini and bouillabaisse demi. Next, diners can select from chestnut honey roasted duck breast with confit leg, roasted chestnut and cherry dressing or pan roasted monkfish bourguignon with baby vegetables and red wine sauce. For dessert, a petite pastry selection will be served.

Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, will offer a traditional Italian feast with two seatings. The first seating, from 5-7 p.m., features a special a la carte menu The second seating at 7:30 p.m. will offer five items off the regular a la carte menu for $85 per person, or a pre-selected five-course menu for the same price along with a Champagne toast at midnight..

Macon Bistro & Larder, 5520 Connecticut Ave. NW, with serve a four-course prix fixe holiday menu for $75 with seatings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The diners at the second seating can countdown to the New Year with a Champagne toast at Midnight. Both seatings will begin with a heaping bowl of black-eyed peas served with braised collards and our famous Essie’s biscuits. In the South, eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is thought to bring prosperity in the New Year. The restaurant will also feature a flight of three Crémants for $20 or a flight of three Champagnes for $30. They will also be available by the glass or bottle.

There are many options in the DMV for ringing in the New Year. (Photo: Healthy Gallatin)

The Majestic Café, 911 King St., Alexandria will serve its featured seasonal a la carte menu and holiday specials from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Specials include hand cut cast iron seared 16-ounce rib eye with caramelized foie gras butter and lobster risotto for $49; miso-glazed Chilean sea bass with pork belly, apple kimchi and whipped roasted cauliflower for $38; and linguine and clams with house-made squid ink linguine, littleneck clams and anchovy for $29. Pairing options include the Dr. Loosen Riesling sparkling for $36/bottle or the special Pierre Ferrand Grande Champagne Cognac Cocktail for $8. On New Year’s Day, the restaurant will serve its a la carte brunch from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dinner on New Year’s Day will be served from 4-11 p.m.

Masa 14, 1825 14th St. NW, is offering two seatings for New Year’s Eve from 5-7:30 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Those who reserve an early seating have two hours to enjoy a four-course, prix fixe dinner in the downstairs ing room for $60 per person, before heading to their celebration. Diners at the second seating will enjoy a four-course, prix fixe menu with additional specials priced at $80 per person including a choice of three New Year’s Eve specialty dishes and dessert as well as a Champagne toast at Midnight. Bar patrons will be able to take advantage of happy hour specials from 5-7 p.m. with $5 Yeungling, Dos Esquis, Amstel Light, house red and white wine by the glass, and signature cocktails. On New Year’s Day, Masa 14 will serve their prix fixe brunch in the main dining room from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $39. Brunch includes an unlimited selection of cocktails and a selection of of salads, eggs, sandwiches and sweets. The special brunch offer must be ordered for the entire table. Dishes can also be ordered a la carte.

Nopa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, will have two seatings on New Year’s Eve. The first, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., features a seasonal a la carte menu. The second seating, starting at 8 p.m., offers a four-course, prix fixe menu priced at $75 per person along with a Champagne toast at midnight. Beginning at 9 p.m., a DJ will spin to help ring in the New Year. Nopa Kitchen + Bar will be open for regular dinner service on New Year’s Day with diners receiving a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave. NW, will serve a special holiday menu New Year’s Eve. Offering two seatings, the first is available from 5:30-7 p.m. featuring a three-course prix fixe menu priced at $60 per person. At the second seating from 7:30-10 p.m., a four-course, prix fixe menu priced at $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings will be offered. The Oval Room will be open for regular dinner service on Jan. 1, and guests will receive a free glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

Rasika, 633 D St. NW, will serve a special New Year’s Eve menu with two seatings. A three-course menu priced at $55 per person or $100 with wine pairings will be available from 5-7:15 p.m. During the second seating from 8 p.m.-close, a four-course menu will be available priced at $85 per person or $145 with wine pairings. A credit card is required to confirm all reservations, and a $25 cancelation fee will be applied for those who cancel within three days of the event. Rasika will be open for regular dinner service on New Year’s Day, and guests will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

Rasika West End, 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW, will serve a three-course menu priced at $55 or $100 with wine pairings 5-7:15 p.m. A four-course menu will be available from 8 p.m.-close priced at $85 per person or $145 with wine pairings. A credit card is required to confirm all reservations, and a $25 cancelation fee will be applied for those who cancel within three days of New Year’s Eve. The restaurant will be open for regular dinner service on Jan. 1 with guests receiving a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast the New Year.

Rosa Mexicano, 575 Seventh St. NW and 153 Waterfront St., National Harbor, is serving a four-course prix fixe New Year’s Eve dinner for $35 complete with a festive sparkling margarita. Dinner includes guacamole de Granada with pomegranate and pumpkin seeds, prepared tableside; lobster and short rib flautas; entrees such as a chicken and skirt steak skillet with slow-cooked peppers and Chihuahua cheese or the classic tablones, a slow-braised, bone-in short rib with smoky mestiza sauce; and a fiesta-sized tres leches cake for dessert.

Secret Chopsticks, 1850 Fort Myer Drive in Rosslyn, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with two special tasting menus from 5-10 p.m. Guests can select a six-course tasting menu priced at $79.99 per person or a nine-course tasting menu priced at $129.99 per person and includes a Champagne toast.

Slate Wine Bar + Bistro, 2404 Wisconsin Ave. NW, invites guests to come on out in their jammies, bathrobes, curlers, or onesies from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. New Year’s Day for its first annual Pajama Party Brunch, which includes a choice of two courses for $18 with an optional wine pairing for an additional $10 and bottomless mimosas for $15. The menu includes donut holes or duck breast egg rolls as a first course and for the second course, a choice of vanilla bean French toast brioche with cinnamon and bacon or sausage; Bistro Benedict with Canadian ham, hollandaise and home fries; chicken and waffles; Slate’s cheeseburger with herb mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar or gruyere, fries or salad; or steak and eggs with filet mignon, two eggs any style and home fries for an additional $5. Dessert is available for $5 and includes a choice of tres leches cake or a warm fudge brownie served with vanilla ice cream.

The Source, 575 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will serve a five-course tasting menu for $130 per person and an additional $65 for wine pairings or a seven-course meal for $150 plus an additional $75 for wine pairings at 6 and 8:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The seven-course meal includes a chef’s amuse followed by a dim sum trio of uni, caviar and king crab. The second course is lobster egg drop soup with organic hen eggs and lobster wonton, followed by crisp bronzino filet with wok fired root vegetables and caper berry-black bean sauce. The fourth course is hot and numbing quail with fingerling potatoes and Sichuan peppercorns, followed by an intermezzo of fever tree ginger ale float. The fifth course is roasted pork belly with kabocha squash puree and tree smoked pork jus, followed by Snake River Farm’s Wagyu beef duo of grilled N.Y. strip and black pepper braised short rib. Dessert is a chocolate soufflé and passion fruit panna cotta with five spice mixed berry sorbet and a sesame tuile.

Station 4, 1101 Fourth St. SW, is offering a three-course, prix fixe menu from 5-10 p.m. New Year’s Eve for $65 per person. Those not wanting dinner can swing by for some late night fun from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. as the restaurant will host a “Studio Station 4”, 1970s-themed New Year’s Eve party with an open bar, passed appetizers, DJ and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets for the late-night celebration are $100 per person. Guests are encouraged to dress in their ‘70s finest for the chance to win a $150 gift card for best costume.

Tico, 1926 14th St. NW, will serve its regular a la carte menu until 11:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve along with two specials: bone marrow with watermelon radishes, oloroso sherry onion jam, and toasted bread; and Rappahannock oysters with preserved Meyer lemons and herb oil. On New Year’s Day, Tico will offer a “Stay In Your Pajamas-Disco Brunch” from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys for $19 along with its regular brunch menu. Diners are encouraged to wear pajamas, and there will be a special throwback disco soundtrack playing.

Vinoteca, 1940 11th St. NW, will offer a bubbly-paired five-course prix-fixe dinner for $65 per person or $105 with wine pairing at 6 p.m. or $75 per person or $120 with wine pairings at 9 p.m. Second seating guests can keep their table for the night and receive a sparkling wine toast and snacks at midnight. A “Class with a Glass” party from 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. for $99 per person includes two open bars with wines, craft beers and cocktails, an array of spirits and bottomless bubbly all night long. The outdoor plaza bar will transform into a “winter wonderland” with fire pits, heaters, twinkly lights and music, while the upstairs lounge will be bumping at full force for those who want to dance the night away to the year’s hits. There will be a midnight snack buffet

Yona, 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, will offer it’s a la carte menu in addition to a $75 tasting menu. The tasting menu includes zensai of chilled tofu with mushroom dashi, yamaimo and fresh wasabi; Okinawa seaweed with san bai zu, prawns; and ikura and a vegetable tasting paired with Barbera Brut Rose followed by an otsukuri course of Japanese snapper with Meyer lemon and speck; aji tataki with negi and Szechuan soy; tuna poke with shredded lettuce, shiso and nori; and smoked Hamachi with cojang, shiso and tobiko paird with Kubota Senju. The mushiono course is duck chawanmushi with foie, umeboshi and scichimi meringue paired with Wiens-Prum Riesling. The intermezzo course is beet-yuzu sho paird with Mio sparkling sake. The ramen course is king crab rame with uni butter and negi paired with Oloroso and Amontillado sherries. Dessert will be koshihikari rice panna cotta with chicory and young coconut paird with a Stanley or Zayna.

Zengo, 781 Seventh St. NW, will offer its regular a la carte menu with holiday specials from 5-11 p.m., with the last seating at 9 p.m. Prices range from $14-$31 each and each guests will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne to toast the New Year. On New Year’s Day, Zengo will serve its bottomless brunch with unlimited small plates and cocktails for $39 per person and $10 per child younger than 10 from 10 a.m-3 p.m. Bottomless Brunch must be ordered by the entire table, and the menu is offered exclusively for the prix-fixe service.

CakeLove, one of the first bakeries to catch the cupcake craze in the DMV, will close its original store at 1506 U St. NW at the end of the year.

CakeLove will close its original U Street location and begin selling CakeLove in a Jar online and in retail stores. (Photo: CakeLove/Facebook)

Lawyer-turned-baker Warren Brown opened CakeLove in 2002. At one time it had seven locations in the DMV, but the rest have already closed. Instead, the company will sell its CakeLove in a Jar, a single serving of cake and cream cheese icing in a resealable jar, online. CakeLove in a Jar is available in a number of grocery stores on the east coast including Whole Foods, Glen’s Garden Market, Yes! Organic Market and Union Kitchen Grocery locally.

“While I’m sad to leave the many friends and neighbors of this wonderful community, I’m very excited for this change. Over the last few years, I have been working to transition CakeLove from a string of brick-and-mortar stores to a new business focused on portable, ready-to-eat premium desserts. The closing of our flagship location marks the completion of this transition and the launch of a new CakeLove,” founder Warren Brown said in a statement.

Customers in the DMV will still be able to order CakeLove’s signature layer cakes online for delivery or pick-up at the U Street location before Dec. 31. After the New Year, cakes will be available for delivery or pick-up from the bakery’s new warehouse space at 4940B Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria.

There will be a goodbye party today from noon-3 p.m. to celebrate its more than 3 years on U Street. The party will include a cate-cutting ceremony to officially launch the new CakeLove, free cake and bubbly, giveaways of the new jars and a raffle of several of Warren’s autographed cookbooks.

Marcel’s begins Sunday brunch service

Marcel’s, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will begin serving at three-course brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 pm. For $65 per person this Sunday, Dec. 20.

Marcel’s will begin serving brunch this Sunday. (Photo: Marcel’s)

The first course includes a choice of roasted pumpkin soup and cashew crab cakes; smoked salmon carpaccio with red onion, dijon crème fraiche and watercress; baby arugula, balsamic shallots, shaved parmesan and aged sherry vinaigrette; gratin of Prince Edward Island mussels with tomato fondue, gruyere and garlic cream; or pan seared diver scallop with baby spinach and Osetra caviar butter.

The main course includes a choice of seared Atlantic halibut with saffron risotto and red wine reduction; poached eggs on toasted brioche with goat cheese and Parma ham in a chive sabayon sauce; three egg omelet with sautéed spinach and gruyere cheese; Ahi tuna niçoise with new potato salad, frisée, haricot vert, cherry tomato and olive anchovy; farmhouse chicken, gruyere cheese potato cake with melange of vegetables and tarragon jus; Martins angus NY strip with baked roma, haricot vert and cabernet sauce; or Aunt Leila’s pancakes with powdered sugar and fresh berries.

Dessert includes a choice of Earl Gray crème brûlée with tea meringues, lemon thyme sauce and lemongrass Chantilly; carrot sponge cake with date jam maple candied walnut and cream cheese ice cream; or Valrhona chocolate bar with coffee crème anglaise and salted caramel ice cream.

Brunch will be complemented with signature libations and bubbly and the restaurant’s 16-page wine list.

Area restaurants toast the holiday with homemade eggnog

This holiday season, many area restaurants are serving unique variations of the festive egg and milk nog.

Cuba Libre in Penn Quarter is serving El Coquito, a Cuban eggnog. (Photo: Cuba Libre)

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, 801 Ninth St. NW, has El Coquito made from a combination of cinnamon, vanilla, coconut milk, coconut rum and a toasted coconut rim for $8 through Jan. 1

1789 Restaurant, 1226 36th Street, NW, is serving its classic eggnog made with whole milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, rum extract, nutmeg, almond extract, cloves, guar guam and Lambda Carrageenan for $13 through Dec. 31.

Ambar, 523 Eighth St. SE, is offering a special eggnog cocktail called the Egg-N-Grog made from a combination of Hennessy Black, Ron Zacapa, Chairman’s reserve spiced rum, Hidalgo Oloroso sherry, spiced syrup, a whole egg and milk for $12 through Jan. 17.

Bibiana, 1100 New York Ave. NW, is serving a classic eggnog with a twist made from a combination of Pedro Ximénez, Benedictine and Buffalo Trace for $12 through Dec. 24.

Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, is serving the Lupo Eggnog made from a combination of almond milk, brandy, Don Ciccio Nocino (walnut liquor), simple syrup, a dash of cinnamon tincture, an egg yolk and garnished with cinnamon sugar powder for $12 through the end of the month.

Secret Chopsticks now serving lunch

Last week, Secret Chopsticks, 1850 Fort Myer Dr., Rosslyn, began serving its executive lunch service from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Secret Chopsticks is now serving weekday lunch. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

For lunch, diners can choose from entrees and dim sum selections such as sweet and sour chicken; beef braised in tomato sauce; spicy tofu with minced pork; tomato with shrimp and eggs; mo shu pork; vegetarian stuffed bun; beef pot sticker; pork dumpling with spicy sauce; crispy spring roll or the dim sum platter, which includes the pot sticker, dumpling, spring roll and ham pastry.

Entrees are priced at $19.99 and include a pickle salad and dessert, with choice of steamed white or black rice. The dim sum platter is 14.99 and includes a pickle salad and dessert.

Diners can also choose a la carte sides such as white and black rice; bacon or yang zhou fried rice; chicken rice soup; egg drop soup or pickle salad. Dessert includes date cake and sticky rice pudding. Sides range from $2-$8 and desserts are $4.99.

Mango Tree offers bottomless pad thai on Mondays

Monday means bottomless vegetable or chicken pad thai at Mango Tree in CityCenterDC. (Photo: Mango Tree)

Mango Tree, 929 H St. NW in CityCenterDC is offering bottomless pad thai from 5 p/m.-close every Monday.

Bottomless pad thai includes a choice of chicken or vegetable for $17 in the upstairs dining room or at the bar.

701 Restaurant serves Petrossian American caviar samplers

701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is serving four sampler portion caviars accompanied by a glass of bubbly or a shot of Boyd & Blair potato vodka, for $45 per person through Feb. 29.

Featured caviars are Tsar Imperial Ossetra, Royal Transmontanus, trout roe and Tobiko wasabi roe, which are served with the traditional chopped eggs, crème fraiche, red onions and potato blinis.

Christmas is just over a week away. It is a day of presents and feasting. If you want to give yourself the gift of a day out of the kitchen, there are a few restaurants open besides Chinese restaurants. Some are offering to do the cooking for you, while other have special Christmas Eve meals planned. But with so few options, you better make your reservation now or you’ll be cooking while everyone else is enjoying their gifts.

The Middleburg Room at 1789 Restaurant is all decked out for Christmas eve dinner. (Photo: Ron Blunt)

Christmas Eve

1789 Restaurant, 1226 36th St. NW, will serve holiday specials along with a seasonal a la carte menu from 4-10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Dishes include foie gras torchon with orange marmalade, brioche, Medjool dates, pickled celery and hazelnuts; coddled egg with lobster, oyster mushrooms, fennel and uni foam; bucatini with Nantucket Bay scallops, Meyer lemons, fried capers and parsley; rack of lamb with eggplant caviar, Picholine olives, chickpea panisse, roasted tomatoes and parsley oil; prime rib with pearl onion confit, glazed haricot verts, salt-baked new potatoes, horseradish cream and au jus; and Maine lobster with root vegetable hash, rainbow Swiss chard and truffle butter sauce. Dishes are priced from $20-$48.

701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW will be dishing up a classic Christmas three-course prix fixe feast from 5- 9:30 p.m. for $60 per person and $30 for children 12 and younger. The regular a la carte menu will also be available. Starters on the prix fixe menu include chestnut soup with duck confit and foie gras powder; beets with green apple, pecans and pomegranate vinaigrette; crab beignets with frisée and a carrot romesco sauce; and beef carpaccio with broccoli, fried baguette and cured egg yolk vinaigrette. Entrées include suckling pig with potato polenta, plum jam and piperade; monkfish with salsify, oyster emulsion and lemon thyme; cauliflower shawarma with hummus, tomato jam and Lavosh; and Green Circle chicken with parsnip purée, Brussels sprouts and chermoula. Dessert includes crème brûlée with pumpkin ganache and gingerbread ice cream; butterscotch pudding with apple confit, biscotti and pomegranates; PB&J, peanut butter cheese cake with concord grape ice cream; and the chocolate crémeux with passion fruit ganache, cocoa meringue and vanilla ice cream. Live jazz will be played throughout the evening.

Ardeo+Bardeo, 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW will offer a three-course prix fixe holiday meal for $49 per person or $24 for children 10 and younger along with its a la carte menu from 5-9 p.m. The special menu inclues first course options such as crispy Brussels sprout salad with frisée, poached hen egg and warm bacon vinaigrette; roasted butternut squash soup with cranberry chutney and brown butter croutons; and duck risotto with bing cherry, fennel and kabucha squash purée. Entrées include braised Berkshire pork shoulder with trotter grits, haricoverts and port jus; pan roasted diver scallops with celery root, Winterbor kale and apple cider broth; and sweet potato ravioli with braised root vegetables, red spinach, sage and brown butter. Desserts include white chocolate Bavarian mousse with coffee cremeux, chocolate gingerbread cake and cinnamon stick anglaise; eggnog crème brûlée with gingerbread cookies, pecan crumble and whiskey foam; or fall spiced apple tarte with balsamic fig compote, taleggio and mascarpone ice cream.

Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, 1100 New York Ave. NW will offer a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes five-course tasting menu available from 5-9:30 p.m. for $65 per person. The meal will consist of fish and pasta including Nantucket Bay scallop crudo with pomegranate seeds, mint, caramelized lime and olio verde; raviolo with Maine lobster, burrata, cherry tomatoes and tarragon butter; spaghetti neri, squid ink spaghetti with razor clam, guanciale, pickled chili peppers and aglio e olio; and gamberoni, grilled giant prawn, roasted puntarella, preserved lemon and wild sea urchin butter. Dessert choices include torta, warm molasses cake, crystalized ginger and candied pecans served with brown butter gelato.

Centrolina, 974 Palmer Alley NW, will serve a feast of the seven fishes from 5-10 p.m. for $65 per person and $40 for the optional wine pairing. The meal is served family style and includes antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci courses with dishes like polpo, grilled octopus, potato confit and cotechinata; bucatini with wild prawns, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and Calabrian chile; and pesce spade, swordfish poached in olive oil, parsley, lemon and capers.

DBGB Kitchen and Bar, 931 H St. NW, will serve a holiday a la carte menu from noon-9 p.m. featuring venison orecchiette, sherry glazed duck, coq au vin, seard scallops with crispy sweetbreads and the classic buche de noel for dessert. Dishes range from $8-$41 each.

Del Campo, 777 I St. NW, will serving a feast of the seven beasts for $78 per person and it must be ordered by the entire table. Dishes include venison ceviche with sweet potato, burnt leeks and burnt baby radish; prosciutto with uni and scallop panzanella; and lamb shank with crispy garlic and herb salad.

While most area restaurants are closed Christmas Day, a few are open with special menus. Others will be serving special Christmas Eve dinners. (Photo: Thinkstock)

G by Mike Isabella, 2201 14th St. NW, is serving a traditional feast of the seven fishes from 5-10 p.m. for $65 per person with an optional $35 beverage pairing. The menu includes seafood brodo with poached shrimp, mussels and fennel; an East Coast oyster with warm miso butter and a Wast Coast oyster with cold green tomato mignonette; snapper crudo with Fresno chile, pomegranate and basil; snow crab arrabbiata, hand-cut spaghetti with guanciale and uni; mixed seafood salad; pan seared black bass with farro, cherry and Tuscan kale; and a selection of desserts.

The Hay-Adams Hotel, 800 16th St. NW will offer a three-course prix fixe menu priced at $80 per person from 5:30-10 p.m. The menu includes roasted sunchoke soup with smoked duck; marinated beets with aged goat cheese and pistachios; crispy pork belly with green apple and fennel salad and miso dressing; lobster thermidor with spaghetti squash and pee wee potatoes; and prime rib with creamy Yukon gold potatoes, winter vegetables and sauce bordelaise. Desserts include honey roasted pear tart with rosemary frangipane and Chantilly cloud; and peppermint panna cotta with cranberry gelée, white chocolate and streusel.

L’Hommage Bistro Francais, 450 K St. NW, will serve a four-course tasting menu from 5-10 p.m. for $75 per person. The menu begins with a plat de tartine, torchon de foie gras served on brioche, fig cured duck ham, served on raisin walnut baguette and duck rillettes served on palladin bread, followed by a warm poached pear salad with smoked lardon, roquefort société, candied Basque walnuts and Dijon vinaigrette. The main course includes canard roti e confit, chestnut honey roasted duck breast with confit leg, roasted chestnut and cherry, followed by a selection of petite pastries.

Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, will offer a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes from 5- 11 p.m. for $65 per person. The dinner will consist of fish and pasta, following the Roman Catholic tradition to refrain from the consumption of meat on holy days. The courses represent the seven sacraments and seven days of creation. The meial includes carpaccio di tonno with poached pear, ginger poppy seed dressing and crispy onions; impepata di cozze, sautéed mussels with white wine sauce, dried chilies and toasted bread; capesante gratinate, scallop gratin with herbs, pine nuts and red wine reduction; polpo e patate, seared baby octopus with mashed potatoes, green olive pesto and crispy parmesan; ravioli all’astice, lobster ravioli with smoked bisque and marsala reduction; tagliolini cozze e peperoncino, house- made tagliolini with mussels, green onions, dried peperoncino and San Marzano tomatoes; and rana pescatrice, seared monkfish, potato cream, black truffle, wild mushrooms and orange zest. For dessert, Italian pandoro croccante, wrapped pandoro with dark chocolate, pistachio mousse and orange mint sauce.

Nopa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, will offer a seasonal a la carte menu from 5-9:30 p.m. Holiday specials include pan roasted Moulard duck breast duo, crispy leg confit with tatsoi, subarashii pear-carrot purée, and foie gras mousse ($32);pan roasted Hokkaido scallops with Meyer lemon, Earth & Eats beets, roasted cauliflower and a Szechuan peppercorn emulsion ($30).

The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave, NW, is offering a three-course, prix fixe holiday menu from 4:30-9 p.m. for $60 per person or $95 with wine pairings. The menu features first course options such as chestnut velouté with foie gras, maple and winter truffle; “reindeer jerky” with puffed wild rice, Marcona almonds, pink peppercorns and wild spruce; and scallop crudo with winter citrus salad, trout roe and espelette pepper vinaigrette, followed by entrées such as pan seared sole with celery root purée, black trumpet mushroom, Asian pears and a lemon emulsion; venison with roasted sunchoke, heirloom baby carrots and red currents; Christmas goose with cranberry bread pudding, pumpkin spaetzle, quince butter and fried sage; and farro “risotto” with roasted baby beets, mascarpone cheese and fresh horseradish. Dessert includes Valrhona chocolate Bavarian, sponge cake with chocolate mousse and white chocolate pearls; chilled passion fruit soufflé with rum soaked pineapple and coconut anglaise; or “fruit cake,” brown sugar cake with Amarena cherries and eggnog ice cream.

The Source, 575 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will offer a roast duck dinner for $65 per person as well as its normal a la carte menu. The roast duck dinner includes a whole roast duck with steamed bao, apricot mostarda, cucumber and pickled daikon; stir fried legs and thighs with wild field mushrooms; duck bone broth with duck dumplings; wok fired beets with crushed pistachios; duck fat fried rice with poached duck egg and 15-layer carrot cake with cream cheese icing, candied walnuts and ginger ice cream.

Station 4, 1101 4th St. SW will offering a three-course, prix fixe menu for $40 per person from 5-11 p.m. The menu starts with an amuse of pork belly with picked cucumber, red sorrel and yuzu vinaigrette followed by a choice of starters such as crab tartar with avocado, cucumber, lemon aioli, chive oil and wasabi foam; beet salad with goat cheese, pistachios, frisée and a cumin vinaigrette; or cream of butternut squash soup with white truffle essence and micro chives. Entrées include house-made lobster ravioli with tomato butter and dill; beef tenderloin with a bone marrow sauce served with potatoes au gratin and asparagus; or butternut squash farro risotto with pecorino cheese and Brussels sprouts. Dessert includes white chocolate bread pudding with salted caramel gelato or double dark chocolate ganache tart with black currant purée and French vanilla ice cream.

A few DMV restaurants will be open Christmas Day, so make your reservations early. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Christmas Day

America Eats Tavern in the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, will serve a prix fixe brunch for $65 per adult and $25 per child 10 and younger from 7 a.m-2:30 p.m. The buffet will include dishes such as suckling pig jambalaya with andouille sausage, okra,sofrito and Carolina Gold plantation rice; Johnston County ham biscuits with blackberry jam, whole grain mustard, redeye mayonnaise and pickles; cranberry glazed Brussels sprouts with spiced pecans and dried cranberries; shrimp ‘n’ grits with cheddar, pearl onion petals and ham hock; eggs a la Benedick with pork belly and hollandaise sauce; and a holiday cookie table with an assortment of sweet treats inspired by American family recipes.

Blue Duck Tavern, 1201 M St. NW inside the Park Hyatt Washington, will serve a three-course holiday meal from 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. The feast 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, stone ground grits, spinach and Tasso ham; slow poached duck egg with heirloom rice, creamed onion and braised kale; apple cider-glazed ham with baby vegetables and maple bourbon jus; and wood oven-roasted whole goose with spiced farm honey. Holiday desserts will be on display in the pastry pantry. Christmas brunch is $110 per person for adults and $55 for children between six and 12. Children younger than six are free. Diners can also order their holiday feast to go by 5 p.m. on Dec. 17. The take-home dinner includes a traditional Christmas ham, freshly baked breads, four traditional sides and two seasonal pies to feed six to eight form $350. A charcuterie and cheese board can be added for $95 with a selection of domestic farmstead cheeses and charcuterie items, along with homemade mustard, seasonal preserves, spiced nuts and crispy Lavash crackers on a handcrafted wooden platter. Dinners can be picked up on Dec. 24 from 1-5 p.m. or Dec. 25 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Orders can be placed online.

Et Voila!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, will offer holiday specials in addition to their regular a la carte dinner menu from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m and 5-10 p.m. both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Specials range from $10-$38 each and include fois gras with dry pears and raisin brioche; scallop and oyster cocktail tartar; pithivier pie with duck confit and chestnuts, served with an endive and herb salad; lamb shank with truffle polenta; branzino with lobster risotto and porcini mushrooms; or pigeon with smoked potato and cardoons served with a yellow wine reduction. Dessert is buche de noel with chocolate black currant and chestnut flavors. A feast to-go can be ordered until 5 p.m. a week in advance. Dishes available include one pound of salmon gravlax for $45; half-pound of fois gras for $70 and the buche de noel which serves four for $38 or one that serves six for $55. Christmas specials can be picked up anytime before Dec. 24

Legal Sea Foods will be open from noon-9 p.m. at 704 Seventh St. NW, Tysons Galleria and 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, and from noon-8 p.m. in National Hall at Reagan National Airport. They will serve their a la carte menu as well as a special holiday entrée.

The Top of the Hay at the Hay-Adams Hotel, 800 16th St. NW, will offer a holiday buffet with three seatings available at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. for $110 per adult and $55 for children 12 and younger. Items include seared duck Magret with wild mushrooms, five spices crème sauce, crème spinach and morel mushrooms; iceberg lettuce Waldorf salad with granny smith apples, walnuts and a creamy maple dressing; smoked Atlantic salmon with baby romaine, boiled eggs, pickled red onion and cilantro crème fraîche; winter orecchiette with roasted winter vegetables; jumbo lump crab cakes with vegetable succotash, corn and pepper sauce; braised beef ravioli with Brussels sprout leaves and porcini sauce; and Colorado lamb chops with roasted winter vegetables and rosemary jus. The dessert buffet includes chocolate and chestnut cake; bûche de noël; coconut cream snowflakes; smoked pecan brittle; cranberry panna cotta; and crème filled profiteroles.

Pinea in the W Hotel, 515 15th St. NW, is serving its regular dinner menu along with three specials from 2-8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The appetizer special is Beausoleil oysters with Meyer lemon zabaglione and caviar for $19. The entrée special is roasted breast and confit leg of duck with turnips, Swiss chard, glazed chestnuts. foie gras and black currant jus for $38. For dessert, it will offer Pannetone with blood orange and amaretto gelato for $10.

Blood orange margarita (left) and tequila cider from Rosa Mexicano’s Christmas Day menu. (Photo: Rosa Mexicano)

Rosa Mexicano, 575 Seventh St. NW and 153 Waterfront St. in National Harbor will offer a two-course prix fixe menu for $35 per person with a holiday cocktail from noon-9 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The dishes are also available a la carte. Start with hot tequila cider, a blood prange margarita or a virgin hot canela-spiced cider alongside Christmas specials including lamb shank slow-cooked, coated with three chiles, garlic and spices; grilled wild jumbo shrimp and scallops marinated in a garlic vinaigrette with tomatoes, onions and serrano chiles; and calabaza crème brûlée, pumpkin custard infused with holiday spices and topped with caramelized sugar; served with pumpkin spice cookies.

The Riggsby in the Carlyle Hotel, 1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW, has begun a new cocktail party-themed weekday happy hour and Sunday brunch service.

The Riggsby has launched a new Sunday brunch and weekday happy hour with specials including this avocado and shrimp toast.
(Photo: The Riggsby)

The happy hour menu — named “The Cocktail Party” — is infused with nostalgic nods to owner and chef Michael Schlow’s childhood and his parents’ dinner parties, to which well-dressed friends and neighbors would arrive with classic dishes such as stuffed mushrooms and deviled eggs.

Schlow’s interpretation includes 11 hors d’oeuvres that range from lighter bites such as marinated olives and almonds ($5) and homemade potato chips ($6) to more filling fare such as avocado and crab toast ($6), hanger steak brochette ($6) and spicy shrimp rolls ($7). Each item pairs well with the selection of six aperitifs designed by bar manager Christine Kim, including a martini, Manhattan and gimlet — all $6 and served in classic Nick and Nora cocktail glasses — as well as a Champagne cocktail ($7), Pinot Grigio ($6), Barbera ($6) and local draft beer ($4).

The Riggsby’s Sunday brunch menu continues the mid-century theme with a selection of classic American fare with a modern twist. Guests can choose from a selection of snacks and starters, such as organic Greek yogurt served with fresh berries and homemade granola ($9), avocado toast with Maryland crab meat, jalapeno and pickled red onion ($12), or chilled oyster, shrimp, crab and mussel plateau ($45). Entrée highlights include classic breakfast dishes such as the “morning after” sandwich with eggs, prosciutto cotto and pecorino ($12), poached eggs with Maryland lump crabmeat ($16), a chorizo breakfast burrito ($13) and buttermilk pancakes served with hazelnuts and caramelized bananas ($12); as well as hearty options like the all-American tavern burger with bacon-onion jam ($15), schnitzel a la holstein ($26) and steak frites served with béarnaise ($22). Sides include homemade sausage ($6) and sea salt French fries ($6).

Guests can enjoy 11 different brunch libations like the Virginia Slim ($13) with gin, Aperol, sparkling rosé and lemon, or, the Americano ($9), which combines Campari, sweet vermouth and seltzer for a strong morning wake-up call. Other cocktails include the Harvey Wallbanger ($11) with vodka, Galliano, orange juice; the paloma ($10), classics like a daiquiri ($11), bellini ($8) and mimosa ($8), as well as two choices of bloody mary, including the Riggsby Bloody Mary ($10) with chilies and house-picked cucumber.

The Cocktail Party menu is available Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. and brunch is served on Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Ankar celebrates Turkish Restaurant Week

The seventh annual Turkish Restaurant Week is Sept. 12-20. Ankara, 1320 19th St. NW, will offer special prix-fixe menu during the week-long celebration of Turkish cuisine.

Ankara is celebrating Turkish Restaurant Week with an $18 three-course dinner or $30 four-course dinner including ali nazik, a smoked, spiced pureed eggplant with sautéed lamb cubes. (Photo: Ankara)

Ankara will offer a special three-course prix-fixe lunch for $18 and four-course prix-fixe dinner for $30.

The lunch menu begins with a choice of hummus, haydari, havoc tarama, ezme, babaganous or muhammara. Entrees include a chicken kebab served with rice or French fries; an adana (spicy, minced beef and lamb) kebab served with rice; a lamb burger served with mozzarella, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers or a doner sandwich (shaved slow-cooked beef) with lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. For dessert choose from baklava or sutlac, Turkish rice pudding.

The dinner menu begins with haydari, pasa salatasi or shakuska. The second course includes a choic of mucver (zucchini fritters), sigara boregi (filo dough stuffed with feta and herbs) or kasarli mantar (mushrooms topped with kasar cheese and Turkish butter). The entrée includes a choice of tavuk sis (chicken kebab), kofte (grilled, minced beef and lamb meatballs), yogurtlu adana kebab (grilled, minced spiced lamb and beef topped with yogurt), grilled salmon with garlic yogurt sauce and chick pea salad, or ali nazik (smoked, spiced pureed eggplant with sautéed lamb cubes). Dessert include the choic of baklava or sutlac.

Passion Food restaurants offer Sunday Suppers

Passion Food Hospitality restaurants DC Coast, Penn Commons, District Commons and Fuego Cocina y Tequileria are revising the classic concept of Sunday Supper with meals from blue-ribbon American fare to an authentic Mexican feast beginning Sept. 13.

Penn Commons and District Commons are serving a Crisco fried chicken dinner on Sundays. (Photo: Passion Food Hospitality)

After a busy summer, the four are setting t the table for a “home coming” with dinners that encourage togetherness and the rite of breaking bread together before the start of the week.

DC Coast, 1401 K St. NW, will serve a Sunday Seafood Supper every Sunday evening. The three-course meal features a Caesar salad with garlic croutons, Spanish anchovies and parmigiana reggiana cheese. Next, guests will enjoy a seafood platter showcasing the chef’s selection of peak-season fish and crab cake with roasted red pepper remoulade, cocktail sauce and citrus beurre blanc with a side of a hush puppies and fresh harvest vegetables. Dessert is a triple chocolate bombe. The meal is $35 per person or $50 will wine pairings.

Penn Commons, 700 Sixth St. NW in Penn Quarter, is offering a “Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!” from 8-10 p.m. The menu includes Crisco fried chicken served with collards, mac ‘n’cheese and a biscuit. District Commons, 2200 Washington Circle NW in Foggy Bottom, follows the tradition, serving the meal at the same time in the bar and lounge area. Pair it with a cold brew for $5 from the list of craft and domestic ales. The meal is $12 per person at both restaurants.

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria, 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, is offering a “Feast of the Chupacabra” dinner. Named for the legendary beast whose name literally translates to “goat-sucker,” the meal includes locally-raised, organic goat from Pipe Dreams farm that has been seasoned with spicy chili de arbol rub and slow-roasted for 6-8 hours and served with rice, beans, corn tortillas and other traditional accompaniments. The meal feeds four to six people and must be ordered by 5 p.m. Friday.

Logan Tavern hosts Rosh Hashanah dinners

Logan Tavern, 1423 P St. NW, is hosting Rosh Hashanah dinners on Sept. 13 and 14.

Logan Tavern is serving two Rosh Hashanah dinners. (Photo: Gluten Free Grapevine)

The menu features family-style appetizers starting at 6:15 p.m. of fresh challah with honey butter, house-made chopped liver, apples and honey, keftedes de prasa and house-smoked salmon crostini with yogurt dill sauce. Entree selections, served at 6:45 p.m., include roast beef brisket with red wine-braised potatoes and pearl onions, roasted zucchini and squash; oven-roasted salmon with apple Dijon glaze, pomegranate pine nut Israeli cous cous and grilled asparagus; or warm vegetarian farro salad with roasted sweet potatoes, feta, onion, cucumbers, tomatoes and sumac.

The dinner is $40 per person or $55 per person with a glass of St. Kilda chardonnay and Les Gardettes syrah blend wine pairings. An optional dessert of mango key lime pie or apple crisp and coffee are available for $8.

Ten percent of the proceeds benefit the Jewish Food Experience. Reservations are required as entrees must be pre-selected.

Vinoteca brings back Tuesday night wine classes

Vinoteca, 1940 11th St. NW, is bringing back its popular Tuesday night wine classes, with the seasonal four-class series beginning Sept. 15. Exploring some of fall’s best varietals, wine regions and popular industry trends, sommelier Kate Chrisman will show and allow guests to taste how rosés are not just for summer, the diversity of Italian wines, why Cabernet is king and explore a new trend in bubbly: small-production “grower” Champagne.

Vinoteca is bringing back its Tuesday wine classes beginning this Tuesday. (Photo: Vinoteca)

The fall wine classes will take place every other Tuesday evening, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the restaurant’s upstairs lounge. Each class will explore and pour four to six different wines each paired with bites.

The fall wine class series includes:

Sept 15 – Fall Rosés: Not just for summertime, rosé wines can be enjoyed year-round. Vinoteca will showcase the wide variety of rosé wine styles and how they make excellent pairings with fall cuisine and cooler weather. The class is $45 and limited to 20 people.

Sept. 29 – Wines of Italy: One of the most complex and rewarding winemaking regions of the world, Italy offers a little bit of everything. The class will explore Italy, from the Alpine North to the heat of the Mediterranean South. The class is $45 and limited to 20 people.

Oct. 13 – Cabernet Sauvignon: The King of Bordeaux and Beyond While Cabernet Sauvignon might be most closely associated with Bordeaux in many people’s minds, cabernets are being produced around the world in a wide range of styles and profiles. The class will taste cabs from around the globe. The class is $45 and limited to 20 people.

Oct. 27 – Champagne: A Grower’s Revolution: The new trend in Champagne is “grower” wines: Champagne that is hand-crafted by small production houses and made with grapes grown on their own estates, to emphasize how different varietals and terroirs affect the flavors and textures of each wine. The class is $55 and limited to 15 people.

Reservations are required and can be made online.

701 Restaurant hosts five-course Champagne dinner

701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is hosting a five-course Champagne dinner with Champagne Lanson, on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

701 Restaurant is hosting a five-course Champagne dinner on Tuesday. (Photo: Revamp)

The House of Lanson is known for blending its Champagne using a majority of pinot noir and chardonnay in order to achieve the perfect balance of power and finesse. It supplies from over 500 hectares of vines in the wine-growing region of Champagne offering a wealth of choice. It is Champagne Lanson’s first wine dinner in Washington, D.C. Dinner is $100 per person.

The first course is potato terrine with whipped crème fraiche and paddlefish caviar paired with Lanson Black Label Brut NV. The second course is hamachi crudo with radish, hon shimeji mushroom and brown butter miso emulsion paide with Lanson Black Label Brut NV. That is followed by scallops with popcorn puree, chanterelle mushrooms and blueberry kosho paired with Lanson Rose Label Brut. The entrée is braised, grass-fed beef short ribs with reblochon potato puree, carrots, and spicebush vinegar jus paird with Lanson “Gold Label” Vintage Brut 2002. Dessert is epoisse with apricot mostarda and raisin bread, and elderflower parfait with coconut and nectarine paired with Lanson White Label.

Redwood holds end-of-season crab feast

Redwood Restaurant and Bar, 2171 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, is celebrating the end of summer with a crab feast and patio party on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 1-5 p.m.

Redwood is holding an end-of-summer crab feast next Saturday. (Photo: St. Anthony in the Hills)

The family-friendly weekend bash includes bushels of hot, steamed crabs served with house-made potato salad, hush puppies and corn-on-the-cob; live local music from Bach to Rock and others; an outdoor grill serving up classic American fare; summer beers, wines and cocktails; and kids activities including face painting and origami.

General admission is $39 and includes 1/2 dozen crabs, three drink tickets, a round of sides and a commemorative Redwood mallet. The VIP package is $59 and includes all-you-can-eat crabs, three drink tickets, unlimited sides, reserved seating and a commemorative mallet. The kids package is $15 for three crabs or a hot dog, one side, one soft drink and one activity ticket.

For those who just want to have a drink and enjoy the music, Redwood will have the outdoor grill going with hot dogs and burgers available a la carte, and two outdoor bars slinging beers such as Jailbreak, DC Brau, Flying Dog and Natty Boh on special between $3-$5, specialty Redwood mason jar cocktails for $6 and wines ranging from $4-$8.

Tickets are available online.

China Chilcano, 418 7th St. NW, is now offering weekend brunch service from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

China Chilcano is now serving brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with dishes like Jook.
(Photo: China Chilcano/Twitter)

Brunch at the contemporary restaurant in Penn Quarter showcases Peru’s deeply rooted and diverse culinary heritage through its native Criollo, Chinese Chifa and Japanese Nikkei cuisines. The new dishes include picante de huevos, poached eggs, ají panca, pork belly, potato, tomato, red onion and toast; tortilla China, egg foo yung, Edwards smoked ham, fresh crab, scallion, jicama, bean sprouts and oyster sauce; jook, congee of rice, pork belly, crisp shallots, tea egg and sweet soy; and chicharron de costillas de cerdo, crisp pork spare ribs, sweet potato, ‘cancha’ and salsa criolla.

Brunch cocktails, available by the glass, half-carafe and carafe, include Chilcano macerado, a choice of pisco macerado, lime, Amargo Chuncho bitters and Fever-Tree ginger ale; sabores toronja (grapefruit), fresa (strawberry) and pepino (cucumber); and yawar, sweet wine, blood orange, prickly pear and lemon.

Cashion’s Eat Place hosts family-style rockfish roast

Cashion’s Eat Place, 1819 Columbia Road NW, is celebrating summer and local seafood with a whole rockfish roast on Aug. 26. The family-style feasts will feature whole sustainable rockfish, roasted with all the fixings, salad and dessert for $55. Dinners starts at 6:30 p.m. and is limited to 20 guests.

Cashion’s Eat Place will serve a whole, roasted rockfish dinner on Wednesday for $55 per person. (Photo: Cashion’s Eat Place)

The line-caught whole rockfish, which weighs between 13-15 pounds, is roasted in the oven for an hour. The whole fish is served alongside various sides such as salsa verde, paprika aioli, marinated olives, fresh lime, house-made hot sauce, sea salt, olive oil and scallions.

The meal starts with a salad of local tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, Kalamata olives, spring onions, Dodonis feta, mint and Laconian olive oil. For dessert, there is a local fruit clafoutis with buttermilk sorbet. For those who would like to pair the meal with wine, the Chehalem INOX Chardonnay, an unoaked Chardonnay from Willamette Valley, Oregon, will be available for $40 per bottle.

Reservations are required and can be made online.

City Tap House hosts Sour That Summer Is Ending party

City Tap House, 901 Ninth St. NW, will host a “Sour That Summer Is Ending” party from 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. on Aug. 27. Guests can enjoy the last days of summer with a celebration of rare and unique sour brews from around the world.

City Tap House will host a sour beer takeover on Thursday. (Photo: Dan Swartz)

Sour beers are one of the most unusual beer styles. They range from a gentle sour tinge that helps provide complexity, to extreme mouth-puckering sourness. The organisms that create sour flavors usually contribute other aromas and flavors that are unattainable with normal yeast. City Tap House will dedicate nine tap lines to the complex brew featuring New Belgium La Folie, Prof. Fritz Briem 1809 Berlinerweisse, 3 Stars Cognitive Dissonance Berliner-rye, Union Old Pro Gose, Brouwerij Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne, Brouwerij Bockor Cuvee de Jacobins Rouge, Brouwerij Stubbe Ichtegems Ale; Oud Beersel Lambic, Rodenbach Grand Cru and more. Beer prices range from $6-$13.

701 Restaurant to close Aug. 30 for renovation

701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will close on Aug. 30 for five days to undergo a total makeover. It will reopen in time for lunch and dinner service on Sept. 4.

701 Restaurant will close for five days beginning Aug. 30 to remodel. (Photo: Joanna Morena/DC Spotlight)

Owner Ashok Bajaj has tapped James Beard award-nominated restaurant designer Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates in New York to create the new look for 701 Restaurant. Vahtra also designed Bajaj’s Rasika West End, which opened in March 2012, and Nopa Kitchen+Bar, which opened in April 2013. Among the changes is the addition of a private dining room that can accommodate 30 guests.

701’s new design features dramatic colors and wall coverings, in addition to a central wall sculpture. The bar will be more dramatic with new lights with gold leaf interiors. The 20 large white “egg” lights appear to be cracked, revealing golden interiors that sparkle. There will also be banquettes with Maharam fabrics of burgundy, blue and gold accents. New armchairs will be recovered in a striped fabric with colors ranging from burgundy to teal that complement the gold accents throughout the restaurant. Solid, exposed wood tables will be paired with Italian chairs of all different styles to give the room a less-formal ambiance. New carpet will include a pattern of bubbles that swirl around the floor.

The two existing private dining rooms, which can accommodate 12 and 20 people, will be refinished with paint, wall coverings and artwork. One will also incorporate a new set of glass doors for added privacy. The new 30-seat dining room is being created where the current elevated lounge is. It will be enlarged and surrounded by etched glass panels, which can be closed off with floor-to-ceiling draperies. Different sized lampshades will adorn the ceiling. It will feature an audio-visual system and it have its own bar.

Melanie Kurtz named pit master at Old Glory Bar-B-Que

Melanie Kurtz is the new pit master at Old Glory Bar-B-Que. (Photo: Old Glory Bar-B-Que)

Melanie Kurtz has been appointed pit master at Old Glory Bar-B-Que, 3139 M St. NW in Georgetown. Kurtz brings 11 years of experience to her new position. She most recently served as executive sous chef of Paolo’s Ristorante, which is also owned by Capital Restaurant Concepts.

A native of Huntington, Pa., Kurtz graduated from The Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts in 2004 with an associate degree in culinary arts. Shortly thereafter, she relocated to Washington, D.C. where she accepted an internship with Capital Restaurant Concepts. For four years, Kurtz worked her way up the ranks at Paolo’s Ristorante, beginning as a line cook before being promoted to sous chef in 2008. In 2009, she became a sous chef at Capital Restaurant Concepts’ Ovations, the on-site restaurant at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. After two years, she returned to Paolo’s as executive sous chef.

A new addition to Old Glory’s menu is Kurtz’s smoked chicken thigh sandwich, which is dry rubbed and smoked for four hours.

Lisa Marie Frantz is new executive chef at Majestic Café

Lisa Marie Frantz is the new executive chef at The Majestic Cafe. (Photo: The Majestic Cafe)

Lisa Marie Frantz has been named executive chef of The Majestic Café, 911 King St. in Old Town. She brings more than eight years of experience helming kitchens.

Originally from Northern California, Frantz grew up running around her father’s butcher shop. Realizing her first career choice – graphic design – was more of a hobby, she pursued culinary studies at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Ariz., earning her associates degree in 2008. Interning at Dish Market & Bistro in Scottsdale while in school, Frantz soon became sous chef.

Frantz moved to Washington, D.C. in 2008, to assist in opening Founding Farmer’s flagship restaurant, where she was promoted to sous chef, working for executive chef Graham Duncan, who is now corporate executive chef for Alexandria Restaurant Partners, which owns The Majestic Café. In 2012, Frantz was appointed executive chef at Farmers Fishers Bakers, Farmers Restaurant Group’s project on the Georgetown waterfront. Most recently, she served as executive chef at Brickside Food & Drink in Bethesda from 2013 to July 2015.

Valerie Hill is new pastry chef at Nopa Kitchen+Bar

Valerie Hill is Nopa Kitchen + Bar’s new pastry chef. (Photo: Rey Lopez)

Valerie Hill has been named pastry chef at Nopa Kitchen+Bar, 800 F St. NW. She brings more than 25 years of experience to her new role.

A native of Chatham, Va., Hill pursued her interest in the visual arts at the Holden School of Art and Design in Charlottesville, Va., in 1983 leading her to study at Northern Virginia Community College in Sterling, before she gravitated to the culinary world. In 1998, she enrolled at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda. Hill also took courses at the Pastry Institute of Washington, D.C. and the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone Campus in Napa Valley, Calif. Prior to joining Nopa Kitchen+Bar, Hill served for eight years as pastry chef of Johnny’s Half Shell in D.C., where she was responsible for the opening and operation of the pastry kitchen at the 350-seat restaurant. Hill also served as pastry chef at The Majestic Cafe in Alexandria from March 2001 to July 2006.