Upcoming Events: Jose Andres, Wine Events and More...

•  CHEF JOSÉ ANDRÉS TO SPEAK AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES: This event will be held on December 8th in the William G. McGowan theater at 7:00pm. Doors open at 6:30pm and seating is first come first serve so be sure to get there early! For more information about this event, please click here.

• Holiday Evening with Washington Wine Academy: Events begin at WWA’s Crystal City location (no parking hassles there) with a wine tasting followed by a comfortable limo bus jaunt to the Ellipse.  Thursday Dec 8 and Thursday Dec 15; Reception 6-7 pm - Arrive by Limo bus at Ellipse: 7:15 pm; Reception 7:30-8:30 pm – Arrive by Limo bus at Ellipse: 8:50 p.m.; Cost per person $36 - to purchase tickets: www.washingtonwineacademy.org click “events”

• Game Roast - Friday, December 9:  Watershed's hearty, old-world game roast tops the list of DC's holiday festivities. Menu highlights include community-farmed, regionally-sourced fowl, cider brined roasted game hen, pheasant and port wine cherry sausage, roasted new potatoes with rosemary, and chablis poached pear with whipped armangnac vanilla cream. Supper begins at 7:00pm on the patio, with passed hors d'oeuvres, a toasty fire pit and friendly neighbors to keep you warm, and continues in the restaurant. The Game Roast also features brews from DC Brau and live music for $75 all-inclusive. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling 202.534.1350.

• On Saturday, December 10 from 1 - 4 p.m., Georgetown is kicking the holiday season off with a Merriment in Georgetown Kick-Off Party hosted at the PNC Bank parking lot at the corner of Wisconsin Ave. and M St. Guests can test out their vocal chords with special live band karaoke - holiday style with the HariKaraoke Band from 2:30 to 3:45pm and a "Don't Forget the Lyrics" contest at 2:15pm, while those with an appetite can once again compete in the Merriment Fruitcake Eating contest at 1:25pm, attempting to devour as much of the infamous holiday treat as they can to win great Georgetown prizes. 

• Winter Solstice Dinner - Friday, December 16 An Equinox tradition, celebrate the winter solstice with a four-course seasonal dinner and wine pairings. This year, Equinox introduces its first executive chef, Karen Nicolas, whose own commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients rings true in her inspired menu. Together, Chef Gray and Chef Nicolas will guide guests through the menu and celebrate the holiday season. Dinner is $125 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 202.331.8118. 

• Gingerbread House Decorating: Saturday, December 17, 9 a.m. - 12 Noon, Lansdowne Resort ballroom, $85 for one gingerbread house per family (does not include tax or gratuity). Join our culinary team to learn how to decorate your very own gingerbread house. The houses are cooked on the property and we supply all the decorations and icing so you can bring home your house home. Reservations open October 1. Limited space. Call 571-291-7649.
  

• Holy Chef: Battle of the Spuds:  Sunday, December 18 at 7:00 pm In celebration of Chanukah, our cook-off series will pay homage to the ever-popular, starchy staple - the POTATO. With over five thousand varieties worldwide, chefs can cook any dish as long as it includes potatoes. Think latkes, gnocchi, potato vodka…the possibilities are endless. If you are interested in registering as a chef, please read the instructions and email the title and ingredients of your dish to Max no later than Friday, December 9th. Not a chef? Come test your foodie knowledge and sample the diverse dishes. Rate them based on taste, creativity, and of course, overall holy awesomeness.

• Christmas Eve:  Join Chef Todd Gray at Equinox for an elegant Christmas Eve feast starting at 5:30pm. The menu will include traditional fish dishes and innovative seafood creations, with wine pairings. Top off the evening with a mulled bourbon manhattan served in a festive, ginger-rimmed martini glass. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 202.331.8118. (Price TBD).

• Christmas Day:  Celebrate Christmas at J and G Steakhouse. For $75, enjoy delicious interpretations of Christmas classics, including butternut squash soup with fall mushrooms, rice cracker crusted tuna with citrus chili sauce, grilled filet mignon with soy-caramel sauce and gingered mushrooms, and green apple crisp with cinnamon ice cream. View the full menu here. For a night cap, try the hot toddy with spiced apple cider and High West Rendezvous Rye. The regular dinner menu will also be available. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by phone. Christmas Hours: Breakfast, 8:00am - 10:30am; Lunch/Dinner: 12:00pm - 9:00pm. 

•  New Year's Eve
• Graffiato:  Not interested in long lines and cover charges? Head to Graffiato in Chinatown, where it's dinner as usual starting at 5:00pm. Make a toast with the prosecco on tap, and warm up with a Hot in the City - house-pressed pear cider, Jefferson's Rye, winter spices and apple chip. New Year's Eve reservations can only be made by calling 202.289.3600.
• J and G Steakhouse:  Ring in 2012 in style at J and G Steakhouse. Host a private party in the "New Year's Eve Bubble Lounge," a wine bar package for up to 20 guests that includes perks like a private bartender, valet and private entrance with a red carpet, complimentary cook books and full access to the W Hotel's rooftop POV Lounge. Or, enjoy decadent offerings like foie gras brulé, sautéed Maine lobster and black truffle fritters from the prix fixe menu from 8:00 - 10:00pm. Reservations can be made online, and pricing varies by seating time and wine pairing option. Call  202.661.2440 for all private dining requests.
• Smith Commons:  Check out Smith Commons on H Street for a sumptuous three-course dinner and dance party this New Year's Eve. For $60 per person, guests can enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres from 7:00 - 9:00pm, a prix fixe menu with highlights like braised short ribs and lobster ragout, a complimentary Moet Imperial Champagne toast at midnight and live music and DJ entertainment until 3:00am. Seatings are from 6:00 - 7:30pm and 9:00 - 10:30pm. Reservations are recommended, and can be made online or by calling 202.396.0038. Smith Commons is also open on New Year's Day for brunch, "Smith Hour" and dinner.