Upcoming Events: End of the Modern World

Oyamel Celebrates the End of the Modern World: José Andrés and his team at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana invite you to join in the celebration of the end of the Mayan Calendar with several tempting specials on December 21, 2012. The celebration will take place throughout the restaurant exclusively from 5pm - midnight. The menu will include $5-$6 tacos, an authentic “antojito”, and “Platos Fuertes” such as Sopa seca de fideo con hongas (otherwise known as Vermicelli pasta with ancho chiles, locally foraged mushrooms and shaved black truffles). Pricing is a la carte and dishes range in price from $25.00 - $39.00. Oyamel will also offer several apocalyptic cocktails, including the Los Danzantes Margarita. Certain wines will be priced at $12.21 for a half glass, and $21.12 for a 4oz glasses for the night. Get it?? Oyamel is located at 401 7^th St NW, 20004. For reservations or more information please call (202) 628-1005 or visit www.oyamel.com. 

Todd Gray’s Equinox will host its 13th annual Winter Solstice Celebration on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 Sip selections from acclaimed new Delaplane, Va. winery RdV Vineyards and groove to local roots-rockers The Walkaways. To enjoy with your wine Chef Gray will prepare Fatty Crab Beignets, Crispy Duck Spring Rolls, 24-Hour Brisket, Agnolotti of House-Made Ricotta, Pancetta-Wrapped Cervena Venison Medallions, and Smoked Apple Chestnut Soup, Apple Cider Beignets and Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars. The Equinox Winter Solstice Party is $100 per person, including tax and gratuity. Reservations are requested. 818 Connecticut Ave, N.W. (202) 331-8118 for reservations or visit Equinox on the web at www.equinoxrestaurant.com 

Holiday Cookie Decorating – On Sunday, December 23rd, beginning at 12PM, Union Market will offer holiday cookie decorating and hot cocoa for families and friends. Join Frenchie’s Bakery for this holiday tradition. 

Fresh Holiday Hams:  Hill Country Barbecue Market (www.hillcountrywdc.com) will be offering their classic Holiday Hams – fresh, boneless hams house-cured, rubbed with HC's secret spice blend and smoked low and slow over post oak imported from Texas for that signature pit-smoked flavor.  In addition to hams, the market also has holiday ham feasts available that include jalapeño-cheddar cornbread and a selection of Hill Country sides and desserts. Cost for Fresh Pit-Smoked Boneless Ham (12-14 lbs) is $150; the Holiday Ham Feast for 5-8 people is $175; and a Holiday Ham Feast for 9-12 people is $290.  Hams and feasts can be pre-ordered by calling 202-556-2044 or emailing Events@HillCountryWDC.com and are available for pick-up from December 12^th – 31^st.

Truffles Galore!  The chic Italian restaurant, Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca is hosting a unique treat - a Winter Black Truffle Dinner. On Saturday, December 29th. Executive Chef, Nicholas Stefanelli will present not one, but a three-course truffle-fabulous tasting menu. This evening of truffle delights will replace the traditional menu, beginning with truffle foccica and continuing with an antipasta and pasta of your choosing, with each course showcasing the featured winter black truffle. To complete the evening's tastings, guests may find difficulty selecting one of the three desserts created by Pastry Chef, Jemil Gadea. The event's premier winter black truffles have been sourced by Chef Stefanelli from Norcia, Italy where they are generally harvested in late autumn and winter. Though these little gems are worth their weight in gold, Bibiana's Winter Black Truffle Dinner has been affordably priced at $60 per person (tax and gratuity not included). As if this opportunity were not enough, for an additional $40, Bibiana's Wine Director, Michael King, has carefully selected Italian wine to enhance the experience. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis with capacity for 200 people. Dinner service is from 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm.  For reservations and information, please call (202) 216-9550 or visit www.BibianaDC.com.

Winter Cocktail Classes:  Prepare for the snowy winter season by learning how to make winter cocktails in the comfort of your own home!  Ripple is offering winter cocktail classes hosted by Josh Berner:

·         January 12^th – Champagne Cocktails

·         February 16^th – Date Night Cocktails

During class (3:30-5pm), students will enjoy three cocktails and bar snacks and afterwards, can experience the grilled cheese bar until 6:30pm.  Classes are $45 a person and reservations can be made by calling Ripple at 202.244.7995 or emailing Josh at josh@rippledc.com.

Buy a Treat “So Others Might Eat”:  This holiday season, Ripple’s Sugar Magnolia is donating 50% of the proceeds from all pies, cheesecakes and Bûches de Noël to the DC charity So Others Might Eat.  Dessert offerings include bourbon caramel pecan pie, pumpkin spice pie, white chocolate peppermint cheesecake, ginger snap ice cream sandwiches, and double chocolate peppermint bark.  Treats can be picked up from the shop in Cleveland Park or placed in advance by emailing alison@rippledc.com.  For more information, visit http://rippledc.com/pages/calendar/718/pies-for-the-holidays.