Upcoming Events: Truffles Galore!

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.

Z-Burger wants to end 2012 in a delicious way by giving away Z-Burger’s famous Cheeseburgers before everyone begins their 2013 New Year’s Resolutions.  On Monday, December 31st from 11am- 2pm, Z-Burger will give away free single cheeseburgers as a great way to end 2012. Customers just need to say the secret password, “Rezoulution.”  The offer is valid at the Z-Burger Tenleytown, Columbia Heights & Southwest locations in DC and the White Marsh location in Baltimore. Only one free cheeseburger per customer. Customers are also, of course, welcome to purchase extra rich milk shakes and delicious french fries and onion rings to top off the meal.

CHEF TAKEOVERS AND NEW TASTING MENUS AT GRAFFIATO: Chef Mike Isabella is opening his kitchens at Graffiato for both his team and guest chefs to showcase their menus. Beginning in January, Graffiato will offer a series of new menus and events on Sundays and Mondays, including a unique 12-course tasting menu from sous chef, Adam Brick; seasonal wine dinners with chef de cuisine, Marjorie Meek-Bradley; and monthly Industry Takeover nights with guest chefs and mixologists. Brick’s Gem Tasting Menu will be offered for $85 at the six-seat ham bar on Graffiato’s second floor at 8 p.m. every Sunday and Monday. The menu includes food “gems” made of often scare ingredients like lamb neck, pig snout and tuna marrow. Reservations are taken one month in advance by e-mailing requests to events@graffiatodc.com. The five-course Seasonal Wine Dinners will take place one Monday per season. The next wine dinner is set for Monday, March 11, 2013, and will be co-hosted by Italian winemaker, Cesare Benvenuto, from Pio Cesare. Industry Takeover Nights will occur on the first Monday of every month from 10 p.m. - 1 p.m., starting on January 7, 2013 with Chef Bryan Voltaggio. Visit GraffiatoDC.com for more information and future Industry Takeover guests.

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.