Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Dining in DC

Christmas is a time for gathering with family and friends, and this year Washington area restaurants have you covered.  

Christmas Eve:

Blue Duck Tavern, located on the corner of 24th and M Streets, NW, 20037, will be showcasing farm-fresh favorites this holiday season. On Christmas Eve, Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault will be offering his seasonal a la carte menu, with several holiday specials, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Then on Christmas Day, the restaurant will be offering a fixed-price, three-course buffet-style brunch including first course, entrée with sides and dessert from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Brunch begins with a variety of starters set throughout the open kitchen, including seasonal salads, breads, cheeses and meats, followed by choice of a plated entrée and side dishes representing produce from regional farms. Tempting desserts, created by Pastry Chef Naomi Gallego and her team, will be served from the Pastry Pantry to complete the Christmas feast. The brunch fixed-priced menu is $95 (exclusive of tax and gratuity) per person for adults and $42 for children between six and 11. Children under six years of age are complimentary. Advance reservations are recommended and can be made by calling +1 202 419 6755 or visiting www.blueducktavern.com.

Plume at The Jefferson, DC will be offering a prix fixe Christmas Day dinner for $95 per person, or $45 for children [12 and under.] This elegant Christmas dinner begins with a Gougeres stuffed with Truffled Bechamel. For the appetizer you may choose from the Spiced Butternut Squash Veloute, Seared Ahi Tuna or Terrine of Foie Gras. For the main course, guests may chose the Prime Rib of Local Beef, Truffled Christmas Chicken "Package" or the Roasted Pave of Striped Bass. Lastly, for dessert, guests may enjoy the Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding, Cinnamon Apple Cobbler, or Carrot Cake Cheesecake. For reservations please call Plume at The Jefferson, DC at 202-448-2300. 1200 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036

Acadiana, located at 901 New York Ave NW, is offering New Orleans-style Christmas to-go with a full holiday dinner for eight that includes a roasted or fried Cajun-style turkey or ham with a choice of gravy, Acadiana's famous biscuits with pepper jelly, any four side items, and a choice of cranberry chiffon or pecan pie. All items ready to heat and eat! The total price is $175 for Turkey / $200 for Ham. All items can also be ordered a la carte -- from the pies to the protein. All orders must be received by 5PM on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. Pick up is between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24. To order, please call 202-408-8848

Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, located at 1100 New York Ave, NW, 20005 (corner of 12th and H Streets, NW), will offer a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes available from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Prepared by Executive Chef Nicholas Stefanelli, the meal will consist of fish and pasta, following the Roman Catholic tradition to refrain from the consumption of meat on holy days. The numerology represents the seven sacraments and seven days of creation. Priced at $65 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), menu highlights include Grilled Eel with onion compote and red wine vinaigrette; Fried Shrimp with calamari, smelts, oysters, cauliflower and lemon; Black Spaghetti with Catalina Island sea urchin and ‘aglio olio d peperoncino’, as well as Seared Cod with tomatoes, olives, raisins, capers, pine nuts with olive oil crusted potatoes. For the perfect ending, guests will enjoy Amalfi Coast Sponge Cake filled with lemon cream. A limited a la carte menu is also available throughout the evening. Valet parking is available for $8. For reservations please call (202) 216-9550 or visit www.bibianadc.com.

Onto Cleveland Park, where Ardeo+Bardeo, located at 3311 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 20008, will offer the best of modern American cuisine this Christmas Eve. Guests will enjoy a sumptuous three-course menu crafted by newly appointed Executive Chef Matt Kuhn priced at $50 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Standout dishes from the prix fixe menu include Celery Root & Potato Soup with butter poached lobster, brioche croutons and foie gras butter; Pork Terrine with dijonaise, pickled turnips and rustic bread; Grilled Hanger Steak with farro risotto, charred broccoli, egg 63 and truffled pecorino, as well as Agrumato Poached Icelandic Char with beet-potato puree, bruck oven leeks and skuna caviar sauce. For a sweet ending, guests can enjoy Pear-Cranberry Crisp with spiced cranberry puree and creme fraiche ice cream; Chocolate-Peanut Trote with peanut putter mousse, and banana-frangelico ice cream, or the Buttermilk Doughtnuts with bourbon-apple butter, maple mascarpone and salted caramel. Ardeo+Bardeo will serve the festive holiday menu from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. A limited number of valet parking spaces are available after 6 PM and priced at $8 per car. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling (202) 244-6750 or visiting www.ardeobardeo.com.

nopa Kitchen + Bar, Ashok Bajaj’s American brasserie located at 800 F Street, NW, 20004, will offer a seasonal a la carte menu prepared by Executive Chef Greg McCarty. Fans won’t want to miss holiday specials such a 12oz Prime Rib with horseradish puree, red wine jus, and creamed kale priced at $38, and Roasted Duck with an orange glaze, sautéed squash and grilled scallions for $29. To complete the meal on a sweet note, dessert offerings prepared by Pastry Chef Jemil Gadea include Fried Pies; Chocolate Bar with peppermint ice cream;Sweet Potato Crème Caramel with persimmon pudding and spiced Chantilly crème; Apple Strudel with almond ice cream, and the Pain d Epices with caramelized pears and ginger beer ice cream. nopa Kitchen + Bar will be open from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Valet parking is available for $10. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling (202) 347-4667 or by visiting www.nopadc.com.

Another option for holiday dining is Legal Sea Foods with three of its four Washington, DC area locations open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Each Legal Sea Foods will be serving its delicious a la carte menu, as well as showcasing a holiday special entrée. Legal Sea Foods is also offering a gift card promotion available through the end of the year. For every $200 purchased in gift cards, customers will receive a lobster dinner on the house. The lobster dinner voucher will be good for use from January 2 through March 31, 2014. The hours onTuesday, December 24 are the following: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 704 7th Street NW, Washington, D.C. (202) 347-0007; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Tysons Galleria in Mclean, VA (703) 827-8900 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy in Crystal City, Arlington, VA (703) 415-1200. Legal Sea Foods will also be serving Christmas Day with special hours: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 704 7th Street NW, Washington, D.C. (202) 347-0007; 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tysons Galleria in Mclean, VA (703) 827-8900 and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy in Crystal City, Arlington, VA (703) 415-1200. Reservations are recommended and private dining rooms must be reserved in advance. For a complete list of locations please visit: http://www.legalseafoods.com/.

Ashok Bajaj’s landmark 701 Restaurant, located between the Capitol and the White House at 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, 20004, will offer an innovative approach to modern American cuisine this Christmas Eve. The regular a la carte menu will be available in addition to a special $55 three-course, prix fixe holiday menu from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Executive Chef Tony Conte will be preparing a variety dishes such as Rockfish with garlic broth, rapini and chili oil; Butternut Squash Agnolotti with apple, pumpkin seed and sage; Roasted Pork Loin with red cabbage spaetzle, mustard greens and apple; Crispy Duck Breast with mole, farro and turnip; Seared Scallops with parsnip, rutabaga and bacon marmalade, as well as Butternut Squash Salad with miso, lemon yogurt, Asian pear. For a sweet ending, guests can choose from delicious desserts such as the Chocolate Yule Log with meringue and passion fruit; Carrot Cake with basil ganache; Bourbon Maple Pecan Tart with earl grey Chantilly cream and raspberry coulis; Spiced Pumpkin Torte with cranberry compote, gingerbread tuile and pistachio, and a Seasonal Sorbet Trio. Guests will enjoy live jazz music throughout the evening. Valet parking is available for $8. For reservations or additional information, please call (202) 393-0701 or visit www.701restaurant.com.

The French oasis, Bistro Vivant, located at 1394 Chain Bridge Road in McLean, VA, 22101, is offering a three-course, prix fixe holiday menu in addition to the regular a la carte menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Priced at $59 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), the exclusive menu is avaliable during both lunch and dinner service. Newly appointed Executive Chef Katie Busch will showcase authentic flavors of traditional French cuisine this Christmas, with appetizer options such as ‘Endless Summer Harvest Farm’ Baby Greens with roasted pear, triple cream goat cheese and sherry dijon vinaigrette; Canadian Lobster with soft poached egg, red endive and fennel pollen, and Foie Gras Torchon with tangerine preserves, quince gelée and pistachios. Main dishes include Almond Crusted Lemon Sole with haricot vert and parsnip purée; Roasted Pork Loin with bacon braised beet greens, chanterelles, butternut squash and sauce soubise, as well as Prime Filet Mignon with roasted heirloom baby carrots, pommes macaire and sauce aux poivre. For the perfect ending, guests can choose from Buche de Noel with maple mascarpone, ginger, coconut and mango, or the mouthwatering Chocolate Sin Cake with ganache and wild berries coulis. For reservations or additional information, please call (703) 356-1700 or visit www.bistrovivant.com.

The Oval Room, located just steps from the White House at 800 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 20006, is offering a three course, prix fixe holiday menu from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., priced at $55 per person, or $90 with wine pairings (tax and gratuity not included). Prepared by Executive Chef Tony Conte, the menu features tempting favorites such as Sauteed Foie Gras with ginger bread, serano and black pepper yoghurt;Nantucket Bay Scallops with crispy rice and cranberry; Butternut Squash Soup with crème fraiche, sorghum and allspice; Lump Crab Saladwith blackened banana and pumpkin lime relish; Rockfish with smoked onion, Brussels sprouts, bacon vinagrette, as well as Prime Beefwith heirloom pumpkin, xo, juices of butternut and carrot. To complete the meal, dessert options include Passion Fruit Curd with coconut frozen yoghurt; Black Forest Torte with sour cherry compote, black cherry-chocolate chip ice cream; Chocolate Beet, a“velvet” cake with buttermilk ice cream, and Yoghurt Panna Cotta with blood orange and pistachio. Valet parking is available at The Oval Room for $8. For more information or reservations, please call 202-463-8700 or visit www.ovalroom.com.

The Grille at Morrison House will host a special Feast of Seven Fishes ($85 per person from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Christmas Eve dinner which will include a menu of traditionally inspired seafood preparations. Chef Brian McPherson presents dishes including an Amuse with Sea Urchin Roe and lotus root, Patagonian Red Prawn Thermidor with Anson Mills polenta and Loup de Mer with fingerling potato “scales,” Viognier poached hen egg, fennel and caviar. The Grille at Morrison House is located at 116 S Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314. For reservations and more information, call (703) 838-8000. 

BRABO by Robert Weidmaier will offer a three course Christmas Eve menu ($65 per person.) Chef de Cuisine Harper McClure has prepared a menu of traditionally inspired dishes, including Chestnut-Foie Gras Soup with maitake mushrooms, chopped hazelnut, brandy cream and Goose Two Ways with roasted breast, confit leg, glazed root vegetables, Asian pear and a spiced ginger jus. The menu also includes Pastry Chef Erin Reed’s elegant seasonal desserts including a Christmas Yule Log with hazelnut sponge, mocha cream and eggnog ice cream. BRABO is located at 1600 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314. For reservations and more information, call(703) 894-3440. 

Firefly will offer two options to celebrate Christmas Eve, starting with a brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. including Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes or Eggs Benedict and $3 Mimosas or $4 Bloody Mary’s. The celebration continues into the evening with a special ChristmasEve dinner. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and servers vying for the crowd’s choice of favorite ugly Christmas sweater. Firefly is located at 1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036. For reservations and more information, call (202) 861-1310. 

Jackson 20 will host Christmas Eve Brunch from 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and special Christmas Eve Dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jackson 20 is located at 480 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314. For reservations and more information, call (703) 842-2790. 

This Christmas, join Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro for a festive feast with plenty of good cheer. Chef Bo Palker has prepared an elaborate three course menu that includes his famous goose roulade with roasted Brussels sprouts, wild mushrooms, wild rice blend, and citrus velouté. Custom wine pairings from Vinifera's sommelier complete the perfect holiday meal. Christmas Dinner is available from 12:00 to 7:00pm on December 24 and 5:00 to 10:00pm on December 25 for $55 per person*. Reservations are recommended; please call 703.234.3550 or visit www.viniferabistro.com

Christmas Day:

Plume at The Jefferson, DC will be offering a prix fixe Christmas Day dinner for $95 per person, or $45 for children [12 and under.] This elegant Christmas dinner begins with a Gougeres stuffed with Truffled Bechamel. For the appetizer you may choose from the Spiced Butternut Squash Veloute, Seared Ahi Tuna or Terrine of Foie Gras. For the main course, guests may chose the Prime Rib of Local Beef, Truffled Christmas Chicken "Package" or the Roasted Pave of Striped Bass. Lastly, for dessert, guests may enjoy the Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding, Cinnamon Apple Cobbler, or Carrot Cake Cheesecake. 

Café Dupont in The Dupont Circle Hotel will be offering a special Christmas Brunch on December 25 and 26. Serving up festive holiday fare, the dining room will be open from 7am – 2:30 pm. Reservations are recommended; please call (202) 797-0169 or visit www.opentable.com

The Grill Room’s Christmas Day Dinner Menu will feature choices such as the Christmas Salad with smoked duck breast, caramelized chestnut and fig vinegar dressing; Grilled Rockfish, red wine poached oysters, creamed leek and trout roe; a Traditional Roast Turkey complemented by sage, apricots and walnut stuffing, sweet potato gratin gravy and cranberry compote; Beetroot Cured Salmon, Firefly Farm goats cheese cream, rye croutons and cress; Butter poached Maine lobster with wild mushroom ravioli, chive and caviar beurre blanc; andBraised Veal Cheek in winter truffle jus, celeriac puree and fondant potato. Delectable dessert options include a Christmas Spice Baked Alaska and a Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cake. The Dinner Menu is priced at $125 per person (five courses) with optional beverage pairing at an additional $40 per person. Cancellation charges will apply if reservations are cancelled within 72 hours or less. Seatings for dinner are from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

The Grille at Morrison House will serve a Christmas Day Brunch ($50 per person, $25 for kids, free of charge for children under 5.) This elevated brunch experience will include holiday options in addition to the restaurant’s regular duck-press brunch items, including Figgy Pudding Beignets, Escargot Wellington with mushroom duxelle, herb garlic butter, puff pastry and lovage and Pan Perdue with brioche, fresh berries and warm Virginia maple syrup. For reservations and more information, call (703) 838-8000. 

Rosa Mexicano: At DC's go-to for upscale, authentic Mexican cuisine, guests can enjoy a festive Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 12pm-9pm with a special $35 prix fixe, also available a la carte.

*This information was provided by representatives from the restaurants.  If you would like another restaurant added, please send me the information in the same format as above and I'd be happy to add it.

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