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News for Restaurants in Washington DC
January 2009 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

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News Bytes

Calling all Cupcake Bakers
Capital Cooking, the TV cooking show, is gearing up for the Crazy For Cupcakes episode and now is your chance to make a special appearance on the show. Send your best cupcake recipe and you might be selected to come on the show to show off your cupcakes. To submit a recipe for an opportunity to appear on Capital Cooking's Crazy For Cupcakes episode, write to [email protected]. Submissions are due by February 6 and filming will be at a later date in February.
 
Willard InterContinental Debuts Scotch Bar
A new Scotch Bar at the Willard InterContinental Washington features over 100 malt whiskies highlighting Scotland's six regions. Guests may opt for quarter-ounce servings (or tots), with prices ranging from $3 to $20, or they may design their own tasting flight by combining two or more whiskies. Selections are also available by the one-ounce pour or dram, with prices ranging from $10 to $75. A collection of classic whiskey cocktails is also offered, such as the Rob Royale made with malt whiskey, honey and Champagne, and the Silver Bullet, a "dusty" martini made with gin and scotch, available for $14. Willard InterContinental Washington, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-637-7318, 800-327-0200.
 
Kimpton Group Restaurants Celebrate Obama

The Kimpton Group's DC restaurants celebrate Barak Obama:

At Firefly in the Hotel Madera, mixologist Alice Gaber will serve the "First Lady Marmalade," made with a house-made preserve of Meyer lemons and candied ginger, citrus vodka and sparkling wine. The restaurant will offer three different in-room dining packages including "Fit for the Prez", "Americana Delight" and "Hail to the Chief." These packages will also feature all-American sparkling, red and white wines and beers, and the cheeses, meats and seafood items will all be sourced from local purveyors. Firefly extended hours: January 17-20 bar open until 3 a.m. (bar food until 2 a.m.), breakfast served from 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sunday brunch on January 18 from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Poste Moderne Brasserie chef Rob Weland will offer a celebratory Champagne tasting menu paired with a trio of appetizers featuring foie gras, gougères and salmon blinis. The restaurant will also serve donkey cookies and the bar will have hometown beer for both Obama and Biden. A specialty cocktails menu featuring classic cocktails in honor of past presidents will also be served. Poste Moderne Brasserie extended hours: January 17-18, brunch extended to 3 p.m. January 19-20, lunch extended to 3 p.m., bar open until 2 a.m.

During inauguration week, Urbana Restaurant & Wine Bar is offering the "Urbana 44 tasting menu," which is a tasting of four American sparkling wines from Schramsberg Vineyards paired with four dishes from chef Alex Bollinger's menu. Food and wine course pairings on the menu include roasted sea scallops served with a ragoût of oxtails and lentils with 2005 Blanc de Blancs, and vanilla crème brûlée with 2004 Cremant Demi-Sec. The four-course tasting is priced at $44 and does not include tax and gratuity. Also, Urbana mixologist Kevin Rogers has created Barack's Fizz made with Cognac, Grand Marnier, maraschino liqueur, orange juice, muddled strawberries and topped with Domaine Carneros. Urbana extended hours: January 17-20, lunch served until 4:30 p.m. (rolling in to dinner service, which starts at 4:30 p.m.), dinner served until 11 p.m., bar open until 1:30 a.m.

Kimpton Group, Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-956-6650.
 
TenPenh Celebrates the Year of the Ox
On New Year's Eve in China, it is traditional that family members gather for a reunion dinner. TenPenh has developed a special menu in honor of the Chinese New Year and the coinciding start of a new zodiac sign, the Year of the Ox. Dishes will include saké clams with black bean garlic sauce, oxtail "Kare Kare" raviolis, crispy whole fish with cucumber carrot salad, and coconut mochiko cake. The Chinese New Year menu is available during dinner hours from January 26-31 for $45, or $65 with wine pairings. For reservations call 202-393-4500. TenPenh, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-393-4500.
 
Inauguration Revelry at THINKfoodGROUP Eateries
José Andrés and THINKfoodGROUP eateries Café Atlántico, Jaleo, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, Zaytinya and minibar by josé andrés are taking part in the inauguration revelry with a unique culinary fundraiser, benefit dinners, extended hours and special inaugural menus. Restaurants will be open Sunday, January 18 from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., on Monday, January 19 from 9 a.m.-2 a.m. and on Tuesday, January 20 from 8 a.m.-2 a.m. Café Atlántico, Jaleo, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana and Zaytinya Inauguration Celebration menus are being offered during lunch and dinner service from Monday, January 19 through Thursday, January 22. The prix-fixe menus will include three courses and be priced at Jaleo, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana and Zaytinya for $25 for lunch and $35 for dinner, with the option to add a specialty cocktail for $44. At Café Atlántico, the Inauguration Celebration menu will be $25 for lunch and $44 for dinner. And for Inauguration Day, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana will offer its signature hot chocolate to-go for $5 to keep spectators warm.
 
Cooking Classes at Zola Wine & Kitchen
Executive chef Bryan Moscatello and his culinary team will reveal expert tips at Zola Wine & Kitchen cooking classes, with topics ranging from Italian cuisine to make-ahead meals for Sunday supper. The Italian Cooking Series begins January 14 and takes place on Wednesdays through February. The Sunday Supper classes launch January 17 and include take-home dinner to feed a family of four. Classes are available weekly and run from one to two hours in length. Prices for individual classes range between $70 and $120 per person depending on the course. Additionally, each participant receives 10 percent off any wine shop purchases made during the day of his or her class. The Wednesday Italian Cooking Series coincides with the February opening of Star Restaurant Group's new Italian restaurant, opening at the Woodward Building at 15th and H Streets NW. It is priced at $70 per class, or $250 for a series package which includes four instructional sessions to immerse guests in the Italian culture. Guests also get to partake in the dishes made at each class. Zola Wine & Kitchen, 505 9th St. NW, Washington, DC. For more information about the classes, call 202-654-2855. Zola Wine & Kitchen, 505 9th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-654-2855.
 

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Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Washington D.C. to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. La Colline, R.I.P.

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CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Washington DC

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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

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CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

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GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

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