All words by Elsie Yang
Goodbye and good riddance to 2020. And what better way to celebrate the ending of a year to be forgotten than a meal that deserves to be remembered? While dining out for this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is more or less out of the question for those opposed to eating in frigid temperatures, there are still plenty of ways to bring the food of your favorite restaurants into your home (and into your belly). To help support your local eateries and support your devotion to good food, we’ve rounded up the best New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day offerings from around the District.
New Year? Yes, please. The LINE DC is ringing in 2021 with cozy room offers and some seriously epic add-ons: Chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s NYE picnic baskets were made for dining in, kicking back, and making the most of the final few moments of 2020.
NYE picnics are for two, and available in-room (as an add-on option while booking) or for pick-up. “A Good Time” starts with charcuterie, sweets, and champagne; “A Great Time” takes it to the next level; and with “Get Epic,” well, we think you know what happens.
Ring in 2021 with a five-course feast of Chef Matteo Venini’s comforting Italian fare, including ziti alla Genovese and slow-braised short ribs, prepared using a secret family recipe. The meal is $95 per person with optional beverage pairings. Order online by December 27 for pick-up or delivery on December 30.
The Mezza Madness At Home package features Lebanese Taverna’s most popular mezza (serves two), a bottle of champagne, 2021 party favors, and a virtual belly dancing show. Order online for pick-up on December 31.
To kick off 2021, Chef Matt Baker is offering a luxurious five-course menu with optional wine pairings, available to enjoy on the atrium patio and rooftop deck.
For those celebrating at home, Gravitas is offering a take-home package that includes a bottle of champagne and a selection of sweet and savory treats to break out at midnight, as well as a fried chicken dinner for two. The take-home kit includes a bottle of Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs 2011, and bites like truffle popcorn, chocolate truffles, and mignardises for $110; whereas the fried chicken dinner for two includes truffle honey, biscuits, Southern braised kale and pommes puree for $48.
Bammy’s
Bammy’s One Night Only New Year’s Eve menu is a special occasion indeed. Executive Chefs Chris Morgan and Gerald Addison are here to make ringing in the new year a little more special (and delicious), and are including some fun surprises (think Bammy’s gift cards and NYE goodies) with each order. The menu includes offerings like foie gras mousse with apple/sherry compote and toasted brioche; beef tartare with cured egg yolk, cornichon, shallot, grain mustard, and tomato jam; and trout rillettes with pickled shallot, trout roe, fine herbs, and rye crisps. Also included is a bottle of Blanc de Blanc French sparkling wine and a tiny bottle of rum punch to top the bubbles with.
The restaurant group behind The Grill, Mah-Ze-Dahr, Mi Vida, Gatsby, and Succotash are helping you give the gift of great food while supporting local restaurants. Through December 31st, purchase a gift card to any Knead Hospitality restaurant, and receive a bonus $20 gift card for every $100 you spend. Plus, Knead restaurants are bringing the brunch (& booze) to you this holiday season. Each of their restaurants are offering a three-course brunch to-go menu that will please the whole family!
Mi Vida: Their festive holiday brunch menu includes churros, hot chocolate, poblano and ham egg souffle, chorizo, and roasted potatoes ($19 per person). Want to make it a boozy brunch? They’ve got everything for you to make your own pitchers of De La Casa Margaritas, Buena Vida Margarita, and will be selling hard to find tequilas by the bottle.
Succotash: Their classic brunch offering includes their signature Fried Chicken & Waffles, Cheesy Grits, Fruit Salad, and Sticky Buns. Plus, make your own pitchers of Belle’s Punch, Bloody Mary, Milk Punch, all in the comfort of your own home.
The Grill: Brunch includes Granola, Fresh Fruit, Yogurt, Banana Cakes, Spinach/Sun-Dried Tomato Egg Souffle, Roasted Potatoes ($24 per person). The Grill will have you making your own pitchers of The Grill Martini, Old Fashioned, Champagne selections, and more
All Knead offerings are available for pre-order on Tock for New Year’s on Wednesday, December 30th and Thursday, December 31st.
Chef Enrique Limardo’s Holiday basket, featuring savory and sweet holiday goodies inspired by immigrant gastronomies from around the world, serves as a great way to ring in 2021. Plus, with every purchase, Immigrant Food will donate a family meal to the local immigrant community through Immigrant Food’s NGO partners. The selection includes chef Limardo’s Latin Pan de Jamón, German lebküchen bread, Middle Eastern spreads and crudités, twelve bite-sized tartines, Moroccan Sfenj donuts (a Jewish-Moroccan delicacy) and a pitcher of their Holiday Mulled Sangria. At $135, the basket feeds 4+ and every item is shareable.
Xiquet’s chef tasting menu ($85 per person) includes: Iberian Cheese & Charcuterie Plate with house bread, Iberian Ham Croquettes, Roasted Vegetables | romesco sauce, Spit-Roasted Suckling Pig Wellington | seasonal mushrooms, and a Flourless Chocolate Cake. A la Carte options available as well as batched cocktails and specialty wines.
Pizzeria Paradiso is offering its signature pizzas for takeout only, and for a pretty special price. You can get two large pizzas for $50, two large at home pizza kits for $40, or a three course meal for four people including three appetizers, two large pizzas, and two orders of tiramisu for $100. All three options come with a choice of Prosecco or three celebratory beers.
Denizen’s and Craft Beer Cellar
Also available on New Year’s Eve is a to-go Beer Dinner with Denizens and Craft Beer Cellar where craft beer lovers can collect a three-course meal with beer pairings and enjoy a spirited and virtual celebration of craft beer with Denizens co-founder Julie Verratti. The dinner kicks off at 7:30PM on New Year’s Eve and the meal includes a Mixed Green Salad with Pineapple and Rosemary Vinaigrette paired with The Glow, a Golden Ale fermented 100% with Denizens’ house brettanomyces yeast blend; an Onion Soup paired with Born Bohemian, a Czech-style pilsner; Pizza 2021 (Fennel/Garlic Pesto, Roasted Eggplant, Lemon, Raisins, Almonds, Mozzarella, Lamb Sausage) paired with Animal, a double dry-hopped IPA and a Pear Upside Down Cake paired with Third Party, a Belgian-style Tripel.
This fancy landmark West End restaurant will offer a carryout four-course menu for two, priced at $295 per couple, which includes an amuse bouche and half bottle of Champagne (per couple) for a midnight toast. The feast starts with an amuse bouche of Gougeres, Winter truffles, followed by a first course of Cured Ocean Trout Tartare with cauliflower, pickled celery, cress, and Ossetra caviar. The second course of Roasted Halibut braised salsify, sunchoke puree, and lobster emulsion and a third course of Wood-fire Beef tenderloin horseradish cream, pave potatoes, creamed spinach, perigourdine, are completed by a dessert of Vanilla Brulee, aerated yuzu, Comtes de Champagne gelee, charred tangerine, orange blossom meringue.
Modena will be offering an authentic Italian twist on New Year’s Eve for takeaway. Guests can select a Roseda Farms Prime Rib; Whole Roasted Duck or Rack of Lamb accompanied by Parmesan Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes; Earth ‘N Eats Farms Roasted Baby Winter Vegetables and Truffle Jus. For the sweet finale, who can resist a choice of Tiramisu with ladyfingers, whipped mascarpone, and coffee cremeux and The Ball Drops at Midnight with gianduja mousse, crunchy pearls, chocolate soil and raspberry coulis which are included in the New Year’s Eve package. The Whole Roasted Duck and sides is priced at $125 per couple (plus tax and gratuity); the Rack of Lamb and sides is priced at $150 per couple (plus tax and gratuity) and the Roseda Farms Prime Rib and sides is priced at $160 per couple (plus tax and gratuity). Orders must be placed by 12 p.m. on Monday, December 28. with pick-up available December 30, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and December 31, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Ambar is offering ways for diners to experience New Year’s Eve at home with two large, value-driven, family-style grab-and-go menus derived from their next-level Balkan dining without limits concept. Each menu will feature seasonal specials, prepared with a Balkan twist, with enough food to feast for days. The first is a seven-course Balkan feast priced at $79 and includes a choice of main dish, spread, salad, two vegetables, a potato dish, dessert, one bottle of pre-selected sparkling wine and a choice of a second bottle of wine (red, white, or sparkling) or one bottled cocktail (serves two) to feed three or four people. The second option is priced at $150 and includes a choice of two main dishes, two spreads, two salads, four vegetables, two potato dishes, two desserts, one bottle of sparkling wine and a choice of two bottled cocktails (serves four) or two additional bottles of pre-selected wine (red, white or sparkling) to feed six to eight people.
TTT will each be offering two special dinner menus showcasing Mexican-inspired cuisine on New Year’s Eve. Each menu is fully customizable and derived from its next-level Mexican dining without limits concept. The first Fiesta for Two menu is priced at $65 per couple and allows guests to enjoy one pound of protein from the pre-selected list followed by three 8oz sides, dessert, one bottle of sparkling wine and a choice of one to-go cocktail (serves three) or one additional bottle of pre-selected wine (red, white, or sparkling). The second Fiesta for Two menu is priced at $120 for a family of four and allows guests to enjoy two pounds of protein from the pre-selected list followed by six 8oz. sides, two desserts, two bottles of sparkling wine and a choice of two to-go cocktails (serves three) or two additional bottles of pre-selected wine (red, white, or sparkling). Pre-selected libations include the Classic Margarita with 100% agave blanco tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, citrus liquor, and agave nectar; the Mango Margarita with 100% agave blanco tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice and house-made mango purée; the Jalapeño Margarita with 100% agave blanco tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice and house-made jalapeño syrup, as well as Red Sangria; White Sangria; House Sparkling; White Wine and Red Wine. All orders are accompanied with 12 organic corn tortillas, salsa verde, crema and pico de gallo so guests can create their own tacos at home.
DC’s favorite Indian restaurant will be offering a three-course, prix fixe menus available for New Year’s Eve, served outdoors on the patio’s heated tent. Carryout, and delivery service this New Year’s Eve are also available. The prix fixe menus are priced at $75 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Prepared by Group Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam, guests can enjoy flavorful starters such as Masala Salmon Cake with curry leaves, mustard seeds and smoked salmon aioli; Lamb Nargisi Kofta with lamb mince, quail eggs and mint chutney; Chicken Cafreal Sannas with grilled chicken, steamed rice cake and green chili and Warm Raj Kachori, chickpeas with onions and pomegranate. Next, families will enjoy a Shrimp Ishtu with ginger, green chilies and coconut milk; Khud Murgh with poussin, caramelized onions; Bison Roast, tenderloin with fennel and black pepper, as well as Gujarati Lasagna with eggplant, sweet potato, bell peppers and kadi. A dessert sampler of Goan New Year’s Cake with saffron sabayon; Chocolate Bibianca with hot chocolate and Malpua with candied ginger rabdi.
SABABA will ring in the New Year with a variety of specials in addition to the full a la carte menu on Thursday, December 31. Available for both pickup and delivery, the a la carte specials prepared by Executive Chef Ryan Moore, include Tuna Crudo with sesame-chive miso dressing, chili and fried garlic, priced at $16; Quail Al Ha’esh, zhug marinated quail al ha’esh with saffron toun, priced at $22, Saddle of Lamb, roasted lamb with caramelized zucchini purée, charred onion and mint labneh, priced at $30, Duck Confit Leg with miso butter, braised onion and artichokes, priced at $27, as well as Grilled Skirt Steak with harissa marinade, served with muhammara and parsnip tabouli, priced at $29.
Annabelle is offering a feast available for curbside pickup, showcasing some of Executive Chef Frank Ruta’s most notable dishes. Annabelle’s menu features fresh and flavorful, locally inspired cuisine that tells the story of the growers and producers. Appetizer standouts include Salad of Maine Lobster & Roasted Heirloom Beets dressed with horseradish and lime; Boudin Blanc glazed with apples, little onions and verjus salmis sauce; Terrine of Foie Gras & Smoked Goose with turnips, mâché and truffle with a hazelnut vinaigrette and a Pheasant Consommé with turnip raviolini, spinach and slivers of foie gras. Next, guests can select from the following seasonal entrées: Roasted Roseda Farms Beef Tenderloin, stuffed with foie gras, spinach and truffle sauce; Fig Miso Marinated Venison Chop with braised red cabbage, spätzle, pickled honeycrisp apples and Calvados sauce; Lightly Smoked & Roasted Pork Loin with braised arrowhead cabbage, whipped potatoes, and Madeira sauce, as well as Pan Roasted Maine Sea Scallops with sea urchin stew, baby leeks, fingerling potato and arrowhead spinach. For a sweet ending, diners can select from three of Annabelle’s seasonal desserts, the Pear Helena with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce; Floating Island with crème anglaise and caramel sauce, and an Opera Cake with chocolate ganache, coffee and hazelnut buttercream.
SEOULSPICE has added two takeaway feasts available for carryout and delivery this holiday season. These stress-free “to go” options showcase traditional Korean comfort fare and are priced at $25 per couple or $40 for a family of four. The Korean Family Feast allows guests to choose their base of Sushi-Grade White Rice or Purple Rice, a multi-grain blend of forbidden black rice and sushi-grade white rice, before selecting a platter of protein, four vegetables (Korean banchan), and toppings. Standout protein options include Bulgogi, thin-sliced ribeye marinated in a sweet & savory marinade; Chicken, juicy, grilled, locally raised and marinated in a soy-garlic-ginger marinade; Spicy Pork, thin-sliced pork marinated in a sweet-spicy-chili marinade, and Tofu, local, non-GMO tofu, braised and caramelized in a soy-garlic-ginger marinade. Vegetables not to be missed include: Kimchi, a family recipe passed down four generations and made from a combination of Korean cabbage pickled in chilis, ginger, and garlic; Carrots, julienned and tossed in a sesame marinade; Cucumbers, freshly diced and lightly dressed in a sesame marinade; Kale Slaw, shredded kale and lightly dressed in a sesame marinade; Corn, kernels marinated in a sesame marinade, as well as Korean Radish, julienned, lightly pickled. Finally, families can select any of four toppings: Cilantro, Scallions, Roasted Sesame Seeds, and Crispy Garlic. All orders include an assortment of four scratch-made sauces: Korean Hot Sauce, spicy and earthy, traditional Gochujang paste with the sweet umami of miso; Creamy Sriracha, chili-garlic aioli made from everyone’s favorite chili sauce; Cilantro-Lime Ranch, creamy ranch bursting with the brightness of fresh cilantro and lime as well as Ginger-Carrot, crisp and vibrant, beaming with fresh ginger and carrots.
Bidding farewell to 2020 is going to be quite an affair, and to make sure it’s both safe and spectacular, Mintwood Place is offering a festive line-up of New Year’s Eve dinner specials/packages for takeout inspired by the réveillon tradition – a long and usually decadent dinner held in the evenings preceding by Christmas Day and New Year’s Day – priced at $55pp – on Thursday, December 31st from 5:30PM to 10:00PM. A selection of dishes and desserts include a Champagne Oyster Roast with Yukon Gold Potato, Celery Leaf, and Brioche, Boudin Blanc with Celery Root Puree, Granny Smith Apple, Quatre Epices, and Truffle Jus, Duck Choucroute including Duck Sausage, Foie Gras, Braised Cabbage, Fingerling Potato, and Madiera Jus, Olive Oil-Poached Dorade Royale with Nicoise Olive, Sauce Vert, Broccoli Rabe, and an Herb Salad. For something sweet, and Espresso Éclair with Hazelnuts and Gold Leaf will also be available on the special holiday menu. In addition, a $50pp 3-course menu offering the full list of choices from the dinner menu will be available for pre-orders until the end of the day, Monday, December 28th.
