San Francisco’s Tadich Grill (1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) opened at the end of September in the space formerly occupied by Ten Penh. The San Francisco original featured sand dabs and petrale sole served by brusque, white-jacketed waiters. The handsome Washington version is larger than the original, but fresh seafood continues to be a specialty, and crusty loaves of sourdough French bread are imported from San Francisco. Unlike the original, the Washington version will take reservations, and the waiters are courteous.
Just opened is a new Chinese restaurant in Arlington. There’s nothing secret about Secret Chopsticks (1850 Fort Myer Dr.), except perhaps that it’s a new style of Chinese restaurant specializing in elegant presentations and sophisticated food. Menus feature protein, vegetarian, dim sum and tofu dishes, as well as a la carte options.
For the month of December, Veloce (1828 L St. NW) is offering $6 pizzas (mozzarella and tomato sauce) with $1 toppings. The special salad of the month is escarole, roasted potatoes, orange supremes, celery and toasted walnuts with a creamy citrus dressing, priced at $4 and $8.
Zengo’s (781 Seventh St. NW) new “Culinary Tour” menu is available through Jan. 31 for dinner. It features a sushi and crudo bar, and such dishes as pork and foie gras shumai dumplings and chili crab “Hong Kong” noodle. Prices range from $6 to $29.
The Hay-Adams hotel (800 16th St. NW) has started its holiday tea service each Sunday through December. Reservations are available from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tea is priced at $50 for adults and $40 for children under 12, and includes sweet and savory snacks. A special children’s menu features hot chocolate, sandwiches and a fresh fruit salad. Live piano music accompanies the tea.
On Christmas Eve, a three-course prix fixe menu, priced at $80 per person, will be served in the hotel’s Lafayette Room from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Christmas Day, the Top of the Hay will offer a holiday buffet with seatings available at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, a prix fixe menu will be served in the Lafayette Room from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $80.
Throughout December, Lupo Verde (1401 T St. NW) is offering Christmas baskets of house-made Italian specialties, either pre-packed or customized, priced from $60 to $200.
The restaurant will prepare a traditional “Feast of the Seven Fishes” from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve, priced at $65, consisting of fish and pasta, following the Roman Catholic tradition of refraining from eating meat on holy days. On New Year’s Eve, an a la carte menu is available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. After 7:30 p.m., for $85, guests may choose five items from the regular a la carte menu or a pre-selected five-course menu.
Bibiana’s (1100 New York Ave. NW) “Feast of the Seven Fishes” five-course tasting menu is available from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve for $65 per person. A limited a la carte menu also is available. For New Year’s Eve, Bibiana has two seatings: From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., it’s a la carte; from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., an $85 four-course prix fixe menu will be served.
At 1789 Restaurant (1226 36th St. NW) the dining rooms have become Christmas wonderlands decorated with wreaths, antique toys and garlands. The Washington Men’s Camerata will sing carols in the restaurant nightly between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. beginning Sunday through Christmas Eve. 1789’s six-course New Year’s Eve $125 tasting menu will be served from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. and must be ordered by the entire table.
Many of Washington’s restaurants will be offering three or four-course prix fixe Christmas Eve menus, and sometimes five-course for New Year’s Eve, all with special festive fare. Here are a few of them:
The Oval Room (800 Connecticut Ave. NW) — Christmas Eve three-course $60, New Year’s Eve four-course $85; Ardeo + Bardeo (3311 Connecticut Ave. NW) — Christmas Eve three-course $45, New Year’s Eve $65; L’Hommage Bistro Francais (450 K St. NW) — Christmas Eve four-course $75, New Year’s Eve five-course $95.
On the 31st, The Bombay Club (815 Connecticut Ave. NW) will prepare a three-course $50 Indian menu from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and a five-course $75 menu from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Rasika (633 D St. NW) and sister restaurant Rasika West End (1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW) will serve Indian dishes during two seatings — $55 for the three-course first seating, $85 for the second.
For a taste of Old Havana, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar (801 Ninth St. NW) offers New Year’s Eve diners a choice between the a la carte menu available from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the $99 five-course option with seatings between 9 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
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