Christmas is coming, and this year Lupo Verde (1401 T St. NW) once again is making Christmas baskets of house-made Italian goods created by chef Matteo Venini, available through Dec. 31. Included are marmalade and ragu, black truffles, pasta, Italian olive oil, a bottle of Valpolicella, cured meats and cheeses. Baskets are priced from $40 to $200.
At the Oval Room (800 Connecticut Ave. NW) through Dec. 23, chef John Melfi will add 12 new items to the menu, one each day, as a nod to the “12 Days of Christmas” carol. For example, “eight maids a-milking” translates into a goat’s milk panna cotta, and a “partridge in a pear tree” becomes a roasted pear tartlet with pistachio ice cream.
On Christmas Eve, La Tomate (1701 Connecticut Ave. NW) will prepare the classic Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes with shrimp, crabmeat pie, octopus, scallops, calamari, branzino and salmon. The special dinner is priced at $50 per person. An a la carte menu will be available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
At Hank’s Pasta Bar (600 Montgomery St., Alexandria), chef Jamie Leeds is making a country-style version of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, similar to a bouillabaisse of seven types of seafood with white wine, herbs and tomato sauce. The dish is available throughout December for $34.
Masseria (1340 Fourth St. NE) chef Nicholas Stefanelli will prepare his Puglian version of the Feast of the Seven Fishes for one night only on Dec. 24, beginning at 5 p.m. His menu features such dishes as poached cod, fritto misto and a lemon dessert. The meal is priced at $115 per person.
On Sunday from 3-5 p.m., the Park Hyatt (1201 24th St. NW) will host a “Winter Mini-Master of Food.” Youngsters ages 8 to 12 can don aprons and hats for a class in decorating gingerbread houses. Priced at $65 per child, the experience includes an assortment of sweets and drinks, as well as tips and techniques of decoration. Materials will be provided. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at MiniMasters-gingerbread.eventbrite.com.
The Park Hyatt’s Blue Duck Tavern pastry chef Erin Reed’s holiday fruitcake is available through the holiday season, priced at $32 for a one-pound loaf.
On New Year’s Eve, the Chef’s Table at the Blue Duck Tavern (1201 24th St. NW) will offer a menu of specialties for a communal seating for 18 people. The menu includes wine pairings, a champagne toast and admission to the Lounge New Year’s Eve party. The special dinner is priced at $350.
MXDC Cocina Mexicana (600 14th St. NW) is offering a Christmas promotion of 25 tequilas until Dec. 30. Tequila lovers can sip blancos, reposados, anejos, and extra anejos, as well as a selection of house-made margaritas and palomas. Tequilas range in price from $8 to $13.60 per shot, which includes a 20 percent discount.
Taqueria Del Barrio (821 Upshur St. NW) hosts its annual drag brunch on Saturday at noon with a new show featuring performances by Bratworst, Jasmine Tea and Salvadora Dali. Guests can order from a fixed $25 menu, including the choice of a brunch entree or three of the restaurant’s signature tacos and a brunch cocktail.
On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant offers a two-person, prix-fixe dinner menu. The $75 menu includes a bottle of sparkling wine, a choice of appetizer and two entrees including restaurant specialties such as mole con pollo or chile relleno. The menu is available by reservation only from 4-7:30 p.m. An a la carte menu is available until the 9 p.m. closing.
Champagne is the name of the game at Bastille (606 N. Fayette St., Alexandria). Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the restaurant will pair sparkling wines with a five-course meal priced at $119 per person. During December, Bastille will offer a 50 percent discount on select Champagnes every Wednesday.
The St. Regis Hotel (923 16th St. NW) is highlighting special events this holiday season. Children and adults can drop letters to Santa in a special mailbox in the hotel lobby, with a second mailbox for four-legged members of the family. Letters must be submitted by Dec. 20, and all will be answered.
A children’s Teddy Bear Tea ($65) will take place Saturday, with tea and holiday bites. Also on Saturday, executive pastry chef Thierry Delourneaux will supervise gingerbread house decorating classes for children. On Thursdays and Fridays in December, the hotel lobby will be filled with holiday season live jazz.
Located in the District’s oldest firehouse, Sixth Engine (438 Massachusetts Ave. NW) invites guests to celebrate New Year’s Eve with food, drinks and dancing until 2 a.m. Tickets are $100 per person.
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