Top spots to eat and drink over the holiday
Pulling off a full turkey dinner is not for the faint of heart, and some years, just not in our planners. This year, feel free to take off the apron; you’re in good hands with these top D.C. spots serving up holiday feasts.
Thanksgiving Eve
Latin-asian fusion at Sakerum’s rooftop (Photo by Farrah Skeiky)
Sakerum
This latin-influenced sushi bar will be open Wednesday evening, serving up sushi rolls with a special Thanksgiving-themed cocktail menu. Try the maki rolls and the “Who’s Coming for Dinner?” Wild Turkey Rye and cranberry drink. Hang around until midnight, when you can gobble up shots at half-price. Sakerum, 2204 14th Street NW, www.sakerum.com, (202) 518-2222.
Columbia Room
Why wait until Thursday to indulge your tastebuds? This downtown bar nabbed the Washington Post‘s “Best Bar in D.C. 2016” award, adding to its two James Beard nominations. On Thanksgiving Eve, stop by the Tasting Room to test out their festive leaves-inspired fall tasting menu, or bundle up and enjoy a classic cocktail in the Punch Garden. Columbia Room, 124 Blagden Alley NW, www.columbiaroomdc.com, (202) 316-9396.
Thanksgiving Day
The dining room at the classic Central Michel Richard.
Central Michel Richard
The late Michel Richard’s downtown French-American bistro will offer a three course prix-fixe menu on the holiday. For $55 for adults and $27 for children, families can enjoy the classic turkey and mashed potatoes alongside French additions, like gratinée French onion soup. Save room for the cranberry and almond bread pudding, or a slice of the pumpkin pie. Central Michel Richard, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, www.centralmichelrichard.com, (202) 626-0015.
Blue Duck Tavern
Fresh off its Michelin star gain, the West End restaurant will be open for four different servings. Grab breakfast a la carte before 10:30 a.m., dinner a la carte in the lounge, or late night bites after 10:30 p.m. Those looking for a more traditional offering should stop by for the “brunch into dinner” holiday service starting at noon. The three-course Thanksgiving meal starts with appetizers placed throughout the open-air kitchen and dining room, followed by entrées featuring regional produce and finished off with a seasonal dessert. This elegant farm-to-table holiday feast is $110 for adults, $55 for children over six and complimentary for children under. Blue Duck Tavern, 1201 24th St NW, www.blueducktavern.com, (202) 419-6755.
The Oval Room
Neighboring the White House, The Oval Room will offer an innovative take on Thanksgiving favorites for $55 per guest. Flavor-packed seasonal bites like burrata with Autumn vegetables and spicy pumpkin seed vinaigrette, or the cavatelli with bacon, cranberries, truffle and chestnut brown butter, mix holiday comfort with chic eats. Thanksgiving staples get an upgrade, too, like the red bourbon turkey with oyster cornbread stuffing. The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Avenue NW, www.ovalroom.com, (202) 463-8700.
The Hay-Adams
Head to the top of the Hay-Adams to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with a view. The Top of the Hay will lay out a contemporary holiday buffet, $120 for adults and $60 for children under 12. Standouts include carved free range turkey, seared scallops and spicy cornbread. Finish off the meal overlooking the White House with a fall-inspired sweet, like sweet potato layer cake or pumpkin tiramisu with amoretti cookies. Or, skip the buffet for a more casual a la carte breakfast at the hotel’s Lafayette or lunch at Off the Record. The Hay-Adams, 800 16th Street NW, www.hayadams.com, (202) 638-6600.
Thanksgiving with a Twist
Equinox’s Granny Smith Apple Cake is among other plant-based dishes on the restaurant’s holiday menu.
Equinox
Who says Thanksgiving is only about the turkey? Although you can find the Thanksgiving star on this menu, Equinox’s holiday feast is vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian, too. For $70 a person, guests can enjoy plant-based standouts like truffled white-bean soup, rigatoni with mushroom bolognese and apple pie without sacrificing the season’s hearty flavors. Equinox, 818 Connecticut Ave NW, www.equinoxrestaurant.com, (202) 331-8118.
The Bombay Club
Spice up the traditional fare with The Bombay Club’s Thanksgiving-inspired specials, offered in addition to their usual a la carte menu. Old-world Indian dishes with seasonal twists honor the history and homeyness of the holiday. Look out for the sweet potato chaat, achari turkey tikka with a cranberry chutney, and pumpkin caramel cheesecake. The Bombay Club, 815 Connecticut Ave NW, www.bombayclubdc.com, (202) 659-3727.
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca
Why not go Italian this Thanksgiving? Swap the mashed potatoes for black truffle potato arancini and a drumstick for roasted herb and spice stuffed turkey. Or, abandon the classics and branch out to octopus carpaccio and pappardelle with bitter chocolate and a wild boar ragù. Whatever you order, make sure you save room for the cranberry tart with almond meringue. Celebrate with this authentic Italian prix-fixe for $50 a person. Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, 1100 New York Ave NW, www.bibianadc.com,(202) 216-9550.
Thanksgiving Night
Dirty Habit’s cocktails, including the large-format (far right) to be shared among friends.
Dirty Habit
If you catch a second wind post-turkey, gather the troops and head here. This new Penn Quarter cocktail bar is the perfect place to get in the “Friendsgiving” spirit. Sip on communal-style cocktails like “The Praying Osmanthus” and nibble on globally-inspired small plates—assuming your stomach has caught a second wind, too. This place was made for sharing, and what better day to share than Thanksgiving? Dirty Habit, 555 8th Street NW, www.dirtyhabitdc.com, (202) 783-6060.
