Yes, it’s cold. Yes, the holidays may have been a lot. And yes, the couch is calling. But winter is actually one of the best times of year to go out to eat, and Winter Restaurant Week is the reason why. Restaurant Week is your permission slip to support local restaurants and finally try those places you’ve been eyeing but maybe put off because of price. It’s also an important moment for the industry. January is historically one of the toughest months for restaurants, and Restaurant Week helps bring energy, diners, and much-needed revenue back into dining rooms across the region. So bundle up, make the reservation, and remember: winter dining is a vibe: BEFORE YOU BOOK — A QUICK PSASo here are your Restaurant Week Do’s & Don’ts:-DO your homework, check menus and prices before you go.-DO leave a generous tip, staff is hustling hard.-DO your homework, check out menus online.-DON’T show up without a reservation.-DON’T be unkind—staffing shortages are still very real. Like attracts like. Metropolitan Washington Restaurant WeekJanuary 19–25, 2026More than 200+ restaurants across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will participate in Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week, presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Expect three-course brunch and lunch menus priced at $25 or $35, and dinner menus at $40, $55, or $65, with optional beverage pairings, including cocktails, wine, and zero-proof selections. The roster spans casual favorites, upscale dining, and fine-dining standouts, making this the region’s most wide-ranging Restaurant Week. Diners can browse menus, explore participating restaurants, and make reservations at RWDMV.com  MORE AREA RESTAURANT WEEKSCharles County Restaurant WeekJanuary 9–18, 2026Local restaurants roll out special menus, prix-fixe options, and limited-time deals celebrating the county’s diverse culinary scene. Baltimore County Restaurant WeekJanuary 16–25, 2026A 10-day promotion designed to bring diners back to neighborhood restaurants while showcasing the county’s local flavor. Fredericksburg Restaurant WeekJanuary 16- January 25, 2026An opportunity to get a taste of the unique food scene that is an integral part of the ‘Burg, and is the perfect opportunity to sample those flavors of the city. Howard County Restaurant Weeks & Craft BeveragesJanuary 19 – February 1, 2026A two-week celebration of local food, craft beverages, and community. Live! Restaurant WeekJanuary 18 - 29, 2026The specially curated menus vary by price at each restaurant: $35 at Sports & Social Maryland, $39 at Luk Fu, $59 at David's and $65 at The Prime Rib. Baltimore City Restaurant WeekJanuary 23 – February 1, 2026The region’s oldest and largest Restaurant Week, featuring approximately 100 restaurants offering multi-course prix-fixe menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Falls Church Restaurant Week  January 23 – February 1, 2026A family-friendly, 10-day celebration of Falls Church’s remarkably diverse food culture, spanning Afghan, Bolivian, Chinese, Greek, Iranian, Italian, Jamaican, Japanese, Mexican, Peruvian, Salvadoran, Thai, Vietnamese, and more. A fantastic chance to discover hidden gems and neighborhood favorites alike. Alexandria Restaurant WeekJanuary 23 – February 1, 2026More than 80 restaurants participate across Alexandria neighborhoods, offering special menus for in-person dining with dinner price points at $30, $40, or $50. Charlottesville Restaurant WeekJanuary 26 – February 1, 2026One of Virginia’s most food-forward cities shows off with three-course prix- fixe menus priced at $25, $35, or $45, making it an ideal time to explore C-Ville’s dining scene. Savor BethesdaFebruary 19 – March 1, 2026Participating restaurants offer deals at $10, $20, and $35, with select locations also accepting takeout orders. Annapolis Restaurant WeekFebruary 21 – March 1, 2026With more than 30 restaurants participating annually, this is the perfect opportunity to try that spot you’ve been meaning to or indulge in local favorites without breaking the bank. Fooduary at the HarborFebruary 22–28, 2026A celebration of food and entertainment at National Harbor featuring prix-fixe menus, chef and bartender demos, and plenty of reasons to make a day (or night) of it. Warrenton Restaurant WeekFebruary 23 – March 1, 2026A charming winter edition returns alongside a second Restaurant Week later in August. Fairfax City Restaurant WeekFebruary 27 - March 8, 2026Global flavors with something for everyone throughout Fairfax City. Richmond Black Restaurant WeekMarch 8–15, 2026Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, this week highlights and supports Richmond’s Black-owned food businesses through dining and cultural storytelling. Winter Restaurant Week is your reminder that cold weather doesn’t meanhibernation, it means good meals, and supporting the restaurants that feed us all year long. Make the reservation. Try something new. And don’t forget to tip well.

Harmony CPA blog interviewed Nycci on navigating the new media landscape, and protecting your brand. See all of her insight and suggestions, here.

Area families looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve without staying up until midnight have plenty of kid-friendly options across the region. Nycci Nellis from TheListAreYouOnIt.com shared a lineup of daytime and early-evening festivities including The Yards DC’s noon balloon drop with DJ, bounce houses and train rides, West Falls Church’s bubble-filled celebration, Cracking Courts & Skates’ daytime balloon drop, and LEGO Discovery Center’s popular noon LEGO ball drop with sparkling cider. Families can also enjoy the full-evening experience at First Night Alexandria with live music, dance parties, and performances throughout Old Town. On New Year’s Day, families can kick off 2026 with festive brunches across the area. Highlights include Matt & Tony’s in Del Ray offering brunch, dinner and at-home kits, IAGU on Capitol Hill serving traditional “lucky” dishes like hoppin’ John and deviled eggs with caviar, and Medium Rare’s legendary pajama brunch complete with prizes. Timber Pizza is welcoming kids in pajamas with free pizza, while Pastis at Union Market features a New Orleans-style Cajun brunch. For classic Southern good-luck fare, By You Bakery offers black-eyed peas, collards and cornbread. For those wanting to celebrate in style, Caravan is hosting a bottomless Moët three-course brunch, and jazz fans can head to Dolphin for a New Year’s Day jazz brunch.

Hey everyone, it’s Nycci Nellis, and welcome back to Industry Night — my love letter to the people who feed us, pour for us, and keep this industry moving.And first of all… Happy New Year!Whoo hoo — this is our first episode of 2026, and I am very happy to be back behind the mic.I am really excited about our show today because I am going to be talking to a chef who has really changed the conversation on Japanese dining in the Midwest = Chef David Utterback.I’ve been a little bit everywhere these last few weeks.A quick Philly food tourm  highlights included Little Water and Kalaya (because obviously).Then a glorious week on the French side of St. Martin, where we don’t leave Grand Case, because you don’t have to. Morning walks into town for croissants, sun all day, and nights bouncing between incredible restaurants. Back in DC, I popped into Maison Bar à Vin for those glorious seaweed choux buns, and over to Chang Chang for Peking duck (a Christmas must). And then a quick 24-hour hit in NYC: Russ & Daughters for bagel and schmear, and Sugarfish for their classic trust me menu.Which feels like the perfect way to bring us to today’s guest… because we’re talking sushi and pushing expectations.Joining me today is Chef David Utterback, a chef who is redefining what world-class Japanese cuisine looks like in the American Midwest. David is a multiple-time James Beard Award semifinalist and made history in 2023 as the first Nebraska-based chef to be named a finalist for Best Chef: Midwest. He’s the chef and owner behind Omaha’s acclaimed restaurants Yoshitomo, Ota, and Koji.From Omaha’s indie punk scene to a formative trip to Japan, David forged his own way. His work has been described as Japanese precision with Midwestern sensibility, and his restaurants are challenging the idea of where exceptional sushi belongsI’m thrilled to welcome him to Industry Night. Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.