It’s the new year, and you know what that means … Area Restaurant Weeks are about to kick off. As your unofficial Restaurant Week chick (yes, Nycci has anointed herself as such), she’s got the scoop on when these weeks are happening, where the best deals are being served, and which restaurants are offering something extra special.Winter can be unpredictable for the hospitality industry—between post-holiday indulgence,  tight wallets and rough weather it’s a challenging time. But Restaurant Week is a delicious way for diners to get out and enjoy incredible meals without breaking the bank.Stay tuned here for an ever-evolving list of delicious ways to expand your palate. Before you dive in, here are some essential Do’s and Don’ts for making the most of any Restaurant Week experience:Restaurant Week Do’s and Don’ts:DO your homework: Check menus and prices online. Some places offer their entire menu, while others have curated Restaurant Week specials.DO leave a generous gratuity—staff are working just as hard, if not harder.DON’T show up without a reservation.DON’T be unkind. Staffing shortages are still very real.DO know that many restaurants extend their Restaurant Week pricing beyond the official dates. Always check their websites for details.Enjoy dining out, supporting local restaurants, and savoring all the flavors this season has to offer: Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week returns January 27 – February 2. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), once again celebrates the region’s vibrant culinary scene with this highly anticipated biannual. Participating restaurants will offer brunch and lunch menus for $25 or $35 per person, and dinners for $40, $55, and $65 for on-premise dining. Cocktail, wine, or non-alcoholic pairings may also be available at select establishments. So many restaurants participating in 2025 like: -A.Kitchen & Bar (NEW)-All Set-All Purpose Pizza-Amazonia -Arrels (NEW)-Blue Jacket-Bresca-Caruso’s Grocery -Casa Teresa -Cork Market -Dauphine’s -Easy Company Wine Bar (NEW) -El Taller del Xiquet (NEW)Stay tuned for so many - MANY -  more participants and details. For more information, Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week. Live! Restaurant Week rolls out January 19-30. Take a 10-day journey of flavor at Live! Casino & Hotel in Maryland. This inaugural Restaurant Week offers specially priced prix fixed dinners available Sunday through Thursday at five participating restaurants across the casino resort. For more information, visit Live! Restaurant Week.Baltimore City Restaurant Week runs January 24 - February 2.  The region’s largest restaurant week promotion features approximately 100 dining establishments in central Maryland. Restaurants offer multi-course prix-fixe lunch, brunch and inner menus. For more details, visit Baltimore City Restaurant Week.Fall Church Restaurant Week is January 31 — February 9. Falls Church offers local diners the perfect opportunity to savor the flavors of over 40 participating restaurants in a dynamic hub brimming with international, immigrant-owned, innovative, and award-winning eateries. 20 new restaurants recently opened and more are on the horizon. Some participating restaurants include:-Ellie Bird-Thompson Italian-Borek-G-Dolan Uyghur -La Tingeria-Luzmila's-Midori Tea House-Panjshir-Seoul PrimeStay tuned for more details or visit, Fall Church Restaurant Week Alexandria Restaurant Week returns from January 31st - February 9th. Explore a record number of 90+ participating restaurants, offering special multi-course prix fixe dinner menus at $30, $40 or $50 per person, plus fast casual offers. For more information, visit Alexandria Restaurant Week. Vienna Restaurant Week,  March 7 - March 16: For the fourth year in a row, chefs and eateries all across the Town of Vienna welcome diners to Vienna Restaurant Week. Vienna’s variety of cuisines from Asian to Italian, French to Lebanese, Indian to Latin American, burgers to baked goods and more, diners are sure to find their favorite meal at a great price in the 50+ participating restaurants. Stay tuned her for more details and visit,  Vienna Restaurant Week.

Osteria Mozza is opening in Georgetown, and Nycci was there to check it out. Find out more in this Georgetowner article by Robert Devaney.Photo: Greg “Fritz” Blakey

Don't do all the work yourself this year…listen in for Nycci's suggestions to make this Thanksgiving go smoothly.

Hello everyone. Look, I am somewhere new. You may recall the four shows out at Barrel Oak Vineyards. Remember that? Every week I would drive out and let the blood pressure just drop. And what did I tell you I did after every trip? I would drive down the road from Barrel Oak into the pretty little town of Marshall. I’d stop by Red Truck Bakery for a few cookies and then I would have a late lunch at the Whole Ox where I’d order The Big Ox two 1/3 lb beef patties ground in-house with special sauce and all the fixings. Then I’d swaddle around a little in the market to pick up some wine, some amazing well-curated snacks and some steaks.I’ve always been obsessed with the Whole Ox because it’s in this little gem of a town and carries everything I want from a little independent butcher shop and market and where am I today?!The food is great there and, you know, it's kind of everything you want from an independent butcher shop and market, which sort of leads me to where I am today. So I'm across the street from the Whole OX. I am in this new gorgeous kitchen and event space called, are you ready, the Whole OX 2. Yes, they have expanded and I cannot wait to catch up with this badass butcher. Her name is Amanda Lohoyak.Listen to the full episode here and watch the full episode here.