The Feasts Of September: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Weekly Roundup
Autumn is here, and the flavors are shifting with the season. You know our team here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com scours the vibrant DC culinary scene for cozy, seasonal offerings. The latest in seasonal menus crafted by your many of your favorite local spots—and perhaps a few new names to discover. We're ready to embrace the comforting tastes of fall - Pumpkin Spice and all —are you?
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Alice Waters + Smithsonian Food History Gala (Mark Your Cal): The Smithsonian Food History Gala takes place on October 17th, where the annual presentation of the Julia Child Award for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts will go to this year’s recipient, Alice Waters. As we gather for the 10th annual Gala, we not only celebrate a decade of culinary excellence but also recognize the pivotal role the Food History Project plays in fostering a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of what we eat. Info here.
A New Restaurant in DC: James Beard Foundation Award-winning Restaurateur Ellen Yin’s Philadelphia-based High Street Hospitality Group has partnered with Hotel AKA Washington Circle, to create a.kitchen+bar concept. A.kitchen+bar DC’s menu is curated by Executive Chef Eli Collins, who has led the Philadelphia kitchen for the past seven years garnering two three-bell reviews from the Philadelphia Inquirer’s critic Craig Laban and was named “Best Chef” of 2022 by Philadelphia Magazine. Day-to-day leadership will be provided by Chef de Cuisine George Madosky, who joins the D.C. chef community after four years as Chef of High Street Hospitality Group’s flagship restaurant, Fork. Dishes to note include littleneck clams, smoked duck frites, and chickpea panisse with carrots.
Out on the Lake: Copper Canyon Grill has launched a barge in the 9-acre lake at Rio in Gaithersburg. The Copper Canyon Grill Barge will operate seasonally and will close annually once the weather gets too cold for use. The barge allows for an additional 58 seats so bring your friends. Enjoy dishes outside like trout, eastern shore crabcakes and more. 100 Boardwalk Place Gaithersburg, MD; ccgrill.com
Mezze on the Wharf: Ilili is now offering a prix fixe lunch menu Wednesday through Friday.Enjoy a selection of mezza followed by a choice of Lamb Burger, Shish Taouk, Stuffed Grape Leaves, or Beef Kebab. Dessert options include Baklava and the Mouhalabiyeh, milk pudding with orange blossom. The Wharf, 100 District Square SW; .ililirestaurants.com
Chocolate and Tea, Yes Please!: Park Hyatt is hosting Fall 2024 Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, a seasonal culinary & beverage experience on Saturday, September 21. You will join visiting Valrhona Corporate Executive Pastry Chef Luke Frost, with Park Hyatt Washington D.C.’s Pasty Chef Colleen Murphy, and Blue Duck Tavern’s Chef de Cuisine Andrew Cleverdon. Each participant will explore afternoon tea fare, pastries, and chocolates while also enjoying single-origin teas curated by Palais des Thés. 1201 24th Street, NW; hyatt.com
Bottoms Up: Palette 22 launched a new bottomless brunch program. Available every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, enjoy unlimited à la carte offerings like Watermelon Aquachile, Banh Mi Benedict, and more. 400 Morse St NE Washington; dc.palette22.com
Seven Years!: Chef Ryan Ratino's Bresca turns seven this September. The restaurant will offer a $177 chef’s tasting menu featuring some of the restaurant’s classics. Enjoy dishes such as Scallop Crudo with celtuce and buttermilk, a Foie Gras Negroni with Beignets, and Cote de Boeuf with Black Garlic, Robuchon Potatoes, and Ambrosia, with supplements like their famous Duck a la Presse ($77 add). 1906 14th St NW; brescadc.com
Duck on a Roll: This September, Chef Ryan Ratino in collaboration with Beresovsky’s Deli for their ongoing Chefs…on a Roll rotation has created the "Hot Duckity Dog," a gourmet twist on a classic, featuring a blend of duck, pork, and foie gras hot dog, topped with pickled mustard seeds, chives, pickles, and a unique Calabrian ketchup. Try this dish at Beresovsky’s Deli in Navy Yard for the end-of-summer treat. 1201 Half St SE; beresovskys.com
New Season, New Menu: Chef Chris Morgan at Joon is offering a new menu for fall. Highlights include an Arugula Salad with heirloom tomatoes, feta, walnuts, pickled peaches, basil, and beet vinaigrette and Mushroom Khoresh with oyster and cremini mushrooms, tomato, swiss chard, saffron and white truffle. 8045 Leesburg Pike suite 120; eatjoon.com
Fall for These Flavors: Fall has arrived and Jeni's Ice Cream has launched their new ice cream with flavors of the season. Look forward to trying new flavors like Bay leaf cheesecake with a herby cream cheese icing, sweet potato marshmallow praline with spiced sweet potato and candied pecans, the miso butterscotch brownie with toasted sugar and miso. jenis.com
Skyedom (Chef Alert): Skydome has welcomed a new chef to join their team. Enis Achour brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Skydome team in his new role as he begins leading the team. Boasting over 12 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, his culinary journey began in Tunisia, where he grew up. With his mother’s French background and his dad’s from Tunisia, he finds inspiration in his Mediterranean roots and French culture. 300 Army Navy Dr; .hilton.com
From the Garden to Menu: Alhambra has released a new seasonal menu to ring in the colder weather while focusing on hyperlocal sourcing for the freshest meals. Try the new watermelon and tomato salad, coconut rice pudding, blackened octopus, and more. Decanter, 923 Black Lives Matter Plz NW; alhambradc.com
Mid-Autumn Festival Moon Cakes: Chang Chang is celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival (taking place on September 17) with the return of Lisa Chang's beloved mooncakes, available for presale now through September 28. The Chang family uses a Suzhou-style recipe that is flakier and paler than the mooncakes of Hong Kong and southern China; the sweet red bean + savory pork mooncake pastries are sold as a box of 6 for $18 and available for pick up every Friday and Saturday at Chang Chang, until September 28. Order the moon cakes here.
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Cake for Breakfast: Spend your sunny fall Saturday afternoons on Chef James Wozniuk’s patio with new brunch dishes like LO BAK GO (a classic turnip cake with daikon radish, dried shiitake & scallion) Lor Mee (flat rice noodles with sliced pork, fish cake, 7 min egg, minced garlic, sambal, bean sprout, tofu and black vinegar) or KOAY TEOW TH’NG (a thin rice Penang noodle soup with pulled chicken, fish balls, scallion, crispy garlic, and garlic oil.) 3400 11th St NW; makanrestaurantdc.com
Mark Your Cal or Get Shucked (Mark Your Cal): The 11th annual Shuck It! oyster and beer festival is upon us on October 19th. Enjoy live music as you slurp on oysters and the best brews in the area. Tickets are going very fast, so make sure you get yours here.
Chiko x Colada Shop = Collab: Celebrate Cuban Sandwich Day with a unique twist. Colada Shop and Chiko have teamed up to bring you an unforgettable Cuban Sandwich, blending the best of both worlds. Enjoy a delicious fusion of pork, ham, Sichuan pickle relish, and Chinese mustard, available at all Colada Shop locations from September 1st. coladashop.com
Taste of Bethesda (Mark Your Cal): Taste of Bethesda will be back on the streets of Woodmont Triangle (Norfolk, St. Elmo, Cordell & Del Ray Avenues) on Saturday, October 5th. Featuring 35 Bethesda restaurants, live music on four different stages throughout the festival, and children's activities including face painting, this is an event you do not want to miss. Learn more here.
The Beast is Back (Mark Your Cal) : Snallygaster season is approaching very quickly and tickets are going fast. If you've been waiting to purchase your Basilisk tickets, this is your sign to jump on the opportunity. At the festival on October 12th, you can enjoy over 450 beers from over 175 brewers and enjoy the best of the best in food trucks, live music on two stages, entertainment and family fun all on Pennsylvania Ave in the heart of Washington DC. Purchase tickets here.
Hong Kong on the Menu (Brunch Alert): Immigrant Food has launched a new brunch menu including the “Peruvian Double Fried Chicken Sandwich” (with Aji amarillo, salsa criolla, lime) and the “Hong Kong French Toast” (peanut butter, condensed milk, strawberry jam). For drinks, opt for brunch cocktails like the “DIY Mimosa Trio” and Sangria pitchers or non alcoholic favorites like the Café Calma, Pineapple Matcha, and several NA cocktails including a Virgin Piña Colada. immigrantfood.com
A Taste of the Amazon at Lunch: Amazonia is excited to announce the launch of its new 3-course lunch pre-fixe menu, available starting Sunday, August 25 from 11am to 3pm. The new lunch pre-fixe menu is designed to give guests a well-rounded taste of Amazonia’s culinary offerings. For $45, diners can enjoy one starter, an anticucho, and their choice of any sandwich or main dish. 920 Blagden Alley NW; causadc.com
The Best Cookie: Levain is bringing back the classics with the launch of their new Black & White cookie. This cookie is like a love letter to the classic black & white, with rich dark cocoa, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chunky white chocolate bits. It’s been super popular as an exclusive limited-time offering online, and now you can grab one in Georgetown, but only for a little while. levainbakery.com
Mangia Mangia : Corso Italian has just introduced a new all-you-can-eat Italian brunch with a wide array of italian-inspired eats and drink specials like bellinis and more. Try the ricotta pancakes, honey foacacia toast and more dishes. 4024 Campbell Ave; corsoitalian.com
Mexico at the Market: Union Market's La Cosecha is getting a flavorful boost with Apapacho, a new taqueria led by the passionate and talented husband-and-wife team, Alam Mendez and Elisa Reyna. Apapacho, inspired by the rich culinary heritage of Mexico, promises to deliver a dining experience that is both authentic and soulful. With Alam's deep roots in traditional Oaxacan cooking, influenced by his family's renowned restaurant Las Quince Letras, and Elisa's artistry as a pastry chef, Apapacho is set to become a haven for food lovers. Each dish, crafted with the finest ingredients and handmade with care, embodies the essence of the Nahuatl word "Apapacho" – to embrace with the soul. instagram.com
Fried Chicken For Us: The Roost is excited to welcome Buttermilk, the latest culinary venture by seasoned pitmaster Shannon Bingham, known for his exceptional barbecue expertise. After gaining recognition for his Central Texas-style smoked meats at Emmylou’s, Bingham is now bringing his love for comfort food to Buttermilk, where fried chicken takes center stage. You can indulge in mouthwatering sandwiches like the #1 with coleslaw, pickles, and honey mustard, or the #3 with pimento cheese, jalapeno jam, and BBQ sauce, all served with crispy waffle fries. 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue; .theroostsedc.com
