In honor of the “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” exhibit, on display at the National Geographic Museum through March, several area restaurants and hotels are offering specials. Here’s some of what’s going on:
Through December 13, executive chef Cliff Wharton will offer a Terra Cotta Pot lunch special ($18) and an Emperor’s Choice three-course prix-fixe dinner ($38), showcasing Chinese spices that date back to 200 BC, such as coriander, chives, and cinnamon. The pan-Asian restaurant is also offering a specialty cocktail called the Immortal that features ginger, green tea, and a mystery liqueur. For reservations, call 202-393-4500.
Executive chef Tim Miller will offer a four-course regional tasting menu and a complimentary exhibit ticket from November 4 through March 31. For $49, you’ll start with a taste of Guangdong tea noodles before moving on to spicy clams, smoked pork, and meat skewers. You’ll top off the meal with Mandarin-orange sorbet and steamed cinnamon sponge cake. Beverage pairings cost an additional $18 per guest. For reservations, call 202-333-6122.
As one of the exhibit’s sponsors, area locations are offering discounted tickets and a specialty cocktail called the Terra Cotta Warrior Smash. This classic drink, which predates the mojito, consists of Hennessy (or any other kind of spirit) muddled with fresh lemons, a sprig of mint, and a pinch of Chinese five-spice. For area locations, click here.
The Willard InterContinental Hotel
The hotel will offer Tea Chinois in the Peacock Alley promenade, where afternoon tea is served. The re-imagined space—now outfitted with hanging silk lanterns, elegant drapery, and bamboo stalks—was inspired by Chinoiserie, the 17th century Western aesthetic that attempts to imitate Chinese styles. Pastry chef Courtney Goldian developed new menu items, including ginger-and-fresh-fruit petit fours, Mandarin mousse, and green-tea meringues. New tea flavors include Lapsang Souchong, Rose Silver Needle and Thousand Days Red Jasmine. Tea Chinois costs $39 per person or $49 with a glass of Champagne. Now through December 31 from 1 PM, and January 2 through February 14, Friday through Sunday 2:30. For reservations, call 202-942-7000.
On December 2, the restaurant will offer a three-course Chinese dinner and host a live appearance by Chi Chang, the exhibit’s traveling performance artist. The dinner—hot-and-sour soup, spring rolls, crab wontons, dumplings, pan-fried fish, barbecue pork, shrimp lo mein, and a lotus-paste bun—starts at 6:30. The cost is $50 per person. For reservations, call 202-629-4355.
The Lobby Cafe at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C.
Through March 1, the Lobby Cafe is offering the Ancient Warrior cocktail ($14)—a blend of Domaine de Canton ginger liquor, Firefly raspberry tea vodka, Chambord, and Sprite. Couple the drink with some Chinese rolls ($12) with prawns, ginger, mint, and sweet soy, or satay skewers with hot chili sauce ($11). For information, call 202-835-0500.
The library is hosting an exhibition titled “Imagining China: The View From Europe, 1550-1700.” Get a glimpse of early maps, rare Chinese porcelains and illustrations, and other items from the Folger collection, Library of Congress, and Walters Art Museum. Now through January 9. Admission is free. For information, call 202-544-4600.
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