Ris cooks up a three-course dinner this Christmas. Photograph by Chris Leaman
Good news for the planning challenged: There are still some tables left for special Christmas Day and Eve menus throughout Washington. We’ve updated our original guide to reflect availabilities, and added a few new spots, as well. Even if your feasting plans are set, we have plenty of other info for all your last-minute holiday needs, including gift tips from chefs and mixologists, and the best (and worst) brands of store-bought eggnog.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Adour
The St. Regis offers a set French menu with dishes like foie gras torchon and a scallop tian with Champagne in addition to its regular à-la-carte offerings.
Price: Set menu, $95 per person; $45 for children
Availability: There are a few spaces left between 5:30 and 6 PM, including a table that seats six.
Menu(s): Five-course menu and à-la-carte dinner
Againn
Celebrate Christmas in simple, homey gastropub style with soup, whole roasted fish, and banoffee pie.
Price: Set menu, $58 per person; $87 with wine pairing
Availability: Spaces are still free between 5:30 and 10 PM, though parties of six or larger may be limited to seatings before 6 or after 8:30.
Menu(s): Three-course menu
Ardeo + Bardeo
In addition to the à-la-carte menu, you can opt for a festive three-course prix fixe plus amuse and a gratis flute of Prosecco.
Price: Set menu (including treats) is $50 per person.
Availability: There are free tables remaining throughout the evening; parties larger than six can reserve before 6:30 and after 9 PM.
Menu(s): À-la-carte menu
Bastille
This cozy French bistro serves up Gallic holiday fare like lobster bisque with caviar, rib eye with bordelaise sauce, and buche de noel.
Price: $85 per person (including tax and gratuity); $129 with wine pairing
Availability: Tables for two are free early (between 5 and 5:15 PM). Larger groups of four or more could snag a table after 8.
Menu(s): Four-course menu
Bibiana
Chef Nick Stefanelli offers his fine-dining interpretation of the “feast of the seven fishes.”
Price: $65 per person
Availability: There is availability for parties of various sizes throughout the evening.
Menu(s): Five-course menu
Blue Duck Tavern
In addition to a special Christmas brunch, Blue Duck serves its regular à-la-carte dinner on Christmas Eve and Day.
Price: À la carte
Availability: Brunch is very limited, but there are still openings for dinner on Christmas Eve and Day.
Menu(s): À-la-carte dinner menu
Bourbon Steak
Chef Adam Sobel serves the same festive seasonal dinner menu on Christmas Eve and Day, with options for each course.
Price: $90 per person
Availability: The restaurant is fully committed for Christmas Day brunch and dinner, but there are still spaces for Christmas Eve around 5:30 PM, and again at 8:15, 8:45, and onward.
Menu(s): Three-course dinner menu
Casa Nonna
Chef Amy Branwein takes on the “feast of the seven fishes.”
Price: $42 per person
Availability: Places at the feast are still available beginning at 8 PM.
Menu(s):Four-course menu
Dino
The family-style seafood feast includes as many fish as possible from the market.
Price: $49 per person; $84 with wine pairing; $20 per child
Availability: Groups of four can book early (4:30 to 5:30), or after 9; larger parties can be seated after 9:30.
Menu(s): Five-course menu
Equinox
A special holiday menu includes items like butter-poached lobster with yuzu vinaigrette, salsify-bread soup, roasted venison, and a winter truffle milkshake.
Price: À la carte
Availability: A smattering of tables remain unclaimed for various times throughout the evening.
Menu(s): Holiday menu
Fiola
Chef Fabio Trabocchi prepares a seafood tour de force in an eight-course “feast of the seven fishes,” plus a regular dinner menu.
Price: Set menu, $125 per person
Availability: There are early openings around 5 and 5:30 PM, and then again after 9:15.
Menu(s):: Eight-course menu or à-la-carte dinner
Michel by Michel Richard
Options on the three-course menu include chestnut soup, diver scallops with shallot jus, braised lamb shank, and a classic filet with shiitakes.
Price: $75 for adults; $28 kids 12 and under
Availability: Parties of two and four can find tables between 5:30 and 10:30 PM, but the restaurant is fully booked for larger groups.
Menu(s): Three-course menu
PS 7’s
Chef Peter Smith concocts an Italian feast of the seven fishes based on recipes from his Italian grandmother, including fried oysters over arugula, shrimp scampi, linguine with clams, and whole roasted branzino with olives and rosemary. An à-la-carte menu is also available, similar to the Italian pop-up offerings.
Price: The family-style set menu is $77 per person; kids aged 5 to 15 are $35; children 5 and under are free.
Availability: There are still spaces available throughout the evening (including for larger groups), starting at 5:30 PM.
Ris
Chef Ris Lacoste offers a traditional three-course menu with lobster bisque, beef Wellington, and croquembouche.
Price: $80 per person.
Availability: Free tables are found around 5 PM and after 8.
Menu(s): Three-course menu
701
Chef Ed Witt’s celebratory menu includes seasonal items like seared scallops in truffle butter and smoked venison with chestnuts. A jazz pianist and a bassist will play during the meal.
Price: $58 per person; $85 with wine pairing
Availability: A smattering of tables are available throughout the evening.
Menu(s): Four-course menu
The Source
Chef Scott Drewno prepares roast Peking duck, seasonal sides, and his famous 15-layer carrot cake in addition to the regular a la carte menu. If you’re going for the prix fixe, mention it to the reservationist to ensure you get a bird.
Price: $49 per person
Availability: There are a few free seatings throughout the night, even during prime feasting hours.
Station 4
This Southwest Waterfront spot has a three-course set dinner menu, including a complimentary foie gras amuse.
Price: $40 per person
Availability: Tables are free throughout the evening starting at 5 PM, including open slots at 7 for parties of ten.
Menu(s): Three-course menu
2941 Restaurant
A festive lineup from chef Bertrand Chemel includes all the holiday indulgence—oysters, foie gras, lobster, and even buche de noel.
Price: $65 per person
Availability: You could still snag a table in and around the first hour of service (4 to 5:30 PM) or the last (after 8).
Menu(s): Three-course menu
Westend Bistro
Celebrate at chef Eric Ripert’s DC bistro with dishes like foie gras with figs and Sauternes, and lobster pot pie topped with shaved black truffles.
Price: Set menu, $75 per person
Availability: There are still a few primetime slots open for parties up to 4 (i.e., 7:15 PM), though larger groups of six-plus should look for early slots or space after 8:30.
Menu(s):Three-course menu and à-la-carte dinner
CHRISTMAS DAY
Adour
In addition to Christmas Eve menus, the St. Regis hotel restaurant offers a Christmas Day service with a variety of options, such as lobster salad, braised bass, and a yule log.
Price: Set menu, $95 per person; $45 for children
Availability: The only availability is toward the beginning of service, around 12:30 PM, for smaller groups.
Menu(s): Four-course menu
Blue Duck Tavern
Buffet brunch appetizers and desserts, plated entrées (regular à-la-carte on Christmas Eve and Day)
Regular entrées like slow-roasted rib eye with horseradish are bookended by buffets: a spread of chilled shellfish, cheeses, and salads to start, and a dessert spread at the end.
Price: $90 per person; $42 for children six to 12
Availability: Christmas Day brunch is very limited, but spaces at à-la-carte Christmas Eve and Day dinners remain unclaimed.
Menu(s): À-la-carte dinner menu
J&G Steakhouse
Opt for a set lineup that includes butternut squash soup and grilled filet, or pick from a variety of à-la-carte options.
Availability: Free spots can be found early in the day around noon and 1 PM, and after 7:30.
Menu(s):Four-course menu or à la carte
Michel by Michel Richard
Look for an elaborate dessert buffet in addition to a French-inspired three-course menu.
Price: $75 for adults; $28 kids 12 and under
Availability: There are still a few spots available around 5.
Menu(s):Three-course menu plus a dessert buffet
Plume at the Jefferson Hotel
A French-inspired Christmas feast in an elegant setting includes dishes like lobster bisque and prime rib.
Price: $90 per person; $40 for children 12 and under
Availability: Tables are open from around 11 AM until 5 PM.
Menu(s): Three-course menu
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
