Washington, DC New Menu Report: 11/04/15
With the holidays looming on the horizon, it's nice to have a plan in place when you need to decompress from the planning and running around, and what better way than with a civilized, relaxing cuppa? We suggest you try two new traditions and stop for a hot cup of tea, or go for a nine-course, vegan Omakase. If you want to stick with what you know, then there are still fall food and drink menus to try. The object this week: do something different.
The Hay-Adams Hotel
Just in time for a much needed respite from holiday jitters and anticipatory anxiety, the historic Hay-Adams Hotel is debuting a holiday service. Just steps away from the White House, tea lovers can enjoy an all-inclusive tableside presentation of tempting sweets and savory snacks. But be sure to make a reservation because this service is available exclusively 3 to 4 p.m. Sundays, December 6, 13, 20, and 27 in the Lafayette Room. For $50 per person and $40 for children under 12, guests may enjoy a selection of teas from the Mighty Leaf Tea Company and slowly savor teatime favorites to include a selection of sandwiches, Viennese desserts, and a children's menu. Look for sandwiches with English cucumber and tomato and farmhouse egg salad with watercress; desserts such as warm cranberry scones with Devonshire cream and organic strawberry preserve, chocolate opera cake, strawberry choux puffs, French fruit tarts, and macarons. The kids will love hot chocolate and little sandwiches made with ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and fresh fruit.
The Jefferson Hotel
Not ready to talk about turkey, Thanksgiving, and all that entails? Try focusing on fall-themed food and drink menus with a bit of flair. Plume, The Jefferson Hotel's upscale restaurant, and Quill, the intimate bar and lounge have seasonal flavors and treats that will make you forget Thanksgiving is right around the corner. For the perfect end to an exceptional meal, order a dessert at Plume like the speculoos and salted caramel stone. It's made with salted caramel custard, speculoos froth, and green apple marshmallow for an October sweets meet November harvest riff. If its cocktails you crave, de-stress with a cocktail like Ichabod's Bane made with pumpkin-infused Bulleit bourbon, egg whites, house-made sour, pumpkin cordial, and Angostura bitters — it's fall in a glass.
Sushi-ko
Traditional omakase menus are fish-centric and Sushi-ko has one of the most iconic in the DMV. The problem with omakase is vegans can't join their friends for dinner and still find a meal worthy of the effort — until now. Starting November 5, Sushi-ko will serve a nine-course, one-of-a-kind omakase menu at the sushi bar. Reservations are required and the price is $80 per person and features inventive dishes like Ohitashi with bamboo shoots, wakame, and kombu dashi jelly; agemono with Brussel's sprouts, Ichimi togarashi, and ginger caramel; and ends with adzuki-bean jelly.
Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor and food, drink and travel writer at The Daily Meal. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva and on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva.