Washington, DC New Menu Report: 12/31/2015

 

It's officially the last day before the last day of 2015 and depending on your viewpoint, good riddance or hail and farewell. Procrastinators may have made it through the gift giving mayhem and can now relax knowing that if they didn't make a reservation for New Year's Eve they won't be snubbing anyone. If you still are looking for options, we've got a few in the District that will satisfy a range of partygoers. See you next time in 2016!

Ankara
If you still don't know what to eat for New Year's Eve, try something different and explore the incredibly diverse cuisine of Turkey with the folks at Ankara. They are offering a special prix-fixe four-course dinner for $55 per person with two seating times, 6 to 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. Your meal begins with a complimentary glass of Ridgeview 'Fitrovia' Rose Brut from Sussex England, a bubbly beloved by Queen Elizabeth, and continues with tasty dishes like shakshuka, which is sautéed eggplant with tomato, roasted pepper, garlic, and parsley; lahmacun flat bread topped with minced beef and lamb with tomatoes and onion relish; kuzu pirzola perfectly grilled lamb chops served with Ottoman rice; and for the finale try poached apricots served with cream and a robust Turkish coffee. Call to make reservations at (202) 293-6301.

Black Squirrel
They did it up right for Thanksgiving, now Black Squirrel is hosting one of their other big parties: Southern-style fun for New Year's. People used to be superstitious in the Deep South and had elaborate customs for New Year's designed to ward off bad luck and ensure a more prosperous future. See if going to their special New Year's Day Brunch does the trick. Even if not, you can get a great meal. The brunch starts at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 1 and includes:

• Black-eyed peas, because in the south, eating black-eyed peas shows humility and thus invites good fortune.
• Collard greens are considered lucky because they look like greenbacks.
• Cornbread is a symbol of gold.
• Pork is rich with fat and is served to bring a New Year rich with happiness.
• Fish is eaten because it's a symbol of moving forward in the New Year.
• Doughnuts are served because foods in the shape of a ring are thought to bring good luck, possibly because they symbolize coming full circle.
• Beer, well that's served because it tastes good, so it's lucky they are serving a keg of 2013 Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout.

Lena's Wood-fired Pizza & Tap
If you live in the VA suburbs and want to try a new place, consider the Family New Year's Eve Dinner on offer at Lena's Wood-fired Pizza & Tap. Thursday, December 31, from 5 to 11:59 p.m. chef Mauro is serving special menu items that include his half moon ravioli, veal scaloppini with tri-color peppercorn sauce, and horseradish crusted salmon, plus you can still order off the regular menu. If you can make it to midnight, a complimentary champagne toast and party favors are part of the fun. Better call for reservations.

Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor at The Daily Meal and also writes about food, drink, and travel. Follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva, on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva, and read more of her stories here.