For a glass of Champagne: Bar Jo

There’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a glass of champagne, and there’s no better place to enjoy a glass of bubbles than at a champagne bar – namely, Bar Jo’s, the cozy champagne bar inside Josephine’s in Old Town Alexandria. The list of champagnes by the glass and bottle is extensive, and the menu of champagne cocktails includes something for everyone. There is the boozy Hemingway’s Kir Royale, a twist on a classic Kir Royale with absinthe, the light and airy Lighter Side of A, a wine-based aperitif with sparkling wine and lemon, and the tropical Alpine Airmail, with rum, peach, lime and of course, sparkling wine. The venue even offers a sparking wine negroni! Enjoy your champagne with a cheese plate, or, for something indulgent, the creamiest macaroni au gratin in town.

For happy hour with a wintery vibe: Dirty Habit’s Ski Chalet

The iconic Kimpton Hotel Monaco converts the patio of its restaurant, Dirty Habit, into a ski chalet every winter to set a seasonal vibe for guests. There are fire pits, cozy blankets, and of course, winter-themed beverages such as a warm espresso martini, a cranberry sparkling wine beverage, mulled wine, and more. Be sure to visit the annual Penn Quarter holiday market before or after happy hour, located right in front of the hotel.

For the best holiday cookies: Levain Bakery

The cookie tin at Levain Bakery, with locations both in Georgetown and Bethesda, is guaranteed to chase away any winter blues. The dark chocolate peppermint is sinfully rich, the chocolate chip walnut is crunchy, and the oatmeal raisin is a classic. If you are buying one as a gift, get one for yourself too!

For a cozy brunch: The Tabard Inn Restaurant

The Tabard Inn welcomes you with a cozy lounge complete with a fireplace, which leads to several small rooms with dining tables and an enclosed patio with heat lamps. In addition to that, their brunch menu has all the comfort foods you crave in winter. Flaky, butter biscuits, latkes topped with eggs and gravy, pear-topped pancakes, and best of all, irresistible house-made donuts.

For a lunch of classic Italian comfort food: Claudio’s Table

There’s nothing as comforting as pasta when the temperatures drop, and so Claudio’s Table, which just opened in Palisades, is the perfect spot for a winter lunch. Indulge in arancini, where creamy spheres of risotto are enrobed in a crunchy exterior, cheesy cacio e pepe pasta, hearty eggplant parmesan smothered in mozzarella cheese, classic margherita pizza with burnt edges, and, of course, sweet cannoli.

Happy holidays!

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The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian encompasses all of the Americas in their exhibitions and this is also reflected in its food.  From the seafood of the Pacific Northwest to Peruvian dishes, the food reflects the multiple indigenous cultures of the Americas. It covers five key areas of the Native cultures of the Western Hemisphere such as the Northern Woodlands, Mesoamerica, South America, Northwest Coast, and Great Plains.

I entered the massive adobe colored museum, walked past its cafeteria and took the scent of all the flavors at the café until I made it to the kitchen of Mitsitam.  There, I met Jerome Grant, a young, creative and energetic chef who is passionate about the menu served at the café.  The menu is strictly seasonal and the chef and his team come up with a new menu every season.  He emphasizes that Native Americans have a deep connection to the earth and he translates that into making menus with sustainable fresh ingredients.

I had the opportunity to see Jerome and his staff prepare very creative dishes at the kitchen of Mitsitam café.  He began his tour with a demonstration on how he made fresh octopus from Washington State in a bed of colorful cauliflower puree. The colors of the dish were beautifully vibrant.  Jerome also walked us through a delicious cut of elk with seasonal vegetables.  I have always been hesitant about game, but this medallion of medium cooked elk was juicy and flavorful.

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At the Orchid Room of the US Botanic Garden

Cacti from the World Deserts Collection

Holiday Details at the US Botanic Garden

In the “Jungle” section of the garden, there’s a replica of the National Mall with the architectural replicas made out of dried plant materials.  The structures were placed in the same order as the national mall, starting with the Lincoln Memorial and concluding at the Capitol. These intricate structures strangely fit perfectly among the lush vegetation of this display. 

Lincoln Memorial Replica at US Botanic Garden

The Capitol Replica at US Botanic Garden

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