Zagat Survey Discussions

New Restaurants

New Nightspots

Coming Soon

Circa

This coffee shop, casual eatery and wine bar will snuggle into the DuPont Circle enclave (1601 Connecticut Ave. NW) vacated by Wrapworks in spring 2007; it will serve small- and medium-sized plates from around the world.

Liberty Tavern

When this Contemporary American opens in Clarendon's historic Masonic Lodge building (3195 Wilson Blvd.) in early 2007, diners won't need to know secret handshakes or passwords to take advantage of its seasonal menus, wood-fired pizzas or global wine cellar.

M'Dawg Haute Dogs

This offshoot of Adams Morgan's late-night snack stop, the Amsterdam Falafelshop, will bring a similarly gourmet touch to the international world of sausages in a storefront across the street (2418 18th St. NW).

Proof

Slated to open this spring in the Penn Quarter (701 Eighth St. NW), this wine bar will touch all the trendy bases, from its high-tech Enomatic pouring system and champagne trolley to its sleek, contemporary look by the Grizform Design team (PS 7's, Farrah Olivia). Cheese, charcuterie and Mediterranean-accented small plates will complement some 30 wines by the glass.

Vapiano

This German-based, upscale Italian fast-food chain is hoping to score with hungry hockey fans when it opens its first U.S. location this month across from the Washington Capitals' new practice facility in Ballston (4401 N. Wilson Blvd.); other outlets are planned below DuPont Circle (1800 M St. NW) and in Chinatown (623-625 H St. NW).

Yazuzu

An Adams Morgan basement (2120 18th St. NW) will house this soon-to-open Mediterranean eatery with an airplane cabin–like interior (complete with rounded ceiling), fire-engine-red walls and table seating for up to 20 diners.

Good Deals and Other News

Bangkok Joe's

Infuses American holiday cuisine with Thai flavors in dishes like BBQ turkey Essan-style (featuring an herb marinade used in Northeastern Thailand) and custard steamed inside a small pumpkin and served with coconut ice cream; the dinner specials are available à la carte or in fixed-price menus through December 23rd.

Bebo Trattoria

Translates the Italian tradition of family-style Sunday dining into a good-value brunch menu that lets diners order up to four courses (antipasti, pasta, entrees and dessert) for the table, with prices ranging from $5 to $15 per person, per course.

Charlie Palmer Steak

Gourmet riffs on street-food classics – including crisp lobster corn dogs, tasso-cured pork BBQ short ribs and a funnel cake with apple butter – are available in the bar and dining rooms through December 31st.

Equinox

Plans to open Market Salamander, a market cafe offering take-home delicacies as well as eat-in facilities, in an adjoining space in early 2007.

L'Auberge Provençale

Invites guests to enjoy the 13 traditional desserts of Provence in its sitting room from December 12th through the 24th (3 PM onwards); the complimentary treats include oreillettes (orange-blossom-flavored fried pastries) and Twelfth Night Cake.

Le Paradou

Taste-sized servings of popular dishes such as lobster "purse" with carrot and ginger emulsion and foie gras custard with pumpkin and spices to pair with wine or cocktails can be ordered in the lounge, as well as the restaurant, for $6–$14.

Les Halles

Regional holiday dishes from Burgundy, including frogs' legs in puff pastry, capon stuffed with chestnuts and morels and a Bûche de Noël, will be added to the à la carte dinner menu from December 15th–25th.

Marcel's

Through December 10th, attendees of the Kennedy Center production of The Brand New Kid can order off a special three-course, pre-theater dinner menu ($48 per adult; $25 for children under 12; also available to non-theatergoers); the price includes round-trip limo service to the Center for the 7:30 PM curtain time.

Morton's

The Georgetown and Crystal City locations will open for holiday lunch on December 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd (both outposts are normally open for dinner only), serving a menu including salad, entrees such as filet Diane, rib-eye steak or crab cakes, sides, dessert and coffee or tea for a fixed price that will range from $33.95 to $47.95, depending on choice of entree.

Occidental

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, this historic American will reopen its revamped second-floor "Gallery" in mid-December; the first floor's still-secret new look will be unveiled in January.

Pesce

New top toque Bernard Marchive brings his native French sensibility, honed at Le Paradou, to the daily changing seafood preparations, and puts his pastry chef training to use by expanding the range of desserts.

Urbana

Pastis – dubbed the 'milk' of Provence – and other apéritifs are specially priced from 4–7 PM ($4–$5) in the wine bar, where they complement a new menu of Venetian-inspired bites like lobster arancini (fried risotto balls) and fontina- and chorizo-stuffed mushrooms.

Willard Hotel

Free live holiday-music programs are featured in the festively decorated lobby, along with complimentary hot-spiced cider and gingerbread treats, every weekday night from 5:30–7:30 PM through December 22nd.