Tizz the Season

So much is happening this time of year: gatherings of family and friends, preparations for home and workplace holiday festivities and gift-giving, and observance of the season in various traditions. We’re busy, too, catering and hosting many private holiday events, and making plans with you in mind. We hope you’ll fit us into your busy schedule, because we’re inviting you to join us for...

Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m: We’ll celebrate the coming of the longest night of the year at our 12th-annual Winter Solstice Dinner at Equinox Restaurant. This special four-course menu is a collaboration between Todd and our new Executive Chef, Karen Nicolas. The meal will begin with the Chefs’ amusées, including White Truffle Fonduta Beignets. Other courses include hearty dishes such as Pan-Roasted Turbot and Juniper-Brined Medallions of Cervena Venison. And, for dessert...Winter Chestmut Cremeux with Brown Butter, Armagnac Toffee Sauce and Hawaiian Coconut Sorbet. All courses meet their match with paired wines. (Limited to 50 seats; $125 per person, all-inclusive; Reservations are required.)

Sunday, December 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: A great way to spend time with friends during this season would be to take a short break from the holiday tizzy by catching up over our Market Brunch at Todd Gray's Muse at The Corcoran, and strolling through the galleries (maybe even doing some shopping for holiday presents at the excellent museum shop). Typical brunch offerings might include Baked Vegetable Frittata with Zucchini, Baby Spinach and Fontina Cheese and a seasonal quiche. Relax over brunch in the glorious Corcoran Gallery atrium, and take in a lively musical performance of “diverse harmonic styling” by D.C.’s sensational female acapella group, Epic. 

Saturday, December 24, 5:30–10:30 p.m.: We will serve an elegant menu at Equinox Restaurant that can only be described as a Christmas Eve Feast. Guests may select from varied offerings such as Carpaccio of Virginia Black Angus Beef, Butter Poached Lobster, Duo of Roasted Aussie Lamb or Spice Rubbed Pennsylvania Duck Breast. Our vegetarian guests will find tempting sustenance in several courses designed with them in mind, including Green Swiss Chard and Garlic Agnolotti and Baked Ricotta and Spinach Gnudi. Our pastry chef brings the meal to a beautiful finish with an array of festive temptations, including a Chocolate “Bouche de Noel.” (Please contact us for reservations.)

Saturday, December 31, 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. seatings: New Year's Eve at Equinox Restaurant will begin with an oyster roast under the stars, continuing in style with a beautiful and brilliant, flexible menu. Seven courses include stand-out offerings such as Lightly Cured Kampachi with Tangerine Confit, Basil Seeds and Ginger Oil; Hudson Valley Foie Gras Terrine with Shaved Fennel Salad, Rosemary Brioche and Persimmon Mustard. Again, our vegetarian guests will not be disappointed with options such as Chestnut Crepe "Crespelle" with Spinach, Tallegio Cheese and Compressed Asian Pear; and Corn Flour Tagliatelle Noodles with Chanterelle Mushrooms, Wilted Arugula and Housemade Goat’s Milk Ricotta. Desserts include Dark Chocolate Trio of 70% Chocoate Mousse, Dark Chocolate Brownie and Chocolate Sorbet. Structure your own menu of three, five or all seven courses—with or without wine pairings. (Please contact us for reservations.)

Hope you will join us in toasting the holidays this year!

Holiday Gift-Giving Idea: We offer gift certificates for Equinox Restaurant, available online, and for Todd Gray's Watershed Restaurant, available at the restaurant. Cheers!

ALSO HAPPENING... 

December 28, at Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, Todd will be guest chef with Chef Pascal Messier at the Blue Marlin for a festive, seasonal dinner. He says he'll be waiting w/egg nog! You can see the menu here...

Sugar & Champagne Affair, February 1, 2012: The Washington Humane Society presents the 11th annual dessert and champagne reception to honor local crusaders against animal cruelty: Washington Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement Officers, Animal Control Officers, and Humane Educators. This celebration of all things sugary and sweet showcases tastes from the DC area’s most talented pastry chefs complemented by some of the world’s finest sparkling wines. The VIP reception presents an exclusive savory gathering prepared by the finest chefs of the national capital region. For tickets and info, please visit the Washington Humane Society website.

New Cookbook: We are wrapping up a project very close to our hearts: an ethnically diverse family cookbook that mixes Jewish cooking with today’s modern cuisine trends from a professional and home-cook point of view. We have excellent collaborators who share our joy in the process of bringing to life this labor of love: co-writer, David Hagedorn; and, photographer, Renée Comet. As soon as we can, we’ll let you know how to get your own copy. Meanwhile, to learn a little about it (and to see some beautiful photos of our recipes), please visit Renée Comet’s blog, CometPhoto.

Photo by Renée Comet

RECENT BUZZ...

There was nice profile of Todd by writer Josh Novikoff in DCist blog—calling him a "Man of Many Roasts." After listing all of Todd's projects, Novikoff says, "Dude is Everywhere." So true!

Some bloggers joined us for the Friday Night Game Roast on Dec. 9.: Julie (AKA JMDC88) is a vegetarian, who tells us in her post that she felt welcome and included. Lauren DeSantis of Capital Cooking blog said in her post, "A great time was had by all. Even if you missed last Friday's feast, you can check out some upcoming Friday Suppers at Watershed beginning in February." Couldn't have said it better ourselves!