Photo courtesy of Osteria Morini.
Whether it’s your traditional winter holiday or one you’re adopting for the love of deep-fried carbs by candlelight, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the edible side of Hanukkah in the D.C. area. The festival of lights runs from Sunday, December 6 through Sunday, December 13 this year. Here’s a full slate of options for you to eat, drink, and dreidel your way through the week:
MOCKINGBIRD HILL: The establishment formerly known as Mockingbird Hill (1843 7th St. NW) is transforming into Miracle on 7th St. for the month, a winter holiday-lover’s fantasyland featuring a different brand of cheer every day through December 24. Wednesdays bring Hanukkah Takeover, which means dreidel-spinning, gelt-showering, and Manischewitz Pong galore. (What, that’s not how you remember your family spending those eight crazy nights?) Order an appropriately kitschy beverage made with a large hammer (in honor of those Maccabees) while appreciating all the Hanukkah tunes you never hear on the radio.
CAPITOL LOUNGE AND STANTON AND GREENE: Get your mingle on at Hanukkah Happy Hour on the Hill on Monday, December 7, an event hosted in partnership with EntryPointDC (a program of the DC Jewish Community Center). With a wristband, you can barhop between Capitol Lounge (229 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) and Stanton and Greene (319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), which will both offer discounted drink specials from 6 to 9 p.m. Collection boxes for warm winter clothing will be available at both bars, and everything collected will be donated to the homeless in D.C.
2 BIRDS 1 STONE: Over at 2 Birds, 1 Stone (1800 14th St. NW), bar director Adam Bernbach is expanding his menu from seven to eight cocktails in honor of the holiday. The Gin & Tonica (with house-made green apple syrup) stays on message.
MAX’S KOSHER CAFE: Even if you missed out on a ticket for the Commissary (1443 P St. NW) and Jewish Food Experience’s sold-out Latke-palooza celebration featuring all-you-can-eat latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), you can still get your fill of both at Lotsa Latkes, taking place at Max’s Kosher Café and Marketplace (2319 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD) on the evening of Wednesday, December 9. There will be plenty of dreidel games and chocolate coins for the kiddies (and the adults, too). Tickets can be purchased here and coat $15 for adults, $7 for kids aged 3 through 10.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH MILITARY HISTORY: Or, seize the opportunity to combine your love for latkes with a visit to the National Museum of American Jewish Military History (1811 R St. NW). The Museum’s annual Hanukkah party kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 10. Admission is free. The event features the classic latke/donut/gelt trio but also throws in a myth-busting Hanukkah history lesson and holiday songs accompanied by bassoon and flute. Donations of winter accessories will be donated to veterans in need.
OSTERIA MORINI: Sufganiyot devotees can find brioche donuts filled with caramelized apple compote on the dessert menu at Osteria Morini (301 Water St. SE, Suite 109) from December 6 through 13.
DGS DELICATESSEN: DGS Mosaic, DGS Delicatessen’s new outpost in Fairfax, VA (2985 District Ave., Suite 115) will be serving a prix-fixe Hanukkah dinner menu on December 6 that includes matzo ball soup, beef brisket braised in red wine, latkes, and honey-glazed donuts.
DINO’S GROTTO: Dino’s Grotto (1914 9th St. NW) is offering a special five-course Hanukkah menu showcasing the many faces of olive oil from December 6 through 13. Featured dishes include latkes with mascarpone and apple compote, olive-oil poached fish of the day, and saffron and olive oil gelato. The full tasting menu costs $44 but items may also be ordered a la carte.
