Fencing goes up around the US Capitol in preparation for Joe Biden's inauguration. Photograph by Evy Mages.
Good evening!
Inauguration typically means huge business for DC restaurants and bars. Crowds flood in from out of town.
Revelers are out and about. Groups book up private dining rooms for parties. For many eating and drinking establishments, it’s one of the biggest sales periods of that year. Old Ebbitt Grill and the Hamilton, for example, have historically brought in millions of dollars in revenue in the days surrounding inauguration.
This year, though, Old Ebbitt will be closed. The Hamilton will try to remain open with a skeleton crew to serve law enforcement in the area. Many other restaurants in the downtown area are also suspending operations. Local businesses that remain open won’t see the usual surge. In fact, many are anticipating a rough January on top of an already rough year.
“It could be the worst month we’ve had since the pandemic started, and that is quite likely,” says Pizzeria Paradiso owner Ruth Gresser, who plans to keep her locations open. But if you’re an eternal optimist, look at it this way: “It could also be the worst month of 2021, which
then means as you look forward, it’s going to get better.” Some restaurants and other food and drink businesses are still trying their best to celebrate with to-go options. We’ve got a round-up of inauguration-ready cocktails kits, Biden-themed ice creams, and other specials to help you feel somewhat festive while supporting local.
No one should go hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we can make sure no one has to. Your support will help provide tens of millions of meals for our neighbors – in these uncertain times and beyond. Please help today.
BEST PATIOS: A lot of restaurants are going above and beyond heaters and hot cocoa to lure customers to their outdoor spaces. Check out some of the DC area’s most charming al fresco options, including “streetside chateaus” and a “viking village.”
INDOOR DINING: A reminder that DC’s indoor dining ban has been extended until Jan. 22. When it does return, look for these snazzy gadgets that are showing up in dining rooms to
protect patrons and staff from Covid-19.
COMFORT FOOD: Because we could all use some feel-good food right now, here are nine
comforting brunch dishes to try this weekend.
NEXT: We’ve been waiting to see what’s next for chef Tom Cunanan after all the accolades he racked up at Filipino restaurant Bad Saint. Turns out he has plans for a fine-dining restaurant down the line. In the meantime, he’s teamed up with fellow Filipino-American chef Paolo Dungca (formerly of Kaliwa and Bad Saint) for a riff on fast-food restaurant Jollibee, home of Filipino-accented fried chicken, burgers, and spaghetti.
CHAT: Bring all your dining and delivery questions to critic Ann Limpert’s chat Friday at 11 AM. You can write to her in advance right here.
