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Stuck in D.C.?

Those who can’t make it home for Thanksgiving have several local dining options

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turkey, Thanksgiving, dining, Washington Blade, gay news

D.C. has lots of dining options for those staying in town next week. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Looking to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast without the hassle of spending hours in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up? Then, a number of D.C.’s finest and most popular restaurants will be the most welcome Thanksgiving day sight since the Pilgrims first spotted Plymouth Rock.

On Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22) dozens of area restaurants will be serving up menus ranging from traditional to innovative holiday meals.

Here’s a list of what some will be offering:

Ardeo Bardeo Restaurant
3311 Connecticut Ave. NW
202-244-6750

Celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving meal or enjoy one of Chef Nate Garyantes’ dinner specials at Ardeo Bardeo from 5-11 p.m., which features everything from butternut squash soup to wild mushroom risotto to ricotta agnolotti. Turkey of course will be served but other dining choices include grilled swordfish, seven hour-braised Shenandoah lamb shoulder or grilled beef strip loin.

Art and Soul
415 New Jersey Ave., NW
202-393-7777

Executive Chef Wes Morton will pull out all the southern-inspired stops with his Thanksgiving buffet menu, featuring house-made maple ham, a roast of local heritage turkey and all the best holiday favorites. Seatings are available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Adults are $55 per person and children ages 6 to 12 are $25. All customers will receive a “leftover” roast turkey sandwich complete with cranberry sauce and gravy to take home.

Beacon Bar and Grill
1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW
202-872-1126

Chef Steven Hunter will welcome all to Beacon Bar and Grill’s Thanksgiving Day dining celebration with traditional holiday fare and great seasonal alternatives. The three-course dinner is available from noon to 7 p.m. Adults $34.95, children $15.95.

Bistro Francais
3124 M St. NW
202-338-3830

This Georgetown French eatery will be offering a traditional three-course Thanksgiving meal, as well as an a la carte option from 11 a.m. to midnight. Lunch begins at $29.95 for adults, $19.95 for children, with dinner fetching $10 more.

Brasserie Beck
1101 K St. NW
202-408-1717

Chef Brian McBride will prepare Brasserie Beck’s first Thanksgiving Day feast with seatings from noon to 9 p.m. This contemporary Belgian brasserie will also offer special holiday desserts.

Café Berlin
322 Massachusetts Ave. NE
202-543-7656

This German-themed restaurant will be offering menu choices from its regular and special Thanksgiving Day menu from 1 to 8 p.m. The holiday meal begins with pumpkin soup and is followed by roasted turkey with all the trimmings and choice of dessert. Cost is $27 per person.

Darlington House
1610 20th St. NW
202-332-3722

Owners Fabio and Patricia Beggiato invite Thanksgiving revelers to head to their Italian eatery for a special holiday meal, that starts with a glass of prosecco. Traditional offerings will be available from 2 to 11 p.m. Adults cost $49, children $25.

Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant
555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, VA
703-685-0555

The restaurant will be offering its annual Thanksgiving all-you-can-eat buffet from noon to 7 p.m., featuring a traditional menu of turkey, stuffing, yams plus pumpkin pie and other dessert favorites. Cost is $19.99 per person.

Palm Restaurant
1225 19th St. NW
202-293-9091

Looking to give thanks in style? This Dupont Circle steakhouse is offering a three-course Thanksgiving prix fixe menu featuring slow-roasted hand carved turkey with all the trimmings. Dinner is served from 2 to 8 p.m. at $45 for adults and $19 for children under 12.

Rasika West End
1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW
202-466-2500

This contemporary Indian restaurant will be serving turkey in addition to its regular menu from noon to 11 p.m.

Roberts Restaurant at the Omni Shoreham
2500 Calvert St. NW
202-756-5300

Executive Chef Dan Murray and his culinary team will be offering a Thanksgiving brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring all the traditional favorites mixed in with his signature style. Brunch is $64 for adults, $27 per child.

Taberna del Alabardero
1776 I St. NW
202-429-2200

Celebrate the holiday at this Spanish restaurant with a prefixed menu and live entertainment. Enjoy a lavish Turkey meal and finish the night with a special dessert of cherry sponge cake, corn cream, blueberry mousse and pumpkin marmalade. Price is $64 a person. Dinner will be served beginning at 5 p.m.

Trio
1537 17th St. NW
202-232-6305 

From noon to midnight Trio will be offering a special four-course Thanksgiving meal for $17.95. On tap for the menu is cream of turkey soup, choice of salad, an entrée of roast turkey with giblet gravy, roast duckling aux oranges or baked sugar-cured ham with raisin sauce, plus all the fixings. Dessert will offer pumpkin pie, homemade bread pudding and rice pudding.

 

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a&e features

Ultimate guide to queer gift giving

Champagne, candles, cologne, lawnmowers, and more

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Some gifts scream practical, others whisper luxury, and a few flat-out blur the lines. From cocoa that feels ceremonial to a cologne that linger like a suggestive smirk, this year’s ultimate gift picks prove that thoughtful (and occasionally naughty) presents don’t have to be prosaic. Welcome to your holiday cheat sheet for festive tangibles that get noticed, remembered, and maybe even result in a peck of gratitude planted under the mistletoe. Consensually, of course.


Amber Glass Champagne Flutes

Pop the champs – but make it vintage. These tulip-shaped stunners in amber-tinted glass bring all the Gatsby vibes without the Jazz-age drama. Whether you’re toasting a milestone or celebrating a Tuesday, their seven-ounce capacities and hand-wash-only care make ‘em as practical as they are pretty. Pair with a thoughtful bottle of bubs and gift with a glittering wink. $18, NantucketLooms.com


Disaster Playbook by Here Comes the Apocalypse

Because the end of the world shouldn’t be a solo act, this spiral-bound guide is your step-by-step roadmap to surviving and thriving when everything else goes sideways, which might be sooner than you think. Packed with checklists, drills, and a healthy dose of humor, it’s like a survival manual written by your most prepared (and slightly snarky) friend. Whether you’re prepping for a zombie apocalypse or, more realistically, REVOLUTION!, this playbook’s got your back. $40, HereComesTheApocalypse.com


Wickless Vulva Candles

Bold, luxurious, and completely flame-free, CTOAN’s wickless candles melt from beneath on a warmer, releasing subtle, sophisticated fragrances, like sandalwood or lavender. The vulva-shaped wax adds a playful, provocative element to any space –perfect for a bedroom, living room, or anywhere you want elegance with an edge. A gift that celebrates form, intimacy and self-expression, no fire required. $39, CTOANCO.com


Villeroy & Boch Royal Classic Christmas Collection

Every meal is a mini celebration – with whimsy at every place setting – in Villeroy & Boch’s Royal Classic festive dinnerware collection that hits all the right notes. Made from premium German porcelain, it features nostalgic little toys, nutcrackers, and rocking horses in delicate relief, giving your holiday spread a playful but refined twist. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, it’s luxe without the fuss. Gift a piece to a special someone, or start a collection they’ll use (and show off) for years to come. $22-$363, Villeroy-Boch.com


Greenworks Electric Lawnmower

You a ’hood queen who considers lawn care performance art – or just wants to rule the cul-de-sac in quiet, emission-free glory? Greenworks’ zero-turn electric mower has the muscle of a 24-horsepower gas engine but none of the fumes, drama or maintenance. Six 60V batteries and a 42-inch deck mean you can mow up to two-and-a-half acres on a single charge – then plug in, recharge, and ride again. It’s whisper-quiet, slope-ready, and smooth enough to make you wonder why you ever pushed anything besides your queer agenda. The perfect gift for the homeowner who loves sustainability, symmetry, and showing off their freshly striped yard like that fresh fade you get on Fridays. $5,000, GreenworksTools.com


Molekule Air Purifier

For the friend who treats their space like a sanctuary (or just can’t stand sneezes), the Molekule Air Pro is magic in motion. Covering up to 1,000 square feet, it doesn’t just capture allergens, VOCs, and smoke – it destroys them, leaving your air feeling luxury-clean. FDA-cleared as a Class II medical device, it’s serious science disguised as modern design. Gift it to your city-dwelling, pet-loving, candle-burning friend who likes their living room as pristine as their Instagram feed. $1,015, Molekule.com


Cipriani Prosecco Gift Set

Effervescent with stone-fruit sweetness and a touch of Italian flair, the Cipriani Bellini & Prosecco gift set brings brunch-level glamour to any day of the week. The Bellini blends rich white-peach purée with sparkling wine, while the dry ’secco keeps things crisp and celebratory. Pop a bottle, pour a flute, and suddenly winter weeknights feel like a party – even with your pants off. $36, TotalWine.com


Woo(e)d Cologne

British GQ recently crowned Woo(e)d by ALTAIA the “Best Date Night Fragrance,” and honestly, they nailed it. Confident without being cocky – smoky gaïac and Atlas cedarwood grounds the room while supple leather and spicy cardamom do all the flirting – it’s a scent that lingers like good conversation and soft candlelight. Gift it to the one who always turns heads – or keep it for yourself and let them come to (and then on) you. $255, BeautyHabit.com


Lococo Cocoa Kit

Keep the run-of-the-mill mugs in the cabinet this Christmas and pull out Lococo’s handcrafted Oaxacan versions that demand you slow down and sip like it matters. Paired with a wooden scoop, rechargeable frother, and Lococo’s signature spice hot-chocolate blend (vegan, gluten-free, with adaptogenic mushrooms), this holiday kit turns Mexi-cocoa into a mini ritual you’ll look forward to. Perfect for anyone who loves a little indulgence with a side of ¡A huevo! energy.


Manta Sleep Mask

Total blackout, zero pressure on the eyes, and Bluetooth speakers built right into the straps, this ain’t your mama’s sleep mask — but it could be. The Manta SOUND sleep mask features C-shaped eye cups that block every hint of light while ultra-thin speakers deliver your favorite white noise, meditation, or late-night playlist straight to your ears. With 24-hour battery life, breathable fabric, and easy-to-adjust sound, it turns any bed (or airplane seat) into a five-star sleep suite. Perfect for anyone who treats shut-eye like an art form (or just wants to escape their roommate’s late-night bingin’ and/or bangin’). $159, MantaSleep.com


Shacklelock Necklace

Turn the industrial-chic vibe of a shackle into a sleek statement. Mi Tesoro’s platinum-plated stainless-steel necklace sits on an 18-inch wheat chain, featuring a shackle-style latch pendant that’s waterproof, tarnish-free, and totally fuss-les. Beyond style, it nods to a classic gesture in the queer leather community: replacing a traditional Master lock with something elegant to quietly signal belonging to someone special. Wear it solo for a minimalist edge or layer it like you mean it; either way this piece locks in both your look and your intentions. $90, MiTesoroJewelry.com


Parkside Flask Mojave Edition

Wine nights get a desert glow-up with Parkside’s limited-edition 750-milliliter all-in-one flask draped in sun-washed bronze and badland hues like sage, sand, and terracotta – with magnetic stemless tumblers that snap on for effortless shareability. It keeps your vino chilled for 24 hours, pours without drips (no tears for spilled rosé, please), and even lets you laser-engrave your own mantra or inside joke. Perfect for picnics, surprise rooftop clinks, or gifting to your favorite wine (or desert) rat. $149, HighCampFlasks.com


Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with him on Instagram @mikeyroxtravels.

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Out & About

Team DC’s holiday party set for Dec. 8

Local LGBTQ sports community celebrates at Trade

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Team DC’s holiday party will be held Monday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Team DC will host its annual holiday party on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Trade. This event will celebrate Team DC’s sports community, athletes, and Team DC’s accomplishments this past year. Food will be catered by Seasons, and there will be a clothing drive to benefit the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 

To RSVP, visit Team DC’s Instagram page.

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Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

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(Photo by orson/Bigstock)

The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with “Thine Own Sweet Light” on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).

The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s “Ave Maris Stella,” Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” and Christopher Hoh’s “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.” The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep Ollé i Sabaté, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites. 

For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.

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