Thanksgiving is only two weeks from today!  It has been my experience that a fair number of District residents (who aren’t actually from the District) opt to stay here instead of traveling long distances for Thanksgiving only to repeat the ordeal again in a month for Christmas.  I’ve been to a number of orphan Thanksgivings over the years, and my family has even come to D.C. to celebrate in my tiny apartments.  If you’ll be staying in D.C. over the holiday, another option is to consider some of the great Thanksgiving dinners offered by area restaurants.  Here are the best:

Traditional

701 Restaurant:  Three-course Thanksgiving menu and live jazz for $45/adult

Art and Soul:  Set menu featuring traditional dishes, $55/adult

High End

Adour at the St. Regis:  Set four-course menu for $90/adult

Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons:  A la carte Thanksgiving menu

Good Deals

Chef Geoff’s:  Three-course dinner for $39/adult

M Street Bar and Grille:  Three courses for $29.95

Brunch!

Blue Duck Tavern:  Thanksgiving brunch from 10:30-3:30, $85/adult

See the full list of D.C. restaurants with Thanksgiving options on Open Table.

1.  Let’s face it, there probably aren’t many restaurants in D.C. that would knock January Jones out.  This is not a slam on D.C.  I just mean that the hottest ingenue from the hottest show, who goes back and forth between LA and New York and wherever else, probably isn’t going to do backflips over Komi.  That’s why Hank’s was an ingenious choice.  While it’s not super upscale, Hank’s has charm for days.  The space is lovely.  Hank’s pays attention to details, e.g. goldfish crackers before the meal and dark chocolate after.  The wait staff is friendly and the cocktails are good.  Going with the neighborhood gem instead of bribing the maitre d’ at Citronelle for a last minute reservation was the right move.

2.  Right now, Ben Dunham is working the environmentally-conscious politico angle.  No need to take things a step too far by heading to a place like Tosca, which is more lobbiest/power broker.  Hank’s is for fun District locals, not wealthy middle-aged men from McLean.

3.   January Jones clearly watches her figure.  Besides oysters and fish, Hank’s has a number of small plates.  There are a lot of dishes from which January could cobble together a good low-cal meal.  Hank’s does not offer desserts.

4.  Hank’s is warm and cozy.  The lighting is exactly right, the space is small but not claustrophobic, and the menu includes modern takes on old favorites like mac and cheese and lobster rolls.  Cozy is the perfect mood for a second date.

5.  I don’t know anything about Ben Dunham but my guess is he may have been a little out of his comfort zone on this date.  If he lives anywhere near Dupont, he was smart to pick a spot close to his neighborhood.  Home court advantage.

So, cheers to you, Ben!  Great choice.  Where to next?

Now that Sweet Green and BGR have arrived, I hope PNC Bank can get a few more retailers into their space.  Empty storefronts in such a prime spot near the Circle are a total waste.  The Dupont Circle ANC urged PNC to add locally-owned retail, and the bank has done well so far.  I’d love a good independently-owned boutique, a la Proper Topper.  Benetton and Ann Taylor Loft?  We can do better, Dupont.

Update on Oct. 16:  When I initially posted this opening I wrote “September” 22nd (twice!).  Obviously, it should be October.  Sorry, BGR!  That’s what I get for writing a post first thing in the morning.

Update on Oct. 26:  BGR still isn’t open, but it looks oh-so-close.  It’s coming along nicely!  Check out the guitar table tops the next time you walk by.

But people did start eating there!  I’ve walked by a few times recently and it has been full.  Full!  Way to go, Bistro Bistro.  If you haven’t been there yet, try it.  It’s a solid option and the prices are good.  Also, I remember seeing the happy hour specials and they were super cheap.  So go already.

I chose ten tomato salad to start, which is what it sounds like: ten kinds of tomatoes, plus basil and a balsamic vinaigrette with a little garlic.  Then, grilled shrimp with mango-avacado relish and watercress.  This also includes a generous dose of cilantro, my favorite herb.  For dessert, peaches in red wine with mint.  

Nora’s book is great for a few reasons.  First, the recipes are simple but not too simple– Nora definitely seasons her food well.  Second, Nora’s book gives nutritional information for each recipe and seems to be all-around healthy.  She’s light on the butter.  Third, the pictures are beautiful and she gives suggestions on how to plate things.  Finally, she recommends wine pairings, which I haven’t paid much attention to so far but could prove helpful.  I’ve attended a few wine tastings but spent more time socializing than listening, so I still don’t know much about wine.    

The food turned out great!  See my photos after the jump.

Here’s the ten tomato salad:

And the grilled shrimp with mango-avocado relish:  

And the peaches in red wine with mint!  Nora says this is a classic in southern France.  

Eli’s Restaurant

It remains to be seen how the carry out deli’s offerings will compare to the restaurant’s food, but I can tell from the signs in the window that it is cheaper.  Should Eli’s Deli be added to the list of best spots in D.C. to get a good deli sandwich?  You decide.  For now, enjoy this amazing picture of the bench in front of Eli’s Deli urging you to “EAT FALAFEL!”  I love it.  

Updated on 8/27:  The folks at Paradiso inform me that they needed one more day.  They will open on Saturday, not Friday as originally posted.

Happy day indeed!  I was so excited to see this post on DCist today.  Hello Cupcake is giving away free cupcakes tomorrow to celebrate their first birthday.  I recommend the Lucy or the Peanut Butter Blossom, but really you can’t go wrong.  The Hello Cupcake Original is pictured here, also delicious.

1789 in Georgetown is not participating in Restaurant Week this year.  But!  They have a “Sizzling Summer Offer” now through Sept. 17th, three courses for $40.  Check it out here.

Every Sunday, Cashion’s Eat Place in Adams Morgan does “Pass the Plate for Two.”  It’s a four course, fixed menu, family style meal for two for $80.  See more details and the menu here.  Cashion’s is also doing a Blue Crab on the Patio event, with Maryland blue crabs and local corn on the cob, on August 30th from 3 pm until 10 pm.  Unclear on the cost of this, but it looks fun.  

Dino in Cleveland Park is participating in Restaurant Week.  But they go above and beyond the Restaurant Week call of duty by throwing in a lot of extras to make the meal an even better deal.  First, they do not offer a limited, set menu.  Their entire menu is available (and it’s huge).  Second, they throw in complementary crostini before the meal and free grappa or limoncello after the meal.  Third, it’s been going since August 1st and ends on Sept. 13th.  Yay, Dino!    

You can view a full list of eateries extending Restaurant Week here.