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Going for the Gold Celebrate the Olympics and DC Restaurant Week!

By nycci Nellis

August 2008

To commemorate the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Ping by Charlie Chiang’s will unveil an 08-08-08 promotion consisting of eight entrees priced at $8 each for eight hours, from 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m. on August 8, 2008. Enjoy Asian-fusion favorites, including Charlie’s flatiron steak and Chinese broccoli, crispy hot beef, honey tempura chicken, red pepper rosemary chicken and more. Ping by Charlie Chiang’s also has an expansive bar/lounge area with six flat-screen TVs, where guests can watch the Summer Olympics.  For the duration of the 2008 Games, Ping by Charlie Chiang’s also will offer a Summer Olympics ‘Pentathlon’ prix-fixe menu consisting of an amuse bouche, appetizer, soup, entree and dessert for $28.88 per person (alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity not included; available August 8 through August 24, 2008).  (4060 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, Virginia; 703.671.4900)

The Source by Wolfgang Puck is commemorating the Summer Olympics with Beijing-inspired dishes offered August 8 through August 24, 2008. Executive Chef Scott Drewno will offer a three-course menu of his Beijing cuisine favorites providing several different appetizer and entree options, such as roasted duck with scallion wraps and Mandarin orange reduction; hot and sour soup with jumbo lump crab and pork tenderloin; kung pao prawns with a spicy garlic-chili sauce and toasted peanuts and steamed grouper with a seven-vegetable stir fry and lotus root. This special menu, priced at $35 per person, will be available for lunch in the dining room; the roasted duck with scallion wraps and the hot and sour soup will be offered a la carte in the lounge at night, where guests can watch the games on the restaurant’s three flat screen televisions positioned above the bar. (575 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202.637.6100).

TenPenh offers a Chinese Olympic-Inspired tasting menu. Start with a flaming Olympic Torch cocktail, and then select from among the Bronze (2-course), Silver (3-course) or Gold (with wine pairings) menus.  The menu includes Chinese-style mussels with basil and black bean sauce, sesame crusted salmon with bok choy, shiitake mushroom stirfry and shoyu sauce and coconut milk tapioca pudding (available with Silver and Gold Medal menus).  (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202.393.4500)

Topaz Bar is gearing up for the Summer Games with a happy hour of Olympic proportions. From August 8 to 24, the bar will host the Go For The Gold Happy Hour, featuring Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal specialty cocktails, and a menu of Asian-influenced fare. Watch the Games on the bar’s 30 inch flat screen television, and when an American wins the gold, Topaz Bar’s patrons win, too... Every time the Star Spangled Banner plays in celebration of a US gold medal winner, the bar will award patrons with a half-price discount on one cocktail or food item from the “Go for the Gold” menu. The Happy Hour menu will be available from open to close at the bar throughout the Summer Olympics. (1733 N Street, NW; 202-393-3000)

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More Than A Week! Restaurant Week Extensions -- DC Restaurant Week is Monday, August 11 - Sunday, August 17. During this event, nearly 200 of metropolitan Washington, DC’s finest restaurants offer awe-inspiring, multi-course meals prepared especially for this gourmet event. Join in for a two-course lunch for $20.08 or a three-course dinner for $35.08. But wait, there’s more! Plenty of area restaurants are making summer sweeter by extending the Restaurant Week prices:

Cafe MoZU will extend special, three-course prix-fixe menu until August 24. Such items on the promotional menu include summer salad and lobster roll with red pepper puree, bento box filled with Wagyu strip loin, smoked tomato soup, white fish ceviche, sampling of nigiri and red duck curry, plus a lemon thyme roasted peach dessert. (1330 Maryland Avenue, SW; 202.787.6868)

Dino is offering Restaurant Week all month long. Choose from the full menu of rustic and seasonal Italian cuisine. Your meal will come with a glass of limoncello, grappa or dessert wine as well! You can choose any three courses from the full menu with only one item carrying an upcharge: theone kilo Bistecca!

Farrah Olivia will offer the three-course, $35.08, Restaurant Week menu all of August and thru the official end of summer September 22.

Hook, featuring sustainable seafood, will extend Restaurant Week (Restaurant Week will be lunch only) until August 24.  (3241 M Street NW; 202-625-4488)

La Tasca will participate in Restaurant Week by offering an unlimited tapas menu for lunch ($20.08/person) and dinner ($35.08/person).  Sound familiar?  It’s the same menu they offer all day every Wednesday. So, if you happen to miss it during Restaurant Week, stop by La Tasca any Wednesday of the year to enjoy it!  (722 7th Street, NW; 202.347.9190)

Mie N Yu’s Executive Chef Tim Elliott has created a Restaurant Week menu that incorporates menu selections from the regular dining options.  The restaurant has partnered with Fiji Water to offer their 1L bottles to all guests at a discounted rate throughout Restaurant Week.  The Restaurant Week dinner menu will be around until August 23, and the Restaurant Week lunch menu is available to August 24th.

Nage Restaurant is extending the Restaurant Week festivities throughout the month of August. Executive Chef Kevin Reading has created a feast for the senses in his menu of American cuisine. Though there are signature dishes that can always be found on the menu, there is a constantly rotating menu of specials that will amaze both foodies and consumers.  (1600 Rhode Island Avenue, NW; 202.448.8005)