Winter Warm-Ups

The first day of December brings chilled temps but also cool treats! It’s not officially winter yet (W-day is 12.21.09), but those lazy summer and autumn days enjoying brunches outside at Peacock Café and lounging poolside at the Capitol Skyline are behind us. Now its up to D.C.’s hottest establishments to keep us warm. And we wanted to share with you a few of our faves:

· Cozy Nights at Social – Columbia Heights is abuzz over its newest addition on 14th and Meridian that has been drawing in crowds from the cold with its cozy, dark décor, happy hour specials ($3 rail drinks, beer specials) and delicious bar foods like baby lamb lollipops ordered to share… or just for one. And no wonder the restaurant/lounge/living room has trouble clearing the crowds when dessert includes warm cookies and milk and liquid chocolate cake. Baby it’s cold outside!

· Fire and Wine at Sonoma – Usually not the best combo… outside of this elegant wine bar/resto on the Hill. But here, they go so well together! The sleek, inviting and always busy space has the wine bar monopoly on Cap Hill – for now- so it’s the top choice spot to cozy up to th fireplace while you sip Chardonnay and nibble from a gourmet cheese tray. Downstairs, the decadence continues with a dinner menu focused on local, sustainable ingredients.

· S’mores at the Ritz – The Georgetown location is now offering free s’mores each evening beginning at dusk in their cozy, fireplace-lit Degrees Bar & Lounge (the closest thing we’ve found to a ski lodge in this city). And leave it to the Ritz to class up a campfire favorite – their version includes a baguette French toast instead of graham crackers, melted French Valrhona chocolate and house-made marshmallow. We’ll take s’more of that!

· Fall Menu at Darlington House – The young restaurant on the block in Dupont keeps us coming back with its fresh menu, hefty portions and delicious desserts. The new, fall menu includes gems like hand made tortellini stuffed with butternut squash and warm donut holes for dessert.
Current’s Udon Soup always clears our head if you’re starting to feel under the weather… but keep those winter blues away. Get out there and warmed up!
Writer, Katie Kindelan contributed to this post.