As Washington, D.C. shakes off the holiday season, local restaurants are keeping the festive mood alive with unique collaborations, enticing Monday specials, and delightful Valentine’s Day events. Bundle up and dive into these winter wonderland pop-ups, and be sure to check back for any updates to this list!
This Sunday, February 8, local baker Jill Nguyễn will be offering an array of delicious pastries and sweets at her favored neighborhood bar. Starting at 1 p.m., treat yourself to Swedish cardamom buns, cheddar cornbread scones, and Mardi Gras-inspired cinnamon rolls topped with pecan praline. Additionally, at 3 p.m., you can enjoy other delectable options, including passionfruit opera cakes and apricot elderflower olive oil cakes. To complement these sweet treats, specially crafted cocktails like the Choco Taco Martini will be available as part of this delightful collaboration. 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Vera has been hosting some fantastic collaboration dinners and now welcomes Middle Eastern bakery Z&Z for a special brunch this Sunday, February 8. They’ll serve unique dishes such as signature manoushe made with Mexican za’tar and Oaxacan cheese, alongside other collaborative brunch offerings. Reservations can be made via Tock, but walk-ins and to-go orders are also welcomed. 2002 Fenwick Street NE
Lulu’s Winegarden is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a seasonal walk-around wine tasting event featuring unlimited samples of 25 different wines, accompanied by a bottomless taco bar on Sunday, February 15. Two tasting sessions are available: one from noon to 1:30 p.m. and another from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $55 per person and can be purchased through Resy. Further Valentine-themed activities at the U Street wine bar include a Galentine’s Trivia Night on Tuesday, February 10 from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring questions from shows like The Real Housewives and Below Deck. Additionally, from February 10 to February 15, you can find festive cocktails and a curated wine menu featuring pinks and sultry reds. 1940 11th St NW
Join the third annual Lundi Gras party at the Park View wine bar on Monday, February 16, from 5 to 10 p.m. The event promises a festive atmosphere with Mardi Gras beads, classic hurricane cocktails, lively brass music, and a Cajun-inspired menu. Tickets for this vibrant celebration can be purchased for $20 on Resy. Additionally, on the preceding Friday, February 13, they’re hosting a Nowhere to Wear It Galentine’s Day party, inviting guests to come dressed in their most extravagant outfits while enjoying a seasonal fondue menu and a “girl dinner” special, which includes truffle fries and a bottle of rosé for just $85. 3212 Georgia Ave NW
Join esteemed chef Celia Florián from the traditional Oaxacan restaurant Las Quince Letras alongside her son Alam Mendez from Apapacho for an exclusive eight-course tasting event at La Cosecha taqueria on Friday, February 20, at 7 p.m. This culinary journey will explore the rich tradition of Oaxacan moles. Tickets are available for $170 per person, or $220 with optional beverage pairings, and must be reserved in advance. 1280 4th St NE Unit 10
Mandu, the first full-service Korean restaurant in D.C., is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a series of special collaboration dinners featuring renowned chefs such as Danny Lee and Mama Lee. The first dinner, featuring Pascual’s Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy, is set for Tuesday, February 10. The pre-paid tasting menu, blending Korean and Mexican culinary experiences, is priced at $150 per person, and tickets are swiftly selling out on Resy. Upcoming collaboration dinners include Michael Rafidi (Albi, Yellow, and La Shukran) on March 10, Masako Morishita (Perry’s) and Chef Matt Adler (Caruso’s Grocery, Cucina Morini) on April 7, and Erik Bruner Yang (Maketto) and Steve Chu (Ekiben) on May 7. Be sure to check for updates on reservations. 453 K Street NW
Jane Jane Celebrates the Olympics and Valentine’s Day
The celebrated cocktail bar Jane Jane in Logan Circle is raising a glass to the Olympics with a trio of “Teeny Tinis” (mini martinis) inspired by the podium, priced at $33. Additionally, in honor of Valentine’s Day weekend, the bar is unveiling a cheeky cocktail “I Wanna See Your Peacock,” featuring gin, cognac, lime, and pomegranate, served in an ornate peacock glass, priced at $30. 1705 14th Street NW
On Thursday, March 5, Arlington’s vibrant eatery El Mercat Bar de Tapas will collaborate with D.C.’s award-winning Chicatana for a special one-night-only seven-course dinner. Tickets are priced at $145 for the tasting menu including wine pairings, or $90 for the food alone. 1301 S. Joyce Street, Arlington, Virginia
Celebrating the Lunar New Year, James Beard Award finalist Peter Chang introduces his innovative ice cream flavor in collaboration with Ice Cream Jubilee. The vibrant PB Málà Swirl incorporates his signature Sichuan spice blend, complemented by salted caramel and crunchy dark chocolate pretzel pieces. This limited-time flavor will be available at all Ice Cream Jubilee locations, as well as at Chang Chang in Dupont from February 6 through March, or while supplies last. Multiple locations
Additionally, Q by Peter Chang will host a daytime Temple Fair to celebrate the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival at the Bethesda location on Sunday, March 1. Tickets are priced at $58 for adults and can be purchased here. 4500 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland
Lunar New Year festivities continue at the Hong Kong-themed Tiger Fork in Shaw, which will honor the Year of the Horse from February 17-28. Executive chef Simon Lam will serve classic Cantonese dishes, including new dumpling offerings and duck platters. Don’t miss the traditional Lion Dance performances scheduled for Saturday, February 21, with two showings available. Reservations can be made via Resy. 922 N Street NW
February Specials at Dolcezza
Dolcezza is introducing special gelato flavors for February, inspired by Valentine’s Day. Treat yourself to red velvet cake gelato and passionfruit mousse gelato, paired with delightful soft serve sundaes alongside matcha drink specials. These unique sundaes, available exclusively at H Street and the Hirshhorn Museum shop, feature a red velvet version adorned with cake bits and cream cheese frosting, and a passionfruit sundae drizzled with passionfruit pulp sauce. 600 H St NE and 7th and Independence Ave SW
Additionally, starting January 28, Cranes will launch a lunch pop-up titled Taco Taco, featuring chef Pepe Moncayo who specializes in tacos that blend Japanese techniques with Spanish flavors, alongside elements from traditional taquerias. Customers can enjoy tacos, bowls, and wraps filled with grilled garlic shrimp, koji-marinated skirt steak, and crispy chicken karaage. The lunchtime pop-up will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. For the grand opening week from January 28 to January 30, enjoy a special deal of buy-one-get-two-free tacos. 724 9th Street NW
Indulge in comforting carbohydrates every Monday at Cucina Morini throughout February. Chef Matt Adler has introduced a pasta deal, offering $10 servings of primi and full servings for just $20. While there was a brief pause on January 19, the pasta deal resumes on January 26. Reservations can be made through SevenRooms. 901 4th Street NW
Every Monday this winter, Pascual is bringing you mouthwatering trompo-cooked meats wrapped in warm tortillas. These rotating spit-cooked proteins showcase various cuisines, including a standout South Indian trompo served with curry-spiced beef in tamarind tortillas before the year’s end. Stay tuned to their Instagram for updates on upcoming trompo flavors, and make reservations via Resy. 732 Maryland Avenue NE
