Mother Carol’s Angel Eggs at Hush Harbor
Upon arrival, guests will have their phones placed in a locked pouch, which they keep with them. A phone can be unlocked at the front of the restaurant, ensuring a truly present dining experience. The bar offers analog alternatives, including disposable cameras for photos, a lending library, board games and even letter-writing packages. The menu features Southern-inspired dishes like Cajun red beans and rice, while the cocktail list remixes classics. The bar’s decor fosters conversation and community, including 100-year-old tapestries and clustered seating. 1337 H St. NE, 202.399.1337, hushharbor.co
The dining room at Elmina hosts guest chef dinners this fall and winter
ELMINA GUEST CHEF DINNERS
Starting this month and through the fall and early winter, chef Eric Adjepong, the creative force behind the contemporary Ghanaian restaurant Elmina, launches his new monthly Chef Dinner series. This intimate experience promises a unique blend of cultures, as Adjepong partners with a rotating cast of his fellow culinary artists. Guests will be treated to a showcase of creativity, witnessing a dynamic collaboration that transforms the dining room into a stage for delicious innovation. It’s an invitation to experience not just a meal, but a conversation between chefs, a fusion of traditions and a glimpse into the future of modern cuisine.
The lineup includes the winner of Top Chef season 22, Tristen Epps (Oct. 21, eppsandflows.com), known for neo-Afro-Caribbean cuisine, with flavors soon to be served at his upcoming Houston-based tasting-menu restaurant, Buboy; Food Network star, cookbook author and executive chef at NYC’s Butter (@butternyc), Alex Guarnaschelli (Nov. 10, @guarnaschelli); and winner to Top Chef season 12 and Los Angeles’ fast-casual Daybird (@daybirdla), Mei Lin (Jan. 27, @meilin21). 2208 14th St. NW, 202.519.1544, @elminadc
Chef Vikram Sunderam at Rasika Penn Quarter
RASIKA PENN QUARTER’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
We love the ring of our 20th anniversary, as does Ashok Bajaj, owner of Rasika, among other fine-dining venues in DC. When Bajaj opened the doors in December 2005, group executive chef Vikram Sunderam took the helm, and the restaurant quickly earned a reputation for excellence. A James Beard Award winner, chef Sunderam leads a kitchen that critics, both local and national, have consistently praised for its food and service.
To mark this milestone, Rasika Penn Quarter offers a special Best of Rasika tasting month from October through December. This five-course menu, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, is a tribute to the celebrated dishes that have made the restaurant a favorite for two decades. The curated wine pairings are available to complete the experience.
For October, Rasika’s tasting menu begins with the signature palak chaat. The meal offers choices for the first three courses, including honey ginger scallops or tandoori paneer shashlik. Main courses feature options like lamb roganjosh or gujarati lasgana, served with accompaniments such as naan and saffron pulao. The meal culminates with a dessert plate including apple jalebi and date toffee pudding, offering a comprehensive journey through Rasika’s acclaimed cuisine. 633 D St. NW, 202.637.1222, @rasikadc
Tea service runs from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Park Hyatt this season.
PARK HYATT FALL TEA SERVICE
Tea time has returned to the Park Hyatt Washington DC (@parkhyattdc), offering a sophisticated daily escape in its renowned Tea Cellar. From 2 to 4 p.m., guests can indulge in a tableside tea service featuring a pot of rare, single-estate tea from the hotel’s celebrated collection.
The marble entry of the Tea Cellar at the Park Hyatt
The experience is a treat for the senses, with selections including the exclusive Park Signature Da Hong Pao, a full-bodied oolong with floral notes, or the Qi Lan, a smooth, medium-roast tea with an immersive magnolia and jasmine aroma. Each pot is perfectly paired with pecan-hazelnut scones, served with lemon curd and raspberry-blackberry jam crafted by pastry chef Colleen Murphy. The service offers a perfect midday pick-me-up, a peaceful interlude celebrating one of the city’s most exquisite tea collections. 1201 24th St. NW, 202.789.1234, @parkhyattdc
WALDORF ASTORIA FRIDAY TABLE SERIES
Through December, Waldorf Astoria Washington, DC, hosts an intimate, multicourse dinner for just 10 guests. On November 7, the event will showcase the winemaking excellence of Early Mountain Vineyard (earlymountain.com), a leading Virginia producer. Guests will enjoy a world-class menu paired with exceptional vintages, offering a rare opportunity for a culinary journey with one of Virginia’s most acclaimed wineries. 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202.695-1100, @waldorfastoriadc
Dining and Cooking