Usually at this time, I’d be telling you to hurry and make your reservations to enjoy Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week‘s winter edition. And you can do that. But for the sake of both safety and comfort, wouldn’t you rather take advantage of the great to-go deals this year? I’ve scoured the choices that have menus posted and these are the ones that I’ll be splurging on if I can find the room in my dining schedule during the promotion’s Jan. 25 to Feb. 7 run. Keep your eyes out for updated menus, too. Some of my favorites, including Trummer’s and Celebration by Rupa Vira haven’t posted theirs yet.
2941
Number 7 on my list of 2020’s Best Restaurants is offering an at-home menu for $55 that includes three courses to pick up in Falls Church. I’d start with yellowfin tuna tartare with Grand-Marnier aioli before moving on to the duo of duck, but short ribs Bourguignon sounds like a winner, too. Dessert? It’s gotta be the Chocolate Dome.
Bastille
For $35, this Alexandria brasserie is offering a choice of any appetizer or salad, main course and dessert, or an appetizer, a salad and a main. Since this is highly economical, why not upgrade $5 to start with a homemade foie gras terrine? Move on to a cassoulet Toulousain or seared scallops over risotto with truffle cream, then finish with a roulade de noisettes.
Fogo de Chao
Do your best to approximate the rodizio experience at home with this $60 menu for two people at the Tysons Corner churrascaria. The deal allows each diner to choose two meats, two sides and a dessert, including the famous Chocolate Brigadeiro. Of course, habit-forming cheese bread and chimichurri sauce are included in the package.
La Côte d’Or Café
Yes, it’s another French restaurant, but I think this menu in Arlington is probably the best deal of all. Choose any appetizer, entree and dessert for $35 at dinner and take it home. That includes choices like a smoked salmon appetizer that’s usually $15.95 and a blanquette de veau main course that’s $28.95. No matter how you slice it, this meal is a steal.
Osteria da Nino
This Shirlington Italian eatery is also offering a $35 take-home menu with tons of options. Carpaccio di bresaola, or air-dried beef is a favorite of mine that I order whenever I can find it, but so are high-quality arancini. It’s a tough choice. Appealing pastas include lamb ragu with pistachios or rigatoni carbonara. But I might just order this meal for the pistachio Crema Catalana alone.
The Rub
Looking for something a little more casual, and therefore even less expensive? For $35, this Alexandria chicken specialist is offering a meal for two that includes a choice of chicken sandwich, plus fries, hushpuppies and a “big ol’ piece of pie.” Dining alone? Your meal with sandwich, fries and Nutella pudding is only $22.
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