 Restaurant Week: Part 2
January
Missed out on Restaurant Week? Make reservations now for these hot spots, which are extending their delicious deals at least an extra week. Art and Soul continues the promotion ($35.11 for a three-course dinner, $20.11 for three-course lunch, tax and tip excluded) through Jan. 30—we’d opt for the heirloom squash soup, ravioli and pineapple upside down cake. The always fun Café Atlantico also stretches RW through Jan. 30, with choices such as tuna ceviche, duck confit and sorbet of the day. If you need an extra day, Italian stop Dino’s extends the food love through Jan. 31, offering up their entire menu (the seven-hour eco-friendly roasted pork intrigues us) for the picking plus discounted wines for a perfect, wallet-friendly pairing, and so does Nage Bistro with a selection off their regular menu (clementine salad and ricotta gnocchi: count us in.). Don’t forget, Alexandria’s Restaurant Week is right around the corner (Jan. 21 through 30) for $35 prix-fixe dinner—hit up the Carlyle Club or Jackson 20—or even $35 for a dinner for two at great spots such as Chadwick’s Old Town, Cheesetique or Pizzeria Paradiso. Full list of restaurants here.
|
 Piano (Iron)Man
Sat., Jan. 22
Here’s a feat: Perform all of Frédéric Chopin’s 250+ works. Taking on the challenge (over the next decade) is North Bethesda pianist Brian Ganz, who has been lauded by the Washington Post for his knowledge of the legendary composer. Ganz will start his quest—“Brian Ganz and the Strathmore Chopin Project”—at the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Md.) with the National Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday at 8 p.m. with renditions of Chopin’s first solo works, including waltzes. Future performances will include chamber works and even obscure and rarely heard compositions. Fun this weekend: Because Chopin penned his first composition at age 7, Ganz welcomes children from ages 7 to 17 for free. Details: Tickets $34 and up, 7 to 17 admitted free, but all tickets must be purchased in person or by phone; 301/581-5100. For future performances, check Brian Ganz’s official website.
|
 Happy Birthday, 701
January
You still have a couple weeks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of downtown favorite, 701 (701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW). Ashok Bajaj brings plenty to the table in his landmark restaurant during the entire month of January. There’s a three-course prix fixe lunch for just $20 and a new cocktail—aptly called “Big 20”—that serves two with a combo of rye whiskey, honey lemon water and allspice dram, for (you guessed it) $20. Single serving of the libation is $10, in case you’re dining solo. We’d consider the crispy duck confit and the pork and cheddar sausage as options. Save room, too—during the month of January, two desserts (a “birthday cake” of lemon poppy seed and a marsala ice cream) are available for $10 during lunch and dinner, and you’ll even get a free glass of sparkling wine (to toast the chef, of course).
|
 A Fairytale Ending
Through March 6
Sometimes, fairytales don’t necessarily combine a white horse and a dashing prince—for forbidden loves and mistaken identities (plus a magic potion or two), don’t miss Shakespeare Theatre’s production of “Cymbeline” at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th St., NW). The classic brings to the stage the premiere of Imogen’s magical journey after a secret marriage to a commoner is revealed. From feuds to war to everlasting love, the play’s got something for cynics and romantics alike. Details: Tickets $37 and up, available online, the box office at Lansburgh or via phone 202/547-1122.
|
 Kiddie Korners
Sat., Jan. 22
Need somewhere to take the brood? Stop by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum (2 Massachusetts Ave., NW) for a how-to on starting their own stamp collection and grab a few to take home from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during one of the museum’s drop-in workshops, “Collection Connections” on Saturday. For a different dose of culture, head to the National Theatre (1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW) for the launch of 2011’s “Saturday Morning at the National,” which will welcome children performers and authors every Saturday at 11 a.m. This week, you’ll find Joe Jamaldinian, the creator of cartoon character “Penguin Bob.” Details: Both events free. Theatre still requires tickets, available 30 minutes prior to performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional schedule information on National Theatre’s website.
|
 Not Your Average Remedy
Fri., Jan 21 through May 14
If you think you have best cold remedy out there, take note of the Folger’s latest exhibit, dedicated to hypochondriacs everywhere. The exhibition, “Beyond Home Remedy: Women, Medicine and Science,” at the Folger Institute (201 E. Capitol St., SE) opens Friday, providing an overview of women and how they’ve approached and practiced “medicine” with gems such as syrups of violet and drinks made from snails (makes that foul cough syrup seem pretty tame, right?). Artifacts from the Smithsonian show how women have concocted different recipes for cure-alls during Shakespeare’s time. Details: Free.
|
 A Different Kind of Carpet Ride
Fri., Jan. 21 through Sun., Feb. 13
Go back in history to one family’s experience in the Post-Reconstruction South during the Ford Theatre’s (511 10th St., NW) run of “The Carpetbagger’s Children.” Running through Feb. 13, the vignettes of family secrets and small-town life are sure to capture the attention of audiences of all ages (though the theatre recommends ages 13 and up, to err on the side of caution). The production, from award-winning playwright Horton Foote, centers around the lives of three sisters who are the daughters of a Civil War soldier. Each character struggles to preserve the family’s Texas plantation amid its changing surroundings. Details: Tickets, $35 and up, available online or at box office (202/347-4833).
|
 STOMP Your Feet
Tues., Jan. 25 through Sun., Jan. 30
If you missed their impromptu performance at Union Station this week, there’s still time to get tickets for the return of “STOMP” by Jam Theatricals at Warner Theatre (513 13th St., NW). The percussion-based hit is only in town Jan. 25-30, with two new routines using tractor tires and paint cans. We’re not quite sure how that works, either. The STOMP routine—based out of the United Kingdom—has been performed onstage more than 5,000 times. That’s a lot of toe-tapping going on. Details: Tickets are $37 and up, available online or through Ticketmaster (800/551-7328). Also available at box office, with a $5 service charge.
|
