Monday, November 24, 2014

Celebrate New Year’s Eve the José Andrés Way


From our friends at ThinkFoodGroup...

Five Festive Offerings from the Acclaimed Chef’s ThinkFoodGroup in Washington, DC

James Beard Award-winning Chef José Andrés and his family of ThinkFoodGroup restaurants will usher in 2015 with an array of dedicated New Year’s Eve celebrations. Whether it’s unlimited tapas and a live Flamenco band at Jaleo; DIY gin infusions and liquid nitrogen margaritas paired with authentic Mexican fare at Oyamel; or a progression of Golden Era cocktails alongside avant-garde snacks at the acclaimed barmini by José Andrés, celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with one of the following offerings:

America Eats Tavern (www.americaeatstavern.com)
For José’s inspired take on an American New Year’s Eve, America Eats Tavern, located at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, VA, will offer dinner from 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM, featuring the choice of a regular menu or special tasting menu. Head Chef Nate Waugaman will showcase José’s interpretation of classic American food with a modern twist, emphasizing local farmers and purveyors, with highlights that include but aren’t limited to: Hush Puppies with Roe; Grilled Trout with Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Pecans and Creole Sauce Meuniere; and Short Rib with Hoppin ’John and a Texas-Style Barbecue Sauce.

For reservations, email rsvp@americaeatstavern.com

Jaleo (www.jaleo.com)
In the spirit of José’s native Spain, all three DC-area Jaleos will celebrate the New Year with a dedicated menu of authentic tapas; a featured Feliz Año cocktail with fresh clementine syrup, rum and orange bitters; party favors and a midnight Cava toast. Guests will be invited to participate in the fabled “Twelve Grapes” tradition, celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries around the world to ensure a year of prosperity. Starting at 8:30pm, for $90 (DC) or $85 (Crystal City & Bethesda) excluding tax & gratuity, the menu will include cava and a pre-fixe selection of unlimited tapas, ranging from classic Gambas al Ajillo, to contemporary Grilled Quail with Rosemary and Honey Alioli and a savory Surf and Turf Rice with Lobster and Sausage. Cap off the evening on the dance-floor with an appearance by DJ Sammy Medrano from 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM at Jaleo DC; Flamenco band Agustito from 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM at Jaleo Crystal City; and music band Grupo Saoco from 10:00pm -1:00am at Jaleo Bethesda.

For reservations, email jorgef@jaleo.com (Jaleo DC), randyh@jaleo.com (Jaleo Bethesda), or adrianal@jaleo.com (Jaleo Crystal City).

José Andrés and his team at Jaleo will also be celebrating the “Cavalcade of Magi”, the parade that marks the arrival of the three kings (also known as Three Kings Day). Guests can order a Roscón de Reyes (King Cake) to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany and participate in this delightful Spanish tradition at home. Priced at $30 and serving 6-8 people, the Roscón de Reyes will be available for pick up at all three Jaleo locations from Friday, January 2nd to Tuesday, January 5th. To place your order, please visit or call your nearest Jaleo location.

Jaleo Bethesda will have a special celebration on Sunday, January 4th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, where parents and children can come and meet the three wise men, who, according to Christianity, arrived bearing gifts twelve days after the birth of Jesus. Professional actors from Imagination Stage, the largest and most respected multi-disciplinary theatre arts organization for young people in the Mid-Atlantic region, have partnered with Jaleo to make this an exciting family event. To commemorate this tradition, the team at Jaleo Bethesda will be offering a $28 four-course brunch menu for adults, and a la carte menu for children. Spanish hot chocolate will also be offered at $5. In addition, the team will set up a “Crown Corner,” where children can decorate their own crowns and enjoy complimentary Roscón de Reyes. Whoever finds the hidden bean in the cake will be crowned king or queen for the day and receive a $50 gift card to redeem at Jaleo.  

For more information or reservations, please call 301-913-0003 or visit www.jaleo.com/bethesda.

minibar by José Andrés and barmini by José Andrés (www.minibarbyjoseandres.com)
For a decadent night on the town, minibar by José Andrés will offer an imaginative journey through avant-garde technique from Executive Sous Chef Johnny Spero - who was just named Eater’s 2014 Chef of the Year—with two seatings: 6:00pm ($275) and 9:00pm ($350) excluding tax & gratuity, with the latter including access to barmini’s dedicated celebration. For the ultimate New Year’s Eve experience, six guests can enjoy an elevated minibar menu at José’s Table with a $6,000 food and beverage minimum, including a champagne toast and access to the barmini festivities. minibar highlights will include, but are not limited to: Parmesan Canelé with Lemon Cream and Parmesan Fat; Beech Mushroom Papillote with White Truffle; and Vietnamese Pig Ear with Curried Pork Shoulder.

Starting at 9:00pm, the barmini New Year’s Eve Party ($275 including tax & gratuity) will feature a progression of Golden Era cocktails, both classic and modern, accompanied by savory snacks including the famed Foieffle with Foie Gras, Peanut Butter and Honey. There will also be live DJ entertainment and a champagne toast at midnight.

For reservations at minibar, email reserve@minibarbyjoseandres.com; and for barmini, email barmini@minibarbyjoseandres.com

Oyamel (www.oyamel.com)
For an evening of award-winning authentic Mexican cuisine courtesy of José and Head Chef Colin King, Oyamel will offer a pre-fixe menu from 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM ($78), followed by a dedicated New Year’s Party from 10:30 PM - 2:00 AM ($95), featuring party favors, TVs to view the ball drop, and an assortment of food and beverage stations such as DIY gin infusions, bubbles and liquid nitrogen margaritas. The evening’s menu will range from the Oyamel classics to featured specials.
For more information and reservations, visit www.oyamel.com. In anticipation of Día de Reyes, or Three Kings Day, a traditional Rosa de Reyes cake will be available by the slice from January 2nd until January 6th.

Zaytinya (www.zaytinya.com)
José invites guests to visit the Eastern Mediterranean this New Year’s Eve. Savor Greek, Turkish and Lebanese mezze from Head Chef Michael Costa along with a festive selection of specialty cocktails, champagne and sparkling wines. Early dinner reservations begin at 4:15 PM for Zaytinya's regular mezze menu. For those looking to ring in the New Year with Zaytinya, a second seating starts at 8:45 PM and offers a choice of two special menus: Zaytinya Classics ($70) or Chef’s Experience ($90). Second seating reservations include party favors, a complimentary midnight toast, live DJ and a take-home gift from Zaytinya for a sweet start to the New Year. Menu highlights for the evening include Lobster Tzatziki; Lamb BaconBone Marrow Kibbeh and the signature Chocolate Rose dessert.

For early seating reservations call the restaurant directly or visit www.zaytinya.com. To reserve the second seating, email jaclyns@zaytinya.com. The regular Zaytinya menu will also be available a la carte the bar from 4:30 PM - 1:00 AM, no reservations required.

Credit cards are required at all restaurants to hold and guarantee reservations. Credit card and cancellation policy forms can be returned via fax, email or in-person.

About José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup:

ThinkFoodGroup, founded by award-winning chef José Andrés and his partner Rob Wilder, is the creative team responsible for renowned dining concepts in Washington, DC, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Puerto Rico, including minibar by José Andrés, Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS Hotel Beverly Hills and South Beach. The company also oversees all of the creative and educational efforts for José Andrés, an internationally recognized culinary innovator, passionate advocate for food and hunger issues, author, educator, and television personality. Named to Time’s “100 Most Influential” list and awarded Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation, Andrés is credited with creating the “Spanish food boom” in America. He is the Dean of the Spanish Studies program at the International Culinary Center, and was host and executive producer of Made in Spain on PBS. His cookbooks include Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America. Andrés has taught at Harvard and George Washington University. In late 2010, José Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup launched World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit, which aims to feed and empower vulnerable people in humanitarian crises around the world. For more information, visit www.thinkfoodgroup.com