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A December Eating Guide

Got a firm ho-ho-hold on your holiday dining plans for the remainder of the year?

If not, feast your eyes on this buffet of festive happenings from the establishments that are planning ahead for the month.

Enjoy Now

Good Stuff Eatery

The signature peppermint shake is back this month. The seasonal treat — made from homemade custard spiked with melted peppermint candies — is available in a “mini moo” serving ($3.95) or regular size ($5.45).

Multiple area locations; goodstuffeatery.com

Aria Pizzeria & Bar

The restaurant hosts “Winternational,” a celebration of global holiday traditions, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. The free event is scheduled to include a gingerbread cookie decorating station, complimentary baked goods, hot cocoa and apple cider, cultural exhibits and stage performances.

1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 202-312-1250; ariapizzeria.com

Hill Center

Washington Post Food section contributors Bonnie Benwick, Stephanie Witt Sedgwick and Jane Touzalin will lead a holiday cookie-making class ($65) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. Participants will take a crack at producing fennel macaroons with fresh mint ganache, glazed pain d’epices cookies and pear gingerbread s’mores. Tickets available at instantseats.com.

921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-549-4172; hillcenterdc.org

201 Bar

The Washington State Society hosts its annual holiday reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 11. The low-key invite promises “wine, beer and appetizers.” Free for WSS members, $10 for newcomers.

201 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-544-5201; 201bar.com

RIS

Award-winning pastry chef Beverly Bates will lead a gingerbread house workshop for charity on Dec. 14. Those interested in the all-ages tutorial (noon-2 p.m.) are encouraged to make a donation ($20 suggested per adult, $10 per children) to benefit DC Central Kitchen. Attendees will be privy to Bates’ specialty sweets, as well as seasonal drinks including applejack rum-spiked cider and house-made ginger beer. Contact Leah Cheston (leah@risDC.com) for reservations.

2275 L St. NW; 202-730-2500; risDC.com

RedRocks Neapolitan Bistro

The pizza chainlet has tapped Flying Dog Brewery (think: Orchard Ale and Cinnamon Porter) as the pain-duller of choice for its Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Show up in your most tragicomic holiday gear for a shot at Flying Dog swag and additional prizes. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 19.

2501 Ninth Road South, Arlington, Va.; 703-920-0706; redrocksdc.com

New Year’s Eve

Bar Pilar

Pilar is throwing a rockabilly rager (no cover charge) featuring ’50s music, dancing and specialty cocktails. An a la carte dinner menu is available beginning at 5 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.

1833 14th St. NW; 202-265-1751; barpilar.com

Béarnaise

Cheflebrity Spike Mendelsohn’s Capitol Hill steakhouse plans to channel Paris for the night, offering a three-course, prix-fixe carte at three separate intervals ($65 per person at 5:30 p.m.; $75 at 7:30 p.m.; $85 at 10 p.m.) Featured menu items include: French onion soup, duck á l’orange, filet de boeuf, grilled Maine lobster with frites, petits fours and a Champagne toast.

315 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-450-4800; bearnaiserestaurant.com

Bistro Bis

The Capitol Hill standby will supplement its regular dinner offerings with a five-course, prix-fixe tasting menu ($75).

15 E St. NW; 202-661-2700; bistrobis.com

Vidalia

The award-winning Southern charmer will offer patrons a choice between the regular carte or a create-your-own, prix-fixe experience served at two separate seatings. The first seating can construct a five-course tasting menu ($80), while the later crowd will indulge in a six-course gourmet meal ($110).

1990 M St. NW; 202-659-1990; vidaliadc.com

Woodward Table

The New American eatery will supplement its regular offerings with a choice of either a five- or six-course chef’s tasting menu ($55).

1426 H St. NW; 202-347-5353; woodwardtable.com

New Year’s Day

Granville Moore’s

The Belgian brew hub is rolling out its “Ultimate Hangover Brunch” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. New Year’s Day for those desperately in need of sustenance. Chef Teddy Folkman promises “dim lighting, soft music and multiple hair of the dog” restoratives. He strongly recommends the “Good Doctor,” a house specialty of scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, avocado, chipotle mayo and your choice of protein (regular or Canadian bacon, smoked salmon, house-made veggie sausage) heaped into a potato roll.

1238 H St. NE; 202-399-2546; granvillemoores.com

Poste Modern Brasserie

This Penn Quarter hot spot wants to keep the ball rolling with its “Get Lucky” brunch and pig roast. The all day affair (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. New Year’s Day; $33) is poised to include a fully stocked Bloody Mary bar, whole roasted pig, black-eyed peas salad, guanciale-braised kale, charcuterie and assorted pies.

555 Eighth St. NW; 202-783-6060; postebrasserie.com

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