Whereas I by no means felt pulled to take part — not till I found glazed ham, anyway — I did at all times resent how slowly the day would crawl if I used to be caught at residence with nothing to do however watch the 24-hour marathon of “A Christmas Story.” Within the decade I’ve lived within the D.C. space, I’ve come to understand how downtown goes nonetheless. When you exit on Christmas, it appears like you will have town to your self.
In my home, my partner and I’ve mixed our traditions: my household’s penchant for ordering sufficient Chinese language meals to feed a Maccabee military, and her aspect’s insistence on heading to the flicks. That is how we do Christmas Day in D.C.
Eating places open in D.C. on Christmas Day
New Massive Wong for Chinese language in Chinatown
Within the decade-plus we’ve lived within the D.C. space, we’ve visited a spread of Chinese language eating places to see which feels worthy of making a brand new custom, from the upstairs banquet corridor of Tony Cheng’s Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown to Metropolis Lights of China in Dupont Circle to the Friendship Heights iteration of ultimate mensch Larry La’s honored Meiwah.
My persistent favourite is New Big Wong, lengthy a late-night haven for D.C. chefs trying to unwind after a shift in a below-ground, crimson eating room full of huge round tables on H Avenue NW.
We’ll order a mixture from my dad and mom’ standing Chinese language American order — moo shu pork with additional rice pancakes, Basic Tso’s rooster, Peking duck — with specials of the home: dry scallop fried rice and wilted snow pea leaf. It’s all definitely worth the queue that crowds the little vestibule and spills up the steps into Chinatown.
Chang Chang for a contemporary banquet
For a meal with extra dramatic prospers, you may head to the lately opened Chang Chang in Dupont Circle to pattern fried spring rolls full of three forms of mushrooms, an elaborate platter of duck four-ways or a slice of ardour fruit pie from chef-partner Pichet Ong.
Duangrats for time-tested Thai
Craving special-occasion Thai? Order a complete fried chili basil flounder at Duangrat’s in Falls Church, Va., and also you’ll perceive why it’s stayed open for 35 years.
Ravi Kabob Home for fiery rooster
For one thing much less formal, Ravi Kabob House in Arlington, Va., pleases Pakistani expats with excellent chana (chickpeas), lamb chops and a fiery rooster karahi designed for 2.
Ivy and Coney for Hanukkah kitsch
When you couldn’t inform from the Heilman’s Previous Fashion beer signal hanging out entrance, Ivy and Coney is a no-frills neighborhood bar that revels in Midwestern kitsch. Yearly in Shaw, the Hanukkah specials give Jewish clients a vacation celebration to rival the annual wave of Christmas pop-up bars. There are latkes as vast as a compact disc, a ski-like “shotnorah” that holds eight L’Chaims value of Manischewitz or Malort and sufganiyot-flavored pictures that channel jelly doughnuts. On previous Christmases, co-owner Josh Saltzman has purchased sufficient Chinese language takeout to feed his employees and any lingering clients.
The place to see a film in D.C. on Christmas Day
Regal Gallery Place in Chinatown
Given my choice for New Massive Wong, we normally bookend a meal with a displaying on the Regal Gallery Place, connected to Capital One Area down the road.
Alamo Drafthouse in Brentwood
I’ve additionally been having fun with the brand new Alamo Drafthouse by the Rhode Island Ave.-Brentwood Metro station, the place a beer would possibly assist you to keep awake in case you’re liable to napping when the lights dim.
The Avalon in Chevy Chase
With a screening history courting to 1923, the Avalon in Chevy Chase has an auditorium that takes you again to the silent movie period.
AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring, Md.
The American Movie Institute’s Silver Theater and Cultural Center, in Silver Spring, Md., is an area treasure I don’t go to sufficient. On Christmas, it has two afternoon screenings: “Miracle on thirty fourth Avenue” (1947) and a director’s reduce of “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”
The place to go sightseeing in D.C. on Christmas Day
Bike to Structure Gardens and the Lincoln Memorial
Christmas is the one day a year Smithsonian museums shut, so these free displays are out. However nothing is stopping you from seeing nationwide monuments with out a crowd.
My on a regular basis transfer is to choose up some wheels from the Capital Bikeshare at fifteenth and M streets NW, pedal previous Lafayette Sq. and the White Home, then race down the hill on fifteenth Avenue, hook a proper onto the broad sidewalks of Structure Avenue, choose up the trail by the pond in Structure Gardens and journey that to the Lincoln Memorial.
Ice skating in Georgetown
If you wish to maintain going west, you may head to the Georgetown Waterfront and take a look at the outdoor ice skating rink in Washington Harbour.
The Kennedy Heart for a Christmas Jam
Fritz Hahn, a reporter for The Washington Publish’s Weekend part, additionally recommends the annual All-Star Christmas Jazz Jam on the Kennedy Heart.
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