For everyone joining us tomorrow evening, here's what's on the menu, hot off the presses, from our Chef Ris:

~ ~ ~ ~

Gnudi

fresh ricotta dumplings on tomato and eggplant fondue

with spinach and crisp prosciutto

OR

Parsnip Ravioli

with mushrooms, sage butter, walnuts and parmesan

~ ~ ~ ~

Cider Glazed Sea Scallop

on hominy grits with apple bacon sweet potatoes,

and braised collard greens

OR

Soy Lacquered Rockfish

 sesame seaweed rice with mirin beets, gingered grapefruit,

shiitake mushrooms and bok choy

~ ~ ~ ~

Champagne Grapefruit Sorbet

~ ~ ~ ~

Grilled Quail

on creamy polenta with a sweet corn and mushroom ragoût,

bourbon cherry sauce  

OR

Peppered Venison Medallions

with braised red cabbage, celery root-walnut cream,

vanilla scented cranberries and Cabernet sauce

~ ~ ~ ~

Marjolaine Cake

hazelnut meringue, coffee buttercream, chocolate ganache

with tangerine sauce

OR

Pecan Carrot Cake

with brown sugar sour cream ice cream

chocolate – peppermint truffles

pecan shortbread  

80

with wine pairings   125

We will also have a la carte specials to include:

Raspberry Point Oysters on the Half Shell

Oyster & Champagne Stew

Smoked Trout Panna Cotta

Pan Seared Foie Gras

 Crispy Pied de Cochon Terrine

Soy Lacquered Rockfish

Peppered Venison Medallions

Roasted Rack of Lamb

Grilled Brace of Quail

Join us for live music from "David Murray + Jazz"

and a champange toast!

If you haven't caught up with our Chef lately, her Huffington Post column is the online version of chatting with her. In this edition, she shares her love for the farmers market, her "church", as she calls it. While one might logically assume that the kitchen is her main territory, her second home is definitely at the market. Many of the delicious menu offerings you taste at RIS feature farm-to-table, local items that have been handpicked by Chef Ris herself. If you are a market newbie, this article is a good lay of the land as to who has what, including some of Chef's faves.

We are so proud to be included in Washingtonian's Very Best 100 Restaurants.  It is an honor to be recognized among many of our friends in the local restaurant community - congratulations to everyone! Pick up your copy of the January 2012 issue today.

Happy Holidays from all of us at RIS! We appreciate everyone who is a part of our RIS family, and we look forward to an exciting 2012!

Please join us for Christmas Eve dinner from 5-9 pm. Chef Ris has a three course prix fixe menu, as well as some special treats appearing on our a la carte menu. Our Wine Director, Leah, has hand selected wines especially for the evening.

We will be closed on Christmas Day and the day after so that our hardworking staff may enjoy the holiday with their families. We will reopen for lunch on Tuesday, December 27.

On New Year's Eve will have a special five-course Prix Fixe menu, as well as our full a la carte offerings. "David Murray + Jazz" will be providing us with live music, and of course there will be a champagne toast to ring in the new year! If you have not made your Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve reservations, call today. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

We had a delicious time at our Gingerbread House "Very Sweet Afternoon" last Saturday! Many thanks to Sue Baum, pictured here with Chef Ris, who gave us hands-on help and direction. Decorators of all ages put their creative spin on each holiday house. Everyone munched on Chef Chris' gingerbread cake, candy cane ice cream, and other treats. Over $500 was raised for our friends at DC Central Kitchen. A sweet success.  

December holidays are here and Restaurant Week is not far behind! Chef Ris has been working on a delicious menu to tempt and treat our diners. New to the Restaurant Week scene? Catch up with Chef Ris in Tom Sietsma's Washington Post review and see what it's all about. Call today for preferred reservations, and check back on this website for menus.

2012 is just around the corner.. Come ring it in with style at RIS! Last year we had a fantastic time, and we are excited for another great celebration. "David Murray + Jazz" will provide live music. Chef Ris is planning a special five course Prix Fixe menu. There will be a champagne toast and mignardises for all.

The Prix Fixe Menu is $80 per person. With wine pairings by our Wine Director, Leah, the menu is $125. Our full a la carte menu will be available as well. Call today for reservations, and check back on this website soon for Prix Fixe menu offerings.

Today is 5% Community Giving Day at Whole Foods at 2323 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Georgetown. 5% of the entire day’s sale will be donated to help DC Greens double the dollars for WIC and Food Stamp programs at select Farmers’ markets in the city. Those include: 14^th & U, Mount Pleasant, Bloomingdale, NoMa and Glover Park.

Chef Ris will be appearing from 5-6 this evening, in support of the program that will help make fresh fruit and vegetables more accessible and affordable for those shoppers in need. Tonight, she will be sharing her famous New England Clam Chowder. Come on down and take the chill off with some hot soup, and shop to make a difference.

Please join us on Christmas Eve for dinner from 5 to 9pm.

Our staff has been busy decorating the restaurant with beautiful wreaths, poinsettias and a Christmas tree. Now, the perfect menu to accompany the ambience:

Thank you to everyone who came for the Schramsberg Wine Dinner with winemaker Hugh Davies on December 8! It was a sold-out event, and we look forward to more special wine events in 2012. Keep an eye on our website for more info!

What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a gingerbread house decorating party! And what is sweeter than having fun for a good cause? The date is next Saturday, December 17, from 11am to 2pm. All ages are welcome.

A gingerbread house will be provided for each guest, along with frosting and, of course, candy!

Enjoy delicious holiday treats while you work!

• Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Soup
• Candy Cane Ice Cream
• Chocolate Macaroons
• Gingerbread Cake
• Hot Chocolate with House Made Mint Marshmallows
• Apple Ginger Cider Cocktails

All proceeds will benefit DC Central Kitchen. Suggested donation is $20.

Spaces are limited. Get yours before they’re gone! Please RSVP to natalie@risdc.com or 202.730.2508.

Happy Anniversary to us! Today RIS is two years old. Thank you to all of our diners for making our restaurant such a special place! We hope to see everybody during December for special happenings such as Jingle Lunch, the Schramsberg Wine Dinner, Holiday Sides and Pies, the Gingerbread House Event, and of course our New Year's celebrations! Check back here for more details coming soon. There's always a reason TO RIS!

Start your holidays early with RIS at the Georgetown Jingle on Sunday, December 11! The event was created by the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, JDS Designs, Inc., and The Washington Design Center to raise money for pediatric oncology programs in the Washington DC Metro area. Join RIS and other great restaurants for holiday tastings, a children's workshop, and a silent auction to benefit a great cause. Get your tickets here.