Yesterday was the second Small Plates Sunday Brunch at RIS, and the house was packed! Our new menu has something for everyone, from Beef Short Rib Hash to our Gluten-free Rhubarb Raspberry Almond Crumb Cake to Steak and Egg. If you're looking for libations to accompany your dining experience, we have pitchers of sangria, bottomless mimosas, and our house-made Wasabi Bloody Marys. Sundays have a family feel around here... children are definitely welcome! There's always a reason to celebrate here, birthdays, anniversaries, or even just surviving your Saturday night outings!

As the weather slowly turns green, so is our Soup Calendar! New for this month include Spring Garlic, Jersualem Artichoke, and Szechuan Carrot. In observance of Passover, Matzo Ball Soup will be offered April 19-26. Happy Spring!

Common Threads will bring together some of the most influential Washington DC chefs, state & federal elected officials, diverse professionals, philanthropists, and foodies for a fundraising gala to help sustain and grow our Washington DC after-school programs. Hosted at The Carnegie Institution (1530 P Street NW) from 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m. In addition to global food stations, guests will enjoy a tempting silent auction including chef experiences, professional athletic events and much more!

Common Threads teaches low-income children to cook wholesome and affordable meals because they believe that through hands-on cooking classes they can help prevent childhood obesity and reverse the trend of generations of non-cookers, while celebrating cultural differences and the things people all over the world have in common.

Their mission is to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being, and to foster an appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking. They help bridge cultural boundaries and strengthen our global family by teaching children about their similarities and differences in the warm comfort of the kitchen: Through the simple process of preparing and sharing a nutritious meal, children who participate in their programs learn to connect with their bodies, their neighbors, and their world in bite-sized lessons.

We would love for you to join us! Purchase your tickets here. RIS is proud to participate with Art Smith (Art and Soul), Carla Hall (Alchemy), Scott Drewno (The Source), Dean Gold (Dino), Todd and Ellen Gray (Equinox), Kate Jansen (Willow), Ris Lacoste (RIS), Jamie Leeds (Hank’s Oyster Bar), and Ramon Martinez (Jaleo), Michel Richard (Citronelle & Central), Susan Watterson (CulinAerie) among many others.

One of the sure signs that it is Spring in DC is the Cherry Blossoms! The famous blossoms are being tributed in every possible way from cherry-inspired dishes and drinks to haikus, and a Lantern Walk with a park ranger from 8-10pm to view the Cherry Blossoms by lantern light! This year's blossom peak is projected to be today, March 29, through April 1.

CONGRATULATIONS to our very own Chris Kujala, for his RAMMY nomination as Best Pastry Chef! His Key Lime Cheesecake was the only dessert served at the RAMMY Nominations Party on March 22.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Mayor Vincent C. Gray support the 8th Annual Blue Jeans Ball – DC’s exclusive charity fundraiser and tasting event, which is custom fit to relieve those at risk of hunger! The Ball benefits Capital Area Food Bank, who annually distributes 23 million pounds of food to more than 383,000 people through an invaluable network of partner agencies. RIS will be participating in this gala with food from local restaurants, great music and a silent auction.... all in the comfort of jeans! Click here for more info and to support this worthy cause.

On March 11, a 9.0 earthquake triggered a 30-foot tsunami that damaged several nuclear reactors in northeastern Japan, causing the country's worst crisis since World War II. What can you do to help? Please support the American Red Cross Relief Efforts in Japan by bidding on a 5-course Tasting Dinner at RIS. The winning bids will be donated to The American Red Cross to help survivors of the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

Spring has arrived and we are gearing up for our busy season! Come join our fantastic team and enjoy working for a restaurant that is RAMMY nominated this year for Best New Restaurant.

Chef Ris was voted "nicest chef to work for" by Washingtonian Magazine! We are looking for professional, energetic, experienced individuals who have a passion for food and excellent service.

Currently we have openings for Line Cooks, Hosts, Servers, and Food Runners. Please stop by and fill out an application between 2 and 5, Monday through Friday.  ONLY serious applicants need apply.  All positions will require working some holidays and weekends.

Line Cooks will be highly skilled and detail-oriented in a fast-paced environment. Also should be fluent in English and Spanish.

Hosts should have a professional appearance, excellent phone and communication skills, a great smile, and be calm and courteous under pressure. Restaurant experience, including OpenTable, is necessary.

We need experienced full service Servers . Experience with POS systems, and food/wine knowledge with desire to expand are also important. 

We are also looking for experienced Food Runners.

The hottest news in the DC restaurant world this morning is the RAMMY Nominations! We were proud to be at the Ritz-Carlton last night as the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced the 2011 RAMMY Award Nominees. RIS is nominated for Best New Restaurant, and our own Chris Kujala for Best Pastry Chef! Congrats to all of our fellow RAMMY Finalists! See you all at the RAMMY Gala in June!

Yesterday was the first day of Spring! RIS is back at the Farmers' Markets, gathering fresh, local produce.

From our friends at Tree and Leaf Farm in Unionville, Virginia, we have: little gem romaine, frisee, red russian kale, pizzo mustard, italian parsley, salad greens, baby collards, curly kale, and rainbow chard.

Find Tree and Leaf Farm at the Dupont Circle Farmers' Market on Sundays from 9am to 1pm.

March Madness rolls on to the Sweet Sixteen.... Enjoy Rush Hour Specials at our bar during all of the games!

"Is fearr an sláinte na tainte" -- "Health is better than wealth". We wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day! Tomorrow RIS will have Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread, and a festive soup: Potato, Beer and Irish Cheddar. Stop by for a Guiness or a "Shamrock Royale" cocktail!

RIS has a monthly feature in the Georgetowner. This month, Ari Post delves into the world of our Little Italy Wednesday special, Spaghetti and Meatballs. Lucky for you, today is Wednesday so you can read the article AND eat the special. Garlic bread, anyone?

Have you heard about our great new lunch special, “Power Hour”? Get the scoop from Metrocurean. Our burger is a fan favorite!

Did you ever wonder where this phrase comes from?

The story goes that in Las Vegas for many years the chicken dinner special was $1.79. With the standard bet being $2, a winning bet would be enough money to buy dinner. Hence the phrase, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner".

Our Sunday Night Chicken Dinner, with mashed potatoes, kale, glazed carrots and tarragon sauce, is definitely a winner!