A Capella Christmas

Written by Anita

December 14, 2014

Photographs #1 - #3, courtesy of Capella

Nestled in the heart of Georgetown, the Capella exudes suave sophistication. Recently named one of the country’s top 25 luxury hotels by TripAdvisor, it offers 49 luxury guest rooms and suites, along with “personal assistants” who cater to guests’ needs. The Grill Room, the Capella’s main restaurant, has a swanky Mad Men-esque feel. Nail-head studded leather armchairs surround tables laid with pressed linens (so rare in these modern times!) 

We recently visited The Grill Room to sample a preview of its Family-Style Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Brunch. The meal starts with a refreshing salad course. We sampled the baby beet salad—chunks of tender golden and ruby beets atop frisee and baby arugula greens, sprinkled with hazelnuts, chives, and FireFly Farms goat cheese and bathed in a Verjus vinaigrette. The second salad selection features little gem lettuce tossed with blue cheese and bacon lardons, drizzled with a balsamic dressing. The main course offers a variety of tasty selections, including salmon wellington with chicken mousse and wilted spinach, carnaroli risotto with roasted pumpkin, golden raisins, and plump divers scallops, and last, but not least—turkey! This heritage bird took center stage as it was carved tableside and served with a rich chestnut stuffing and an apple-rye chutney with zing! (See recipe below). Sides include a delicious creamed Swiss chard with a dusting of grated nutmeg, Applewood smoked potatoes with crème fraiche and chives, and (our personal favorite) crispy Brussels sprouts with Asian pear, barrel-aged soy sauce, and wildflower honey. The final note? A personal baked Alaska, made with a flourless chocolate cake, cinnamon, and cappuccino.

Want to take things up an octave? Then plan to attend Capella’s Christmas Eve dinner, where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous four-course dinner complete with a champagne toast with 2002 Taittinger (it was a very good year!)  

Want your holiday to truly sing? Then book Capella’s Christmas package, which features a Darjeeling & Rye Hot Toddy welcome cocktail, a family-style dinner for two (or the brunch described above), a holiday stocking, and a gift-opening ceremony on Christmas morning in the Capella Living Room—complete with one personal gift for each guest reservation. Five extra-good guests will win special prizes, compliments of Capella Washington DC and its sister properties (Capella has hotels in Mexico, Germany, Singapore, and St. Lucia, with more on the way). This has all the makings for a very merry Christmas indeed!

____________________________________

Capella Apple-Rye Chutney

4 Granny Smith Apples

2 Red Onions

2o oz. Balsamic

1 oz. Red Wine Vinegar

35 grams Mustard Seeds

8 oz Sugar

½ cup Rye Whiskey

1 ½ cups Apple Cider

Stir minced onions and apples together in oil over medium heat until softened. Add other ingredients and bring to a simmer. Cook until fruit is soft and liquid is almost completely evaporated. Let cool.

 

Spotlight Type: