July 4th Dining: 13 Great Deals at D.C. Restaurants

It’s 4th of July everyone! Time to get your eat (and drink) on! Almost all of D.C.’s restaurants are offering special deals to celebrate the holiday. So, in honor of the original colonies who declared their independence from the Brits, we offer 13 great places to embark on your July 4th dining. Feast away!

701 Restaurant (at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) invites guests to celebrate with a festive patio pig roast, starting at 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy executive chef Benjamin Lambert’s house-made barbecue staples, such as whole hog roast BBQ and pit beef sandwiches. Additionally, there will be a limited a la carte dinner menu featuring modern American cuisine during regular dinner hours, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Calling (202) 393-0701 or visit 701restaurant.com.

Ambar (523 8th St. SE) offers a fixed price brunch from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $39. Diners can enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of mezze, soups, salads, sandwiches, egg dishes, pastries, crepes, and other sweets along with five distinctive brunch cocktails. The unlimited brunch must be ordered by the entire table. Ambar is also home to D.C.’s first Rakia bar, featuring over 40 varieties of the popular Balkan alcoholic beverage. Call (202) 813-3039 or visit ambarrestaurant.com.

Carmine’s (425 7th St. NW) presents an assortment of hero sandwiches — big enough for two people — for $10 each, including a bottle of water. The sandwich options include cold Italian (Genoa salami, prosciutto, mortadella, provolone, and peppers); hot Italian (grilled soppressata, mortadella, provolone, and peppers); mozzarella and prosciutto; chicken or veal cutlet with fried eggplant, prosciutto, mozzarella and tomato sauce; and an Italian cheese steak. The offer is good for carry-out only from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call (202) 737-7770 or visit carminesnyc.com.

City Tap House (901 9th St. NW) hosts its third annual BeerBQ Battle from noon to 5 p.m.. The restaurant will compete to make the best barbecue against local breweries, including D.C.’s 3 Stars Brewing, Maryland’s Evolution Craft Brewing and Virginia’s Three Notch’d Brewing. For $20, guests can sample and vote on each competitor’s offerings — washed down with $5 featured beers from the participating breweries and $5 John Daly cocktails. Competitive guests can also participate in a cornhole tournament to battle it out for a City Tap House gift card and swag from the breweries. The first 32 teams to enter between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. will be eligible to participate. Call (2o2) 664-9433 or visit citytaphousedc.com.

Clyde’s of Columbia (10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia, Maryland) features unlimited casual food, beer and wine at the restaurant’s pavilion from 5 to 10 p.m. for $75 per adult, $40 per young adult (12 to 20 years of age), and $20 for those under 12. They’ll also be set off fireworks over Lake Kittamaqundi at around 9:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. Calling (410) 730-2829 or Visit clydes.com/columbia.

El Centro D.F. Georgetown (1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW) serves up an all-you-can-eat authentic Mexican brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $35. Bottomless brunch drinks such as mimosas, micheladas, Bloody Marias, El Centro Margaritas and a choice of seasonal aqua fresca cocktails, complement the unlimited food offerings. The all-you-can-eat brunch menu must be ordered for the entire table. Call (202) 333-4100 or visit richardsandoval.com/elcentrogtown.

The Hay-Adams Hotel (800 16th St. NW) is offering a special package that not only includes a full-three course dinner for two with wine and an open bar at The Lafayette, but also a night in one of the historic hotel’s luxuriously appointed rooms and a soiree on the 9th floor at the legendary Top of The Hay — overlooking the White House, monuments, National Mall and spectacular fireworks display. The package is available starting at $1,249 for a superior room for two adults. Children 12 years and under may be included for $125 per child. Call (202) 638-6600 or visit hayadams.com.

Masa 14 (at 1825 14th St. NW) serves colorful Latin-Asian cuisine and will have a prix fixe unlimited brunch in its main dining room from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $39, which includes a bottomless selection of special brunch drinks. Brunch can also be ordered a la carte, with prices ranging from $4 to $13 per dish. More information is available by call (202) 328-1414 or visit richardsandoval.com/masa14.

Ottoman Taverna (425 I St. NW) will serve an a la carte brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., showcasing the flavors of Ottoman cuisine, with dishes such as Türk Kahvaltı Tabağı — sunny side up eggs, olives and feta cheese, served with a tomato and cucumber salad. Cocktails are priced from $5 to $8. Call (202) 847-0395 or visit ottomantaverna.com.

Toro Toro (1300 I St. NW) offers an extended brunch service from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at $39. The brunch includes a lavish buffet of seasonal salads, grilled meats (steak, sausage, chicken) raw bar, and assorted breads and cheeses. Diners can also have made-to-order items such as chipotle-agave bacon and Mexican-chocolate waffles with Nutella and bananas. Toro Toro’s brunch menu is complemented by a Bloody Mary bar and bottomless supply of featured cocktails. Call (202) 682-9500 or visit richardsandoval.com/torotorodc.

The Watergate Hotel’s Kingbird (2650 Virginia Ave. NW) features an a la carte brunch option from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The menu showcases several of chef Michael Santoro’s favorites, including lobster and potato quiche; baked eggs with goat sausage, crème fraiche and fried bread; and chicken and waffles. Diners also have the option to pay an additional $17 for unlimited specialty brunch cocktails. Call (202) 827-1600 or visit thewatergatehotel.com.

The Willard’s Cafe Du Parc (1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) fires up the grill to serve all-American favorites a la carte, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and vegetarian wraps from noon to 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy their meals in an outdoor seating area featuring a live band and patriotic decorations. For guests on the move, Cafe Du Parc is also offering carry-out lunches for $15, which include an entree fresh off the grill, coleslaw, chips, and a bottle of water. Calling (202) 942-7000 or visit cafeduparc.com.

Zengo (781 7th St. NW) hosts brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $39 per person. Guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of ceviche, sushi, and salads, dim sum and antojitos, and brunch plates along with seven distinctive brunch cocktails. The all-you-can-eat brunch must be ordered by the entire table and the menu is offered exclusively for the prix fixe service. Call (202) 393-2929 or visit richardsandoval.com/zengodc.