11 Passover Seders to Enjoy

Passover officially begins on Monday, April 10 this year. Those familiar with the holiday understand the central role matzo plays: Jews observing the eight days of Passover eat matzo in lieu of leavened dough — no bread, pasta, grains, or any of the carbohydrates enjoyed in the typical American diet.

But fear not, culinary aficionados, because several D.C. restaurants have Passover plans covered. Several, like Equinox and DGS Delicatessen, serve Passover fare all week, while others have special menus on Monday and Tuesday night (April 11) for Passover seders. Spoiler alert: get ready for lots of matzo ball soup and flourless chocolate cake, in addition to some creative takes on the traditional fare.

BLT Steak

1625 I Street NW

Passover comes early for BLT Steak, which will offer its Passover menu from Monday, April 10, through Tuesday, April 18, both for dine-in and carry-out. The menu includes pickled deviled eggs with salmon roe and micro chives, matzo ball soup with chicken consommé and fine herbs, roasted leg of lamb with quinoa-mint tabbouleh, as well as a lemon berry tart with thyme-honey whipped cream for dessert.

DGS Delicatessen

1317 Connecticut Avenue NW

Billed as the “Exodus from Winter,” DGS will offer a Passover-themed menu all week during the holiday, Featured items include matzo ball soup, lamb shank and ricotta blintz, bavette steak, as well as cheesecake with fresh date, toasted hazelnut, and candied yuzu for dessert.

Dino’s Grotto

1914 9th Street NW

Dino’s Grotto is offering its family-style Passover menu for a full week beginning on Monday, April 10. The full feast ($59) — featuring duck schmaltz matzo ball soup, veal breast-based brisket, chicken braised with preserved lemon and olives, as well as walnut cookies and chocolate-covered matzo crunch for dessert — is scheduled for dinner service on Monday, April 10, and Tuesday, April 11, and will then be offered a la carte through Monday, April 17.

Equinox

818 Connecticut Avenue NW

Equinox goes all out for the Passover seder, as they have for the past six years. Co-owner Ellen Kassoff Gray and her father, Ed Kassoff, will lead a seder meal on Monday, April 10 using the “Velveteen Rabbi’s Haggadah for Pesach”. The prix fixe menu includes lemon pistachio hummus, shakshuka with California asparagus, pistachio-crusted rack of Pennsylvania lamb, and flourless bittersweet chocolate cake for dessert. Cost is $55 per person or $80 with Israeli wine pairings. Looking for a business lunch spot? Equinox’s Seder menu will be available a la carte throughout Passover.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

750 15th Street NW

On Monday, April 10, and Tuesday, April 11, Joe’s will offer a special three-course menu complete with traditional offerings including gefilte fish, chopped liver, and matzo ball soup. Main courses include herb roasted chicken, braised beef brisket with red wine bordelaise, and wild Alaskan halibut en papillote, with flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Cost of dinner is $45.95 per person; $19.95 for children 12 and under. Need those seder dishes to go? The Passover offerings are available for carry-out and delivery.

Kapnos/Kapnos Kouzina

2201 14th Street NW; 4900 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, Md.

The Greek arm of the Mike Isabella Concepts family of restaurants is putting its stamp on holiday seders. Chef George Pagonis has cooked up catering options including matzo ball soup, and lamb and beef meatballs, as well as challah and chocolate macaroons for dessert. Orders must be placed by Wednesday, April 7, for pick-up in either D.C. or Bethesda on Monday, April 10, or Tuesday April 11.

Logan Tavern

1423 P Street NW

The EatWellDC restaurant group rotates the annual Passover seder dinner between its locations. Last year, Commissary hosted, and this year Logan Tavern takes the lead on Tuesday, April 11. The seder menu includes matzo ball soup, brisket, flourless chocolate cake, and macaroons for the table. Seder goers are encouraged to purchase the $45-per-person tickets ahead of time.

Mon Ami Gabi

7239 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, Md.

On both Monday, April 10, and Tuesday, April 11, Mon Ami Gabi will offer a traditional Passover menu served family-style, featuring a seder plate with matzo and a variety of Passover staples including matzo ball soup, house-made gefilte fish and braised beef brisket, with flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Cost is $44.95 per person, or $17.95 for children under 12. Carry-out is an option as well.

Summer House Santa Monica

11825 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda, Md.

For Monday, April 10, and Tuesday, April 11, between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Summer House will serve a family-style Passover menu, including a variety of holiday staples including matzo ball soup, house-made gefilte fish and chopped liver, slow-braised beef short rib,and flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Cost is $39.95 per guest or $17.95 for children under 12.

Teddy & The Bully Bar

1200 19th Street NW

The downtown spot is offering a three-course Passover menu on Monday, April 10, and Tuesday, April 11. Featured items include matzo ball soup, broccoli and cheddar latkes, shiraz-braised brisket with horseradish jus and sweet onion, as well as rhubarb pie for dessert. The cost is $45 per person or $21 for children under $12; reservations are required.