i Ricchi

Variety is the spice of life, right?  We like to appeal to all of our customers, so we’ve created 3 events in September that promote community and enjoyment of great food and drink in addition to our ever popular and on-going Pop-Up Parties from 5-8 pm every Friday (except September 22).

Our Cigar Smoker & Dr. Stoner’s Vodka and Whiskey tasting Wednesday, September 13 from 5-10 pm promises to be a flavor-filled party for your taste buds! Dr. Craig Stoner spent hours crafting just the right herbal flavor combinations for these unique 84-proof spirits that have just been introduced in our market. His fresh herb vodka (pictured below) has “primary aromas of piney hoppy herbal scents [and] secondary tastes of natural citrus and fresh botanical essences.” His whiskey has a unique artisanal smoky herb taste. We’ll have free samplings as well as cocktails using these unusual “Crazy Good” spirits.  Savor them as you puff your own cigar, or enjoy one courtesy of JR Cigars.

The crisp morning air lately reminds us Fall is just around the corner.  We loved ushering in Summer at our Cena Bianca and want to give you the chance to greet Fall during our Autumn Equinox Dinner, Friday, September 22 at 7 pm. We are featuring two dishes with succulent wild game – Handmade pappardelle with wild boar and Mushroom & truffle stuffed quail in a potato nest with roasted root vegetables – for you to relish as you dine communally under the stars and twinkling lights.  Buy tickets now!

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected recently by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  There are so many organizations out there helping those who are displaced that it can be hard to choose.  Here is a list of places to consider when you donate.  If you desire to physically go and serve, be sure to check out the All Hands Volunteers, Americares and Habitat for Humanity Web sites to find out how you can join with them.

• All Hands Volunteers:  Volunteer-powered disaster relief
• American Humane:  Aids displaced animals
• Americares:  Responds to medical needs
• Habitat for Humanity:  Rebuilds after hurricane
• Red Cross:  Overall disaster relief
• Save the Children:  Provides for displaced children

Bob Springli submitted the winning picture for our Dog Days of Summer Photo Contest of his puppy Lucie taking his much larger dog Lexie for a walk.  He has graciously decided to donate his gift certificate to a local shelter, and we chose Humane Rescue Alliance since they recently took in animals affected by Hurricane Harvey. We appreciate his generosity that will aid these displaced pets.

When Washington legend Andy Ockershausen calls, you answer! This Summer I was delightfully surprised when he asked to interview me for his broadcast, “Our Town.” I have followed Andy for many years as the familiar voice of DC on WMAL radio. Andy’s broadcasting career closely connected him with US presidents, sports heroes and all kinds of notable persons of influence. He combines this with decades of experience and knowledge of DC life and brings a unique perspective to his interviews with key Washingtonians on his podcast. One of his most notable interviews was with legendary News4 news anchor, Jim Vance, shortly before he passed in July. In a time when our city is changing so rapidly, I think it important (and very entertaining) to remember the personalities who contributed to the unique fiber of Washington. During the first season of “Our Town,” he talked with over 50 guests from various walks of life like Sonny Jurgensen, Chip Akridge, Bill Regardie and Catherine Meloy (CEO of Greater Washington Goodwill).

What a delight it was to discuss the story of i Ricchi with this witty, iconic broadcaster, explaining how we seek not just to serve food but to build a sense of community at our restaurant. Our story shows how creative ideas, committed staff and persistence has kept us going for 28 years in spite of the constantly changing DC dining scene. During the interview, I was compelled to recount a disastrous, but amusing episode involving Israel’s Prime Minister, Shimon Peres, when he was here with a large entourage, including the Israeli Secret Service. You”ll have to listen to learn “the rest of the story,” but it involved 12 full glasses of limoncello – and it wasn’t pretty! Click here to hear more on this story, my life in Italy and our vision to make i Ricchi a haven for everyone in our extended community.

We have an exciting array of events in August from Italian cultural traditions and spirits tastings to educational culinary experiences all designed to tantalize your taste buds and entertain.

Sample Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Scotch whiskey described as “smooth as pebbles in a pool . . . clean, fresh and lively with both the oak and the grain in perfect harmony” with a favorite cigar at our Spirits Tasting & Cigar Smoker, Thursday, August 10 at 6 pm. Find out more about whiskey  Also, you will be able to try i Ricchi’s very own Botanist Gin Ricchi made with fresh lime juice and basil.

Once again, we will be participating in Restaurant Week, Monday-Saturday, August 14-19, so be sure to check out our menus for 3-course lunches at $22 and dinners at $35.  Reserve your table now

Tuscans prepare long communal tables in the streets and feast on local specialties during the Palio di Siena annual horse race every July and August as you can see in the picture. We will transform our Piazza to recreate that sense of camaraderie and merriment on the day of the race in Italy at our Palio Party, Wednesday, August 16 at 7 pm. Sample Sienese specialities like “Pasta della Misera” – an almost forgotten dish popular after World War I of homemade pasta with pancetta, tomato, chickpeas and Tuscan pecorino.   If you missed our Cena Bianca (White Dinner) in June, you definitely don’t want to miss this one! Buy tickets now!

We’ll have fun with your favorite furry companions later on this month.  Bring your pet to dinner outside Wednesday, August 23 for our Pets on the Piazza.  Make your reservation starting at 5:30 pm. Find out more below, and if you share a picture of your pet on our Facebook page, you could win a gift certificate from the Cheeky Puppy AND a gourmet dinner for your pet!  What is his favorite meal – hamburger, steak, tuna?  We’ll let him decide!

Good food is our specialty, but we also like to provide informative events so you can host great parties on your own. Cheese boards can become the centerpiece of your party when you know how to choose and arrange the right cheeses and their accompaniments. Alice Bergen Phillips, owner of Cheesemonster, is a cheese expert with an artistic hand who will educate us on how to craft our own unique boards. The only limit is your imagination.  Read more and get tickets for our Summer Entertaining with Cheese, Thursday, August 24 at 6 pm.