Food is an integral part of most religious observances, and the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 22-24) and Yom Kippur (Oct. 1-2) are no different. The former is a happy celebration of the Jewish new year with sweet eats such as apples and honey, while the latter is a day of fasting and atonement that typically ends with a bagel and schmear. Whatever you want to nosh, get your orders in soon at these area restaurants and delis.
Bethesda Bagels
This Rosslyn deli has a special Yom Kippur menu, perfect for breaking your fast. Options include nova lox, fish and salad platters that serve at least 10 and family boxes that serve four, six or eight. The boxes can be ordered with six, nine or 12 bagels and come with smoked salmon; whitefish, tuna and egg salad; plain and chive cream cheese; salad fixings and cookies. Items are also available a la carte. 1851 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Brooklyn Bagel Bakery
Platters are plentiful at this small, family-owned business that opened in 2000. The Works Platter is piled with assorted bagels, smoked salmon, whitefish and other salads, plus veggies and cream cheese. Or get just salads and spreads. Or just bagels and baked goods—you get the idea. For smaller gatherings, the bakery has “All in One” Boxes with bagels, smoked salmon, whitefish salad, tuna salad, egg salad, cream cheese, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, capers, lettuce and sweets/cookies. 2055 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
Call Your Mother
All locations of this self-described “Jew-ish” deli have catering specials for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Available for pre-order now, the limited-time offerings include a latke platter with apple jam and sour cream; a pastry box stuffed with apple cider doughnuts, carrot cake cookies and chocolate babka muffins; and a babka box with chocolate and cinnamon roll babka muffins. Bagel-based options include The Dolph (a dozen bagels with smoked salmon, tuna or whitefish salad, candied salmon schmear and a choice of two other schmears); The Ernie G (a dozen bagels with three schmears and sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, jalapeños and capers); and The Baxter (a dozen bagels with three schmears). 6232 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, and 1671 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Celebrity Delly
This 50-year-old Falls Church deli has a Rosh Hashanah prix fixe meal for five that includes matzo ball soup, latkes and a challah. The first course comes with gefilte fish and chopped liver. The second is a choice of oven-braised brisket, oven-roasted chicken breast or lemon dill salmon. A sweet noodle kugel caps off the meal. Prefer to build your own dinner? Get all of the above plus more (potato or meat knishes, for example) a la carte. Order for Rosh Hashana by Sept. 15. For Yom Kippur, get a smoked fish platter, nova platter or dairy spread platter with egg salad and cream cheese. 7263 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
Chutzpah Deli
This New York deli in Fairfax has all the fixings for a traditional Rosh Hashanah feast: chicken noodle soup, stuffed cabbage, kasha varnishkes, potato knishes, potato pancakes, noodle kugel with raisins, and brisket. For an easy Yom Kippur break-fast, consider a smoked fish or deli meats sandwich platter. 12214 Fairfax Town Center, Fairfax
The Kosher Kitchen Catering Co.
Act fast if you want to place an order at this Maryland-based kitchen, which delivers to Northern Virginia. It’s accepting orders only through noon on Sept. 14. The special Rosh Hashanah menu features a la carte items such as round challahs; roasted butternut squash or chicken matzoh ball soup; sides like Moroccan couscous with apricots, prunes and golden raisins; and mains such as panko-breaded chicken schnitzel, salmon Wellington, and bourbon and red wine braised beef brisket. 12205 Nebel St., Rockville, Maryland
Sababa
Sure, it’s a schlep, but this Israeli restaurant and Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand winner in D.C. is worth the drive for twists on authentic High Holiday foods. For Rosh Hashanah, get roasted halloumi with honey and apple marmalade, Golden Beet & Pomegranate Salad, braised salmon or beef brisket, and walnut tzimmes. Break the fast on Yom Kippur with a Hummus Sabich Salad with hummus tahini, roasted eggplant, hard-boiled egg, harissa, sumac onions and pita; Heirloom Carrots Al’Haesh with Turkish coffee tahina and spiced pecans; Sumac Crusted Salmon with mixed herb salad; and brisket. 3311 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.