Sake x Jazz slides back into Capitol Hill on December 21 with a low-key early evening at Light Sleeper, the natural wine bar in the old Bar Ferdinand space at Chophouse Row. The 4:00 p.m. seating of Woodfire Blues with Jacqueline Tabor is dinner only and pairs a three-course dinner with a glass of sake or a non-alcoholic mocktail. Tickets run $75, and the room clears at 5:30 p.m. for the second set at 6:00 p.m. which includes live music from Tabor with the meal.

The food comes from a collaboration between Chef Isaiah Ruffin of Pizza By Ruffin and Chef Yael of Sake Noire, with the sake list curated by Quan. Ruffin and his wife and business partner, Colleen Constant, started out slinging pizza from a short school bus in Colorado before ending up in Washington. They just recently opened their first brick-and-mortar at 400 Fairview Avenue. 

The Menu

Dinner opens with an amuse called “Voodoo of Ceremonies,” a rotating mix of chips based on grain, fruit, and vegetable. The first course brings fish fry smelt with pickled okra and potatoes. For the main, guests choose one of two pizza alla palla options pulled from the woodfire. The meat version layers smokey andouille, red peppers, gouda, corn, and trinity sauce. The vegetarian option keeps the same base and swaps in collards, mushrooms, and crispy onions. Dessert finishes with a beignet served with Vietnamese coffee anglaise.

Musical accompaniment from Jacqueline Tabor, a four-time Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year winner whose voice moves easily between jazz, blues, and swing. Her influences run from Billie Holiday to Nina Simone to Sarah Vaughan, but her sound stays rooted in Seattle, where she has built a strong following.

This edition of Sake x Jazz skews early by design, which makes it a good fit for anyone who wants to be home by nightfall without skipping dinner, live music, or a proper drink. Selections for pizza and beverages are made at checkout, and seating is limited.