Monday, June 22
The Ballston branch of Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery is putting on a Chef & Brewer dinner on its patio. On the four-course menu is lobster-stuffed mushrooms with a pairing of Mai-Bock; bacon-wrapped shrimp with Smoked Chili Red; a mixed grill of shrimp, onions, and corn served with American Dream IPA; and mixed-berry shortcake with El-Jefe Hefeweizen. A reception starts at 6:30, dinner begins at 7. The dinner is $40 per person, tax and gratuities included. Call 703-516-7688 for reservations.
Tuesday, June 23
Eric Ripert, the three-Michelin-starred chef and frequent Top Chef guest judge, hosts a book-signing event at his DC restaurant, Westend Bistro. He’s celebrating On the Line, a behind-the-scenes look at the development and recipes of his Manhattan restaurant, Le Bernardin. For $160 (not including alcohol), diners can get the Evening With Eric package, which includes a three-course dinner for two, a copy of the book, and an opportunity to meet Ripert. The signing runs from 6:30 to 8; dinner is available 5:30 to 10. Call 202-974-5566 to reserve a copy of the book and RSVP for the signing.
Wednesday, June 24
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s Taste of Wales tent (on the Mall near 12th St., NW) features six chefs from that country in a series of free demonstrations June 24 through 28. Top picks for today include Bakestone and Cauldron Cooking at noon and Game and Wild Foods at 1. Click here for a complete schedule, festival map, and more.
Thursday, June 25
Learn to make lamb kibbeh dumplings, cilantro-and-mint yogurt sauce, almond-crusted-cheesecake lollipops, and more with Scott Drewno, executive chef at the Source. He’ll teach a cooking demonstration at Arlington’s Lebanese Taverna. The class runs from 6:45 to 9:30 PM and costs $60 per person—light hors d’oeuvres and wine are included. Reserve a spot here.
Friday, June 26
The long-anticipated reopening of the original Eastern Market building is finally here! Check out The Washingtonian’s behind-the-scenes coverage of the new South Hall before you head over.
Saturday, June 27
Interested in making authentic Thai or Korean meals at home? Get a head start with TasteDC’s Secret Ingredients: Asian Food Market Tour. Yoon-Hee Heather Choi will lead a tour of the exotic ingredients found at the Super H Mart (10780 Lee Hwy., Fairfax) and teach such dishes as bul goki, bibim bap, and spiced miso soup. A family-style lunch is included in the price. Seats are $65 and the class runs from 9 to noon. Make a reservation here.
Sunday, June 28
Getting sick of hot dogs and burgers? At the final DC Grill Masters Series event, held in the parking lot outside Wagshal’s Market (4845 Massachusetts Ave., NW), watch Sushi-Ko chef Piter Tjan grill up Japanese Wagyu beef. A $10 minimum donation to Maryland’s Lions Camp Merrick—a camp for diabetic children—is required to attend, and samples and recipes are included in the price. The demonstration begins at 11:30.
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Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
