Monday evening between the hours of 8 and 10, try drinks from all-star bartenders both local and far-flung. Held at new Columbia Heights diner the Coupe, the event costs $15 at the door; cocktails are $5, and all proceeds benefit DC Central Kitchen. Among the drink-mixing luminaries will be Raphael Reyes, bar manager of New York City spot Mihoko’s 21 Grams; Ryan McGrale, co-owner of Boston’s Death by Cocktails; and Baltimore bartender Brendan Dorr of B&O Brasserie. Representing Washington are JP Caceres and Juan Coronado—who has replaced Owen Thomsen as the beverage director of Think Food Group.
Champagne Day: Brasserie Beck celebrates Champagne Day (October 26) a little early with a five-course Veuve Clicquot Champagne dinner on Monday. Reservations are $130, all inclusive, and can be made by calling 202-408-1717.
Book signing: Sam Sifton, former New York Times food critic and current national editor, heads to Room and Board on Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM for a book signing of his new work, Thanksgiving. The talk—moderated by the Washington Post’s Tim Carman—is open to the public, but you must register online in advance to attend.
Harvest dinner: Rosa Mexicano Chevy Chase hosts a locally themed autumnal dinner on Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 featuring a menu designed by New York-based Top Chef Masters star Jonathan Waxman. Tickets are $45 for the reception and family-style meal.
Chefs for Equality: Tim Gunn, Maryland governor Martin O’Malley, and a whole roster of all-star chefs come together on Wednesday at 6:30 for a food-filled fundraiser benefiting the Human Rights Campaign and supporting marriage equality in Maryland. Tickets to the Ritz DC-hosted event start at $150, and you can head to the Graffiato after-party for $50.
Halloween weekend: The big event isn’t until next Wednesday, but restaurants and bars are getting festive over the weekend with a full lineup of special feasts and parties. Check out our guide to Halloween in Washington, which also includes a tasty recipe for ghoulish homemade Oreo cookies from Bayou Bakery.
Get in the game: Boar, pheasant, and other wild meats take center stage at chef Nick Stefanelli’s game and wine dinner at Bibiana on Thursday at 7 PM. Each of the five courses is paired with Italian wines—dishes include Tennessee boar ragu over pasta and roasted venison with black truffles. Tickets are $135, and can be purchased by calling 202-216-9550.
Beer festival: Spend a lazy Saturday in Annapolis for the first Craft Beer and Music Festival, hosted inside the Navy Memorial Stadium from noon to 6. In addition to brews and tunes, you’ll find Maryland specialties such as crabcakes and oysters. Tickets start at $30 (which includes five beer tokens); seminars and VIP entry costs extra.
UPDATE: This event has been postponed. Friends of James Beard: End the weekend on a high note with José Andrés, who hosts a 3 PM benefit at Round House Theatre, where actor Nick Olcott portrays Beard in the newly released play I Love to Eat. The show is followed by a special dinner at 5 at Jaleo Bethesda. Call the theater at 240-644-1100 for tickets ($225).
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
