Eye candy: Learn more about Spanish culture at the newly opened “Tapas: Spanish Design for Food” exhibition at the former residence of the Ambassadors of Spain, now through March 22. Check out a preview on After Hours.
Happy Chinese New Year: The Source launches its Chinese New Year festivities on Monday, which will continue over the next two weeks. Head over to the lounge between 6 and 9 for dim sum treats and bites from Sichuan chef Peter Chang, paired with glasses of Clydesdale punch to celebrate the Year of the Horse ($50 per person). Friday marks the official eve, and chef Scott Drewno plans a family-style banquet menu (the price varies by party). Come Saturday you’ll find a dumpling-making class from 11 to 12:30 accompanied by more punch, and a dim sum brunch to follow ($75 per person). Tickets are available online, including for next week’s night market.
DC Meat Week: Calling all carnivores: DC Meat Week returns with a variety of events. Start on Monday at Hill Country with all-you-can-eat barbecue for $25. Other highlights include a meat-eating competition at Pork Barrel BBQ on Wednesday and a food truck face-off on Friday.
Pizza takeover: Chef Don Shults takes over the ovens at Society Fair on Monday, transforming the eatery into a neighborhood pizzeria. The three-course menu includes a choice of soup or salad, Neapolitan pie such as wild mushroom or margherita, and dessert. Reservations are $45 for two.
Bottomless bar: Who says unlimited drinks are just for weekend brunch? Chez Billy hosts an all-you-can-drink fete on Tuesday from 7 to 10. The $40 entry fee gets you bottomless PBR tallboys and unlimited Overholt whiskey shots with picklebacks (the latter just for the first hour), beer-inspired hors d’oeuvres, and PBR swag. Cheers!
Greek cooking class: Visiting cookbook author Aglaia Kremezi and Zaytinya chef Michael Costa cohost a cooking class on Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30. The $55 session includes cooking demonstrations, three dishes, and beverage pairings.
My fellow Americans: Here’s at least one State of the Union special (stay tuned for more!). The Diner accompanies President Obama’s address with bingo, an unconfirmed drinking game, 50-cent wings, $18 pitchers, and more from 8 to last call.
Beer dinner: The temperatures are supposed to drop again Tuesday, making it an appropriate night for Belga Cafe’s winter beer dinner at 6:30. Get three courses paired with hearty brews, plus before- and after-dinner sips ($49 per person).
Young talents: The Industree speaker series continues this Wednesday with the Young Blood Installment. Five hospitality-industry insiders under 35 gather at the Atlas Theater at 12:30 to discuss entrepreneurship, including DC Brau’s Brandon Skall and Spike Mendelsohn. Head to Smith Commons after for free drinks and bites from 4 to 6. Tickets are available to the public for $50.
Valentine’s Day prep: Skip the chocolates and bake your sweetie a batch of cookies with the help of Buzz Bakery’s class on Thursday at the Alexandria location. The $55 tickets are limited, and Wednesday’s session is already sold out, so book soon.
Chili cook-off: Super Bowl Sunday often brings and abundance of chili, but you can get a head start on Saturday at Hill Country during the chili cook-off from 1 to 3. The $10 entry fee gets you ten tasting tickets and the chance to cast your vote for the best.
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.
