Monday, September 28
Loosen your tie at Morton’s steakhouse in Georgetown with a casual evening of Italian-wine sampling and appetizers. This installment of the restaurant’s “Uncorked” series runs from 6 to 7:30. Tickets—$50, including tax and gratuity—can be reserved here.

Tuesday, September 29
In the mood for even more wine from Italy? You won’t have to wait long or travel far from Monday’s suggestion—neighbor Cafe Milano hosts a wine-pairing dinner tonight at 6:30. Linger over five courses of sea-inspired dishes in one of Washington’s top power haunts. $100 per person (limited seating available). Call 202-333-6183 for reservations.

Former New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni is at Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-364-1919) to talk about his candid, terrifically funny new memoir, Born Round, in which he reveals his lifetime of food issues and the ways his job as a food critic helped him over come them. Adding to the fun: Interviewing him will be pal and fellow Times writer Maureen Dowd. The free reading starts at 7.

Wednesday, September 30
The Southern-influenced dining room Georgia Brown’s celebrates its 16th anniversary with live jazz, a cocktail reception, and four courses of low-country cuisine. Hit the bar at 6:30, then at 7:30 nosh on plates of crab bisque and shrimp and grits. And if you feel like moving, you can dance until the place shuts down. The dinner is $65 per person—click here for a full menu and reservation information.

Thursday, October 1
The Capitol Hill culinary shop Hill’s Kitchen (735 D St., SE; 202-543-1997) throws a lasagna-cooking demo tonight geared toward the harried chef. Learn to make sauce and cheese fillings (in less than an hour!), discuss vegetarian and meat options, and sample the hearty dish with wine. The class, which runs from 6:30 to 7:45, costs $35 per person. E-mail events@hillskitchen.com to reserve a spot.

Friday, October 2
Ace of Cakes fans can head to the “Cake Canvas” exhibit at Ayr Hill Gallery (141 Church St., Vienna), where MallowDrama chef David Supley Foxworth will bake and ice a gigantic chocolate-cherry recreation of Monet’s Woman With a Parasol. Though the work will be on display from 11 to 5 today, free slices of the creation will be doled out on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 4 on Saturday. Call 703-938-3880 for more information.

Saturday, October 3
The annual Taste of Bethesda brings 50 restaurants and four stages of live entertainment to the town’s Woodmont Triangle area. From 11 to 4, graze your way through dishes from such eateries as Angeethi, Fancy Cakes by Leslie, Mia’s Pizzas, and Jaleo. The festival is free, but tasting tickets are $5 for a pack of 4. The event will be held along Norfolk, Fairmont, St. Elmo, Cordell, and Del Ray avenues, three blocks north of the Bethesda Metro.

Sunday, October 4
Wine lovers and history buffs can wind down the weekend at Mount Vernon with the estate’s popular Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. The $30 admission grants access to the rarely open cellar vaults—where George Washington stored his wine—and includes samples from 17 Virginia wineries and live jazz. Picnic-ready fruit-and-cheese boxes can be purchased for an additional fee. The festival runs from 6 to 9; click here for tickets and more.

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