Apparently April is National Empanada Month. Celebrate accordingly at Cuba Libre. Image via Shutterstock.
Chef-tacular: The big ticket event this week is Taste of the Nation, Share Our Strength’s fundraiser at the National Building Museum on Monday. A whole host of chefs, bartenders, winemakers, and participating restaurants share bites and sips, all in an effort to end childhood hunger in America. Tickets start at $105 and go up to $150 for VIP access.
Empanada happy hour: April is National Empanada Month (why not?), and Cuba Libre celebrates with a variety of stuffed specials. This Monday is the official “empanada hour,” with $1 empanadas, $5 caipirinhas, and $4 sangria from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
Mike Isabella with judge Scott Drewno (left) and Proof chef Haidar Karoum (right). Photographs by Jeff Elkins.
Any city that has hosted it will tell you: Cochon 555 is a debaucherous day of pork-rific proportions. At each stop on its national tour, the event challenges five chefs to make the most of one entire heritage breed pig by creating dishes using all of its parts. Meanwhile, wine, beer, and spirits vendors show up to buzzify the pig-eating crowds.
This year’s event in Washington took place on Sunday, April 7, at the Newseum. The chefs participating were Mike Isabella (Graffiato), Bryan Voltaggio (Volt and Range), Kyle Bailey and Tiffany MacIsaac (Birch & Barley), Jeff Buben (Vidalia and Woodward Table), and Haidar Karoum (Proof and Estadio). It must be said: They really rose to the occasion, putting out impressive dishes such as belly pastrami (Isabella), pâté en croûte (Voltaggio), and an Egg McMuffin-like sandwich with a pork-fat muffin and hickory-smoked pork loin (Karoum). Crowds washed down the rich dishes with jarred Manhattans featuring whiskeys from Hudson, Far West, Four Roses, and other distillers, as well as wine, mezcals from Illegal, and digestion-aiding shots from industry darling Fernet Branca.
In the end, Mike Isabella and team were judged the winners of the evening. To relive all the piggy goodness, cruise through our tasty slideshow.
Bibiana chef Nicholas Stefanelli hands out snacks at Cochon 555. The porky party returns on Sunday. Photograph by Jeff Martin.
Greek Easter: So you’ve already eaten ham with your extended family. Why not head over to Zaytinya to try Easter Mediterranean-style? The restaurant hosts an extended festival that runs Monday through May 5, and includes specials dishes, cocktails, and a number of activities. Events this week include a wine dinner on Wednesday with Greek author Aglaia Kremezi and Apostolos Spiropoulos of Spiropoulos Winery ($85 per person), and a cooking class with Kremezi on Thursday ($65 per person). Check the event page for more details.
All About Eve: Both Restaurant Eve and its namesake, chef/owner Cathal Armstrong’s daughter, are celebrating April birthdays and treating other April babies to a complimentary five-course dinner in the tasting room (typically $120 before beverage, tax, and tip). In lieu of payment, guests are asked to bring a gift or check for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. The deal must be made by calling the restaurant (no online reservations) and mentioning “birthday bash;” it’s not valid for Friday or Saturday nights, and is limited to one person per table in the tasting room. Alcohol and gratuity for the meal are also not included. All that being said, have fun! The special runs through the whole month.
Brasserie Beck, home to these succulent escargots, hosts a Goose Island beer dinner this week. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
Love beer?: If so, this is the week you’ve been waiting for. The annual Craft Brewers Conference—a trade show geared toward professionals in the industry—comes to Washington this week, and plenty of bars and restaurants are hosting beer tastings, parties, and dinners for the public during the conference. If you don’t see your favorite beer bar below, it’s worth calling over to see what’s on tap.
Passover feasts and wines: Monday marks the start of Passover this year, and there are plenty of options for the holiday. Cooking at home? Wine expert Michael Dumas has tips for picking the best kosher wines. Rather dine out? A number of restaurants host Seder meals, from five-course feasts to casual affairs with specials such as Manischewitz sangria and matzo-ball soup.
Wild ales and punk rock brew: On Monday, anyone interested in wild ales can head over to Meridian Pint beginning at 5 for a number of draft and bottle pours of the natural stuff, as well as a discussion with Charles Psenka of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. More interested in rocking out? The downstairs basement bar plays host to the East Coast vs. West Coast Punk Rock Brew Tour starting at 7, with craft brews from both sides of the country and plenty of music.
Catch a discussion with former Russ & Daughters owner Russ Federman at the Sixth & I Synagogue. Photograph courtesy of Flickr user Bitch Cakes.
Let’s talk lox: Head over to Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Tuesday at 7 for a talk with Russ Federman, the former owner of Manhattan’s iconic Lower East Side shop Russ & Daughters, and author of Russ & Daughters: Reflections and Recipes From the House That Herring Built. Fellow writer Joan Nathan moderates. Get one ticket for $12 or the book and two passes for $26 through Sixth & I.
Taco time: Casa Oaxaca launches a new Taco Tuesday, with $3 beers, sopes, and tacos filled with the likes of lamb, fish, pork carnitas, and skirt steak (available during happy hour from 5 to 7 PM). Still craving tacos later? A five-item platter is served at dinner for $15, with fillings that rotate weekly—think chicken mole and chili-sauced mushrooms.
Eat4Life fundraiser: The DC-based nonprofit Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation hosts a fundraiser at Crios on Tuesday from 6 to 9 PM with top toques such as Rock Harper (from DC Central Kitchen and the forthcoming Fat Shorty’s), Scott Drewno (the Source), and more. Tickets are $50 and include two drinks along with tastes from the chefs.
Bitters basics: Salt & Sundry hosts a bitters class on Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM with Bittermens creators Janet and Avery Glasser. You’ll learn how the tinctures are made and when best to use them, and sip two complimentary cocktails from spirits specialist and Room 11 owner Dan Searing. Tickets are $35 online.
Fancy a traditional Irish breakfast on St. Paddy’s? There are plenty of eggy options around Washington. Photograph via Shutterstock.
St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, meaning you can have your kegs and eggs and eat them, too. Plenty of spots are dishing up a full Irish breakfast—typically eggs, mushrooms, tomato, black and white puddings, and toast—among other hearty eats to pad your stomach before embarking down the green-beer road. Whether you’re thinking a rowdy crowd for a breakfast pre-party or a simple rasher-and-egg sammie, we have a number of spots to try. Don’t see your favorite? Leave a tip in the comments.
Boozy lunch: Beginning Monday, Smith & Wollensky celebrates its 52nd annual National Wine Week. Any ten wines are available for $10 with the purchase of any lunch entrée, so get some colleagues together and clear the afternoon schedule.
Celebrate pizza: Pizzeria Paradiso Georgetown celebrates the reopening of its subterranean birreria with a host of events following the remodel. You’ll find a six-course craft beer dinner on Monday, a brew tasting on Tuesday with half-price drafts from 5 to 7, and dollar drafts and new snacks on Thursday (limited to one beer and snack per customer—sorry, lushes).
Bourbon dinner: The American Tap Room Rockville hosts a six-course dinner on Tuesday at 6:30 that will features courses paired with Angel’s Envy bourbon. The port-barrel-aged liquor accompanies dishes such as bacon-wrapped oysters, smoked lamb ribs, and bourbon-brioche bread pudding. Call 301-838-4281 for reservations ($60 per person).
Local charcuterie, craft beer, and cheese: These three delicious things are the theme of several March classes hosted at Righteous Cheese in Union Market. The first is this Wednesday at 7, when you’ll taste four different fromages alongside four local brews and a variety of cured meats from area producers like Red Apron and Seasonal Pantry. Tickets are $59 online.
Sip cocktails like these eye-catching Artinis from last year’s soiree during three feature nights this week. Photograph by Kevin Allen.
Frederick Restaurant Week: If you haven’t scoped out the blossoming food scene in Frederick, then its restaurant week is a prime time to do it. Running Monday through Sunday, you’ll find specially priced two- and three-course menus at participating eateries including Family Meal, Shab Row Bistro, and Wine Kitchen on the Creek.
Martini madness: Bethesdians can drink a lot more cocktails in March during the Martini Madness competition, with ten spots, such as Jaleo and Mussel Bar, competing to make the best drink and win the most votes online. The draw: All martinis are offered at happy hour prices through March 31.
National Harbor Restaurant Week: Head to the harbor for another restaurant week featuring three-course $20.13 lunches and $35.13 dinners, March 4 through 17. Check out the menus from restaurants like Bond 45, Rosa Mexicano, and Fiorella Pizzeria.
Drink your art: The official Artini cocktail affair isn’t until Friday, March 22 (tickets are available online now), but the feature nights are in full-swing this week. Each of the venues competing to craft the best art-inspired cocktail hosts a special night featuring the drink alongside a raffle with prizes such as winery tours and restaurant gift certificates; proceeds benefit NOW at the Corcoran. Up this week: Bandolero (Tuesday), the Passenger (Wednesday), and P.O.V. ( Thursday).
New cool Nordic: Check out the latest dining trend, New Nordic, part of the Kennedy Center’s Nordic Cool Festival, which runs through March 17. Special culinary events include a cooking demonstration by Finnish and Icelandic chefs on Monday at 6 PM on the Millennium Stage, and Nordic specials at the Roof Terrace Restaurant and KC Café. (Unfortunately the official dinners are sold out.)
Vintage Chimay: Fans of the tasty Belgian beer can head to Belga Café on Tuesday at 6:30 PM for a three-course dinner paired with a number of vintage and limited-edition brews from recent Top Chef alum Bart Vandaele. Call 202-544-0100 for reservations ($59 per person).
Lost Rhino, found: Ashburn’s Lost Rhino Brewery teams up with Virtue Feed & Grain] for a beer dinner on Tuesday at 7. Expect Todd Thrasher’s “hoptails” alongside dishes such as braised beef short rib and pours of Woody Stout. Call 571-970-3669 for reservations ($75 per person).
Locavore happy hour: Poste launches a new happy hour this week that features locally driven drinks and eats. You’ll find brews from DC Brau and Port City, spirits such as Green Hat gin and Catoctin Creek rye, Virginia bubbly, and nibbles that include Polyface Farms wings and fried Rappahannock oysters. The specials last from 11 AM to 7 PM Monday to Friday, and 4 to 7 on Saturday and Sunday.
Beer tasting: ChurchKey showcases British brewmaster JW Lees on Tuesday with a number of real ales and special-edition brews available by the glass or four-ounce tasting pour. The lineup includes JW Lees Moonraker cask beer, Harvest Ale drafts, and Lagavulin cask-aged drafts. Come during regular business hours for the free-admission event.
New cookbook alert: Author Beth Kanter is at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Tuesday at 7 to discuss her new work: Washington, DC Chef’s Table. The cookbook features recipes from more than 50 of Washington’s top toques and bartenders, some of whom are present for the event. Tickets ($10 per person) are available online.
