In the mood to booze? Artini Feature Nights are happening Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings throughout March, with talented bartenders around the city pouring art-inspired cocktails in the hopes of winning the public’s vote for Washington’s favorite artini (partial proceeds support Corcoran ArtReach). This week, you’ll find creations from Michael Audi of El Centro D.F. (Wednesday) and Phil Peters of Smith Commons (Thursday). Don’t forget to vote for your favorite, and buy tickets for the Artini gala on March 31.
Head to Dupont this weekend for Uncurbed DC’s five-course food truck dinner and local beer pairing, Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30. (There’s also an after-party Saturday with a deejay and a light show). The pop-up restaurant will be both omnivore- and vegetarian-friendly and will feature dishes from five trucks, including pork-kimchi tacos with cracklings and lime crema from Takorean, and poached-pear-and-Brie empanadas from DC Empanadas, alongside Flying Dog brews. Tickets are $47 per person; it’s an additional $10 for the Saturday dance party.
Cork Wine Bar is hosting a pairing of artisanal cheeses and beers on Saturday from 1:30 to 3:30. It will be led by brew gurus Thor Cheston, formerly of Brasserie Beck, and Tim Nelson from beer distributor Legend Limited. The lineup includes beers such as hoppy Southern Tier 2XIPA and Belgian Tripel Karmeliet, alongside cheeses like Blue Stilton from Colston Bassett and Sofia chèvre from Indiana. It’s $40; reservations can be acquired via e-mail or by calling 202-265-2675.
The Masters of Food & Wine, a seasonal culinary event held at the Park Hyatt, returns on Saturday with three events. First up, there’s a cherry-blossom-themed cooking class with Blue Duck Tavern pastry chef Peter Brett from 3 to 5:30 PM ($65 per person). In the evening there’s a tea class and tasting from 5:30 to 7 ($45 per person), and a four-course spring lamb dinner with wine pairings from chef Sebastien Archambault at 7–a chance to sample dishes like lamb meatballs with zucchini risotto and leg of lamb roasted in the kitchen’s wood-burning oven. E-mail Renee Sharrow for reservations or call 202-419-6625.
Bringing new meaning to the term dog food, Carmine’s is hosting a screening of Lady and the Tramp on Saturday from 3 to 6 with an accompanying buffet offering the movie’s iconic dish: spaghetti and meatballs. The event benefits Fashion for Paws. Guests will have the chance to meet radio personalities Dr. Katy Nelson and Tommy McFly and play a Disney trivia game for prizes. Tickets ($40 for adults, $25 for kids under 13) are available online.
For anyone not sipping Manhattans this Sunday during the Mad Men season five premiere*, there’s a special brewer event at ChurchKey starting at 6 PM. New Belgium’s master blender, Lauren Salazar, is providing kegs of three vintage-aged brews and a master blend, La Folie 2012, and will be on hand to meet and greet guests (admission is free, and beers are priced individually). See the full lineup of beers on the Facebook event page.
*Don’t miss our roundup of Mad Men-themed specials around town this weekend.
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.
