Monday, December 13
Beer director Greg Engert is leading a holiday-beer tasting at Birch & Barley, where six seasonal brews are paired with small bites from chefs Kyle Bailey and Tiffany MacIsaac. Participants will learn about the history of holiday beers and what goes into making them. For more information, click here, and call 202-567-2576 to secure a seat. The tasting is $35 and runs from 7 to 10.
Sample Spanish wines from Ole Imports at Taberna del Alabardero’s five-course dinner. Food-and-wine pairings include a selection of tapas with Naveran Dama Brut Chardonnay; kidney-bean stew with red snapper and El Brozal Tempranillo; and braised-oxtail napoleon with Mahón cheese, paired with Libranza sherry. The dinner, which costs $95, begins with a reception at 6:30. Call 202-429-2200 for reservations.
Tuesday, December 14
Lebanese Taverna Market in Arlington (4400 Old Dominion Dr.) is hosting a meat-free cooking class. From 6:45 to 9:30, chefs will show students how to make Mediterranean holiday dishes such as arnabeet (fried cauliflower with tahini), tabouleh with cherry tomatoes, and quince tarts; for a full menu, click here. To reserve a seat ($60), call 703-841-1562.
Wednesday, December 15
Beef up your stein collection at Rustico’s festivus celebration, where drinkers receive a free glass for each seasonal beer purchased; participating breweries include Schlafly and Tröegs. Both Virginia locations (Del Ray and Ballston) are participating with different selections, such as the spicy Bell’s Christmas Ale and dark La Rullés Cuvée Meilleurs Voeux (Alexandria), or the creamy Einbecker Winter-Bock (Ballston). The event runs from 6 to 9.
Behroush Sharifi, an exotic-spices purveyor, is hosting a five-course dinner—called Global Feast for the Senses—with the Occidental’s chef, Rodney Scruggs. Each dish (think roasted-chestnut soup with spice zabayon) is paired with a cocktail (spiced warm sherry cider, for example). The dinner ($110 including tax and gratuity) begins at 6:30. Call 202-783-1475 for reservations.
Thursday, December 16
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian Christmas Eve tradition, but Dino’s version of the feast starts tonight and runs through December 24. The five-course meal is served family style and includes items such as scallop crudo, linguine with mixed seafood in a garlic-tomato sauce, and whole grilled fresh fish. The menu is served during regular business hours. The dinner is $49 with a $35 option wine pairing, and $20 for children. Call 202-686-2966 for reservations.
Friday, December 17
The Hungarian Embassy is hosting an evening soiree with the International Club of DC. Along with a violin-and-piano concert, there’ll be an open bar and buffet spread; food includes Hungarian salami with pickled vegetables, turkey stuffed with chestnuts, and a Christmas dessert assortment. There’s an after-party with dancing. The event begins at 7, and tickets ($85) can be purchased here.
Saturday, December 18
Cork Market & Tasting Room invites kids and their parents to construct gingerbread houses. The cost, $30 per house, includes cookies, hot cocoa, and cider. The event runs from noon to 2. To RSVP, e-mail Info@CorkDC.com with the names of the children and family members attending.
Sunday, December 19
Don your most hideous holiday sweater for EatBar’s Ugly Sweater Party, which runs from 6 PM to 1 AM. The movie A Christmas Story will be on the bar’s TV. Special cocktails include spiked peppermint-patty cocoa and house-made apple-infused bourbon. There’ll also be seasonal drafts such as Mikeller’s Santa’s Little Helper and Schlafly Brewery’s Christmas Ale. Admission is free. The pub is offering a prize for the best bad sweater.
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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.
