More tequila!: The seventh annual Tequila & Mezcal Festival continues at Oyamel. The celebration lasts through March 23, with events such as complimentary tequila tastings at the Butterfly Bar from 4 to 6, post-tasting dinners at 8:30 ($90 per person), and food and drink specials.
Time to play: When the government’s away, its employees will play. Or at least that’s the thinking at BLT Steak, which offers a special “recess menu” through Friday. Guests will find ten plates for $10 until 10 each night, including yellowtail crudo, bone-marrow spring rolls, and grilled octopus.
Get tasting: Taste Around Town, which bills itself as “Restaurant Week for wine,” starts with a launch party at Veritas on Tuesday from 6 to 8. You’ll sample wines and small plates and gear up for next week’s event, which starts on March 26.
Spring dinner: We’ve (hopefully) seen the last of the snow, so it’s time to get into spring mode. Fiola hosts a local spring harvest dinner on Thursday. Three courses include options such as roasted artichoke soup, Chesapeake rockfish, and more ($105 per person).
Piggy anniversary: Cochon 555 returns for its sixth year on Sunday (see below), and formerly crowned Pork Prince Scott Drewno is hosting a five-course dinner at the Source on Friday at 6:30 to celebrate. Guest chefs such as Victor Albisu and Mike Isabella will help prepare the opening reception and meal, which includes a Breckenridge bourbon nightcap ($135 per person). E-mail adriana.lucca@wolfgangpuck.com for reservations.
London calling: Chef Robert Wiedmaier has been selected to welcome the newest US ambassador to the UK at a reception in London, and will host a preview of the meal at Marcel’s on Friday. Diners will sample seven courses ($165 per person) alongside Virginia wines presented by guest sommelier Jason Tesauro.
The official Artini: After a series of pop-up cocktail nights, the Artini cocktail party goes down at the Corcoran Gallery of Art on Saturday. You’ll taste ten art-inspired cocktails, browse the collection, dance to live music, sip beer and wine, and generally have a great time. Tickets start at $135.
Cochon 555: The porkiest even of the year, Cochon 555, arrives on Sunday at Union Market. General admission tickets are sold out, but you can go VIP ($200) for early access at 4 to taste the chefs’ 30-plus pork dishes, wines, and more. The event tends to get packed, so early admission can be worth it.
Spice dinner: Spice up your Sunday at 2941, which hosts a tasting dinner with “spiceologist”Lior Lev Sercarz starting at 5. Eight courses include dishes like slow-cooked salmon with Dali beurre blanc, shrimp penang risotto, and roasted curried pineapple ($68 per person).
Lamb roast: Yet another spring fling this week: Brabo chef Harper McClure roasts a whole Martin’s Farm lamb on Sunday from 2 to 5:30. Guests will gather on the outdoor patio for the lamb and sides paired with Heavy Seas Cutlass Lager ($50 per person). E-mail katherine.holt@kimptongroup.com for reservations.
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.
