Drink more wine: Take a road trip to Richmond this week for the Virginia Wine Expo, which starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday. The event, held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, offers the chance to taste and buy more than 450 Virginian wines, plus a bounty from the “guest region” of South Africa. Ticket prices vary by day and various events.
Venetian feast: On Tuesday evening Fiola hosts a dinner to celebrate the Carnival of Venice and the beginning of Lent. The three-course meal includes dishes such as scallop crudo and salt cod, branzino over risotto, and ricotta bomboloni. Wine pairings are included with each course ($60 per person). The menu is served all evening; reservations can be made by calling 202-628-2888.
Mardi Gras week: Washington bars and restaurants celebrate Fat Tuesday with Cajun feasts, live music, block parties, and New Orleans-inspired cocktails. Check out our Mardi Gras guide for all the happenings, including a few rescheduled or altered events due to Tuesday’s snow.
Happy Chinese New Year: The Source commemorates Chinese New Year on Wednesday with two celebratory events. First, chef Scott Drewno leads a dumpling-making class from 6 to 7. Then, from 7 to 9, lauded Szechuan chef Peter Chang takes over the lounge, preparing a variety of dim sum specialities alongside two special Atlas Brew Works ales. Tickets are available online and are $50 for the lounge party or $100 for both events. In addition, the restaurant serves a special five-course New Year’s menu ($110 per guest) starting Friday through February 27.
Cooking for a cause: Join nearly 60 female chefs on Wednesday night for the annual Turn Up the Heat gala, a benefit to fight ovarian cancer. Guests sample dishes and drinks from top women toques and mixologists; proceeds benefit the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Tickets ($175 to $325) can be purchased in advance by calling 202-331-1332, or at the door.
Family dinner, kung fu-style: The Fainting Goat joins the Chinese New Year fun—it’s the year of the goat, after all—with a celebration on Thursday. Guests can make reservations between 6 and 9 for a family-style feast ($39 per person) that includes dishes like Szechuan goat, tea-smoked duck, dumplings, and more, plus $4 Tsingtao beers and lucky cocktails. As for entertainment, kung fu movies are screened and traditional lion dancers will perform.
French wine dinner: On Thursday night beginning at 6:30 L’Auberge Chez Francois hosts a wine dinner. As part of a series, this meal focuses on the Jura and Savoie regions of Eastern France, plus a five-course pairing menu ($125 all-inclusive). Seats can be reserved online.
Cocktail connections: EdibleDC takes over the Long View Gallery on Thursday evening for a night of drinks and eating. Tickets ($65 to $85) include tastings of 20 drinks and 15 small plates. Craft distillers and vintners from New York, Philadelphia, and Richmond will be on hand to answer questions and entertain participants. Head over to La Colombe afterward for an after-party with coffee, dessert, and gift bags filled with edible treats.
Wintry brews: Just in time for frigid weather, the Black Squirrel rolls out 13 varieties of dark stout beers on Friday starting at 5. Specialty menu items include a stout-infused burger to pair with the brews.
It’s chili weather: Head to Hill Country on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 3 for the second annual chili cookoff and fundraiser for nonprofit MicroGreens. Tickets ($10, available only at the door) includes ten samples of chili. Drink specials are also available.
