Monday, February 2, through Monday, February 9
Asia Nine (915 E St., NW) is celebrating the Year of the Ox with a Chinese New Year menu featuring special cocktails, appetizers, entrées, and desserts. There are a Peking-duck sushi roll ($12), jumbo-shrimp longevity noodles ($20), and a yin/yang fortune cookie ($9) stamped with white and dark chocolate. For reservations, call 202-629-4355.
Tuesday, February 3
During Turn Up the Heat!, the annual benefit for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, some of the area’s best female chefs present a tasting-style spread of appetizers, main courses, and desserts. You’ll see veteran chef Ris Lacoste, the Georgetown Cupcake sisters, Jamie Leeds of CommonWealth and Hank’s Oyster Bar, and Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora. Joining them will be TV personality Sara Moulton. The event, which is held at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. (22nd and M sts., NW), begins at 6:30 and costs $250.
There will be a Loire Valley-themed tasting at Vinoteca (1940 11th St., NW) from 7 to 8. Besides the wine, the $35 fee covers a cheese plate and a $5 Vinoteca gift card. Reservations are required—call 202-332-9463.
Tuesday, February 3, through Thursday, February 5
Old Town’s Fontaine Caffe & Creperie (119 S. Royal St., Alexandria) is launching a Parisian happy hour to celebrate its one-year anniversary. From 5 to 6:30 every Tuesday through Thursday, Fontaine will offer select wines, beers, and speciality cocktails such as bellinis and mimosas for $5 at the bar. Guests can order a flight of three French sparkling ciders for $12. This week, Fontaine is also offering a two-course, prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Thursday. The menu, which includes a glass of wine, costs $18.95 for lunch and $22.95 for dinner. Call 703-535-8151 for reservations.
Wednesday, February 4
Former Maestro sommelier Vincent Feraud leads an Italian Love Affair tasting as part of his Vincent’s Wine Club at the Tysons Corner Ritz-Carlton’s Steak House (1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean). Chef Jeff Sklaney will prepare a small dish to accompany each wine. The event goes from 6:30 to 8:30 and costs $110 per person. For reservations and additional information, call 703-917-5496.
Thursday, February 5
Obsessed with the cupcake trend? Learn how to make them with pastry chef Chris Kujala’s “Cupcakes 101.” He’ll demonstrate how to make red-velvet, chocolate, vanilla, and lemon batters plus buttercreams and cream-cheese icing. The event, held at Zola Wine & Kitchen (505 Ninth St., NW), runs from 6 to 8 and costs $65. To reserve a spot, call 202-639-9463.
Thursday, February 5, and Friday, February 6
Morton’s hosts a Scotch tasting, with six types of Macallan Scotch and accompanying hors d’oeuvres. The event, held at the steakhouse’s Georgetown location (3251 Prospect St., NW) on Thursday and the downtown DC location (1050 Connecticut Ave., NW) on Friday, will also feature a presentation by Macallan “brand ambassador” Graeme Russell and the Scottish government’s counsellor to the British Embassy, Robin Naysmith. The tasting costs $40 per person and runs from 6 to 7:30. Call 202-342-6258 for Thursday tickets and 202-955-5997 for Friday.
Friday, February 6
Looking to practice your French? GiraMondo Wine Adventures hosts two classes tonight on French wines and cheeses at Alliance Française (2142 Wyoming Ave., NW)—both taught in French. The sessions cover the wine regions of France; the French appellation system’s regulations, characteristics, and categories; the winemaking process and techniques of each region; cheese manufacturing and processing; and how to create the perfect pairing of French wines and cheeses. The first session, which costs $45 and goes from 6 to 7:15, is a general tasting; the second, which costs $60 and goes from 7:30 to 9, highlights high-end wines and cheeses. Each session includes a tasting of six wines and a selection of cheeses. For reservations, call 301-841-7609.
Saturday, February 7, through Sunday, February 8
Fairfax’s annual Chocolate Lovers Festival features a weekend of tastings, talks, children’s events, bake sales, and competitions. A Q&A with CakeLove owner Warren Brown is at 10 AM on Saturday. On Saturday, the festival is from 8 to 5; on Sunday it’s from noon to 4. A few events have a fee, but many are free. Click here [http://www.chocolatefestival.net/] for more.
Saturday, February 7
The Smithsonian Resident Associates program presents “Beer Behemoths: The Connoisseur’s Guide to Doppelbocks, Barley Wines, and Beyond” at RFD (810 Seventh St., NW). Bob Tupper, creator of Tuppers’ Hot Pocket Ale; American Brewer editor/publisher Jim Dorsch; and Washington Post beer columnist Greg Kitsock will lead the tasting. The event starts at 1 and costs $65 for Resident Associate members and $82 for nonmembers. For reservations, call 202-633-3030.
Sunday, February 8
The Culinary Historians of Washington present “The Zip Codes of Our Food: A Quick History of Global Cuisines,” a talk led by author CiCi Williamson. The free event is held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center (4805 Edgemoor La., Bethesda) and begins at 2:30.
