Deal for Oenophiles: Proof is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a generous July-long promo: 40 percent off certain varietals from 2007, the year the restaurant opened and a superior vintage for many wine-growing regions. Wines typically sold only by the bottle—like 2007 Nicolas Joly Savennieres Coulee—are also offered by the glass.
Best Party Ever: Tickets remain for Washingtonian’s Best Of Washington Party at the National Building Museum this Wednesday. Nosh on delicacies from an amazing list of restaurants as you celebrate all the good stuff around town.
Drink for the Animals: The lions, tigers, and panda bears reap the rewards when you drop $85 to $100 for VIP tickets to the annual Brew at the Zoo benefit on Thursday from 6 to 9 PM (regular admission is sold out). In turn, you’ll get to sample a ton of beers from select breweries and will have access to the VIP Brewlympic Village with free swag, games, and tastes from restaurants such as BLT Steak and Food, Wine & Co. Buy tickets online.
Oysters and Oyster Beers: In more birthdays this week, Urbana is celebrating its sixth on Friday from 4 to 7 PM with freshly shucked 50-cent oysters from War Shore Oyster Company and $4 pints of Port City Brewing Company’s limited-edition Revival Oyster Stout (see our taste test of the bivalve-infused beer). Specials—like six oysters and a pint for $6 or $10 flutes of Veuve during happy hour, and free ice cream with dinner—continue through July 21. Call 202-956-6650 for more info.
Gluten-Free Wine Dinner: The Willow crew hosts the first in a series of wine dinners on Friday at 7:30, this time focused on gluten-free bites and sips. The five-course meal includes a reception and dishes such as tomato-basil-almond gazpacho, potato-crusted salmon with bacon ragout, and summer-squash-and-ricotta ravioli, each paired with a wine ($95 per person). Call 703-465-8800 for reservations.
Happy Birthday, Mad Fox: The award-winning Falls Church-based brewing company turns two on Saturday and, unlike other two-year-olds, is celebrating with a beer-filled bash. The day starts with an Orange Whip IPA tapping at 11 AM and continues with live music, glass giveaways, more kegs, and a patio pig roast. Admission is free, with individual pricing for beers and food.
Patio Party: A country-style picnic arrives downtown with an all-you-can-eat spread at Georgia Brown’s on Saturday from 1 to 4 PM. The menu includes Abita beer, fried green tomatoes, steamed crabs, fried chicken, and more. Tickets ($65 all-inclusive) are available online.
Invent an Ice Cream: Escape the heat on Sunday with a tour, tasting, and ice-cream-making party from 2 to 4 PM with Slow Food DC at Moorenko’s Ice Cream production center in Silver Spring. Purchasers of $20 tickets are invited to suggest a flavor; the most creative will be made by the group and sold at owner Susan Soorenko’s shop.
Ernest Eats: Cuba Libre is celebrating Hemingway’s birthday with a special “do it like Ernest” three-course menu ($39 per person) based on the author’s favorite Cuban restaurant, El Floridita, plus a selection of new $9 cocktails. The dining menu starts on Sunday and runs through July 20—look out for National Daiquiri Day festivities on the 19th.
Get Cracking: If unlimited amounts of crabs, smoked pig, corn, and Beach House Pilsner from Dominion Brewery sound like the makings of a happy Sunday, then head to Addie’s for a midsummer crab feast. Tickets ($79.10) for the two-hour seatings between noon and 5:30 are available online.
FreshFarm Markets’ 15th: The FreshFarm Markets are celebrating their 15th year in Washington with a party at the original Dupont location on Sunday the 15th—which Mayor Gray has declared FreshFarm Market Day—from 4 to 7 PM. The family-friendly party includes balloon making, live music, and treats such as frozen peach lemonade, Chesapeake crabcakes, and grilled watermelon salad. Look out for FreshFarm birthday specials throughout July at local restaurants and market locations.
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.
