Monday, June 27
The big-ticket event this week is the Chef's Best Dinner & Auction, a culinary gala at the Washington Hilton to support Food & Friends' fundraising efforts for children and adults facing life-challenging illnesses. Event chair Patrick O'Connell, chef/owner of the Inn at Little Washington, as well as more than 50 other toques and mixologists—such as Victor Albisu (BLT Steak), Darren Norris (Kushi), Gina Chersevani (PS 7's), and Massimo Fabbri (Tosca)—will prepare dishes and drinks (for a full list of participants, click here). Live and silent auctions prizes include a case of rare wines, a cooking class with O'Connell, and a seven-night stay in Sydney, Australia. Tickets ($250) for the event, which starts at 6:30, are available here.
Cava Grill in Bethesda is giving away free samples of its new low-fat, locally produced Greek yogurt from 2 to 5 PM.
Tuesday, June 28
Lyon Hall is partnering with Japan's Hitachino Nest Brewery for a beer dinner and fundraiser. The five-course meal, which starts at 7, includes such dishes as scallop-lemongrass soup with yuzu, bacon, and pickled pineapple, paired with Golden Ancient Ale; tare-glazed short ribs with grilled watermelon, cucumber, and coriander, and brown ale aged in sake barrels; and a Hitachino Espresso Stout souffle with espresso shortbread (the full menu is available on Lyon Hall's Facebook event page). Every $50 from the $125 ticket price goes to disaster relief for Japan's earthquake victims. For reservations, call 703-741-7636.
Wednesday, June 29
Get a head start on July Fourth celebrations at Jackson 20, where chef Dennis Marron is preparing a picnic-themed four-course dinner with rose and white-wine pairings on the courtyard patio. There'll be grilled spot prawns with bacon and wild mushroom "salsa;" fried chicken three ways (traditional, wings with rhubarb syrup, and a "nugget"); and grilled strawberries with goat-cheese panna cotta (see a full menu here). The event, which includes five wine pairings, is $65 and starts at 7. For reservations, call 703-842-2790.
Thursday, June 30
You have two chances today to catch Washington Post food and travel editor Joe Yonan, author of Serve Yourself: Nightly Adventures in Cooking for One. From 3:30 to 4:30 he'll demonstrate and serve his corn risotto recipe at the White House FreshFarm market (810 Vermont Ave., NW). From 6 to 8, he'll be at Cities Restaurant & Lounge (919 19th St., NW) for a book signing and cocktail reception featuring hors d'oeuvres made with ingredients from the market. The $10 entry fee benefits the FreshFarm Markets. RSVP by Monday, June 27 to info@freshfarmmarkets.org; click here for more information.
What's more American than downing burgers, and lots of them? The Tenley location of Z-Burger is celebrating Independence Day with an eating contest to determine who can down the most patties in ten minutes. Registration is already closed, but spectators can stop by at 12:30 to cheer on competitors and snack on the burgers in a more leisurely fashion. Click here for more.
Friday, July 1
Smith Commons starts Independence Day celebrations early—and keeps them going until July 10—with a special barbecue and beer menu. $20 buys you a choice of entree, side, and dessert from a roster that includes kobe-beef hot dogs with caramelized onions; 64-hour short ribs with kimchi sauce; corn with foie-gras butter; beans with lamb sausage; and banana-walnut bread pudding. On Sunday, July 3rd, local brews from DC Brau, Baying Hound Aleworks, and Port City Brewing are $5. Click here for more.
Saturday, July 2
Lincoln Restaurant (1110 Vermont Ave., NW) celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Independence Day with a series of "American Dream" specials offered through the weekend. Today, domestic beers are discounted with $3 PBRs and $5 craft beers from breweries such as Long Trail IPA. Starting at 5 PM, diners can take part in a four-course menu ($56) paired with flights of house-infused Knob Creek bourbon. Call 202-386-9200 for reservations, and visit the Facebook event page for more information.
Sunday, July 3
Happy three-day weekend! Check out our guide to what local restaurants, markets, bakeries and other foodie venues are doing to celebrate Independence Day.
Jackie's Restaurant hosts its first summer barbecue with a $20 all-you-can-eat menu served from 2 to 6 PM. Guests can relax on the patio—which will be equipped with games and sprinklers for kids—and feast on beer-can chicken, Polish sausages, Mexican-style grilled corn, ribs, coleslaw, watermelon, and of course, cold beer. A dessert contest—the prize is a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant—will be judged by pastry chef Carolyn Crow. To enter, submit your dessert by 4 PM. Call 301-565-9700 for reservations (reserve by Wednesday, June 29th and get two free beers).
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.
