If you’re in the Dupont area this morning, get over to the Washington Hilton for free coffee and breakfast goodies during the grand opening party of the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. You know this California-based chain from paparazzi photos of celebrities exiting its various branches, but it’s the Bean’s first outpost in DC.
Ready for the best Valentine’s Day ever? No? Our ultimate Valentine’s Day Guide features recipes for Cork’s avocado bruschetta, steak with red wine butter from Bourbon Steak, and a chocolate mousse designed by Birch & Barley’s pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac. We’ve also got a roundup of the best places to buy chocolates, healthy cocktail ideas . . . and a lot more.
H Street watering hole the Pug turns five this week, and there’s plenty to celebrate at the charming dive. Start off today with $2 Natty Bohs, then descend into a week of debauchery with the release of DC Brau’s “Wings of Armageddon” on Wednesday; “liberally poured” whiskey shots on Friday; and a kid-friendly brunch on Saturday so you can bring the whole fam. Your hangover will be for a good cause—partial proceeds go to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Oregon’s Argyle Winery—producer of terrific Pinot Noirs and sparkling wine—is in town for two events this week. The first takes place Wednesday at the ongoing Capital Wine Festival at the Fairfax Embassy Row Hotel, where founder Rollins Soles presides over a reception and four-course dinner paired with his wines ($125). Soles jumps over to Restaurant Eve on Thursday and toasts the winery’s 25th anniversary with a rare 1991 Brut Champagne, apparently the oldest of its kind from a domestic producer (yes, you can have some, too). Chef Cathal Armstrong and cocktail mixer Todd Thrasher concoct a five-course dinner with pairings ($200 per person). Space is limited, so book ASAP.
ESL Management (Blackbyrd Warehouse, Marvin) is known for versatile nightspots that combine tasty eats and drinks with art and music, so it’s no surprise there’s a three-day Vietnamese pop-up restaurant going into the gallery/concert/event space Montserrat House starting Thursday at 7. Marvin chef James Claudio is teaming up with Thang Le of Toki Underground,* whom we last saw putting together a gorgeous feast at Toki for Chinese New Year. If the bun and pho on this menu—served until 1 AM this weekend—are half as appetizing, you’re in for a treat.
We’re big fans of Wisdom, Erik Holzherr’s cool, casual cocktail haunt on the Hill. The bar is hosting an interesting class this Thursday that’ll cover the history, use, and taste of Genever, a spirit with, per the event site, “a flavor profile somewhere between gin, vodka, and whiskey.” Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door.
Looking ahead:
Next weekend is the annual Chesapeake Oyster & Beer Festival, and tickets have been known to sell out. This is the first time the fest is moving from the National Harbor to a bigger location at the Gaylord National Resort, but expect a similar lineup of all-you-can-eat oysters in various forms, plus tons of brews.
*This event has been canceled.
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.
