Industry night for charity: Graffiato’s first-Monday-of-the-month industry night returns with guest chefs Victor Albisu (Del Campo/Taco Bamba), Bandolero’s Tony Starr (awkward?), and Timothy Spinner from Philly. Half of the proceeds from the $10 admission tickets go toward the American Cancer Society’s Fit for Hope charity.
Beery fun: In advance of DC Beer Week next Monday, August 12, ChurchKey delivers a number of rare brews and tap takeovers. Belly up to the beer bar on Monday for craft Italian drafts, on Wednesday for a firkin takeover from Idaho-based Laughing Dog, and Friday for the one-year anniversary party celebrating DC’s 3 Stars Brewing Company. Admission is free and open to all, with beers priced individually.
Prosciutto party: We all know how seriously Italians take their designated foods (e.g., Neapolitan pizza), and two local chefs have been chosen by the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma to spotlight the Italian ham: Marjorie Meek-Bradley from Ripple and Ris sous-chef Sarah Biglan. Both restaurants will serve prosciutto in a number of ways through August, like on Ripple’s charcuterie board and on the lunch and supper club menus at Ris (think ricotta dumplings with crispy prosciutto).
Deli barbecue: We don’t often think to hit up a Jewish deli for barbecue, but then again, DGS Delicatessen isn’t your average pastrami stop. The crew has teamed up with Genesee Cream Ale for a smoke-out on Tuesday from 7 onward, with a 12-hour smoked brisket as the centerpiece. Also on offer: pastrami baked beans, schmaltzy braised greens, $3 cream ales, and more. Reservations are encouraged, and items are priced individually.
Taco Tuesdays: Todd English hops in the Taco Tuesday game with specials at his recently opened MXDC, starting this week. You’ll find $2 tacos such as soy-ginger skirt steak with avocado and wild mushrooms with truffled corn salsa from 4 to 7. Wash them down with drink specials like $5 Tecate and $6 margaritas.
Happy birthday, Julia: The Jefferson Hotel celebrates Julia Child’s 101st birthday with a special tasting menu at Plume, Tuesday through August 17. The seven-course meal—including boeuf bourguignon, of course—starts at $115 per person.
Happy birthday, Cap City: Capitol City Brewing Company celebrates its 21st birthday on Wednesday, and like any proper 21-year-old, it’s throwing down with a ton of beer. Head to the downtown location between 6 and 9 for a tapping party for the Honey 21 anniversary brew.
Patio party: Cashion’s final patio party of the summer goes down on Wednesday from 6 PM on (weather permitting). The $30 fee includes two summery beverages and creative barbecue. Get there early-ish to snag a spot.
Pop-up paella: Sure, Jaleo’s paella festival is still going down, but that’s not the only place to sample Spain’s national rice dish. Todd Thrasher steps out from behind the bar to show off his cooking skills in Society Fair’s demo kitchen on Wednesday, where he’ll whip up seafood paella paired with Spanish wines starting at 7:30. Reservations are $100, with partial proceeds benefiting Fit for Hope.
Berry beery: Author and “beer activist” Chris O’Brien leads a seasonal brew tasting at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Thursday at 7. Representatives from 3 Stars Brewing and Dogfish Head will be on hand while you sip beers paired with fresh fruits and berries. Tickets are $23 in advance.
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.
