Dine for good: Four Union Market affiliates— Toki Underground, Maketto, Buffalo & Bergen, and Rappahannock Oyster Bar—team up for a collaborative dinner on Monday to benefit Miriam’s Kitchen. The four-course meal is $50, with additional wine pairings available during two seatings at 6 and 8. Email maketto1351@gmail.com for reservations (which are limited).
Pop-up preview: Get a preview of chef Frederik de Pue’s upcoming Penn Quarter restaurant, Menu, during a three-day pop-up at Table. You’ll find three-course offerings for $45 per person Monday through Wednesday, plus optional beer pairings for another $25.
Virginia wine tutorials: The new-ish Eno Wine Room launches Enoversity on Tuesday from 6 to 8. The monthly class will highlight a variety of producers, including Virginia wineries for the first four sessions. Guests can opt to sample a glass or flight while learning about the featured grower. Up this week: Lovingston Winery.
Bountiful bubbles: The holidays call for more Champagne, and you’ll have plenty at Bastille on Wednesday with a paired tasting menu. There’s no lack of luxury ingredients—foie gras, caviar, truffle sauce—hence the $115 price tag (or $60 without the pairings).
Distillery Dinner: Ever dined in a distillery? Here’s your chance. Purcellville’s Catoctin Creek hosts a dinner on Friday at 6:30, which combines a private tour of the production facility with a four-course meal and cocktail pairings. Tickets are $125, including tip, and available online.
Whiskey 101: Serious bourbon lovers can head to Jack Rose on Saturday for an eight-hour Bourbon Academy lead by the Filson Historical Society’s bourbon historian. Tickets are $150 for the general public and available online.
Gingerbread galore: You can drop by two gingerbread house parties on Saturday. Ris hosts a workshop benefiting DC Central Kitchen, with all the ingredients needed to craft a sweet mansion, holiday desserts, and spiked cider from noon to 2 ($20 adults/$10 kids). Call 202-730-2500 to reserve space. Over at Cork Market, pick between two sessions for decorating at 11:30 and 3:30. Come for construction, stay for Christmas cookies, hot cocoa, and more ($35).
Christmas cooking class: Get a head start on your holiday meal at Osteria Marzano, which hosts an Italian Christmas cooking class on Saturday from 11 to 2. After whipping up a variety of dishes, you’ll sit down to lunch and gratis Champagne. Reservations are $85, and limited to 20 guests.
Holiday cooking “light”: Looking to cut calories this season? Westend Bistro chef Devin Bozkaya hosts a health-minded cooking class on Saturday from 2:30 to 4, which includes recipes and tips for creating lighter versions of holiday classics. Reservations are $65, and include wine pairings.
Treme cookbook “eat and greet”: Get a taste of the Big Easy on Saturday and meet Lolis Eric Elie, author of Treme: Stories and Recipes from the Heart of New Orleans. Bayou Bakery hosts a party with Elie from 5:30 to 7:30, where you’ll find copies of the cookbook available to purchase ($30) alongside cocktails, food specials, and live music.
Pre-holiday dinner: Get in the festive spirit (without the immediate holiday stress) at Sonoma on Saturday, which serves a special three-course menu with an amuse and optional wine pairings ($70). Guests can also enter to win a free wine flight with the meal.
Santa Brunch: Take the kids to the Kennedy Center on Sunday for the annual Brunch with Santa at the Roof Terrace Restaurant. The afternoon includes a breakfast buffet, a gratis mimosa for adults, and photos with the North Pole’s main man for kids ($45 adults; $20 children).
Looking Ahead
Bourbon Steak’s fifth anniversary: The big ticket event next week falls on Monday, so you’ll want to plan ahead. Bourbon Steak celebrates its fifth anniversary with a reunion dinner of past and present chefs, including owner Michael Mina, David Varley, Adam Sobel, and more. A cocktail reception starts at 7, followed by a six-course meal with optional pairings ($165, or $250 with wine). Call 202-944-9173 or email BourbonSteak.WAS@fourseasons.com for reservations.
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.
