Sherry week: Monday marks the beginning of International Sherry Week, and Mockingbird Hill plans to celebrate with a week full of events. Drop in on Tuesday for $5 pours of Tio Pepe, Wednesday for a five-course pairing dinner, and more.
White wine class: Newish wine bar Flight begins a weekly series of Monday classes, starting at 6. The first topic: white wines. Co-owner Swati Bose leads the class through a tasting of new- and old-world varietals, with lessons on pairing and the winemaking process ($35 per person).
Virginian takeover: Graffiato’s monthly Industry Takeover gets some Southern flair on Monday with visiting chefs from Richmond spots such as the Magpie and Saison. Head over between 10 PM and 1 AM, and don’t forget the $10 cash-only cover, which goes toward Feed More.
Weeklong beer bash: The Brooklyn Brewery Mash Tour returns to town this week with a variety of events through Sunday. Activities include standup comedy at Red Rocks Bistro on Tuesday, a beer-y meal by Dinner Lab on Friday, Homebrewing 101 on Saturday, and more. Each event is priced individually.
Beer dinner: Flying Dog teams up with Zaytinya for a beer dinner on Tuesday at 7. Five brews are paired with dishes like spit-roasted lamb shoulder with local oyster tzatziki. Reservations are $65 per person.
Rhone wine tastings: Explore American Rhone wines at the Long View Gallery on Wednesday from 5:30 to 9 during a tasting event hosted by the Rhone Rangers. Guests can sip over 80 wines from vineyards like Bonny Doon, Tablas Creek, and more ($90 VIP; $65 general admission). Those interested in the Rhone varietal can also attend a seminar that day from 10:30 to noon, as well as two winemaker dinners on Thursday at Charlie Palmer and Willow.
Grub-fest: Ever wanted to chow down on a grasshopper burger or enter a cricket-eating contest? As of Wednesday, the opportunity is yours. The Occidental Grill hosts a pop-up “pestaurant” with Ehrlich Pest Control from 11:30 AM to 3 PM. The event will donate $5 for every buggy dish eaten to DC Central Kitchen, and $20 for anyone who enters the cricket contest.
Korean pop-up: Chef Danny Lee and visiting toque Jonah Kim host the first in a series of late-night Korean pop-ups at Mandu (K Street location) on Friday starting at 10. Drop in for a mix of snacks, dishes like Korean fried chicken, and soju cocktails (priced individually).
Pumpkin lovers, unite: Pumpkin beer may be more of a fall phenomenon, but Black Squirrel welcomes squash lovers on Friday at 5 for a celebration of the orange gourd. You’ll find four pumpkin brews on tap, plus pumpkin mac and cheese and veggie burgers.
The three Bs: The Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival returns to the National Harbor on Friday and Saturday. Sip unlimited samples of 40 bourbons and 60 beers, chow down on a variety of barbecued meats, listen to live music, and more. Ticket prices vary.
Pig and oyster roast: There’s a new oyster in town, and Black’s Bar & Kitchen is throwing a party on Saturday from noon to 3 to celebrate. The Barren Island Oyster Company’s “ugly oysters” from Maryland may be oddly shaped, but the kitchen team loves their buttery taste. Party-goers can try them barbecued and on the half-shell alongside a whole roast pig, sides, and beer. Tickets are $25 per person, and include all-you-can-consume oysters and beer.
Adventurous lunch: Best-selling author David Baldacci discusses his new book, The Target, over lunch at the Willard InterContinental on Saturday at noon. The $85 ticket from Politics & Prose includes the meal and a signed copy of the book.
Drink up: Drink the District goes down on Saturday on the 500 block of New York Avenue, Northwest. Two sessions, from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9, include unlimited pours of more than 100 wines, eats from food trucks such as the Big Cheese, live music, lawn games, and more. Tickets start at $40.
Porky patio: The Heights hosts its annual “pig on the patio” roast in its roomy outdoor space on Saturday from 9 AM to 11:30 PM and Sunday until 10:30 PM. You’ll find nose-to-tail dishes like pig-ear fries, bacon Bloodys, Pork Slap ale, and more. Dishes and drinks are purchased individually.
Sunday supper: The annual Sunday Supper returns to Union Market at 5:30 with a number of star chefs, including celebrity chefs Art Smith and Jose Garces, Spike Gjerde (Woodberry Kitchen), and many more. The evening begins with a cocktail hour, followed by a three-course seated meal. Tickets are $250, with proceeds going to the James Beard Foundation Scholarships and the Good Food Merchants Guild.
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.
