Happy birthday, Tico: Michael Schlow’s 14th Street restaurant celebrates its one year anniversary on Monday. Guests order from the regular dinner menu—try the fried chicken tacos—and are treated to complimentary birthday cake after. Glasses of Champagne are also on discount for $6.80.
Taste of Jersey: Chef Mike Isabella channels his Jersey upbringing at Graffiato on Monday with a special Jersey Shore-inspired menu. Drop in through Friday for dishes like disco fries smothered in gravy and foie gras, linguine with clam sauce, miniature lobster rolls, and more. Prices vary.
Culinary tour: José Andrés and friends host Dine n’ Dash on Tuesday, a culinary tour of Penn Quarter benefiting World Central Kitchen. Participants hop between a dozen restaurants including Del Campo, Proof, and Zaytinya for a cocktail and dish between 6 and 9; an after-party at the Carnegie Library caps off the evening from 9 to 11. Tickets start at $129, and are available online.
Scotch tasting: Cordial Fine Wine and Spirits in Union Market offers samples of several new single malt Scotch whiskeys on Thursday from 7:30 to 9. Sip your way through rare finds like Bowmore Islay 1999 while snacking on heavy hors d’oeuvres from Neopol Smokery. Tickets ($30) are available online.
Barbecue pop-up: Westend Bistro launches its annual summer barbecue stand on Friday from 12 to 2. Guests can drop by the patio for brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, house-made sides, freshly baked cookies, and a cooling agua frescas or lemonades ($15 for a sandwich, side, and dessert). The pop-up continues every Friday afternoon; both dine-in and takeaway options are available.
Beetlejuice ball: City Blossoms, a local nonprofit dedicated to urban agriculture and art initiatives, hosts its annual fundraiser in Columbia Heights on Friday at 6:30. Chefs Tom Madrecki (Chez Le Commis) and Jeremy Langhorne of the upcoming Dabney cook for the event. Bring a mask, and wear black-and-white for the soiree. Purchase tickets ($20) online.
Truckeroo: The monthly gathering of area food trucks returns to the Fairgrounds on Friday from 11 to 11. Get your fix of summer treats from Captain Cookie, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Big Cheese, and more. Cold beer and drinks are served, and lawn games and live music provide entertainment. Admission is free; food and drink prices vary.
Historical tasting: Eat and drink like George Washington at Mount Vernon on Friday and Saturday during a summery tasting from 6 to 9. Visitors can watch beer and hard cider-making demonstrations while sampling sips form local producers, learn how 18th century chocolates and ice creams were made, play bocce, and stroll around the historical estate. Tickets ($20 per person; four for $60) are available online.
Distillery dinner: Take a short road trip to Purcelville’s Catoctin Creek Distillery on Friday at 6:30 for a tour and dinner. The recent RAMMY award-winner for Regional Food/Beverage Producer of the Year offers a tour, tasting, and four-course farm dinner prepared by chefs Wes Rosati and Maria Aros formerly of Lansdowne Resort. Tickets ($99) can be purchased online.
Ramen 101: Expand your Sapporo-style ramen knowledge during a lecture, cooking demo, and tasting at Daikaya on Saturday. Chef Katsuya Fukushima leads the course from behind the ramen counter from 10 to 11, treating guests to a bowl of noodle soup and soft drink after. Tickets ($28 per person) are limited to ten per class—the next is on June 27—so call 202-589-1600 for reservations.
Cajun fest in wine country: Breaux Vineyards in Purcelville hosts a Cajun festival on Saturday from 11 to 6. Vendors prepare a variety of Louisiana-style eats, including a crawfish boil, gumbo, boudin, and more alongside Virginia wines and Appalachian Brain Freeze shaved ice. The family-friendly event includes kids activities. Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 at the gate.
Baking for kids: Children between the ages of eight and twelve are invited to Park Hyatt Washington on Saturday from 2 to 5 for a cake decorating demonstration. Blue Duck Tavern pastry chef Naomi Gallego shows young aspiring chefs how to make sweet treats with icings and toppings. A sampling follows with seasonal ice creams. Tickets ($55) are available online.
Pre-pre-Prohibition cocktails: Learn about the early history of cocktails in America during a Saturday seminar at the National Archives. A panel of speakers including Bourbon Steak’s Duane Sylvestre and moderator Logan Ward (Garden & Gun magazine) discuss drinking in the early 1800’s, and lead a specialty cocktail tasting. Tickets (21+ guests only) are $45 per person; the event begins at 3.
Coffee talk: Sixth & I hosts a coffee discussion on Sunday at 11 am. Max Zuckerman, owner of the Colony Club, and roasters from a local companies such as Compass Coffee and Qualia Coffee lead an interactive tasting while discussing the differences between cold brew and iced coffee. Tickets ($15) are available online.
