Bastille Day: Celebrate the French national holiday on Thursday (and into the weekend) with wine deals, special menus, and a few lavish fêtes. Annual highlights include special menus at Central and 2941; DJs and Champagne at Bistro du Coin; and L’Enfant Cafe’s French Maid Race. Here, our guide to the festivities.
Rooftop tiki part: Del Campo continues its rooftop summer series with the return of Tiki Night on Friday from 7 to 10 pm. Guests can partake in a whole roasted pig and an oyster bar while sipping tiki cocktails ($37 for admission and open carving station; $30 optional bar package).
Belgian restaurant week: The celebration of Belgian food and culture officially starts on Sunday and runs through next week, with special menus and events at Washington’s top Belgian restaurants (check out the official event page for details). Get a sneak peek of the fun on Saturday during a mussel throw down at Storey Park near Union Station from 11 am to 6 pm, hosted by Stella Artois. Admission at the door is $21, and includes two beer/food tickets.
Virginia craft beer festival: Barrel & Bushel in Tysons Corner hosts a craft beer festival featuring more than 50 breweries and 100+ beers on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7 pm. The event also includes live music, food tents, whiskey tastings, and patio games. Dishes from the restaurant will be available to order throughout the festival, which takes over the entire Tysons Plaza. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door.
The ultimate ice cream social: The annual DC Scoop ice cream fest returns to Union Market’s Dock 5 on Sunday (a.k.a. National Ice Cream Day) from 1 to 4 pm. Over ten purveyors, including Nicecream and Milk Cult, give away free samples, and compete to win the title of best creamery. You’ll also find scoops for sale, an ice cream eating contest, Timber Pizza Co. slices, and more.
Food festival of the Americas: The 18th annual celebration of Latin American and Caribbean cuisine and culture happens on Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm at the Organization of American States (OAS). While you eat, feast your eyes on displays of crafts, music, and dance. General admission is free; donations to associated charities are encouraged.
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.
Greta started as an editorial fellow in January 2016 and joined as a full-time staff member that August. She now works as a web producer and writer. She was previously an intern at Slate and National Geographic and graduated from the University of Missouri’s Journalism School. She lives in Adams Morgan.
