The Restaurant Brain Trust is hosting a “Dining Disruptors” industry expert panel and networking/happy hour event on Thursday from 2 to 5:00 PM at Bar Deco’s rooftop. The event will showcase a notable panel of Washington restauranteurs who will tackle some of the major issues currently facing the industry, including leasing and labor. Restaurant vendors, $30; restauranteurs/staff, $15.
In celebration of National Donut Day this Friday, the Sugar Shack shops in Arlington and Alexandria are celebrating kindness and giving a free Donuts4Good card to anyone who makes a purchase. Customers can give the card away to someone who has done a good deed. (The shop will also give away a free house donut to anyone wearing a Sugar Shack shirt.)
New Orleans-themed Bayou is closing its doors after eight years. Join the Goodbye to Bayou celebration on Saturday with performances by Maggie Koerner (known for her days as Galactic’s front woman), and Proper Pets, who’ll perform classic rock, soul, and funk covers. Tickets are $10. Let the good times roll with plenty of food and drinks from the Big Easy.
On Sunday, DC’s Union Market welcomes a star-studded lineup of notable chefs from Washington to San Francisco for Sunday Supper, including Traci De Jardins and Jose Garces. This year, the annual James Beard charity dinner is celebrating Flavors of the Americas, focusing on Latin influences and local ingredients in a family-style feast. Tickets are $250 per person (or $200 for James Beard Foundation members), and proceeds benefit the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.
If you’d rather find your own food, why not learn to forage this Sunday? Washington’s lawns, parks and alleys are full of good things to eat (if you know how and where to look for the likes of purslane and chickweed). Dr. Bill Schindler, Director of the Eastern Shore Food Lab at Washington College will take a class foraging around Capitol Hill, then return to Hill Center to prepare and cook what has been gathered. Tickets are $75.
Heading into the week…
Attention BBQ lovers: six of Washington’s top chefs will be competing to see who can grill up the tastiest cut of lamb this Monday in Eastern Market. Part of the Barbecue Bash tour, the Lamb Jam also features libations from local wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Between bites, attendees can watch butcher demos, meet local shepherds, and enjoy live music by blues musician Johnny Grave. General admission is $75 and is limited to 200 people.
Cut-off jorts, tube socks, pastel polo shirts, and cans of corn: must be the Wet Hot Restorative party, hosted by Republic Restoratives Distillery on Monday. DC’s hard-working industry folks will be feted with grilled deliciousness and discounts on all drinks and merch. There will also be a rainbow of cocktails to kick off Pride month. Costumes are strongly encouraged–find more info and RSVP here.
Author Joan Nathan is coming to Sfoglina for a special lunch on Wednesday featuring recipes from her new cookbook, King Solomon’s Table. Come for an afternoon of fascinating storytelling from Nathan, paired with delicious food from Sfoglina chefs ,including caponata Siciliana di melazane alla Guidia and Roman ricotta cheese crostata with cherries. Tickets are $70, and include a glass of Prosecco and a copy of the cookbook.
Julie Strupp is an editorial fellow. Before Washingtonian, she did francophone video, radio, and photography projects addressing gender-based violence in Togo, West Africa with Peace Corps. She worked at the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and AllAfrica and has contributed to Mic, Center for Public Integrity, DCist, and more. Now a proud Petworth-dweller, she’s also a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate who loves judo, biking, art, and keeping the powerful accountable.
