May
4
Mon
Sonoma Shows ‘Somm’ @ Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar
May 4 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

DC wine institution Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar will transform into a wine-centric movie theater showing the critically acclaimed documentary Somm on Monday, May 4 at 6pm.Accompanied by a panel of DC wine experts, DC’s original wine bar will invite guests to its cozy Sonoma Avenue Lounge for a full movie theater experience, with a wine flight tasting and an unlimited popcorn bar featuring fun house made varieties, like Classic Butter, Ranch, Dill Pickle-Spiced and Truffle, for $30 a person.

As Somm follows four sommelier hopefuls on their journey to compete against the best in the business and pass the test to become Masters, Sonoma will be hosting its own local wine tasting competition. Sonoma Beverage Director and sommelier Woong Chang will be joined by sommeliers Elli Benchimol ofRange and Andrew Stover of Oya and Sei to conduct a guided wine tasting with guests-and then compete against one another in a blind wine tasting, just as is done in the film.

In addition to the fun popcorn bar, guests can also select from Chef de Cuisine James Marroquin’s a la carte menu house made movie snacks, like Popcorn-Marshmallow clusters, Old Bay-Spiced Candied Nuts, Soft Pretzel Twists with mustard or bacon peanut butter, and Crispy Chickpeaswith coriander & cumin.

Space is limited and tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite For more information, please visit www.sonomadc.com or call 202.544.8088.

 

Who:   Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar

Sonoma Chef de Cuisine James Marroquin

Sonoma Beverage Director Woong Chang

Range Sommelier Elli Benchimol

Oya and Sei Sommelier Andrew Stover

 

May
20
Wed
The Saloon Concert Series: Woodworking 101 @ Beuchert's Saloon
May 20 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Gourmet Symphony Presents The Saloon Concert Series: Woodworking 101
Wednesday, May 20, 2015 | 6-8 pm
Beuchert’s Saloon (623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003)

Join Gourmet Symphony al fresco at Beuchert’s Saloon‘s garden patio to explore the mastercraft of woodworking and its influence on music, whiskey production, and open-flame culinary arts. Hear how woods from specific forests can shape the tonalities of instruments – from the bass to the marimba; learn from Jeff Wells, veteran of DC’s craft beverage scene, how American whiskey producer Michter’s chooses its barrels when aging its bourbons; and taste the best fare of the season grilled up by Chef Andrew Markert.

Your ticket includes tastings of 3 exclusive spirits paired with 4-5 custom small plates and live chamber music performances.Tickets are $35 per person and available for purchase via Eventbrite: bit.ly/1EQdF0A.

May
25
Mon
Memorial Day Crawfish Boil @ Cafe St. Ex
May 25 @ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cafe Saint-Ex is throwing a Memorial Day Crawfish Boil on its patio Monday, May 28th. The boil includes all-you-can-eat crawfish with corn, potatoes, red beans & rice for $50 (plus tax). They’ll also have an a la carte menu from the grill including burgers (meat & veggie), sausages & chicken, as well as buckets of beer for sale. No reservations are required, though crawfish quantities are limited. The fun starts at NOON!
Cafe Saint-Ex
1847 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
For more details, please email info@saint-ex.com.

Jun
16
Tue
Hail to the V @ Wonder Bread Factory
Jun 16 @ 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

industree’s popular event, Hail to the V, returns on June 16th from 5:00pm – 8:30PM at The Wonder Bread Factory, located below street level at 641 S Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001. Hail to the V will celebrate a handful of D.C.’s most fearless, accomplished and unstoppable females in the food & beverage industry. The evening will feature networking with snacks provided by Caviar DC, followed by candid panel discussions focused on what it takes to be a successful woman in a male-dominated industry. The winner of industree’s annual V Award will also be announced live at the event, honoring the one woman who has stood out this past year by thinking outside the box and innovating/inspired her peers, both male and female!

This evening will be hosted by “Femme-cee” Eun Yang of NBC4, and panelists include:

Hilda Staples, Bryan Voltaggio Restaurants

Aggie Chin, Capella Washington, DC Georgetown

Allison Cooke, CORE DC

Meshelle Armstrong, EatGoodFood Group

Caroline Blundell, Ripple

Christine Kim, TICO

Joey Hernandez, Tim Ma Restaurant Group

Sarah Tune, Davis Wright Trimane

Ris Lacoste, RIS

The evening will also showcase additional bites provided by female food-entrepreneurs such as Whisked!, Soupergirl, Ice Cream Jubilee and a brand new Pinot Grigio created by Drew Barrymore for the Jackson Family Fine Wines.

Tickets are available at http://theindustreegroup.com/event/dc-hail-to-the-v-2015/ priced at $30 for F&B industry insiders, $50 for non-F&B industry insider and $15 for current students. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door priced at $50.

industree is an event-based brand and the candid voice of the food & beverage industry. They cultivate a community of seasoned industry innovators, future trailblazers and everyone in between to provide the connections, tools and real-life advice that make opportunities possible. Their unfiltered events and content provide a platform to share, learn and grow both personally and professionally. @DCindustree @PHLindustree @MIAindustree @ATLindustree

Jun
27
Sat
Marvin Honors: “Long Live Death Row” @ Marvin
Jun 27 @ 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Marvin loves to pay homage to the greats so this summer, they’ll hosts a three-part series–Marvin Honors–honoring legendary movements in hip-hop. The kick off event, called “Long Live Death Row” is a tribute to the West Coast and the infamous record label that artists like Snoop Dogg, Lady of Rage and Tupac and will feature $5 Gin & Juice, $6 Thug Passion, $4 Heineken and music by DJ Quartermaine from 4-8pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Jul
12
Sun
2nd Annual Launch Pad Finale @ Union Market - Dock 5
Jul 12 @ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

The 2nd annual Launch Pad, a culinary business competition created by Union MarketMess Hall and RIS owner Ris Lacoste, will culminate in a live grand finale this Sunday, July 12 from 1pm-5pm at Union Market’s Dock 5. Tickets can be purchased for $25 here.

Guests at the finale will be treated to cocktails and small bites as finalists Arepa ZoneBao Bros BarHalf SmokeWhisked, and Bene pitch their original concepts. The winner will be announced by a panel of judges, including restaurant mavens Patrick O’ConnellAaron SilvermanDrew NieporentDavid HallAl Goldberg and Ris Lacoste, and a People’s Choice vote will count towards each finalist’s point total. Winner of Launch Pad will receive a 6-12 month takeover of a fully-built stall in Union Market, as well as a mentorship from Ris Lacoste and other great prizes.

An after-party will feature chefs’ tables with previous Launch Pad contestants, judges, and advisors. Guests will mingle with food and drink mavens such as DC Brau‘s Jeff HancockMari Rodela, and Brendan SkallCake Love owner Warren Brown, and Capital Kombucha owner John Lee, among others. Locally produced snacks and beverages will be provided, and hometown bartenders will mix specialty cocktails featuring Jefferson’s Ridiculously Small Batch BourbonGosling’s Rums, and Pallini Limoncello.

Who: Union Market, Mess Hall, RIS owner Ris Lacoste
What: Launch Pad Grand Finale
Where: Dock 5, Union Market (1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002)
When: Sunday, July 12, 1pm-5pm
Tickets: $25 | Tickets can be purchased here.

Jul
13
Mon
Dinner & Discussion w/ ‘In the French Kitchen’ Author Susan Herrmann Loomis @ Bastille
Jul 13 @ 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

WHAT:                 A special dinner with wine and a discussion of her new book, In a French Kitchen with author Susan Herrmann Loomis, hosted by Chefs Christophe & Michelle Poteaux.  The book is a collection of tales from the kitchens of home cooks throughout France capturing the delightful celebration of French life and the cooks who turn even the simplest meals into an occasion. On the eve of Bastille Day, the Chefs Poteaux will serve:

Amuse et Kir

Melon et jambon sale – Virginia made prosciutto, compressed cantaloupe, micro basil, Banyuls vinegar reduction

Poulet roti au romarin et aux citrons confits – Roasted Amish chicken infused with preserved lemon and rosemary, fingerling potatoes, haricots verts, cipoline, piquillo peppers

Salade verte, chèvre chaud – Fresh goat cheese tartine with organic green salad, Dijon and shallot vinaigrette

Tarte aux citrons, fruits rouges, crème Chantilly – Lemon tart, fresh local berries, Chantilly cream

 

WHEN:                 Monday, July 13

                                6:30pm Reception, Meet & Greet

                                7pm Dinner

 

WHERE:               Bastille
606 N Fayette St
Alexandria, VA 22314

 

RSVP:                    Tickets are $69.00 per person, inclusive of dinner and wine, exclusive of tax or gratuity.  Books will be available for purchase for $26.95.  Please call (703) 519-3776 or email reservations@bastillerestaurant.com to reserve seats for this special event.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Herrmann Loomis is a France-based, award-winning journalist, author and cooking school proprietor with nine books to her credit, and a professionally trained chef. Among her books are On Rue Tatin, a narrative about her life in France, with recipes which won the IACP best literary food book for 2002, Loomis contributes to many publications including Cooking Light,Metropolitan Home, France Today, and Gastronomica. She has lived in France for nearly twenty years, operates On Rue Tatin, a cultural and culinary cooking program, from her 15th century home in Louviers, France, where she lives with her two children.

Jul
18
Sat
5th Annual DC Scoop @ Dock 5 @ Union Market
Jul 18 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Union Market, the vibrant district in Northeast DC, will host its fifth annual DC Scoop event on Saturday, July 18 from 1pm-4pm. The highly-anticipated, free event, which drew over 3,000 Washingtonians last year, will take place at Dock 5, the indoor space above the market. Ice cream vendors from over 15 different creameries will put their best foot forward to win the crown title of “Best Ice Cream,” offering guests a wide array of free samples and servings for purchase, from gelato to ice cream sandwiches, popsicles to soda shoppe-style scoops.

Sweet tooths at the family-friendly event can participate in ice cream-eating contests, raffles, and giveaways. Timber Pizza Co. will provide savory complements to patrons’ favorite desserts, and Union Market vendors Buffalo & Bergen and Trickling Springs will join the fun to serve Root Beer Floats to kids.

Last year’s DC Scoop winner, Nicecream Factory, pairs liquid nitrogen with fresh local ingredients to create flavors for customers on the spot—a business model developed by owners Gilbert Welsford and Sandra Tran. “We were so excited to be recognized,” Welsford exclaimed. “There were so many incredible competitors participating in last year’s DC Scoop event. We’re passionate about what we do and we were glad to provide the DC and Northern Virginia areas with what we think is the best ice cream out there,” he said.

Participants for this year’s DC Scoop include:
• Milk Cult
• Little Baby’s Ice Cream
• Gifford’s
• King of Pop’s
• Carmens
• NiceCream
• Ice Cream Jubilee
• DC Puddin’
• Faithfully Sweet
• Dangerously Delicious Pies
• Suga Mama Sweets

EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, July 18, 2015
1 – 4 p.m.
Dock 5 @ Union Market
1309 5th Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Jul
27
Mon
Taste of National Harbor @ Gaylord National Resort
Jul 27 @ 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM

With nearly 500 attendees at its first event, the Taste of National Harbor charity event returns to Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on June 27 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Set along the banks of the Potomac River at the Washington, D.C. regions only waterfront hotel, proceeds of the event will benefit Children’s National Health System, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (CMNH) whose main goal is to provide the best possible health care for local kids. 

The resort will host the areas local restaurants and brands to showcase the gourmet cuisine visitors can enjoy in National Harbor.

A growing culinary destination, attendees can enjoy a variety of gourmet food samples from the Harbor’s award-winning restaurants paired with domestic wines and craft beers in the hotel’s 19-story glass atrium.

With views of the sun setting over Old Town Alexandria and The Capital Wheel observation wheel, guests can enter-to-win door prizes, watch a “perfect pour” demonstration by Stella Artois and more.

“Children’s National was thrilled with the success of the first Taste of National Harbor event, having raised more than $40,000 for our organization,” said Patricia Jasper-Zellner, Director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Children’s National. “It is wonderful to see all of these industry leaders come together to support our mission again this year.”

Participating restaurants and brands include AC Lounge, Barefoot Wines, Cadillac Ranch, Country Vinters, Granite City Food and Brewery, McLoone’s Pier House, Nando’s Peri-Peri, National Pastime Sports Bar and Grill, New Columbia Distillers, Old Hickory Steakhouse, PEEPS and Company, Pienza Marketplace, The Cocoa Bean, The Sunset Room by Wolfgang Puck, The Walrus Oyster and Ale House and more.

The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals also will announce their new “Champion” ambassador for 2015 during the event. Champions are children selected to share their stories throughout the year in their state, illustrating why children’s hospitals need local charitable support.

 The Taste of National Harbor charity event costs $45* per person for pre-purchased tickets and $50* per person the day of the event with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. 

 

Aug
1
Sat
Late Night at Daikaya @ Daikaya Izakaya
Aug 1 @ 11:00 PM – Aug 2 @ 1:00 AM
On Saturday, August 1st from 11pm to 1am, Daikaya Izakaya (705 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001; (202) 589-1600; www.Daikaya.com; @DaikayaDC) continues its ‘Late Night at Daikaya’legacy, this time featuring an epic Burger Smackdown. Burger-loving back of the house crew

​members​ including Kristian Felix, Nick Cezar, Benjamin B​rowning, Jacob Weismann, Jordon C​hirumbolo, and Saul Herrera will be going ‘Bun to Bun’ to create the ultimate custom burger of which will be critiqued live​ by a panel of celebrated local​ burger and food-writer​ friends as judges.
Chef/Owner Katsuya Fukushima will also be on-hand assisting his team of chefs throughout the competition by expediting dishes. ​

A burger-themed trophy will ​be ​ awarded to one lucky winner at the end of the culinary competition.

Open to the public, burgers will be priced at $5 each, and resident mixologist Jamie MacBain and team will be on-site slinging an assortment of boozy milkshakes and Pony beers at the bar, while DJ Smudge serves up serious beats throughout the evening.
Located on the 2nd floor – Daikaya’s izakaya is a modern and eclectic space that serves as Chef Katsuya and teams culinary playground boasting a full bar and rustic dining room where food and drink are intended to be enjoyed seamlessly. ‘Late Night at Daikaya’ occurs on selected Saturday’s each month and allows Chef Fukushima and team the opportunity to create and share exciting and interactive culinary collaborations and/or themed culinary-driven events. Reservations available but not required.