In celebration of the official start of summer, Dupont Circle restaurant Firefly and local brewery DC Brau are bringing together the finest flavors of the season with their first-ever ‘Summer Solstice Beer Dinner.’ This festive occasion will pair a quartet of unlimited beers with four courses showcasing ingredients from local growers and farmers and Firefly’s very own rooftop garden!
On Thursday, June 21, DC Brau will be taking over Firefly’s beer taps with a selection of locally made beers ranging from light to sour to heavy. While enjoying healthy four-once pours, guests will learn the ins and outs of beer production and experience the tasting notes first-hand. As an added bonus, Firely has secured exclusive samples of Turbo Boost Multiball, a new premium double IPA from DC Brau. The full line-up of brews includes:
- First: El Hefe German Wheat
- Second: Public Belgian Ale
- Third: Rosé du Gose
- Fourth: Penn Quarter Porter
- Bonus: Turbo Boost MultiBall
Firefly’s Executive Chef Rich Falbo has crafted a summer harvest menu highlighting Mid-Atlantic ingredients to complement each DC Brau beer. Chef Rich will share anecdotes about Firefly’s rooftop garden, commitment to sustainability, and support of local purveyors. Guests will discover the inspiration behind every dish while savoring enhanced flavor profiles provided by the food and beer pairings. The amuse bouche and four courses planned for the special dinner include:
- Amuse: Yellow tomato gazpacho with marcona almonds and parsley gremolata
- First: Duck confit with fresh cherries, bitter greens, chevre, and garden basil
- Second: Fluke a la plancha with garden-fresh tomatoes, watermelon, fennel, and green chiles
- Third: Braised rabbit with lupin beans, garden herbs, and sweet anise
- Fourth: Lemon crème fraiche semifreddo, espresso syrup, and cocoa nibs
The ‘Summer Solstice Beer Dinner’ will be held on Thursday, June 21 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Firefly’s main dining room. Guests must be 21+ to attend. Tickets are $49 on Eventbrite, and $55 at the door plus tax. Gratuity is included in the ticket price.
This Fourth of July, Washingtonians and out-of-towners are invited to the Kimpton Mason & Rook Hotel rooftop bar for a patriotic holiday BBQ hosted by Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden and the Radiator team! The neighborhood rooftop provides a festive gathering place with 360-degree views of the nation’s capital spanning from the buzzing 14th Street corridor to the tip of the Washington Monument.
In celebration of Uncle Sam’s birthday, Chef Jonathan will be grilling up with some of America’s favorite backyard bites. The selection of hot dogs and hamburgers highlight regional flavors from across the country and include:
- Coney Dog with chili, cheddar, and onions
- Half Smoked with mambo sauce and onions
- Chi-Dog with hot peppers, sweet onion, and relish
- Classic corn dog with Chef Jonathan’s house-made masa batter
- OG burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion
Sunscreen will be available for guests to get a sun-kissed glow while enjoying a rooftop Independence Day sunset. The Radiator bar team will further help guests feel refreshed with these special July 4th cocktails and summer slushies:
- Ch-Ch-Cherry Cola with Cointreau Cherry, Jim Beam Rye, and Coca-Cola
- Daisy Dukes with Peach Deep Eddy Vodka, Orchard Peach Tea, and Giffard Crème de Pêche
- Hold My Beer with Botanist Gin, Bruto Americano, and soda water
- La Sandrita with Sauza Reposado, watermelon juice, mint simple syrup, lime, and mint sprig
- Orange Crush with St. George Citrus, Cointreau, Sprite, and freshly squeezed orange juice
The Radiator team opens the rooftop bar at the Kimpton Mason & Rook Hotel at 5:00 p.m. every evening, weather permitting. No reservations or cover charges are required for the July 4th BBQ. Guests must be 21+ to attend.
Before heading off to or returning from the National Mall, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown is offering a pre and post fireworks all American BBQ on Wednesday, July 4th in the hotel’s lovely landscaped courtyard garden.
From 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., patriots of all ages will enjoy an all-you-can-eat grill station. Executive Chef Jordi Gallardo is firing up American burgers, half-smoked beer brats, grilled jumbo shrimp, corn-on-the-cob and creamy, house-made coleslaw.
For dessert, an interactive ice cream station will include a selection of flavors and sparkling toppings.
The Red, White and BBQ is $30 per person, $15 for children 12 and under exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call 202-457-5020.
DC’s new Opaline Bar and Brasserie, is bringing Paris to downtown DC by celebrating with a Bastille Day Picnic.
On Saturday, July 14th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., guests will enjoy fantastic French picnic fare, specially priced champagne & rosé, photos with famous French cutouts, a caricaturist, tri-color snow cones and French musical entertainment.
Prizes will be given for best French attire and parasols such as; overnight hotel stays, dinners and cocktails.
Sofitel’s Bastille Day Picnic is free and open to the public. Space is limited and tickets must be reserved on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
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Opaline Bar and Brasserie serves classic French food – food that people love and remember because it is consistent and simply prepared every time. The all-day menu features favorites including oysters on the half shell, croquet monsieur , steak frites, tuna niçoise, herb roasted chicken and Opaline’s signature burger topped with gruyere and caramelized onions Opaline Bar and Brasserie is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.
One of the longest running seasonal summer shopping events returns to the D.C. region’s Shop Small destination for independent boutiques, Alexandria, Virginia, with the 9th Annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale happening Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, 2018, throughout Old Town and Del Ray. The event, which is led by Visit Alexandria in partnership with the City of Alexandria, the Old Town Boutique District and theDel Ray Business Association, features more than 50 Alexandria boutiques stepping out of their storefronts offering deeply discounted summer merchandise at up to 80% off. Avid deal seekers mark this annual sale ritual on their calendars to score incredible summer finds from local independent retailers.
Shoppers can stroll the city’s famed red brick sidewalks for end-of-summer savings on items ranging from fashion and jewelry to home decor, culinary goods, and seasonal gift items. Participating stores such as The Shoe Hive, The Lucky Knot, 529 Kids Consign, Periwinkle, The Dog Park, fibre space, Pacers Running and Kiskadee will have bright yellow balloon markers outside of their storefronts. New boutiques to Alexandria such as Threadleaf, Forge Industrial Works and Twist Boutique will also participate. Many boutiques will open their doors at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday to kick off the sale weekend. The City of Alexandria will provide free parking at meters in Old Town on both Saturday and Sunday; parking is always free in Del Ray.
Visit Alexandria will host an Instagram giveaway on the two Fridays leading up to the Summer Sidewalk Sale, August 3 and 10, 2018. Visit Alexandria will post a photo and invite users to tag someone they want to go shopping with for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate. Each comment tagging a unique person equals one entry—so the more comments and tags, the more chances of winning! Two random winners will be drawn on each Friday. The Old Town Boutique District will also host an Instagram giveaway. Simply snap a photo of your favorite sidewalk “steal” and tag #shopOTBD #LoveLocalOT for a chance to win a gift card to a store of your choice.
For a complete list of all participating businesses and examples of sale items, visit:
Event Details:
What: 9th Annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale
When: Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12, 2018 (rain or shine). If there is inclement weather, Sidewalk Sale tables and merchandise will be brought inside.
Where: Participating stores throughout Old Town and Del Ray.
Time: Hours vary by retailer; visit website for more information.
Website: VisitAlexVA.com/SidewalkSale
Social Media: Twitter: @AlexandriaVA | Facebook: VisitAlexandriaVA | Instagram: @VisitAlexVA | #SidewalkSaleALX
One of the longest running seasonal summer shopping events returns to the D.C. region’s Shop Small destination for independent boutiques, Alexandria, Virginia, with the 9th Annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale happening Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, 2018, throughout Old Town and Del Ray. The event, which is led by Visit Alexandria in partnership with the City of Alexandria, the Old Town Boutique District and theDel Ray Business Association, features more than 50 Alexandria boutiques stepping out of their storefronts offering deeply discounted summer merchandise at up to 80% off. Avid deal seekers mark this annual sale ritual on their calendars to score incredible summer finds from local independent retailers.
Shoppers can stroll the city’s famed red brick sidewalks for end-of-summer savings on items ranging from fashion and jewelry to home decor, culinary goods, and seasonal gift items. Participating stores such as The Shoe Hive, The Lucky Knot, 529 Kids Consign, Periwinkle, The Dog Park, fibre space, Pacers Running and Kiskadee will have bright yellow balloon markers outside of their storefronts. New boutiques to Alexandria such as Threadleaf, Forge Industrial Works and Twist Boutique will also participate. Many boutiques will open their doors at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday to kick off the sale weekend. The City of Alexandria will provide free parking at meters in Old Town on both Saturday and Sunday; parking is always free in Del Ray.
Visit Alexandria will host an Instagram giveaway on the two Fridays leading up to the Summer Sidewalk Sale, August 3 and 10, 2018. Visit Alexandria will post a photo and invite users to tag someone they want to go shopping with for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate. Each comment tagging a unique person equals one entry—so the more comments and tags, the more chances of winning! Two random winners will be drawn on each Friday. The Old Town Boutique District will also host an Instagram giveaway. Simply snap a photo of your favorite sidewalk “steal” and tag #shopOTBD #LoveLocalOT for a chance to win a gift card to a store of your choice.
For a complete list of all participating businesses and examples of sale items, visit:
Event Details:
What: 9th Annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale
When: Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12, 2018 (rain or shine). If there is inclement weather, Sidewalk Sale tables and merchandise will be brought inside.
Where: Participating stores throughout Old Town and Del Ray.
Time: Hours vary by retailer; visit website for more information.
Website: VisitAlexVA.com/SidewalkSale
Social Media: Twitter: @AlexandriaVA | Facebook: VisitAlexandriaVA | Instagram: @VisitAlexVA | #SidewalkSaleALX
On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar will host a rum dinner featuring Brugal Rum, which is produced by Brugal & Co., C. por A in the Dominican Republic. Guests of this special evening will learn the history of the Brugal distillery, which has been producing farm-to-bottle, distilled, triple-filtered and aged rums since 1888. Distilling for dryness, the Brugal family method of distillation removes much of what other rums leave in, resulting in a spirit that is cleaner, dryer and less sweet. Brugal is dedicated to cask-aging every drop of their rum, using the same wood policy as the world’s finest Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. Because the rum is cask-aged in the year-round heat and humidity of the Dominican Republic, maturation is accelerated, contributing to a balanced, sophisticated family of rums unlike any other. The evening will begin with cocktail hour featuring light bites and a Brugal Mule with Brugal Añejo, ginger beer and fresh lime juice. A five-course dinner, prepared by newly appointed Executive Chef Pablo Catalan, will follow with dishes paired with Brugal’s finest rums. Standouts featured for the evening include Añejo, Extra Dry Supremo, Extra Viejo, Brugal XV as well as Siglo De Oro. The cost of the dinner is $85 per person (all inclusive).
WHEN: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 6:30 PM, limited seating is available, and reservations can be made online at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
WHERE: Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar is located at 801 9th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; Phone (202) 408-1600. For additional information, please visit www.cubalibrerestaurant.
Boundary Stone’s fifth annual barrel-aged beer competition will take place Tuesday, August 21 from 5:30pm – 9pm for DC Beer Week.
Tickets for the event will be $25 in advance and $30 at the door and can be purchased online at boundarystonedc.com. Each ticket includes a four ounce taster of each beer and a vote in the contest.
The Battle of the Barrel-Aged Beer pits local breweries against each other as they each try to wow the public and the judges with a special barrel-aged brew. Each year’s winner gets to choose the beer or barrel style for the following year. Defending champions Right Proper have chosen white wine barrels for this year’s contest. In addition to selecting the style for next year’s competition, the winner will receive a dedicated tap line at Boundary Stone, a special Battle of the Barrel-Aged Beer trophy, and the love, admiration and respect of beer drinkers across D.C.!
The official event begins at 5:30pm with the winner being announced at 9pm. Special guests include brewers and representatives from all competing breweries as well as local celebrity judges.
DATE: Wednesday, August 22nd
TIME: 11:00AM- 3:00PM – PRESS CONFERENCE followed by BEN’S BLOCK PARTY
PLACE: BEN’S CHILI BOWL, 1213 U St, NW
At 7:30PM the celebration continues at the Lincoln Theater with Ben’s Chili Bowl’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Gala, “A Tribute To Virginia Ali” benefitting theBen’s Chili Bowl Foundation (www.benschilibowlfoundation.
Visitors to Washington, DC have usually heard about Ben’s Chili Bowl long before their arrival. Many remember the news of President Obama stopping by to enjoy a Chili Half Smoke. Ben’s has been seen on The Steve Harvey Show, The Daily Show, Man vs. Food, CNN, Oprah, Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Larry King Live, Larry the Cable Guy, and countless other local, national and international shows, newspapers and magazines.
Ben’s Chili Bowl has also been seen in films like Russell Crowe’s State of Play, Denzel Washington’s The Pelican Brief, and Don Cheadle’s Talk to Me. In the old days, guests included Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and many other luminaries. More recently, French President Sarkozy, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, members of the US Congress, and many other noteworthy political and sports figures have stopped by to sample the world famous Ben’s cuisine. Other recent visitors include Dave Chappelle, Bruno Mars, Serena Williams, Taraji P Henson, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, George Lopez, Terrence Howard, Jimmy Fallon, Usher, Bono, Nick Cannon, Sara Jessica Parker, Tyrese, Lance Gross, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Joe Mantegna, Rachel Ray, Chris Tucker, Tommy Davidson, Pauly Shore, Harry Belafonte, and Danny Glover to name a few.
In addition to being known as the place in DC where everyday people brush shoulders with celebrities, Ben’s Chili Bowl has also been honored to receive numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious “America’s Classics” award from the James Beard Foundation. In 2008, Ben and Virginia Ali were given the Key to the City by DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, and in 2009 Ben’s was honored by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. In 2010, the George Washington University enshrined Ben’s Chili Bowl’s historic papers, documents and photos into its main Gelman Library, and all documents have been digitized for students and scholars throughout the world to examine.
Yet, in spite of all the world recognition and fame, local residents of DC, Maryland and Virginia know the real truth about Ben’s Chili Bowl, and that truth is simple. They know that Ben’s is first and foremost about FAMILY and COMMUNITY. For 60 years, Ben’s has graciously served the people, and every guest has always been embraced as family. When segregation was still alive, Ben’s offered a peaceful gathering place and safe haven for ALL people, regardless of any differences in background or perspective. Society has grown and changed, but Ben’s remains the same and continues to celebrate people from all walks of life as they come together to eat, laugh, and discuss life as they see it. On Wednesday, August 22nd, please join everyone at Ben’s Chili Bowl as they celebrate 60 years.
Help send Allison Farris off to Atlantic City – purchase your tickets to the Miss America Send Off Party!
Each ticket includes a buffet dinner catered by Tony Cheng’s Restaurant and free wine and beer!
Please join us to celebrate
Miss DC 2018 Allison Farris
as she leaves for the Miss America Competition
and
Judy Mabone as she leaves for the National Miss Sweetheart Competition
Date: Thursday, August 23
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: 777 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Cost: $40
