Upcoming Food and Wine Fun

Photo by Emily Clack

Lots of Food and Fun coming up in DC:


Proof will now provide the battleground for one of the fiercest competitions in the world of wine: War of the Rosés. Throughout the summer, the wine-centric restaurant will offer a rotating selection of summer’s most sought after sippers for just $35 a bottle, allowing guests to enjoy several different bottles of the blush-colored beverage, and decide for themselves which one reigns supreme.  

From May 26 to June 20, "Best Mixology/Beverage Program" RAMMY nominees are hosting a month-long cocktail promotion where consumers can come into nominated restaurants and order their signature RAMMY cocktail for a chance to win two tickets to the annual gala on June 26.  The five nominees for "Mixology/Beverage Program of the Year" are Bourbon Steak, ChurchKey, Estadio, Founding Farmers and Tabard Inn.  Diners who purchase a RAMMY cocktail at any of the five restaurants until June 20 will be eligible to win two tickets to the RAMMY gala on June 26. Consumers will fill out an information card for each RAMMY drink purchase and a winner will be chosen at random on June 20 at the end of the promotion.

Three local chefs – Robert Weidmaier, David Guas and RJ Cooper - will put down their tongs, whisks and knives and jump aboard their Harley-Davidsons to participate in a VIP Kick Off Motorcycle Ride Friday at 11:00 am through the District. The ride serve as the official launch of Stars & Stripes & Spokes, a first-year, free admission motorcycle rally and music rally, roaring into RFK Stadium Festival Grounds this Memorial Day Weekend (www.stars-stripes-spokes.com).   

Occidental will be offering 10% off Rolling Thunder Weekend (May 27 - May 30) and through the year for members of the armed services.


Café Saint-Ex is bringing back their annual Memorial Day Chili Cook-Off on Monday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., this time gathering 14^th Street's best chefs for a Chili Smack Down competition.

Serendipity 3 is scheduled to open before Memorial Day.

To celebrate 11 years of Fondue, The Melting Pot of Arlington is offering a 3 course meal for only $30.  Check it out June 6th and 7th.

Sustainable Seafood Fare is on June 8th and 9th. Sample a wide variety of sustainable seafood dishes created by chefs of Washington and the Gulf states while learning more from the chefs about choosing and preparing sustainable seafood. In addition, assorted charcuterie, desserts, artisanal cheeses, and wines from 25 wineries provided by members of the Rhone Rangers from California to Virginia will also be served.

A premium cigar event on the secluded patio at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Reston Town Center on June 10th from 6:30-8:30 p.m..  Guests will enjoy a selection of Morton’s signature hors d’oeuvres paired with refreshing warm weather wines and cigars from legendary local producer Paul Garmirian.   


The Washington Center will host the second annual InternsROCK! program in Washington, DC, June 10 – 19, 2011.  A city-wide intern appreciation week, the initiative honors the approximately 20,000 interns who congregate to the nation’s capital each summer. As a way to give back to interns, local businesses will offer discounts at restaurants, museums, sporting venues, concert halls, retail outlets and other attractions. 


From June 15-19^th 2011, Et Voila! Belgian Bistro will celebrate the rich, unique flavors of Belgian Beers with food, flights and tastings at the 1^st Annual Belgian Beer Festival. 

The Second Annual Urban Farm Table Under the Stars will take place Friday, June 17, 2011 at 6:30 PM.   The four course celebration will take place on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the International Trade Center and Ronald Reagan Building. The presenting chefs for Urban Farm Table on the Plaza are Jaime Mon of Zentan; Todd Gray of Equinox and Watershed; Xavier Deshayes of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; and Amy Brandwein of Casa Nonna.

Nordic Food Days will take place June 19-26th. Washingtonians will be invited to experience food prepared by five of the world’s best chefs from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden over the course of one week.

Celebrate July 4th at Café du Parc on Pennsylvania Avenue - America’s Main Street!   The Willard InterContinental is hosting a block party-style celebration with live rock band from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.   Café du Parc’s signature plates range from $7.95 to $10.00 and include; classic Willard Burger with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and onion, pesto chicken sandwich on a brioche sesame bun, Kobe Beef hot dog with traditional accompaniment, locally made Italian sausage sandwich with grilled peppers and onions. cheese and coleslaw.

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT), is pleased to announce the Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers of 2011. They are: Central Market, Austin, Texas; Fromagination, Madison, Wisc.; Olives Gourmet Grocer, Long Beach, Calif.; The Cheese Iron, Portland, Maine; The Fresh Market, Greensboro, N.C.; and ZZest Market and Café, Rochester, Minn. The awards will be presented July 11, 2011, at the Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C., in a red-carpet ceremony hosted by Celebrity Chef Cat Cora. Winners are featured in the June issue of the NASFT’s Specialty Food Magazine and at specialtyfood.com/retailerawards.

The Willard continues its celebration of independence on July 14th - Bastille Day on Pennsylvania Avenue’s Champs Elysee!  The party takes place outdoors at Café du Parc for lunch and dinner from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Enjoy live music, grilled French specialties, crêpecarte French specialties are priced from $16.00 to $35.00.