Upcoming Events: Sommelier Showdown

Sommelier Showdown, February 9, 7:00pm-9:00pm:  See top DC Sommeliers flex their knowledge at the Washington DC International Wine and Food Festival's inaugural Sommelier Showdown. Our experts will engage in a friendly tête-à-tête and compete in a race of the taste, using deductive tasting to identify wines with hidden labels.   To complement the wines presented, the Showdown will feature five of DCs most noted chefs who will be tasked with bringing food and wine together, including Chefs Todd Gray (Equinox), Xavier Deshayes (Ronald Reagan Building), and Jaime Montes de Oca (Zentan).  Invitation only to select members of the hospitality and restaurant trade, a limited number of tickets will be released to the public at $150. 

On February 10^th, the Washington Wine Academy in partnership with the Athenaeum, will present an evening of red wine and chocolate tastings in the heart of Old Town Alexander. The Athenaeum, part of the Virginia Fine Arts Association, provides a beautiful setting, as experts from the Washington Wine Academy guide you through wine tastings and chocolate desserts to warm your heart, body, and soul. The price of the event is $40.00 per person or $75.00 per couple.  For more information or to register online, please check out: www.WashingtonWineAcademy.org

February 11-12th, the 13th Annual Washington DC International Wine and Food Festival (IWFF) will celebrate the world of wine, food and culture, and shine a light on DC's diversity and prominence as a world-class destination for wine and food. 

Georgetown’s Week for Chocolate is coming up! February 13th to the 19th will have all of Georgetown’s best sweet spots offering up an amazing experience for you to bring a special someone to enjoy.  Buy your badge and head over to your favorite 5 places to get a free Week for Chocolate experience! Just show up with your badge and let them know you are “Week for Chocolate”!

Participating Merchants

Starbucks — Two Short Hot Chocolates, Coffee’s or Mochas Each Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat and Two Razz-berry pops on Tues, Thurs, and Sun!

Serendipity — Two Chocolate Martinis and One Forbidden Chocolate Desert 

Sprinkles — Two cupcakes of your choice

Godiva — Two large chocolate covered strawberries & truffles

PinkBerry — Two medium frozen yogurts with toppings

Bodega — Two chocolate martinis and one desert tapas

Johnny Rockets — Chocolate Strawberry Kiss shake for two

Haagen Dazs — Two Midnight Dazzlers

Old Glory BBQ — Two cocktails and one heart cake

La Madeleine — One valentine cake and two coffees

IceBerry — Two small yogurts with one topping

Paper Source — Stationary workshop for two

Muncheez Mania — Two Nutella crepes with fresh fruit topping

Thunder Burger — Two beers and one desert

February 15th,  Roof Terrace Restaurant atop the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts keeps the good times flowing long after the holidays with its Champagne and Everything Bubbly! tasting.  Learn about the prestigious champagne house of Laurent-Perrier, presidential favorite sparkling wines from Schramsberg, world-class Prosecco and more.  6-9pm, $40 per person.

Todd Gray's Watershed: Skipjack Shrimp Boil and Mardi Gras Celebration. Friday, February 17, 7:00 p.m. Watershed's Skipjack Shrimp Boil, the next event in its popular Friday Supper series, is a delicious new addition to DC's Mardi Gras celebrations! Supper begins on the patio with passed hors d'oeuvres, a toasty fire pit with Chef Todd Gray grilling oysters, and friendly neighbors to keep you warm. Dinner continues in the restaurant, with menu highlights such as Crispy Red Cabbage Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour Ginger Sauce, and Skipjack-sauced Shrimp with Red Bliss Potatoes, Surry Sausage and Slow-Roasted Fennel. The event also features select brews and live music. Ticket/Reservation Info: $75/person, all-inclusive. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling 202.534.1350. *Special 2-for-1 NoMa Neighborhood Offer: For NoMa neighborhood residents, bring a friend and you can both enjoy the Skipjack Shrimp Boil for $75.

Indulge yourself this "Fat Tuesday" (February 21) at Smith Commons! For Mardi Gras, this H Street hot spot features new takes on traditional New Orleans specialties, including a Peruvian-style Jambalaya, Shrimp Etouffee, house-made Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce and "Hurricane Irene" special cocktail. Stop by the bar (beads optional), or make a dinner reservation online or by calling 202.396.0038. 


On February 21, FIOLA by Fabio Trabocchi will capture the magic and mystique of Venetian Carnevale with a black tie masquerade party and a special four-course tasting menu. Priced at $85 per person, inclusive of wine pairings, but not including tax and gratuity, the evening will feature live entertainment and music. In addition to the special dinner, Fiola will also offer a festive regional menu from February 11 - 20, 2012.  For more information or to make reservations please call 202.628.2888 or visit the website at www.fioladc.com. 

Embassy Chef Challenge: Join Cultural Tourism DC for the 4th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge: DC’s premier international culinary competition on Thursday, March 8 from 7:30 – 10 pm, VIP Reception 6:30 pm. Co-hosted by Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004.

Photo by Emily Clack