Upcoming Events: Brunch, Oktoberfest and More!

 El Centro D.F., located in the lively 14^th street neighborhood at 1819 14^th Street, NW, 20009, is serving up all-you-can-eat authentic Mexican brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Priced at $35 per person (tax and gratuity not included), guests can enjoy an endless selection from the entire brunch menu, with options such as Shrimp Ceviche with habanero citrus sauce and pico de gallo; Mexican French Toast and Huevos Divorciados, smothered in green and red sauce with chorizo and bean purée. Bottomless brunch drinks, such as the Michilada, Bloody Maria and choice of seasonal Aqua Fresca cocktails, complement the unlimited brunch offering.  The all-you-can-eat brunch menu must be ordered for the entire table, and all items are available a la carte priced between $5 and $12.95. 

Through Rosé Colored Glasses”:  Johnny's Half Shell is  featuring ten choices of estate bottled Rosé wines from around the world, available by the bottle or by the glass at a 25% off discounted price throughout September.  Selections include wines from Spain, Lebanon, Italy, France and the United States, which can be paired with Johnny’s regular menu or with the “Suggested Small Bites” pairing menu.  

Tater Tot Happy Hour at Food, Wine and Co.:  The Bethesda eatery is launching a new Happy Hour revolving around the popular bar bites where diners can snag a plate of the crispy, fried tots for only $1. Food, Wine & Co.'s new Tater Tot Happy Hour will be available Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m throughout the month of September.

Oktoberfest Reston is produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and is Northern Virginia’s largest fall festival at Reston Town Center featuring the best in autumn brews with delicious traditional Oktoberfest fare from area restaurants. Enjoy food, wine, beer, live entertainment, a carnival and the Anthem Great Pumpkin 5K, presented by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.   Oktoberfest Reston will take place on October 5-7, 2012 at the Reston Town Center at the following times:
Friday, October 5: 3PM – 11PM
Saturday, October 6: 11AM – 11PM
Sunday, October 7: 12PM – 8PM

October Cruises on the Odyssey and Spirit of Washington. Entertainment Cruises is offering some extra special cruise opportunities in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Halloween. Help the Odyssey raise awareness about breast cancer by wearing pink on the Go Pink Brunch Cruise on Saturday, October 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  The Cruise will highlight two speakers – a representative from the American Cancer Society and a breast cancer survivor. Tickets are from $69.90 per person, not including taxes or fees. Twelve dollars from each cruise ticket will be donated to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and, as always, guests can enjoy delicious dining, entertainment and spectacular views of Washington, D.C. from the water. Special Pink Champagne Mimosas will be available, as well. Toward the end of the month, get in the Halloween spirit with the Spirit of Washington’s annual Boo Cruise! on Saturday, October 27 from 9:30 pm to 12:05 a.m. Tickets are from $44.90 per person, not including taxes or fees. Guests 21 and over can come aboard and enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar all night long. Halloween costumes are encouraged and the best costume will win 4 free tickets on the Spirit of Washington during the costume contest by the end of the night! Call 800.250.3897 or visit Odyssey Cruises online to make a reservation for the Go Pink Brunch Cruise. Call 800.250.3897 or visit Spirit of Washington online to make a reservation for the Boo Cruise!

Fall Mixology Classes:  Spice up your ‘at-home’ bartending skills by attending Ripple’s Fall Mixology Classes on Saturday, October 13 or Saturday, October 20 from 3:30 – 5:00pm.  Ripple’s mixolog.ist, Josh Berner, will instruct guests about the fat-washing process to make three delicious cocktails from Ripple’s menu—Play It Sam, Chile Manteca y Ducle, and Basil Exposition.  These cocktails feature oil-infused gin, bacon-infused mexcal and olive oil-washed vodka.  As part of the class, guests will enjoy these cocktails as they learn, as well as have the opportunity to try Ripple’s grilled cheese bar.  Cost for the class is $45, which includes the cocktails.  For reservations, please call 202.244.7995.  Visit Ripple at www.rippledc.com for more information.  

No Tricks, Just Treats at Masa 14’s Halloween Party:  Join Masa 14 for a Halloween Costume Party on Saturday, October 27^th complete with spooky delights and a costume contest.  Festivities start at 5pm with a ghoulish menu featuring $5 specials like the Devil Dog, Butternut Squash Soup and a Zombitini cocktail.  Then at 10pm, dance the night away with live music and a costume contest judged by the bartending staff.  Use your costume creativity and you could win a bottomless brunch for four!  As an extra treat, Mesa’s menu specials will be available all weekend and on Halloween night.  For more information, please call (202) 328-1414 or visit www.masa14.com.