Upcoming Events: Dining Out for Life, Margarita March and More!

Eat for a good cause at a participating restaurant for the 17th annual Dining Out for Life fundraiser on Thursday, April 25th, 2013. Join thousands of diners from across North America to stand up against HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by sitting down at local restaurants that have pledged 25% to 110% of the day’s proceeds to directly benefit Food & Friends’ programs and clients. Food and Friends provides specialized meals, nutrition counseling and friendship to people living with serious illnesses in our nation's capital and surrounding areas. Since 1988, Food and Friends has provided more than 15.8 million meals to more 22,600 individuals, and has helped family members, friends, and loved ones provide care and support. Last year, more than 25,000 diners, restaurants and volunteers participated in Dining Out for Life and raised more than $300,000. This year, among the over 100 participating restaurants, several restaurants are donating their entire evening’s proceeds – Freddie's Beach Bar and Restaurant (110%), Annie’s Paramount Steak House(100%) and Ristorante Tosca (100%). Please visit www.foodandfriends.org/dol for more information and complete listing.

Join the countdown to Cinco De Mayo with tickets to the 1st Annual DC Margarita March. On Saturday, April 27, participants can enjoy a different 12-ounce poor of Mexico's favorite cocktail as they work their way through eight popular District bars in the Logan Circle and U Street areas. Paritcipating bars and restaurants include:  Alero (U Street), Bar Rouge, Ben’s Next Door, Judy Restaurant, La Villa, Nellie’s Sports Bar, Tabaq Bistro and Stoney’s. Tickets start at $50.00 per person and can be purchased from www.MargaritaMarch.com. V.I.P. options are also available at $55.00-60.00. In addition, special prices on beer and food pairings hand -selected by each venue's Executive Chef will be available to participants.

Experience a taste of Kentucky at the "Derby" Bourbon Dinner at Del Frisco's Grille on Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 PM. The five course dinner will pair Kentucky's best bourbons with the the state inspired cuisine from Executive Chef Rob Klink. Menu items include jumbo shrimp wrapped in sugar-cured bacon,  mesquite smoked pork loin with Byrd Mill stone ground grits, and double chocolate chip cookies stuffed with butter pecan ice cream and drinks will include Knob Creek, Makers Mark, Bookers, Old Grand Dad, and more.  Guests are encouraged to put on their Kentucky best and dress in derbyfashion for the evening so dust off the sun hats and seersuckers. Each guest will also take home a keepsake julep glass with recipe. Cost is  $70.00 per person, exclusive of tax or gratuity; call 202-450-4686 for reservations.

On May 1, DC restaurant power couple Thor and Leah Cheston will compete for the title of best pairing in a beer vs. wine showdown at RIS. Chef/Owner Ris Lacoste will prepare a five course spring-inspired dinner to be paired with Thor and Leah’s beverages of choice. Following the libation tasting, guests will decide the winner of the head-to-head challenge.

The Willard InterContinental and Café du Parc celebrate La Fête du Muguet -- or Lucky Lily Day™ -- on May 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a courtyard event of wine, beer and authentic tastes of France from the regions of Brittany, Loire Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Southwest, Provence and Rhone Valley.  A variety of traditional French desserts will also be featured along with live music.  Guests will be greeted with small bouquets of fragrant Lily of the Valley – a token of love and friendship in France – exchanged traditionally on May 1st.  Tickets can be purchased at the event starting at $20, for four items to be redeemed at food and wine stations set up throughout the courtyard. For further information please call Café du Parc at 202-442-7000.  

6^th Annual National Harbor Wine and Food Festival – Mark your calendars for the 6^th Annual National Harbor Wine and Food Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 4^th and Sunday, May 5^th from 12 noon to 6pm.  The Festival brings together award winning celebrity chefs, artisanal craftsmen, culinary pioneers, smooth jazz, family fun as well as wine and spirits from around the world.  Special features include a Cinco De Mayo Pavilion featuring Hornitos tequila, Special craft beer tasting Bier Garten experience, Whiskey and Bourbon Tasting Experience in a relaxed setting - paired with hand rolled cigars, and three stages of live music and smooth jazz.  Tickets are on sale now and range from a Grand Cru Two-Day All Access Pass at $169 per person, VIP Saturday or Sunday $89, to a General Admission One Day Pass for $39 in advance/$48 onsite and a $30 designated driver ticket in advance.  To purchase tickets and view schedule, visit www.wineandfoodnh.com or call (800) 830-3976.

The Trust for the National Mall will host the 5^th Anniversary Ball on the Mall on May 4, from 6-11:30 pm on the National Mall at Madison Drive and 13^th Street, NW. The annual Ball on the Mall is a signature fundraising event for the Trust for the National Mall, the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to raising awareness of and funds for the restoration and improvement of the National Mall. Nearly 1,000 guests are expected to attend this year’s Ball – the only black-tie event held on the grounds of the National Mall. A VIP reception from 6-8 pm, featuring celebrity chef stations, will kick off the Ball, which follows with dancing, food and an open bar from 8-11:30 pm.  To get further information or to purchase tickets for the Ball on the Mall visit: http://nationalmall.org/ball or call 202-688-3759.

On Saturday, May 4, Mark Bittman will present his health history and transformation as an example of why people should Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health…For Good, the premise of his new book. The bestselling author and New York Times columnist presents a straightforward way to take meat out of your diet as much as you feel comfortable, with all the health benefits, and none of the suffering.

May 16^th …Wine lovers alert! Jaleo will host a series of exclusive wine dinners, which will showcase Spain’s brilliant wines. Commencing with the legendary García Family from Spain’s Ribera del Duero region on May 16^th from 7pm to 9pm at the DC location.  The event is priced at $95 exclusive of tax and gratuity. Future wine dinners will be posted on Jaleo’s website.