Upcoming Events: Ball on the Mall and More!

Photo by Kristen Finn

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. 

The Trust for the National Mall will host the 5th Anniversary Ball on the Mall on May 4, from 6-11:30 pm on the National Mall at Madison Drive and 13th 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.

6th Annual National Harbor Wine and Food Festival – Mark your calendars for the 6th Annual National Harbor Wine and Food Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th 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.

Grab your sunhats and bow ties and head to Jack Rose Dining Saloon on Saturday, May 4 from 4-7PM to watch the big race! The neighborhood hotspot celebrates Kentucky Derby with Kentucky-inspired drinks: Mint Juleps, Bourbon-Spiked Sweet Tea, and Bardstown Shandy beer cocktails. In addition, they will be serving complimentary southern bites (4-6PM) while guests and race fanatics enjoy the derby race on seven flat screen TVs (including three on the rooftop!!) Even better, get the day started early with the rooftop brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and stake out a prime viewing spot for the purrty horsies. For more information, visit www.jackrosediningsaloon.com or call 202-588-7388.

On Saturday, May 4th, the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace will kick-off its 2013 season.  Located at the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza at 14th Street and Park Road, NW, the Farmers' Market is open from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm with a variety of local vendors.  The cooking demonstration by Chef Vera Oye' Yaa-Anna will be held at 10:00 am.  From 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, DanceIn Time Productions Cuban Salsa School will perform and teach salsa dancing. Throughout the day's events, ZGF Architects, LLP will sponsor free bike tune-ups as a part of their Big Green Commute challenge. 

On Saturday, May 4, Mark Bittman will present his health history and transformation as an example of why people shouldEat 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. 

Masa 14 will showcase Mexico’s favorite spirit, which pairs well with the restaurant’s Latin-Asian fare.  Four flavors of margaritas will be available at Masa 14’s bar/lounge, as well as the 64-seat rooftop deck from 3 PM to Close: Masa 14 Margarita, Lychee, Strawberry and Mango.  Additionally, the restaurant will have DJs spinning on both levels on Friday, May 3^rd and Saturday, May 4^th from 10 PM to 3 AM, leading up to the festive holiday.  Then on May 5^th, multiple DJs will spin music throughout the restaurant from 12 Noon to Close.  Masa 14 is located at 1825 14^th Street, NW, 20009.  For reservations or additional information please call (202) 328-1414 or visit www.masa14.com.

El Centro D.F., located at 1819 14^th Street, NW, 20009, will also offer $5 margaritas to pair with the restaurant’s authentic Mexican comfort fare on Sunday, May 5^th.  Five flavors will be available in the Tequileria from 3 PM to Close.  Highlights include El Centro’s Classic Margarita, Strawberry, Mango, Vanilla and Spicy Mango.  Additionally, the restaurant will have DJs spinning in the Tequileria and on the Rooftop on Friday, May 3^rd and Saturday, May 4^th from 10 PM to 3 AM in preparation for the big day.  Then, on May 5^th, multiple DJs will spin music throughout the restaurant from 12 Noon to Close.  For reservations or additional information, please call (202) 328-3131 or visitwww.elcentrodf.com.

Zengo will offer two specials in addition to their regular a la carte Latin-Asian inspired menu from Friday, May 3^rd thru Sunday, May 5^th.  The CincoPlatter offers an assortment of dishes including fluke ceviche, chicken potato flautas, oaxaca and huitlacoche quesadillasserved with guacamole, salsa roja, and salsa verde for $18. The Queso Fundido, made with rajas, mushroom, flour tortillas, habanero, and apple chutney is available for $12.  Drink specials will also be available and include $5 flavored margaritas and $5 Latin beers.  Drink specials will be available throughout the restaurant from 10 PM to Close on Friday, May 3^rd and Saturday, May 4^th and from 3 PM to Close on Sunday, May 5th.  To liven up the festivities, DJs will spin music on Friday, May 3^rd and Saturday, May 4^th from 10 PM to Close and on Sunday, May 5^th from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.  For reservations or additional information please call (202) 393-2929 or visit http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengodc/index.php.

“Sommelier’s Table” at BRABO:  Enjoy an intimate evening of premium wine pairings selected by award winning sommelier Matthew Carroll at BARBO in Old Town Alexandria.  The Sommelier's Table experience is designed for the wine to take center stage with food as the compliment.  The sommelier is your host for the evening and will provide in depth tasting notes and the history of each wine.  This is a three-part series starting with Bordeaux – Red, White & Sweet, hosted on May 8 at 7:00pm.  Menu pairings will include items such as Ahi Tuna and Beet Tartar, Ginger Milk, Yuzu, Sweet Soy paired with Tours des Gendres, ‘Conte-ne Perigourdine’, Muscadelle, Bergerac, France (2010) and Olive Oil Poached Breast of Guinea Fowl, Braised Leg, Fava Beans, Natural Jus paired with Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France (1999).  Prices for the Sommelier’s Table range from $130 to $150 per person depending on the wines available.  To reserve a space, call 703-894-3440 or email Erinne.obrien@braborestaurant.com.

Chef Art Smith Cookbook Signing: On Thursday, May 9 from 5-6:30pm, celebrity chef and cookbook author Art Smith will be signing copies of his latest cookbook, Art Smith’s Healthy Comfort. The cookbook highlights recipes Chef created while on his own personal journey to health and wellness. The signing will be held at Art and Soul, his restaurant on Capitol Hill. During the signing, Art and Soul will offer happy hour specials with discounted drinks and $5 bites. Books are available for purchase at the event for $27.99.

Spring Lamb Roast: The next event in a series of intimate, family-style dinners at Art and Soul is a Spring Lamb Roast on May 11 at 7pm. The menu includes raw, cooked and marinated seasonal vegetables, a mixed grill of pastured Pennsylvania lamb, featuring roasted leg, sausage from shoulder, ribs and grilled loin, and a skillet crumb cake topped with fresh local berries and lemon thyme ice cream. The three-course meal will be accompanied by beverages from the Williamsburg Alewerks. Dinner costs $65 per person, $30 for diners 16 and younger, inclusive of tax and gratuity and reservations can be made at http://saturdaysuppers.eventbrite.com.