The Far Port of Call, part of Columbia Room’s new summer tasting menu. (Photo by Karlin Villondo Photography)
Eat and drink your way across the District this coming week with free ice cream, vacation-themed cocktails, and a paella bash.
Free ice cream!
Hit up Union Market (1309 5th St. NE) this Friday, July 13 for its 8th annual DC Scoop social from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The free, public tasting will include samples from Dolcezza, Trickling Springs Creamery, Love ‘n Faith, Ice Cream Jubilee, and more. There will be a toppings bar and a live DJ set, too. The market is now open until 10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, so attendees can stick around after for a late-night drink or bite.
Vacation cocktails, elevated
Always the cocktail innovators, Columbia Room (124 Blagden Alley NW) is drawing inspiration from beach vibes and vacation memories for its summer tasting menu. The four-course flight of drinks and small bites is priced at $85 per person and includes pairings like A Spot in the Shade (white rum, clarified watermelon, Carolina rice vinegar) paired with “jambon buerre.” There’s also an upscale riff on a wine mixer, served with funnel cakes from chef Johnny Spero. Reservations can be booked online.
Ivy City gets a wine garden
Make plans this Friday, July 13 to take in City Winery‘s (1350 Okie St. NE) new outdoor garden. The all-weather space includes multiple bars and a live music performance space. The opening party features a Friday the 13th “Funkdown” with Superflydisco. Tickets are $17. Can’t make it? The garden will host happy hour weekdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tropical drinks on the move
Mixologist Gina Chersevani (Buffalo & Bergen, Suburbia) has launched a roving cocktail truck she’s calling Wandering Oasis. The mobile bar will serve 16 oz frozen and draft drinks with boozy, tropical flair: Think margaritas, daiquiris, and crushes. It’ll be parked at the National Harbor waterfront in Maryland on Fridays from happy hour until 12 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. A few impromptu stops at Nationals Park are also in the works.
A Bastille Day picnic
Embrace all things French this Saturday at Opaline (806 15th St. NW). The recently-opened bar and bistro will celebrate Bastille Day with picnic food, Champagne, rosé, and snow cones, along with music and a caricaturist. Dig up your old beret: There will be a contest for best French attire and parasols. The festivities will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. It’s free to attend, but tickets must be reserved in advance.
A paella throwdown
Chefs from Barcelona Wine Bar (1622 14th St. NW) will go head-to-head in a paella cook-off this Tuesday, July 17. Tickets to the battle are $35 and include lots of paella and free-flowing red, white, sparkling, and rosé wine—plus the chance to choose which paella reigns supreme. Grab tickets in advance online.
BBQ and grilling week returns
The folks behind D.C.’s twice-annual Restaurant Week are kicking off BBQ and Grilling Week on Monday, July 16. More than a dozen area restaurants are expected to participate with special $11, $22 and $33 menus. Highlights include a half rack of St. Louis ribs paired with an heirloom tomato and stone fruit salad at Roofers Union, pulled mushroom and smoked brisket at Succotash in Penn Quarter, Chinese BBQ iberico ribs and smoked catfish fried rice at Chiko, and more. View the full list of businesses and menus online.
