This week in food events offers some easy ways to snag food and drink on the cheap, including an avocado toast giveaway and an extended run of restaurant week.
An extra helping of Restaurant Week
Deal-seeking Washingtonians can take advantage of another week of $22 brunches and lunches and $35 dinners at nearly 200 area restaurants. It’s not uncommon for individual restaurants to continue restaurant week for an extra few days or weeks, but the ongoing shutdown has triggered an official extension for first time in the promotion’s 18-year history. Check online to make reservations and view the full list of participants. (Multiple locations, through January 27, $22 and up)
Party with Patagonia
Baked & Wired and Right Proper Brewing Company are among the local vendors that will celebrate the opening of Patagonia’s Georgetown store on Thursday. Layer up in colorful fleece and flannel while enjoying food and drink samples. The event is free and donations will be collected for the Potomac Conservancy. (3104 M St. NW, Thursday at 6 p.m., free with donations accepted)
Furlough pizza and beer relief
Furloughed employees who show a valid government ID can head down to the Player’s Club arcade on Friday afternoon for free Timber Pizza and beer from Stella Artois. There will also be complimentary billiards, Skee-ball, foosball, and classic video games. Space is limited to the first 250 guests. (1400 14th St. NW, Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., FREE)
Free avocado toast
Plant-based eatery Fruitive is now open in Dupont Circle (it’s second D.C. location) and it’ll woo millennials to the new shop with free avocado toast on Friday afternoon. The healthy snack is served on flax and spelt bread and topped with basil pesto, oregano, salt, and pepper. The giveaway starts at noon until supplies last. (1330 Connecticut Ave. NW, Friday at noon, FREE)
So long to The Sheppard
Hidden cocktail bar The Sheppard is closing its doors after five years mixing craft drinks in Dupont Circle. It’s throwing a going away party on Friday complete with small bites and an open bar. There will be three ticketed, two-hour seatings throughout the evening and a late-night standing room only session. Each admission includes access to a premium open bar. (1337 Connecticut Ave. NW, Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., $60)
Resolution breakers ball
Join Supreme Core Cidery and City Winery for an afternoon of indulgence that’s sure to derail (or at least temporarily pause) resolutions for a healthy 2019. The Resolution Breakers Ball event will include flights of wine and cider along with two different takes on macaroni and cheese. Guests can travel between both locations on a free five-minute shuttle and enjoy live music and giveaways once they arrive. Be sure to choose one of the two starting destinations when buying tickets. (2400 T St. NE and 1350 Okie St. NE, Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., $25)
Ice cream for the new year
Sweeten up 2019 with a flight of Ice Cream Jubilee flavors inspired by the upcoming lunar new year. Tastings include six mini-scoops inspired by Asian ingredients. Choices include boricha roasted barley tea, red bean almond cookie, matcha green tea, Thai iced tea, citrus Sichuan peppercorn, and a vegan coconut lychee lime sorbet. Tickets can be purchased for specific times at the Navy Yard, T Street NW, and Tysons Galleria locations. (Multiple locations, Saturday, January 26 through Tuesday, February 5, $16)
Bourbon and baseball vibes
Baseball won’t be back in D.C. for a couple months, so take advantage of the offseason with a special bourbon dinner hosted inside the Nationals clubhouse. The four-course menu from Washington Nationals Executive Chef Vince Navarrete will be paired with Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, George T. Stagg, and Bourbon Cream. Guests at the Wednesday evening dinner will also receive a souvenir rocks glass. (1500 S. Capitol St. NW, Wednesday at 7 p.m., $250)
