Spring weather is finally expected to hit this week, so plan to enjoy a luxe dinner inspired by the cherry blossoms, support local restaurants raising money for important causes, or “get crazy” with cocktails inspired by Jordan Peele’s hit movie Us.
Doing good while dining out
More than 75 restaurants and bars in the D.C. metro area join forces Thursday as part of Dining Out For Life to support people living with critical illnesses in our region. Participating restaurants are all donating a portion of that day’s sales to Food & Friends, an organization offering fresh, nutritious home-delivered meals to adults, families and children fighting HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses. Use this list to see the restaurants and bars are donating proceeds, including Comet Ping Pong, Compass Rose, Purple Patch, Cactus Cantina, and Beau Thai. Can’t make it out that day? You can donate to the cause here or support a volunteer host here.
A Taste of the Tethered
Just blocks away from Howard University, which figures pretty prominently in Us, you can enjoy five cocktails at Landmark Atlantic Plumbing Cinema that are inspired by Jordan Peele’s movie and curated by bar manager Aysha Scott. Three drinks are named after quotes uttered by Gabe Wilson, Winston Duke’s Howard-sweatshirt wearing character: Wanna Get Crazy, We Can Get Crazy, and That’s a Classic. Naturally there’s a Vodka O’Clock and a Red-Eyed Rabbit. Just leave the scissors at home. (Landmark’s Atlantic Plumbing Cinema, cocktails $16 and $18; available through the run of the movie)
Putting that Marvel knowledge to the test
Brush up on the Avengers: Infinity War before duking it out for a Marvel-themed trivia night that Penn Social’s throwing Wednesday in collaboration with Awesome Con and District Trivia. The questions and bonus rounds are Marvel Cinematic Universe-centered and there’s a large cash prize for the winning team. A selection of “Captain Marvel-ous Cocktails,” includes the Delicate Hulk (cucumber and mint Ketel with lime and soda), the Rose Hill (grapefruit and rose Ketel with soda) and the Soul Stone (orange and peach Ketel with orange juice and soda). Good luck! (Penn Social, 7 p.m., tickets $20, cocktails $7)
Wine with Amy Brandwein
Hit up Centrolina on Tuesday for a MacRosti Wine tasting event hosted by Centrolina chef and owner Amy Brandwein—it’ll pair wine with small bites from the kitchen. The event is part of the James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch program—Brandwein is a Smart Catch ambassador and a three-time James Beard Foundation finalist in the best chef: Mid-Atlantic category for 2017, 2018 and now, 2019. Guests can chat with winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen and sample four wines: Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Wildcat Mountain Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Thales Vineyard Pinot Noir. Every bottle you buy helps support seafood sustainability. (Centrolina, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., tickets $35)
Cocktailing goes international
Head over to barmini Tuesday to sip signature cocktails from Giacomo Giannotti of the acclaimed Paradiso bar in Barcelona, Spain—World’s 50 Best Bars added Paradiso to its annual list last year. Giannotti joins the barmini team for one night to mix several drinks, including his SuperCool Martini, made with Mancino vermouth, Citadelle gin, and a mix of mustard-infused Mancino vermouth and frozen redistilled gin. (barmini by José Andrés, 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m., tickets $150 per person)
DBGB’s sumptuous take on the Cherry Blossom Festival
For the people who can’t get enough of the Cherry Blossom Festival, DBGB Kitchen and Bar celebrates D.C.’s annual rite of passage with a spring festival dinner on Friday. Chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud tag teams with executive chef Nicholas Tang on four-course prix-fixe menu with paired wines. Boulud culled the lineup—which includes tuna tartare, five pea soup and Canard Montgomery with spiced duck—from Restaurant Daniel’s spring opening menu in 1993. Jeremy Halker, DBGB’s sommelier, curated the wines you’ll drink with each course. (DBGB, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., tickets $148; tax and gratuity not included)
Cheers to Marvin Gaye
Did you miss Marvin Gaye’s 80th birthday on Tuesday? No worries, there’s a cocktail for that, too. Marvin restaurant developed the “I Want You” cocktail especially for the late D.C. native that’s made with Tito’s vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters. It’s only available through Friday. (Marvin, NW; $7)
Get a sneak peek at D.C.’s forthcoming restaurants
New Kitchens on the Block, the annual festival of food and drink from soon-to-open District restaurants, will have its fifth event on Sunday. The always-popular event just released a new batch of tickets: Snag one for your chance to taste seasonal fare from Emilie’s, Latin cocktails and wine from Dos Mamis, seafood from Dauphine’s, and more. (Mess Hall, Sunday, noon-2 p.m. or 3 p.m.-5 p.m., tickets $75-$135)
