This week’s food and drink events include multiple ways to enjoy the outdoors, from patio paella to a food truck festival and rosé on the roof. There’s also a showcase of Northeast D.C. restaurants and the upcoming return of Dine-N-Dash.
Paella on the patio
Gather around the Fairmont Washington D.C.’s giant outdoor pan for a helping of Spanish paella each Wednesday in June. The traditional dish is packed with shrimp, chicken, mussels, and spices. It’s served along sides like gazpacho, manchego cheese, olives, flan, and other Spanish appetizers. Enjoy it along with Flamenco music and speciality pricing on glasses of red and wine sangria. (Fairmont Washington D.C., Wednesday from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., $10 and up).
The best of North Capitol
Enjoy unlimited food and drink from Anxo, Wicked Bloom, DCity Smokehouse and other area restaurants at the third annual Taste of North Capitol at the NPR Building. Guests can expect swag, raffles, and other giveaways. D.C. reggae band The Archives and Puma Ptah of Thievery Corporation are set to perform. (NPR, Thursday from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $40-$55)
Truckeroo
Hang at The Bullpen without the swell of baseball crowds at Friday’s edition of the semiregular food truck meetup Truckeroo. Eat, drink, and play games while browsing more than a dozen vendors, including Vietnamese from Pho Wheels, comfort food at Due South and DC Slices, and splurge-worthy seafood at Red Hook Lobster Pound. (1201 Half St. SE, Friday from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., a la carte)
Local cider launch
Spend the weekend crushing cold ciders from Alexandria’s brand-new cidery Lost Boy Cider. The grand opening celebration will feature fresh cider, food trucks, and merchandise for sale. (317 Hoofs Run Drive, Alexandria, Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m.-9 p.m., a la carte)
Rosé on the roof
Say “cheers” to National Rosé Day on Saturday with a glass of pink wine and a rosé popsicle at the Watergate’s Top of the Gate bar. There will be a full food menu too for those who want to settle in with some charcuterie, tuna tartare, hummus, or other snacks. The setting also boasts panoramic views of Georgetown, Rosslyn, and the Potomac River. (Watergate Hotel, Saturday, $20 for wine and a boozy freeze pop.)
Come hungry for crawfish
Bar Elena is teaming up with Port City Brewing for a tap takeover and all-you-can-eat crawfish boil this weekend. Reservations also come with potatoes, corn, hushpuppies, and two drink tickets for a featured Port City beer, wine or cocktail. The regular menu will also be available throughout the afternoon. (Bar Elena, Saturday from 2 p.m.-7 p.m., $45)
Paradiso Hyattsville spring beer festival
Pizza, beer, and a live DJ are all part of Saturday’s spring festival at Pizzeria Paradiso in Hyattsville. Along with Maryland and Virginia brews on hand, the bar is also promising beer slushies. Nonprofit partner ArtWorksNow will lead art classes for children ages 4 to 8. Advanced tickets are available and include either unlimited pours or a 6 oz pour to start. (Pizzeria Paradiso Hyattsville, Saturday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m., $10-$50)
Sidewalk spritzes for Pride
Underground bar Destination Wedding is coming aboveground this Saturday for a special spritz pop-up for pride weekend. Take in the parade route while sipping on drinks like the frozen “Fraperol Spritz” with Aperol, white wine, St. Germain, and the French liqueur Suze. Birds Eye and Doi Moi will offer up snacks like wok-fried cashews until 3 p.m., and the basement bar will offer a full menu for anyone needing to cool off. (Sidewalk outside Doi Moi, Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., a la carte)
Date night pizza
Monday nights are made for two at Matchbox. Couples (or just a pair of friends) can stop by any area location on Mondays for a large pizza (half-and-half toppings are an option) a bottle of select wine and a shareable dessert. (Multiple locations, Mondays from 3 p.m.-close, $48)
Dine-N-Dash Returns
Tickets are still on sale for next week’s Dine-N-Dash, a partnership with 30 D.C. restaurants, chef José Andrés, and World Central Kitchen. The culinary crawl is centered around three neighborhoods: 14th St., Penn Quarter, and The Wharf. Participating restaurants will offer a variety of food and drinks, and free shuttle buses will run between locations throughout the evening. VIPs can attend a pre-reception and after party with Andrés and other notable chefs. (Multiple locations, Wednesday June 12 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m., $150-$400).
