As the calendar turns to summer, D.C. bars and restaurants are preparing their patios for seafood, beer, boozy drinks, and other refreshing programming. This week features a new destination for Indian food, a local cider collaboration, blocks of barbecue downtown, and more.
Indian spice on Barracks Row
Daily lunch specials, a kids menu, and weekend brunch are part of the opening menu at Bombay Street Food 2 on Barracks Row. There are also a couple of new tongue-tingling dishes, including Spicy Monsoon Wedding, a choice of chicken, lamb or goat with black peppercorns, red chili, coriander seeds. Favorites from the restaurant’s Columbia Heights space round out the options, from tandoori chicken wings to spicy vegetarian vada pav potato patties. Service is expected to start this Friday. (524 8th St. SE, opening Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.)
New England shrimp boil
The Eleanor is throwing itself a first anniversary party this Saturday with a New England theme. Rhode Island’s Narragansett Beer will pour pitchers of its Fresh Catch dry-hopped lager all afternoon to go along with boiled shrimp and unlimited game play. (100 Florida Ave. NE, Saturday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., $45)
Rum-aged cider party at Cotton and Reed with Supreme Core
The latest limited release from Cotton & Reed distillery launches this weekend: a rum barrel-aged cider in collaboration with Supreme Core. Try the product on its own or in a cocktail, along with the bar’s standard selection of dry and spiced rums. (1330 5th St. NE, Friday, 9 p.m., a la carte)
Filipino food on The Wharf
Immerse yourself in the culture of the Philippines during Saturday’s food festival along The Wharf. Along with tasting portions of food, the family-friendly afternoon will be full of performances, giveaways, music, and activities. Featured restaurants include Kaliwa, Purple Patch, Tiger Fork, and others. (101 District Sq. SW, Saturday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., ticket packs $11-$44)
Annual barbecue battle
Summer’s yearly Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle heads back to Pennsylvania this weekend to benefit the metro region USO and Capital Area Food Bank. Tickets include tons of food samples—both the BBQ in competition from national restaurants, and from major food brands—demonstrations, and live music from Spin Doctors, Thievery Corporation, and other bands. Check the program online for full details and to plan a visit, and order tickets online. (Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd and 7th, Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., $12 and up)
Farmers market cooking class
Making sense of the farmers market can be overwhelming, especially as the season’s bounty of produce grows. To help guide the way, BLT Steak chef Michael Bonk will lead a workshop on navigating the flagship Dupont Circle Farmers Market. The afternoon session will include tips and a three-course lunch with wine. (1625 I St. NW, Saturday, 12 p.m.-3 p.m., $128)
Win some free cookie dough
The Dough Jar, Georgetown’s home for edible cookie dough, is bringing out a prize wheel all weekend, in honor of National Cookie Dough Day, giving away discounts and other prizes to customers. Flavors include classic chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, fudge brownie and other gooey, sweet varieties. (1332 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Friday-Sunday, free entry)
Hot dogs, whiskey, and cake
Pop in Friday night to celebrate the Dew Drop Inn’s fourth birthday in Brookland. The low-key neighborhood bar will start happy hour at 3 p.m. and run it all night. There’s also free hot dogs and a whiskey fountain while it lasts. Entry is free and there’ll be both a live band and DJ. (2801 8th St. NE, Saturday, 3 p.m.-3 a.m., free entry).
Summer seafood on the patio
Asian-influenced monthly seafood parties have returned at Momofuku CCDC, featuring cooking from chef Tae Strain along with guest chefs from American Son, Chiko, Doi Moi, and The Salt Line. Each feast will have a rotating menu of seafood (mussels, shrimp, lobster, etc) priced at $15 to $21 per pound, along with sides and sauces. Wash them down with beer towers or a boozy slushie or two. The patio tables are first come, first served. (1090 I St. NW, Sunday, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., a la carte)
Meet your (cocktail) maker
U Street speakeasy The Gibson is providing the backdrop for the first of three Beyond the Bar galleries and pop-ups, a cocktail and art event highlighting diversity in D.C. bartending. Expect to see Denaya Jones of Homestead DC and Michael Holiday of 600 T creating cocktails and mocktails sponsored by Appleton and Campari. Admission includes one drink and go toward funding this year’s Chocolate City’s Best bartending competition. (2009 14th St. NW, Monday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $20)
This post has been updated with an updated menu for the seafood party at Momofuku CCDC, to correct where the BLT Steak cooking class will take place, and to correct the date for the Dew Drop Inn party.
