St. Anselm’s Independence Day block party
The “not-a-steakhouse” tavern at St. Anselm is known for its grill work, so safe to say it’s a good bet for Fourth of July noshing. The restaurant will throw an all-day party on Thursday with fried chicken sandwiches, grilled hot dogs, oysters, biscuits, watermelon salad, and more. Look forward to some swag and deals on beer and wine as well. Full dinner service will be available at 4 p.m. (1250 5th St. NE, Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., a la carte)
Chill cocktails by the Convention Center
Morris American Bar goes classy on the inside, rotating a menu of both classic and original craft cocktails. For a more laid-back experience, grab a seat on its summer patio. Beverage director Doug Fisher has created a new garden-inspired drink list that uses herbs from his on-site planters. Choices range from an easy drinking rum and cola to spritz variations and a tropical Mai Tai with Jamaican rum and homemade orgeat. The bar is also stocking canned local beers and wines. All cocktails are half off during weekday happy hour from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. (1020 7th St. NW, 5 p.m. to close daily, $12 each)
Paradiso gets hoppy
July is the time of year when Pizzeria Paradiso rolls out all that’s dank, bitter, and juicy in beer. Beverage director Drew McCormick has selected more than 70 drafts from across America, including the winner from its homebrew contest, for the menu at D.C. and Maryland locations. Beers can be paired with the restaurants’ rotating menu of U.S.-inspired pizzas, like the Oregon pizza with basil, ricotta, prosciutto, and roasted apricots. (Multiple locations, through July 14)
Adult summer camp fun
This weekend, City Tap Dupont is embracing everything that makes summer enjoyable for a grown-up summer camp. Think grilled trout and chili cheese dogs on the grill and cornhole and beer pong on the patio. Peach sangria (the “One Time at Band Camp”) and watermelon margaritas (the “Adult Camp Counselor”) will be $8 a glass, and there will also be arts and crafts, live music on Friday and karaoke on Saturday. The bar’s special version of the camp on Thursday features a tie-dying event with Lagunitas Brewing for $40 a pop. (1250 Connecticut Ave. NW, Saturday and Sunday, a la carte)
Sip (and spill) the tea
This Sunday continues the current season of the Ladies Tea Series, an afternoon providing a safe space for queer women to meet and socialize. This month’s event will be held at Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle and proceeds will benefit SAGE, a group that advocates for LGBT elders. Food and drink specials will run throughout the event. (1624 Q St. NW, Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., free entry, 21+).
Vim and Victor chef dinner and BBQ
Local celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn is readying for his next guest chef dinner at Vim & Victor, his restaurant inside the St. James sports complex in Virginia. Sunday, he’ll welcome Matt Hill, executive chef of The Liberty Tavern Group. Hill will cook up a barbecue feast with sides and a food-inspired cocktail. The event is family-friendly and tickets are available online. (6805 Industrial Rd., Springfield, Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., $53.50)
Get a taste of West African cooking
Saturday is the 2019 edition of the Jollof Festival, an afternoon of eating inspired by the classic West African rice dish. Participants can taste their way around the entries and help vote for the winner. The event will be held at the University of the District of Columbia in Van Ness. Tickets and tasting passes are available online. (4200 Connecticut Ave. NW, Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., $20-$90)
Celebrating all things ceviche
More than 10 refreshing, light seafood ceviches are on the menu this month as part of China Chilcano’s showcase of the favorite Peruvian dish. Stop by during dinner hours for ceviche de carretilla with octopus, conch, razor clams, and fish paired with aji amarillo leche de tigre. Or go straight up with fish an order up the ceviche palteado, mixed with hamachi, avocado leche de tigre, and heirloom tomatoes. (418 7th St. NW, through July 28, $16-$18)
A special on steak and seafood for two
The high-end downtown restaurant Oceanaire Seafood Room is offering a three-course deal on dinner with wine. Options include clam chowder or spicy firecracker shrimp, black and bleu cheese beef tenderloin, cheesecake, and more. A bottle of white or red house wine is included. (1201 F St. NW, through July 8, $70)
Get happy with fried chicken and bubbles
It’s not too early to reserve a spot for what’s sure to be a popular evening of fried chicken and Champagne at Central next Thursday. The bar will be pouring bottomless Veuve Clicquot while the kitchen fries up chicken nuggets. The event is scheduled for the patio, weather permitting. Tickets are available by calling the restaurant. (1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Thursday July 11 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $35.)
