Indulge this coming week with gin and tonic, New Orleans red beans & rice, and late-night happy hour cocktails at the Ritz.
Giving back before lunchtime
Fast-casual chain LEON opens its second D.C. location (and second U.S. outpost overall) on Wednesday near Mount Vernon Square with a special deal. If you join the chain’s LEON Lovers Club, and make a donation of $2 to Martha’s Table in D.C., the menu item of your choice is on the house. Those menu items at the healthyish, Mediterranean-inspired chain include halloumi wraps, grain bowls, veggie sandwiches, smoothies, and baked waffle fries. (655 New York Ave. NW, Wednesday, through 5 p.m.)
All around the world in five hours
Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation launch into the fourth-annual Taste of the World Festival on Saturday, an event that’ll highlight cuisine from some of the communities who’ve made their home in the District. This year’s festival serves up cuisine from Colombia, Greece, Zambia, Korea, Peru, and the Caribbean. Gorge yourself on food while enjoying traditional music and dances and checking out handmade products in a market area. (Guy Mason Recreation Center, Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. free entry)
Top of the Line
Take a brief respite from the daily grind and join the The Line for CAMP, a rooftop event series launching Sunday that’ll support various community partners through Oct. 20. Expect shareable bites like smoked rockfish croquettes and grilled spring onion skewers while you drink from a full bar with specialty cocktails. A portion of the sales from Sunday’s shindig will support D.C. Central Kitchen. Future beneficiaries at other CAMPs include City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties, Washington Performing Arts, and Mary’s Center. (The Line, Sundays 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m., tickets $35 per person, including a $5 donation)
On the road with red beans and rice
The Red Beans Roadshow’s swinging through D.C. on Tuesday. Food writer and cook Pableaux Johnson will join forces with TV personality chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery and co-host Ann Cashion at Cashion’s restaurant Johnny’s Half Shell. There, they’ll create a three-course New Orleans feast of deviled eggs, red beans and rice, cornbread, and Doberge cake (from Guas)—vegan and vegetarian options are available if you request them. Fun fact: The Camellia Brand Red Beans Johnson’s bringing with him have been around for almost 100 years and they’re on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. (Johnny’s Half Shell, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., $60, contact redbeansroadshow@gmail.com)
Summer Fridays and Saturdays at the Ritz
Join the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown on Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 28 for its recently launched late-night aprés hour to sip/eat signature cocktails like Frosé, Aperol Spritz popsicles, and a Summer Cup made with gin, ginger ale, and fresh fruit—all in the living room and terrace. If cocktails aren’t your jam, there’s always house wine for $7 and house beer for $6. (Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., cocktails $10-$13)
Gin goes global
Head over to Olivia through August for a special Gin & Tonic Bar where you’ll down six types of gin from several different countries. There’s the Wild Sardinia and Piùcinque from Italy, Hendrick’s Mid-Summer Solstice from Scotland, Gin Mare from Spain, G’Vine Floraison from France, and Barr Hill Gin from the U.S. You’ll also find tonics from Fever Tree, Fentimans, and Q. (Olivia, gin and tonics are $12, not including tax and gratuity)
