Enjoy the weather this week with a free food truck, a paella competition, and a grilled feast inspired by the Mediterranean. There’s also tacos to benefit Hurricane Dorian victims and some new noteable menus around town.
Free food truck lunch
Office and event space Convene is rolling out a food truck for the day and inviting everyone in the neighborhood for some free lunch. The truck will be parked at the intersection of 12th and G streets NW until 4 p.m. Sample menu items include a kabocha squash and tahini hummus “jubilee” and seared ahi tuna with a matcha noodle salad. (12th and G St. NW, Wednesday, through 4 p.m., FREE)
Paella festival
The Fairmont Georgetown is hosting chefs from Mola and Taberna del Alabardero on Wednesday for an outdoor paella festival. There will be live paella stations along with sangria, live flamenco dancing, and fire pits. Gazpacho, pan con tomate, manchego cheese, and other appetizers will round out the spread. Tickets can be purchased online. (2401 M St. NW, Wednesday, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., $15)
Mediterranean grill nights
Soak up the late-summer weather this Thursday with a Mediterranean buffet from Kingbird restaurant. The Watergate Hotel dining room will fire up the grill to create a spread with salads and appetizers like charcuterie and burrata and baby tomatoes followed by marinated lamb (expect smoked rib, braised shank, etc), fish, and chicken. Select beer and wine will be included in the price of the feast. (2650 Virginia Ave. NW, Thursdays through October 12, $79 plus gratuity)
Drink and feast in Italian style
Urbana is celebrating the Italian festival of San Gennaro on Thursday, honoring the patron saint of Naples. There are two options to enjoy the evening: a bottomless deal on pizza, prosecco and Peroni at the bar or a tasting menu inspired by the movie Big Night. Dishes include seafood soup, a risotto trio, doughnuts—and yes, the timpano. Reservations are recommended for the dinner. (2121 P St. NW, Thursday, 3 p.m.-10 p.m., $34 for bottomless bar fare; $65 for the Big Night menu, or a la carte)
A late-night Albi preview
End the work week with a taste of chef Michael Rafidi’s forthcoming restaurant Albi on Friday, when the chef pops up in the Chiko Capitol Hill kitchen. Come for takes on his Levantine-inspired dishes for $8 each, in addition to drink and food specials from the Chiko team. No reservations are required, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. (423 8th St. SE, Friday, 9:30 p.m.-12 a.m., a la carte)
Oktoberfest weiners
Head down to The Wharf this Saturday for the eight annual Weiner 500, a good-natured dog race benefitting the Humane Rescue Alliance. Last year featured more than 120 dogs. The event is free and will be broadcast on a 17-foot jumbotron. Cold Oktoberfest beer and food will be available for purchase. (101 District Sq. SW, Saturday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., free entry)
Amber wine afternoon
Compass Rose and Maydan are getting together on Sunday to showcase orange wines from the country of Georgia. The afternoon’s “Amber Revolution” is also a chance to meet the winemakers and learn about the region. Small bites will be provided in addition to tasting pours. Tickets are available online. (1346 Florida Ave. NW, Sunday, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., $30)
Eat tacos, support the Bahamas
All five Taco Bamba locations are plating up a limited-run Bahama Mama fried fish taco to support Hurricane Dorian victims. The island-inspired bite is stuffed with crispy fried grouper, coconut rice and peas, candied habanero peppers, and conch salad. Proceeds will go to chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen and its relief efforts. (Multiple locations, $5 per taco)
Express seafood lunch
It can be hard to make time for an out-of-office lunch during the week, let alone one at a full-service restaurant. Georgetown’s canal-side restaurant Dyllan’s Raw Bar has a new three-course weekday special with options ranging from octopus carpaccio to Thai coconut lime mussels or an 8 oz burger. Choose a scoop of ice cream or sorbet or a dessert to go. (1054 31st St. NW, weekdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $20)
Stellina brunch
Coffee-soaked brioche French toast with tiramisu cream, porchetta with fried egg, and carbonara with house-made tonnarelli pasta are among the new brunch dishes at Stellina Pizzeria in NoMa. Rather than a bottomless drink option, the restaurant is serving up bottles of Prosecco and carafes of orange juice for $35 and buckets of Leinenkugel shandy for $25. The menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays. (399 Morse St. NE, Saturday and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., $12 and up)
