Happy fall, ya’ll. Save the pumpkin spice because we’ve got you covered with a bevy of events in the coming week, most of which raise money for charity.
Where’s your poker face?
Chicken + Whiskey has teamed up with Chance for Life to throw a charity poker run in support of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Expect bar games galore Sunday at several hotspots along the U Street Corridor: Service Bar, Fainting Goat, Compass Rose, Black Jack, and the rooftop at Colada Shop, all of which will have drink specials for the event. You’ll complete a total of five challenges to score a playing card for your poker hand, and once you’ve got all your cards, you’ll turn them in at Chicken + Whiskey, where there will be a party and raffle waiting. Top prizes for the winning hand include a trip to Los Angeles, and suite-level tickets for an Oct. 20 football game at FedEx Field. (Meet at Chicken + Whiskey, 1738 14th Street NW, for the kickoff and registration, Sunday, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., $38)
A special Stellina Pizzeria pizza for charity
Pay homage to National Pizza Month at newly Bib Gourmand-named Stellina Pizzeria. Chef and co-owner Matteo Venini has put together a limited-edition Nocina pie topped with fior di latte, pecorino crema, fennel sausage, mixed mushrooms, and fresh black truffle. The pizza is available throughout October; a portion of its proceeds support the March of Dimes for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. (399 Morse St. NE, throughout October, $21)
That’s just how José Andrés rolls
Luke’s Lobster has invited humanitarian and celebrity chef José Andrés to create his version of the restaurant’s signature lobster roll for its 10th anniversary. His roll includes piparra peppers and aioli with smoked Spanish paprika, and you’ll find it at all three of Luke’s D.C. locations and its lone Bethesda one now through the end of October. A buck from each sale goes back to Andrés World Central Kitchen. (Multiple locations, throughout October, $19)
Two years in at Kith/Kin
Kwame Onwuachi, the James Beard Award-winning chef who helms the kitchen at Kith/Kin, celebrates the Afro-Caribbean restaurant’s second anniversary Tuesday by converting it into a West African-inspired night market to support No Kid Hungry. During the night, Onwuachi, along with nine other noted chefs, offer their takes on spicy goat, jollof rice, banana bourbon, and other diverse dishes. Drinks from mixologist Sunny Seng will be available for purchase and you’ll groove to the sounds of Afro-Soul, African drums and beyond. Vendors including Calabash Tea & Tonic will also make an appearance. (801 Wharf St SW, Tuesday, 8 p.m.-midnight, $75)
Shuck oysters, fight breast cancer
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Seafood Month, so the Oceanaire Seafood Room honors both occasions by serving up Pink Ribbon Oysters. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from these special oysters sourced from the Long Island Sound support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. (1201 F St NW, starts Oct. 1, oysters $4.50 each)
Wine and spirits at Union Market
Meet more than 50 vendors and learn about the booze they make Saturday for the fourth-annual Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival, an all-day event in Union Market’s Dock 5. Come thirsty, because you’ll get to sample wines, spirits, beers, beverage mixers, and food at this festival that also draws artisan goods producers. The festival’s goal is fostering a movement that offers widespread support of brands owned by people of color. (1309 5th St NE, Saturday, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. $55 a person or $425 for a group of 10)
Oktoberfest on a roof
Head over to The Rooftop at The Graham Georgetown now through Oct. 4 for a limited-edition Oktoberfest menu where you can munch on a warm Bavarian pretzel featuring Swiss beer dip and beer mustard ($14), an Oktoberfest platter highlighting locally sourced half-smoke sausage, Kielbasa, and bratwurst ($22) and an opportunity to wash it all down with Devils Backbone O’fest ($8). (1075 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-midnight, Friday 4 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturday noon-2 p.m., Sunday noon-midnight, a la carte)
