Spend the week ahead learning about (and drinking) absinthe or rum, or grab a sneak peek at an anticipated modern Mexican restaurant.

The playful, new addition to Blagden Alley brings adult juice boxes and Philly style tomato pie.

The return of the Virginia Festival of Wines, the introduction of a lunch time happy hour with a spectacular view, and a grand celebration of pan-Asian culture at the Smithsonian means booze are are in the cards for this week in D.C. Here are our dining picks for the week.