Last winter, four co-workers canceled on me for Restaurant Week lunch in the course of one morning. Instead of moping and microwaving some soup, I headed to TenPenh’s bar, just steps from my office, for lunch on my own. This Restaurant Week, I’ve reveled in the art of solo midday meals. Reservations, coordination, and flaky friends are not needed. Free seats at the bar are almost always plentiful, though last week, I could have also…

Rain or shine, this weekend brings opportunities to eat and drink aplenty, particularly if you’re planning on hanging out in the ‘burbs. Taste of Bethesda On Saturday from 11-4 along Norfolk, St. Elmo, Cordell, Del Ray, and Auburn Avenues, sample eats from 50 restaurants around Bethesda. Four tickets are $5. Jason Storch on DC Foodies says it’s a “time when hundreds flock to the streets of Bethesda to sample treats from the local restaurants…

NoVa Empire Expands The owners of Tallula, Vermillion, Planet Wine Evening Star Café in Arlington, Old Town, and Del Ray are expanding yet again. Rustico Restaurant, tucked away on Slater Avenue in Alexandria opens this weekend, and it looks like it might itch your scratch for great beer. With over 250 bottle and can selections, and an impressive draft list of 30 assorted beers, you will get all the malt-hops-yeast punch you could want. A…