What's Happening In Washington, DC: February 8, 2016

This week you can party on Fat Tuesday, drink sexy drinks for Valentine's Day, and avoid Chinese New Year humdrum by going to the Mandarin Oriental. The former is an all-you-can-eat doughnut party that lasts for just two hours and involves wolfing down warm, just glazed goodies, while the latter is a cocktail party at Union Market with an entire month of Chinese New Year fun at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Sounds like a pretty good lineup for a month packed with holidays.

All You Can Eat Doughnuts at District Doughnut

Tuesday, February 9, head to District Doughnut and celebrate Mardi Gras by diving into a doughnut frenzy that includes all-you-can-eat doughnuts for $10 in a range of flavors decorated with King Cake sprinkles. Chef Christine will be glazing the warm treats during special evening hours from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; just be sure to make a reservation or they might sell out.

Lovers Delight Cocktails at Buffalo & Bergen

D.C. cocktail maven, Gina Chersevani has concocted some sensuous sippers for the days leading up to Valentine's Day and she's host the fun at Buffalo & Bergen. Head over there each night beginning Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14 between 5:00-9:00 p.m. each evening and enjoy four cocktails for $40 dollars that include Someday, made with Champagne, gin, and persimmon Asian shrub; A Soulful Kiss with Overproof whiskey, house-made amaro, and bittered salt; What Came First prepared with Mezcal, candied grapefruit, and pink love; and Lover's Delight made with Cognac, smoked lemon, and burnt Tahitian demerara. Seating is extremely limited and reservations are required. Reserve your seats by calling (202) 543-2549 or via email. Please include the number of guests in your party and your preferred time slot.

Chinese New Year at the Mandarin Hotel

Don't miss the Chinese New Year celebrations being held at several spots at the Mandarin Hotel. On Thursday, February 11, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. the hotel will host a free party that includes the classic, brightly colored lion dance, live drums, symbols, and gongs, ribbon dancers, and complimentary Asian-inspired canapés, and tea.

Year of the Monkey Afternoon Tea and Cocktails

The entire month of February, Friday through Sunday, guests can enjoy a special Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea served in the Empress Lounge. The menu will feature creative three-tiered displays of sweet and savory treats paired with a selection of freshly brewed loose-leaf teas. Look for exquisite dishes like roasted duck wontons, curried shrimp salad on miso brioche, bbq pork buns and more. Guests can also enjoy special Year of the Monkey cocktails such as The Monkey Gland made with gin, fresh orange juice, and Kübler Absinthe as well as the Spiked Iced Soy Chai Tea with honey and spiced rum.

Chinese New Year Dining  

Throughout the month of February, everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Muze and Empress Lounge will serve inventive dim sum offerings such as foie gras pot stickers and siew mai with black truffle. In addition, both outlets will serve special savory selections for lunch and dinner that include stir-fried Maine lobster, kurobuta pork buns with black bean sauce and crispy shallots, and herbal chicken soup with ginseng and wolfberries. Also in February, guests born in the year of the Monkey, (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) will receive a complimentary dinner at Muze, which is usually a $45 dollar value inclusive of tax and service but not alcohol. To make a reservation, please call (202) 787 6148.

Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor and a food, drink and travel writer at The Daily Meal. In addition to lifestyle topics, Summer also writes about culture and the arts at Woman Around Town. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva and on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva.