What's Happening In Washington, DC: Anniversary Galas, Whisky Parties, And Purim Celebrations

Summer Whitford|March 2, 2015 1:59 pm EST

Brewer's Ball DC 2015
On Saturday, March 7, from 7 p.m. to midnight, the matchboxfoodgroup is hosting the tenth-annual DC Brewer's Ball at The National Building Museum. It's a culinary extravaganza designed to raise funds for the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Tickets are $135 each and include full access to tasting stations featuring more than 30 regional craft beers like DC Brau, Heavy Seas, and District Chophouse & Brewery; handmade beer cocktails from the Cocktail Guru; wine from Total Wine & More; and fantastic food designed to go with all the fun drinks from more than 20 local restaurants like Charlie Palmer Steak, Hanks Oyster Bar, and Matchbox. While you sample all the food and drink, you can place bids on hundreds of silent auction items like trips, beer gifts, and unique experiences. The band the V.I.P.s will perform live so you can drink, dine, and dance until midnight.

G by Mike Isabella
If you love to cook and want to learn more about Japanese food, sign up for chef Jonah Kim's demonstration cooking class on how to prepare dashi, the kinpira cooking technique, and how to prepare a steamed egg custard. Chef Kim is the chef at Yona, the new Korean-Japanese noodle bar and small plates restaurant set to open in Ballston this summer. This class is part of chef Mike Isabella's monthly cooking class series conducted in the kitchens at G by Mike Isabella. The classes are designed to let chefs from his various restaurants offer instruction on their favorite dishes, cuisines, and cooking techniques. Chef Kim's class will be held on Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10 and a spot costs $79 per person. Future classes include:

April – George Pagonis of Kapnos and Kapnos Taverna with Greek Easter classics
May – Adam Howard and Taha Ismail of Pepita show off taco and margarita techniques

Italian-Argentinean Dinner
Argentina has had an intimate connection to Italy since the nineteenth century when Italians immigrated to Argentina to escape poverty. When they arrived, they brought with them their distinct language, culture, and cooking traditions. On March 10, Del Campo will host a collaborative dinner with chef Victor Albisu and Amy Brandwein, chef and owner of the soon-to-open Italian restaurant and market Centrolina. During the dinner, both chefs will discuss the historic and culinary bonds that link these two countries and cuisines. The menu will include classic Argentine chorizo and highlight the Italian-Argentine marriage in dishes like eggplant scapece, veal carpaccio, bistecca Fiorentina, and salsicetta luganega. The price is $75 per person and includes dinner, a welcome cocktail, tax, and tip. To make reservations call (202) 289-7377.

Star and Shamrock's "Purim Party" aka "Jewish St. Patrick's Day"
On Wednesday, March 4, from 7:00 to 11:59 p.m. Star and Shamrock, DC's only Irish bar-Jewish deli hybrid is celebrating the happy Jewish holiday of Purim that is part of their month-long Spring Shenanigans Simcha and includes parties for St. Patrick's Day, Passover, March Madness, and their fifth anniversary. The tavern's owners jokingly refer to Purim as "the Jewish St. Patrick's Day" because the Talmud instructs Jewish people to observe the holiday by "drinking and rejoicing." The Star and Shamrock's Purim party includes live performances from the Klezmer band Klezcentricity; a He'Brew tap takeover by Shmaltz Brewing Company; $5 craft cocktail specials; riffs on classic Purim dishes; and a "Battle of the Briskets" between the tavern's signature house-cured Irish Corned Beef against their unique Jewish-style slow roasted batamte brisket served with braised cabbage and a savory, handmade knish. Another Purim tradition that's part of the evening's festivities is a costume contest—no theme—just get creative and compete for prizes. See you there at 7 p.m. when all the fun begins.

Veuve Clicquot Winemaker Dinner
Few names are as well known in Champagne as Veuve Clicquot. Learn about the intricacies of Champagne as it's made at Veuve Clicquot from their celebrated winemaker Cyril Brun on Wednesday, March 4 from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Monsieur Brun will discuss the art of Champagne and you will discover the secrets of this 200-year-old process while dining at Poste Moderne Brasserie. For $95 per person excluding tax and gratuity, the evening includes a special four-course tasting menu prepared by chef Kyoo Eom paired with Veuve Clicquot selections including the vintage and Grand Dame rosés, both from 2004. To make reservations call (202) 783-6060.

Whisky Live
For the first time, Whisky Live is coming to D.C. On Saturday, March 7, from 6 to 10 p.m., Whisky Live celebrates whiskies from around the world centered on special events that include fantastic food combined with edutaining tasting experiences. The event is being hosted at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in D.C., and VIP tickets are $132 per person and include a souvenir Glencairn tasting glass, a dinner buffet, and live entertainment. The hotel is offering special room rates of $119 per night to keep people from drinking and driving. Buy your tickets online now.

Summer Whitford is the D.C. City Guide Editor at The Daily Meal and the DC Wine Examiner. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva.