What's Happening In Washington, DC: August 17, 2015

If you aren't inclined to join the throngs for Summer Restaurant Week—pas de panique—there are plenty of other tasty events you can attend that are an alternative to the hustle and bustle of D.C.'s restaurant mania. Imbibe well and support your local brewers, dine at one fast-casual eatery and get a free gift card for another, get your Tex-Mex fix and enjoy green chiles while they're at their peak, and sign up for a cheese class from a real pro.

27th Annual Green Chili Festival at Chuy's
August 17 is the date they celebrate the green chili harvest in Hatch, New Mexico, and Chuy's, the DMV's temple to Austin-style Tex-Mex, is joining the party. From Monday, August 17 to Sunday, September 6, at the Springfield and Fairfax locations, Chuy's will give guests an all-access pass to their music festival-themed special menu. This year's menu features six new dishes that make green chilies the star like pork tamales, bacon wrapped pork rellenos, and veggie fajitas. To quench your thirst, there are frozen watermelon margaritas, a spicy cucumber Texas martini, and a New Mexican martini made with green chile-infused tequila.

DC Brau Dinner at Pinstripes
Hipsters, beer-lovers, hopheads, and food-lovers can all share a fabulous beer dinner on Thursday, August 20 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Pinstripes, in Georgetown. This four-course dinner celebrates DC Brau's brews and highlights spicy, savory, smoky, crispy dishes prepared by Pinstripes' chefs. On the menu, you'll find crispy Asian pork lumpia served with Citizen Pale Ale; duck confit paired with Corruption India Pale Ale; a smokehouse platter that includes smoked chicken lollipops, beef rillette, and kielbasa served with Penn Quarter Porter; and a tangy, salty/sweet dessert combination of butter and beer braised candied lobster medallions with El Hefe German Wheat. Tickets are $45 per person.

Sophie's Cheese Table to Debut at Blue Duck Tavern
If you're a cheese lover, mark your calendar for Thursday, September 10. Sophie's Cheese Table debuts that day at the Blue Duck Tavern, and this interactive cheese tour is a private class with just eight guests led by Cheese Specialist Sophie Slesinger. Each class is $65 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), and includes three pre-selected American farmstead cheeses along with a charcuterie course and three drink pairings. Sophie is a friendly expert and as she easily guides you through each tasting you will learn the origins of each cheese as it is paired with wine or beer and served with house made jellies, marmalades, dried fruit, pickles, and quince paste. For reservations or additional information, contact Marvina Tribbey-Williams.

Try a ShopHouse Favorite Bowl and Get FREE Food from Chipotle
If you're in the mood for the flavors of Thailand and Vietnam, head to ShopHouse because Tuesday, August 18 ONLY, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. they are giving away FREE gift cards you can use at any DMV Chipotle until Monday, August 31. To receive the card, just purchase a ShopHouse Favorite bowl and you receive a card you can use for a free burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos.

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.