What's Happening In Washington, DC: August 8, 2016
Summer in D.C. is traditionally akin to the Dead Zone with everyone escaping to far-flung beaches and cool cabins in the woods. While many do make the trek, others like staying in town when it's easier to find a parking spot, the crowds are smaller at grocery stores, and local farmers' markets display the color and texture of nature's abundance. For a blast from the past, consider paying homage to Julia Child (in time for August 15 birthday), the single most influential food person in American history, at the American History Museum. Consider noshing on wine and cheese flights while you watch the Summer Olympic Games, or head to Alexandria for Restaurant Week, it's all part of the fun this week in the DMV.
Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week August 19-28
If you love the quaint, but touristy vibe of historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, head there for summer deals during Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week. It kicks off on Friday, August 19th with the special dinner menus at 55 participating restaurants, and to view the menus or make reservations, check out the online flip-book. The pricing for this year's dinners, and a special lunch addition include:
- $35 three-course dinners for two, and in addition
- Two dozen restaurants will be offering lunch deals at $10, $15 or $20 per person
Be sure to call ahead to check on seating and menu availability and remember prices do not include drinks, tax, or gratuity.
ENO Wine Bar is Hosting Olympic Viewing Sessions to Celebrate Local Athletes
Did you know we have 28 local (from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) athletes competing in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro? To mark the occasion, ENO Wine Bar has created The Local Olympian Wine Flight($20 per person for three wines) and Road to Rio Cheese Flight ($14 per person for three cheeses) you can enjoy while you watch the games via live streaming on the large TV in The Cellar, ENO's private event space. The viewing space, and flights, are on sale from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 21 and feel free to bring a group to share the experience.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History Celebrates Julia Child's Birthday
One Friday, every month, at 2 p.m., food history sizzles on the culinary demonstration stage at the National History Museum with the Cooking Up History cooking demonstrations and learning programs. Free to the public, these events celebrate how we eat and cook in America and on August 12, the museum will celebrate Julia Child's birthday, which is Monday, August 15. The demonstration will include recipes Julia Child created back in the 1970s, and consider how she changed American dining and culinary culture.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History to Host Victory Garden Exploration and Cocktails
It's great to live in a city with world class museums and, for foodies, countless food and drink events that are part of the After Hours programs hosted at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. On August 10, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., they are hosting a program called Smithsonian Gardens and heading out to the museum's Victory Garden for an evening of delicious food, drinks from Green Hat Gin by New Columbia Distillers. The evening's program will also include a dynamic conversation exploring the connection between gardens, people, and their communities. You must be 21 or older to attend and tickets are $43.50 per person.
For more Washington DC dining and travel news, click here. Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor and a food, drink and travel writer at The Daily Meal. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva and on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva.