What's Happening In Washington, DC: July 13, 2015
It's summertime and the livin' is easy. Long, hot, steamy days and lingering twilights invite you to slow things down, relax, and make dining divertimento. This week, the District's restaurateurs are more than happy to provide leisurely luncheons with delicious wine flights, farmer's market dinners, sensory immersion dinners, and craft cocktail pop-ups. So sit back, drink something cold, and enjoy the luscious ripe produce while it's here.
Farmer's Market Dinner Series at City Perch Kitchen + Bar
City Perch Kitchen + Bar is a seasonal American restaurant with a culinary point of view that stresses terroir-driven, clean, wholesome eating. To celebrate the bounty of summer produce they are hosting a series of four-course Farmer's Market Dinners beginning Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. through September. The price is $50 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) and the hosts are James Beard Award-winning chef Sherry Yard and executive chef Matt Baker. Look for tasty dishes like sweet corn agnolotti with fava bean puree and roasted Boarder Springs Farm lamb loin with braised rainbow Swiss chard — all sourced locally, of course. Reservations are required.
Sensory Immersion Wine Dinner at Jug & Table
Jug & Table's executive chef, Marjorie Meek-Bradley, has an impeccable palate, and apparently an unerring ear for music as well. With resident sommelier Theo Rutherford as her wine guide, she will be hosting a unique sensory dining experience over two nights on Tuesday, July 28 and Wednesday, July 29 at 7 p.m. Billed as a "Summer Soundtrack for the Senses," the delightful six-course menu will be orchestrated to the sound of music from the last 50 years. Each course is matched with a thematic album and features complementary domestic and imported wines. The price is $60 per person, all-inclusive. For more information, email David Delaplaine.
Tastings at EatsPlace Pop-up
Are you looking for something fun to do during the summer? Maybe you want to throw some parties, but don't know what drinks to serve or how to pair them with food. Pas de panique! EatsPlace is hosting a series of intimate, "edutaining" tastings (for only $38 per person) all summer long that will keep you cool, hydrated, and help you entertain like a pro. There are rosé tastings, summer sipping sessions that include locally produced beer, wine, and fine cider, refreshing punches, and a class devoted to the sensational cool climate wines of Carmel Road in Monterey, California (including movie star Drew Barrymore's Pinot Grigio). Tastings include fun wine swag, plus all wine, beer, cider, and spirits are available in local stores and most of the wines are less than $20 retail. Check the EatsPlace calendar for dates and sign up soon, classes fill up quickly.
The Twisted Horn Pop-up at Hank's Oyster Bar
Want to get a sneak preview of popular D.C. chef Jamie Leeds' next culinary venture? Pay a visit to The Twisted Horn pop-up all month long at Hank's Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle. Every Wednesday in July, from 10 p.m. to closing, The Twisted Horn will be serving craft cocktails, new twists on old classics like the Singapore Sling, and little bites of charcuterie and cheese. Just ahead upstairs and pay them a visit and see what the future holds.
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.