DC Happenings

Cinco de Mayo Plans?

The DC food truck scene has exploded as of late. Head over to Farragut Square any time between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on a weekday and you’ll have no shortage of epicurean options to satisfy your taste buds. DCers Twitter feeds are inundated with updates on the latest location of Curbside Cupcakes, Fojol Brothers, and how could we forget Jose Andres’ Pepe. Sure, it’s a trend, but one that my inner fat kid can totally get on board with.

So, you can imagine when I heard that all of DC’s best food trucks would be in ONE LOCATION for 8 hours, I got just a little excited. Then I found it was at RFK Stadium and got a little less excited. However, I don’t think I can pass up the opportunity to enjoy all the DC food truck scene has to offer in one fell swoop at the Curbside Cookoff: Trucko de Mayo. Can’t resist either? Here are the details:

When: Saturday, May 5th (TOMORROW) from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm

Where: RFK Stadium, Lot 3 (Closest lot to the Metro), 2400 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

What: 40 of DC’s yummiest food truck vendors in one place accompanied by live music. Admission is free, food is not. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase and you can participate in a sweepstakes to win a free pass to a meal at every DCFTA food truck (Man vs. Food anyone?). 

How to get there: The closest metro is Stadium Armory on the Orange/Blue line (but be careful of track work this weekend!) and parking is free in lots 4 and 5.

Photo courtesy of DC Food Trucks

I’d recommend bringing some cash in case some of the food vendors don’t take credit card. You don’t want to be left salivating at this event, folks! Hopefully I’ll make my way over there, but I have a very important meeting with a rooftop in Dupont, some margaritas and some great friends earlier in the day. Who knows how long I’ll be detained…

 

Calling all Foodies and Winos!

The majority of my friends could be classified in either one of these two categories. They are in luck – they can nourish both tendencies this weekend at the 12th Annual Washington DC International Wine & Food Festival! Some of the culinary world’s top names will be exhibiting. Wineries, distilleries and unique food vendors will be hocking their goods and putting them on display for attendees. Taking place at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW), you can work off all the calories you’ll consume from the tastings just by walking from one end to the other!

The Wine & Food festival kicks off tonight with a “Sommelier Showdown” and the fun continues throughout the entire weekend. Tickets for tonight’s event are pricey and hard to come by as only a select few are released to the public. For $150 per person, buyers will get to watch as top metro-area sommeliers compete to see who can identify wines with mystery labels.

Friday’s event, “Cupid’s Not Stupid, Cocktails to Fall For,” held at Aria Pizzeria (housed in the Reagan Building), will pit the city’s top mixologists against one another as they compete to make the best cocktail. For $55, the audience will get to watch on and sample their creations, along with some light snacks, beer and wine. The mixologists are:

Gina Chersevani
Rachel Sergi, Jack Rose Dining Saloon  
Ben Wiley, America Eats Tavern
Youssef, J & G Steakhouse
Dennis Burns, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

And, on to the main event! Grand Tastings are on Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm and provide access to 500 “rare, unique and loved wines” from wineries across the globe. Sample food from international artisans and, of course, the city’s best restaurants! You’ll leave full, happy and armed with a brand, spankin’ new wine glass courtesy of the DC International Wine & Food Festival. Ticket options include $145 for both days or $85 for Saturday and $80 for Sunday. Sure, it ain’t cheap but sometimes it is ok to shell out to culture yourself a bit!

Seriously, what else are you doing this weekend? No, getting a head start on your taxes does NOT count! Surprise your hunny with an early Valentine’s Day date or just enjoy some quality time with good friends by switching it up a bit!  If you plan to go to the Gilt City Warehouse sale, then you have a reprieve. Otherwise, get your butt down there and get a real taste of DC!

 

Warehouse Sales Galore!

In an effort to save some cash, I didn’t shop the entire month of January. Ok, this isn’t entirely true…I did purchase a dress at Nordstrom Rack for a friends wedding. BUT it was only $20 and a necessity – you wouldn’t have me go to a wedding without a dress would you? I didn’t think so. Plus, when you compare this one measly purchase to my typical monthly shopping bill, well, let’s just say I’m saving a small fortune.

Yes, it has crossed my mind that I might have a small, but manageable addiction to shopping. Hi everyone, my name is Kerry, I am addicted to shopping. There, we’ve got that overwith. So, back to the original point of this post, after being deprived for a month, here comes February teasing me with not one, but TWO warehouse sales in the DC-metro area! Yes – TWO!

This weekend, mosey on over to Old Town Alexandria for the Alexandria Boutique Warehouse sale put on by the Old Town Boutique District! On Saturday, February 4th from 9 am – 4 pm, 15 of Alexandria’s best boutiques and another half a dozen designers will be featuring droolworthy merchandise at discounted prices. Head on over to the George Washington Masonic Memorial – walkable from the King Street Metro, to check out the steals from Apple Seed, Diva, Gossypia, Hysteria, La Cuisine, Lawrence Miller & Co., The Little Monogram Shop, Mint Condition, Mystique, Periwinkle, Pink & Brown, Red Barn Mercantile, Stanton Gallery, The Shoe Hive and Treat.  Now I have a busy weekend coming up…I’ll have to plan my trips to Old Town and to Luckett’s! Phew, my bank account may be just a faint memory after this weekend!

If you don’t blow your entire paycheck at the Alexandria Warehouse sale, then you can add yourself to the waitlist for GiltCity’s Gilt Groupe Warehouse Sale at Long View Gallery. On Saturday February 11, you can peruse “be racks stocked with dresses, blouses, suit jackets, denim, cardigans and polos for men, women and children. For your home, think bedding, blankets and decorative accessories. And, of course, you can expect hundreds of top brands, from both lesser-known designers and veritable fashion houses.” Always the pioneer of luxury on a budget, Gilt’s Warehouse sale will also treat shoppers to mini manicures, blow outs and cocktails while you browse.

I thought I acted quickly, attempting to buy tickets within just a few hours but, to my horror, the event was sold out! However, ye of little faith, I added myself to the waitlist and am now the proud owner of TWO tickets! I consider myself blessed by the shopping gods. However, don’t get too disheartened! You can still add yourself to the waitlist here. The full day pass is sold out, so you’ll have to choose a time of arrival (12pm, 2pm, 4pm). What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get on the list! Hopefully, I’ll see you there!