Chez Moncef

GRAPE + BEAN Organic Wine Tasting - Tuesday, April 21. 6:30pm-8:00pm. $40 per person.

Join Grape + Bean to taste a great line up of Organic and Biodynamic wines (red and white varietals). They’ll demystify the organic and biodynamic part of it with their partner Gary from Calypso Imports and pair them with a selection of organic cheese and other tasty treats. 118 South Royal Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. For reservations please call 703.664.0214.

Earth Day At Food Matters - Wednesday, April 22. 6:30pm-8:30pm. FREE. 

Join Food Matters for a free tasting of Yellow and Blue wines. Get it? Yellow and Blue make…green. They will be pouring Yellow and Blue Malbec and Torrentes, both from Argentina. These certified organic wines come in environmentally friendly boxes. That’s right, we said boxes. And before you start to judge, just come taste-it’s free. Next thing you know you’ll be taking a box on your next picnic or concert at Wolftrap. Taste, love it, take it home. 4906 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22304. For reservations and more information please call 703.461.3663.

Local Cheese, please! @ Whole Foods in Arlington. Thursday, April 23. 7:00pm-9:00pm. FREE.

Locavore - Someone who exclusively (or at least primarily) eats foods from their local foodshed or a determined radius from their home (commonly either 100 or 250 miles, depending on location).  Subscribe to the lifestyle and join Whole Foods. Taste cheeses produced by some of the most renowned artisanal cheese makers in the country … your neighbors. Pre-registration is required. 2700 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia 22209. For reservations and more information please call 703.527.6596.

Hop with Mother Earth! @ Whole Foods in Arlington. Friday, April 24. 5:00pm-7:00pm. FREE.

Join Whole Foods in celebrating the best offerings of the season in white ales, fruit flavors and easy drinking pale ales. Sip while you shop and sample an incredible selection of local and from-the- earth foods.  Who knew celebrating Mother Earth could taste so good? 2700 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia 22209. For reservations and more information please call 703.527.6596.

Georgetown Annual Open-Air French Market and House Tour - Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25. 11am-6pm. FREE.

This is the perfect excuse to have a croissant aux amandes at Patisserie Poupon.

The Book Hill neighborhood of Georgetown, a hip and historic destination in Washington D. C., will once again be transformed into an open air French Market on April 24-25, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This annual Washington D.C. shopping tradition features over 30 participating boutiques and galleries offering thousands of shoppers savings of up to 70 percent off designer goods, art and antique home furnishings. This incredible spring sidewalk sale draws visitors to enjoy a day filled with shopping, music and food. In addition to the neighborhood festivities, the Georgetown House Tour will take place on Saturday, April 25th. For over 90 years, the Georgetown House Tour has offered Washingtonians and visitors a glimpse into some of the most charming and beautiful homes in the nation’s capital. French Market will take place in Book Hill, located on upper Wisconsin Avenue, NW, between P Street and Reservoir Road. 

Spring Goat Cheese and Wine Pairing at Food Matters - Saturday, April 25. 3:00pm-6:00pm. $25 per person.

Spring is in the air and goat cheese is in season. So Food Matters is going to taste several ages of goat cheese and pair wines with each one. In observance of Earth Day all of their cheeses will be domestic, most of them will be local. Please note that it helps to have an interest in goat cheese for this tasting, though you will not be limited to only white wine for the pairings. After the tasting you will be able to purchase both the wines and the goat cheese immediately. 4906 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22304. For reservations and more information please call 703.461.3663.

“Put a CORC in It!” Wine + Cheese Tasting - Monday, April 27. 6:00pm-8:00pm. FREE.

M Bar introduces “Put a CORC in It!”: a wine + cheese tasting series celebrating the launch of The Corcoran College of Art + Design’s rotating student art exhibition at the Renaissance M Street Hotel. Art is available for purchase by guests. The Renaissance M Street Hotel partnership with the Corcoran Gallery of Art and The Corcoran College of Art + Design is a leading representative of Renaissance Hotels and Resorts’ global initiative to promote the arts through local artists and art galleries. Wine + cheese tastings are complimentary. 1143 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037. For more information please call 202.775.0800.

Fun Foods for a Fiesta @ Whole Foods in Arlington. Thursday, April 30. 7:00pm-9:00pm. FREE.

Bold flavors, exotic ingredients, and bright colors make Mexico a culinary capital. Join Whole Foods for this “hands on” cooking class and celebrate the culture and pride of Cinco de Mayo. Pre-registration is required. 2700 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia 22209. For reservations and more information please call 703.527.6596.

Chef Terri Cutrino’s Farmers’ Market Dinner @ Café Atlántico. Thursday, April 30. 7:00pm-10:00pm. $65 per person.

José Andrés and the culinary team at Café Atlántico led by Chef Terri Cutrino will welcome spring and celebrate the return of the Penn Quarter FRESHFARM Market with a special Farmers’ Market Dinner showcasing the finest local farmers’ bounty. The dinner also marks the introduction of a new Farmers’ Market Dinner menu that will be offered at Café Atlántico every Friday night beginning May 1st and running through the fall. Chef Cutrino’s six course menu will feature Spring Green Salad of beets, fresh herbs and green onions; Sorrel Soup; Grilled Lamb Chops with rainbow chard empanada; Braised Buffalo Short Ribs with turnips, spinach, egg 63; a Cheese Plate of assorted cheeses, ‘sundried tomatoes’ and fruit and Spring Dessert 2009. Space is limited and reservations are required. 405 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. For reservations please call 202.393.0812.

Louis Latour Wine Dinner at MON AMI GABI - Monday, May 4. 6:00pm-9:00pm. $55 per person.

Join Mon Ami Gabi Executive Chef Martin Ticar for an elegant evening of food and wine. The event begins with a sparkling wine reception that is followed by a 5-course French feast paired with Louis Latour wines. 11950 Democracy Drive, Reston, Virginia 20190. For reservations please call 703.702.0233.

ZooFari 2009 Hosted by the National Zoo - Thursday, May 14. 6:30-10:00pm.

ZooFari is an unforgettable evening of gourmet foods, fine wines, and fabulous entertainment. Enjoy delicacies prepared by master chefs from more than 100 of D.C.’s finest restaurants, including Central Michel Richard, Galileo, and Kinkead’s. More than 20 vintners will serve their finest vintages. Live music, animal encounters, a sweepstakes, and a silent auction round out a magical evening under the stars. 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW. For tickets and information, call 202.633.4470.

Grilling class @ BLT Steak - Saturday, May 16. noon to 2:30 p.m. $100 per person, including lunch.

BLT Steak will host a grilling class on its outdoor patio where guests will learn to prepare such dishes as kobe flank steak, panzanella (grilled bread salad), octopus, chorizo, bronzino and grilled peaches. Chef de cuisine Victor Albisu will lead the class, offering professional tips and tricks to perfect grilling. 1625 I Street NW. To make a reservation, contact Erica Frank at 202.689.8999 or Erica@bltrestaurants.com.

“Wine in the Woods” Maryland Wine Festival - Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17. 12:00-6:00pm. $25 per person. Advance tickets & Designated Drivers $20.

Enjoy samples from all of Maryland’s wineries, gourmet foods from local restaurants, live music, wine seminars, and arts and craft vendors. Admission includes souvenir wine glass and wine samples. 5950 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, Maryland. For tickets and information, call 410.313.7275.

The 7th Annual Hottest Cool Jazz Festival at Chrysalis Vineyards - Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17. 10:00am-5:00pm. $15 per person at the door. $12 in advance.

Great wines, breathtaking views, food and jazz on the patio, what could be better? It is hard to imagine more breathtaking views than Locksley Estate in the spring. Add to this, incredible jazz from D.C.’s hottest swing band The Joker’s Wild and home-grown favorite, Leesburg Jazz featuring Annie Carlson; food for sale from one of the best caterers in Washington; biscotti, cheese, and chocolates from Virginia’s most highly regarded producers; exquisite jewelry and artifacts from top-notch designers; and fine art from renowned artists, then you have the makings of not just a festival - rather, an experience. Then factor in that you are at Chrysalis Vineyards, the world’s largest grower of Norton, The Real American Grape® and you truly have a celebration. 23876 Champe Ford Road, Middleburg, Virginia 20117. To purchase tickets and get more information please call 540.687.8222.

The 22nd Annual Taste of Arlington - Sunday, May 17. 12:00pm-5:00pm. Admission is free but guests must purchase ticket books for restaurant tastes and beverages.

Taste of Arlington is an annual event that transforms the Ballston area into a lively street festival, complete with local entertainment and sponsors, children’s activities, special exhibits, and lots of noteworthy restaurants. Each year, over 40 restaurants participate in this spectacular community event. This year, the event will expand its footprint by providing a deeper flavor of Arlington county, showcasing the county’s urban villages such as Ballston, Clarendon, Columbia Pike, Rosslyn, Shirlington, Crystal City and Pentagon City. The event is hosted by the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership, in partnership with the Clarendon Alliance, Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, Rosslyn Renaissance and the National  Science Foundation. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia 22203.

The Fine Vine Festival at Tarara Winery - Saturday, May 30. 1pm-7pm. Advance tickets $95.00/person prior to April 28th. $125/person after April 28th.

In celebration of Virginia Viognier, Virginia wineries are invited to submit their Viognier for consideration.  The Wine Selection Process is designed to celebrate the quality and diversity of styles, wineries and vineyards that make Virginia a premier appellation for world-class wines. In this spirit, Tarara Winery is hosting “The Fine Vine Festival …. Just Say Viognier”. Virginia Wineries are invited to present their Viognier to a panel of distinguished wine judges to determine the five winning wineries in this first annual event.  The five selected wines will be paired with a menu item created by local restaurants: Patowmack Farm, Equinox Restaurant,  Vintage 50, 2941 and Della’s Tea.  At the festival, guests will experience a progressive meal…each course paired with a winning Virginia Viognier. While Viognier may not be easy to say, everyone who attends The Fine Vine Festival will taste how easy it is to love!

Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival - Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31. 12:00-6:00pm. $20 per person.

In addition to the opportunity to sample wines from 15 Maryland wineries, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival offers a little something for everyone. Stroll along vendor row and see everything from fine jewelry and art to wood turning to photography. For the young, or the young-at-heart, take a trip down the dual-accelerator slide, have your caricature done or enjoy an ice cream cone. A variety of fine food vendors will please any palate! Bring a blanket or lawn chair, sit back, listen to the sounds of great musicians and spend a wonderful afternoon at the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival. Terrapin Park: 191 Log Canoe Circle, Stevensville, Maryland. For tickets or information, call 410.739.6943.

Recurring Events:

Foodie Call @ Whole Foods in Arlington. Every Wednesday, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Hungry for something fun to do after work? Join us for Foodie Call! We’ll prepare extraordinary culinary delights and pair them with our favorite wines. Save 10% on all bottles of wine. It’s that simple!

FRESHFARM Market at Dupont Circle - Sundays, 9:00am-1:00pm. April 5 - December 7. FREE.

The Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market is located in the heart of one of Washington, DC’s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. Washingtonian magazine credits the market with “teaching Washingtonians to love their fruits and vegetables.” The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times of London also named the market one of the top farmers’ markets in the country. During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers, potted plants, soaps and herbal products. Samples will be offered. 1500 block of 20th St., between Massachusetts Ave. and Q St. NW, Washington, DC. 

FRESHFARM Market at Foggy Bottom - Wednesdays, 2:30pm-7:00pm. April 1 - November 25. FREE.

The Foggy Bottom market is conveniently located right at the Foggy Bottom metro stop on the I Street Metro Mall apron. Take a break from work, or make a stop on your way home to talk with our farmers and select from the best of our region’s lush bounty of offerings. Foggy Bottom farmers bring their premium pickings of tree and field fruits, vegetables, eggs, organic and grass-fed meats, handmade cheeses, breads/desserts, preserves, herbs, flowers, plants and more. I Street between New Hampshire and 24th Street, NW.

FRESHFARM Market at H Street - Saturdays, 9am-noon. May 2 - November 21. FREE.

Located in a dynamic DC neighborhood, the H Street FRESHFARM Market is offered to area residents as part of a partnership project with the H Street Main Street Program and the DC Office of Planning. Every Saturday, the farmers at H Street bring the best of their local, seasonal bounty, including handmade goat and cows’ milk cheeses, yogurt, organic and grass-fed meats, fruits, vegetables, eggs, hydroponic greens, pastries, sorbets, ice creams, flowers and more! 624 H Street NE (parking lot directly across from the H Street Self Storage).

FRESHFARM Market at Penn Quarter - Thursdays, 3:00pm-7:00pm. April 2- December 17. FREE.

Located in the bustling east end neighborhood of downtown Washington, DC, the FRESHFARM Market at Penn Quarter is just blocks from the National Archives, the Verizon Center and the National Portrait Gallery. This dynamic neighborhood full of shops, restaurants, condominiums and offices was historically the Center Market neighborhood where Washingtonians shopped for more than 100 years for their fruits and vegetables. Farmers sell fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, cookies, seasonal soups and pastries, soaps, plants, orchids, cut flowers and meat. Brian Robinson from Restaurant 3 will be the guest chef at the market on April 30. North end of 8th St. NW, between D and E Sts. NW, Washington, DC. 

Doggie Happy Hour at Hotel Monaco - 5:00pm-8:00pm every Tuesday and Thursday.

Back by popular demand, Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Alexandria and Jackson 20 will kick off its second year hosting the celebrated Doggie Happy Hour in the brick-lined restaurant courtyard. All summer long, guests, two and four-legged alike, will enjoy this pet-friendly experience in the restaurant’s well-appointed courtyard. Your canine friends can feast on complimentary gourmet doggie treats and designer water bowls while humans can enjoy cocktails and inspired ‘tavern bites’ from Jackson 20’s newest bar menu. Prices a la carte. 480 King St, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. For reservations please call 703.549.6080.

(sources: metrocurean and thelistareyouonit)