Say Yum: Zola Happy Hour Is Back

Looking to spice up your next happy hour session? Zola Restaurant happy hour is back and the menu is bursting with delicious goodies to try.

If you’re looking to grab a drink, guests can enjoy $5 cocktails and wines and $4 beer specials. For guests that are looking for an after work bite, the happy hour menu has a variety of dishes to try to please every taste bud. Between Carnitas Tacos, Beef Sliders, Beer Battered Oyster, Lobster Rolls, and Miso Crab Sticks, there is no way you could leave hungry! To add to the goodness, all the menu items are less than $10.

Don’t worry if you get off work late, Zola has you in mind and holds two happy hour times, between 4-6pm and 9:30-11pm.

What are you waiting for? Call your friends, it’s happy hour time!

Mark Your Calendars: NOW at the Corcoran: Chris Martin

The Corcoran will open NOW at the Corcoran: Chris Martin from June 18- October 13. Martin, a DC native, is the second artist to show in NOW, the Gallery’s newly established contemporary art program dedicated to emerging and mid-career artists.

Martin uses his art to explore landscape, personal and historical applications of abstract paintings, and the relationship between art and everyday life.

In addition, starting October 1 until February 12, 2012, the Corcoran will open 30 Americans, contemporary art collectors comprised of established emerging black American artists. This will bring together both established and emerging artists whose work explores race, gender, identity, and popular culture.

For more information on the exhibits, visit the Corcoran online.

Say Yum: Donovan House ADC Ice Bar

Looking for some outdoor fun in the evenings? Throughout the entire month of February, Donovan House, the ultra-chic Thomas Circle hotel, is transforming its exclusive rooftop pool bar, ADC, into a cold weather oasis, unveiling a new Winter Ice Bar sponsored by Russian Standard Vodka.

During February, on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests will warm up at one of ADC’s outdoor fire pits while experiencing the breath taking views of the city. While visiting this lofty lounge, guests will want to dress warm to indulge in the “fire and ice fun” with new vodka cocktails served from a hand-carved ice bar. Some of the new cocktails include the Morello Fire, Ice Flurry, and Schuss Mulled Wine to name a few.

Are you looking to spend the night at the hotel for a mini getaway? By booking the “Ice Bar” package, Donovan House guests are rewarded a 10% discount off the best available room rate, in addition to two drink vouchers to be used that the rooftop bar.

Mark Your Calendars: Tysons Galleria Welcomes Elie Tahari

This February Tysons Galleria is welcoming Elie Tahari Ltd’s first freestanding boutique. The 2500 square-foot boutique offers the complete Elie Tahari lifestyle and will showacase the women’s, men’s and accessories collections.

“We are thrilled to be opening our first store in Washington DC and couldn’t imagine a better place to do so than at Tyson’s Galleria. DC attracts people from all over the world, so we are excited to introduce the Elie Tahari lifestyle to this area. We are eager to continue to expand the number of freestanding Elie Tahari boutiques and are delighted to be adding this 21st store in the United States to our growing portfolio,” said Elie Tahari, Chairman.

The store will celebrate their official grand opening with a special event in March. So while you wait anxiously, visit Elie Tahari online!

Say Yum: Buddha-Bar DC Extends Restaurant Week Menu

Buddha-Bar DC loves their guests so much they are permanently extending their Restaurant Week lunch menu!

In addition to their regular menu, Buddha-Bar DC will feature a prix fixe lunch menu for $20.11 per person. This menu offers a choice of Appetizer: Miso Soup, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Vietnamese Spring Rolls, or California Roll; Main Course: Korean BBQ Sandwich, Kobe Beef Sliders, Japanese Sea Bass Tacos, or Mass Roll; and for dessert, Chocolate Sesame Bars.

Now the entire office can enjoy this delicious and affordable three-course menu all year round!

Say Yum: Ping Pong Dim Sum Chinese New Year Specials

Are your taste buds ready for a culture explosion? In celebration of China’s most important holiday, Chinese New Year, Chinatown restaurant Ping Pong Dim Sum will offer special menu items throughout the month of February.

These newly featured dishes include crisp, lightly fried White Fish and Seaweed Roll with Spicy Sesame Sauce and a spicy Beef and Shitake Mushroom Rice Pot. The desert special is a rich Chinese Chocolate Brownie packed with Chinese nuts and served with Blood Orange sorbet. For those interested in specialty cocktails, they’ll also be offering a Pear and Elferflower Collins, consisting of gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and fresh pear.

Ping Pongs twist on their Chinese New Year specials this year capture the tastes and cultural significance of their most important holiday! Start planning for this must try dinner date restaurant, only good through the month of February!

Mark Your Calendars: DC Shorts Rewind

Are you an avid movie lover? Get ready for a weekend of films featuring favorites from the last seven years of DC Shorts, Best of the 2010 Fest, Free Family Films and a wide variety of showcases.

This new concept of DC Shorts Rewind provides the perfect opportunity to catch films viewers have missed from previous festivals. On January 28 and 29, the Atlas Performing Arts Center will host the DC Shorts Rewind. Showcased in multiple theaters, provides something for everyone including comedies, documentaries, dramas, animation and films by local and foreign filmmakers. In addition to enjoying the weekend full of films, attendees are encouraged to visit neighborhood restaurants and bars offering festival specials and opportunities for free tickets through the “neighborhood pass.”

For a complete list of movies and for ticket purchases visit DC Shorts online!

You're Invited: Blue and Gray Ball

This January, Historic Manassas, Inc. is hosting the Sesquicentennial commemoration kick-off event, the Blue and Gray Ball.

The ball will take place on Saturday, January 22, from 6 pm to 10:30 pm at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Va. Guests will be transported back in time to the 1860s while enjoying a cocktail reception, dinner, desert, dancing, and entertainment. All proceeds from the ball will go towards the 2011 Sesquicentennial events in July.

There will be free dance lessons offered to guests the week prior to the ball on Monday, January 17 and Friday, January 21 at 6:30 pm. Lessons will be instructed by Janet Rodriguez and John Hinkle from John Hancock Financial Network.

For ticket information and reservations visit Manassas Civil War online.

Mark Your Calendars: South Moon Under Model Contest

Ready for your big break in the modeling world? This winter South Moon Under is holding a free nationwide online-based casting call to discover new talent for their Spring 2011 NYC photo shoot.

The casting call is open to females and males, 16 and older from December 6 through the end of February 2011. Each contestant should submit an entry form with photos (professional not required) on ExploreModeling.com. At the end of February, South Moon Under will select six lucky winners (3 women and 3 men) to be featured in their Spring 2011 photo shoot. And the prizes don’t stop there! Each of the six models will receive $250 in clothing products and professional tear sheets from the shoot.

After the completion of the shoot, South Moon Under will then choose one female and one male model as their “Top Models” based on the photographs. The two chosen models will receive $500 cash and an additional $250 in clothing products. Even if you aren’t the chosen 6, the top 10 contestants will be entered in a random drawing to win a $500 shopping spree at South Moon Under.

Dust off that camera and put your fiercest look on! Check out ExploreModeling.com for more information and to apply.

Mark Your Calendars: Holiday Sparkler Tasting & Sale

Calling all wine enthusiasts! Eatbar will be hosting its 4^th annual Holiday Sparkler Tasting on Saturday, December 11 from 1-4pm, perfect for sampling and stocking up on your favorite wines from around the world.

Guests are invited to enjoy tastes of delicate and refined Champagnes and sparkling wines. To complement the wine tasting, executive chef Barry Koslow is preparing small plates including House-smoked, salmon served on a savory waffle, Country pate with stone mustard, caramelized onion and anchovy flat bread with olives, and Dragon Creek Oyster shooters.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit the Holiday Sparkler Tasting online.

You're Invited: Kimpton Hotels Fundraising Party

Want to spice up your boring Wednesday? This Wednesday, December 1, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is hosting a fundraising party for Red Ribbon Washington DC, Cocktails for a Cure.

Join others at Urbana Restaurant and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and one complimentary drink for the $10 admission ticket. Urbana will be offering small Western Mediterranean bites while guests enjoy live auctions, including jetBlue Airways tickets, stays at Kimpton Hotels throughout the country, designer furnishings, original artwork, and much more.

All proceeds will go directly to Whitman-Walker Clinic. So hurry, time is running out. Visit Cocktails for a Cure online to RSVP.

Say Yum: Citronelle 3 pm Specials

Time to make 3pm the highlight of your day! The legendary Citronelle now opens its doors every Tuesday through Saturday at 3 pm for locals to enjoy a peaceful escape with a glass of wine and snacks.

For those seeking an ala carte bite, Citronelle will be serving dishes including Mushroom Cigars, Smoked Salmon Plate, and Goat Cheese Caesar to name a few. To compliment these delicious pairing, there will be unique premium wines and cocktails available including the signature Bubbly Martini and the Cintronelle Swizzle.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and take a pit stop at Citronelle. What better way to celebrate your approaching evening after a long days work?

Mark Your Calendars: Old Town Black Friday

Are you over the craziness of the malls and frenzied national discount stores? Visit Old Town Alexandria for Black Friday “Door Busters” from local merchants.

Over 24 locally owned stores have signed up to open early this year. Not only will this save you some hassle of going to the overly packed malls, but it will keep money in the local community. This means more jobs, more tax revenues for local services and more support for local charities. In addition to the community benefitting, shoppers will benefit by finding products and gifts that are unique and diverse than what can be found at national chains.

Try something new with the family and shop local this Black Friday! For a complete list of stores and discounts visit Old Town Boutique District online.

You're Invited: Bella Bethesda's Hair & Now

Take a trip to the past and revisit the hairstyles, fab and frightening, that were must haves for those decades! On Thursday, November 11, Bella Bethesda Salon will host a “Hair and Now” hair show that reflects how the hairstyles of yesterday inspire the hairstyles of today.

The hair show, beginning at 6:30, includes a cocktail hour, demonstrations, and a mix and mingle following the big event. All tickets include food, drink, a swag bag of beauty products, and a $10 gift card for a future visit to Bella Bethesda Salon.

Buy your tickets now and see if Snooki really invented the pouf, or if she got the idea from old days!

Say Yum: Westend Bistro's New Fall Menu

This fall Westend Bistro is bringing its diners a new experience with their new fall menu featuring soul-warming dishes and mouth-watering cocktail selections. The fall menu highlights the flavors of fall while continuing to use only the freshest seasonal ingredients to create dishes with bold flavor combinations.

The fall menu dishes include Pork and Bean Stew, Roasted Tomato Tart Tatin, Potato and Apple salad, and Roasted Squash and Pumpkin to name a few. Westend is also bringing some of it’s signature dishes back to the menu, like Shrimp & Grits and Short Ribs.

If lunch is a better time for you to dine, don’t worry, Westend has a treat in store for you! New to the lunch menu is the Westend Express Lunch. This express lunch includes a delicious fixed price lunch featuring soup or salad, Toasted Ham & Cheese or Grilled Vegetable Panino and Warm Madeleines or House Made Cookies all packaged to go for only $24.

It’s not just the cuisine that is changing either. The Bistro’s bar menu has been updated with tantalizing cocktails featuring cool weather liquor staples like bourbon and brandy. Some of the menus highlights include the Bucktown Bourbon Cooler and Cranberry Cobbler.

For more information or menus visit Westend Bistro online. Before the season is over, head over to Westend Bistro for the ultimate dining experience that will have you itching to go back for more!

Mark Your Calendars: Meet & Greet With Lisa Birnach

On November 13 at 2pm, Bloomingdale’s gets preppy with international best-selling author Lisa Birnach during her book signing for her new book True Prep- It’s a Whole New Old World.

Thirty years ago, Birnach introduced us to the world of everything preppy with her book, The Official Preppy Handbook that topped best-seller lists across the country. This year, Birnach and designer Chip Kidd give us an updated, 21^st century take on preppy looking at cultural changes—in money, work, wardrobe, the Internet, reality television, and much more.

So join Bloomingdales in The New View on Level Two for a meet and greet and book signing with Lisa Birnbach and explore your inner prep!

Don’t forget to follow Bloomingdales on Facebook and Twitter for additional updates!

You're Invited: Knock Out Abuse Fundraiser

Knock-Out Abuse is celebrating their 17^th Anniversary with a James Bond 007 themed evening full of food and entertainment. On Thursday, November 11, the fundraising dinner to raise awareness for abuse against women will take place at the Washington DC Ritz-Carlton. 

 

The organization has raised more than $6.5 million to help women and children whose lives have been shattered by abuse, poverty, and homelessness and hope to continue this success in the future. Tickets for the event can be purchased for only $500. 

So throw on your finest cocktail dress or your best Bond Girl outfit and support a good cause. Visit Knock Out Abuse online for more information on how you can contribute!

Say Yum: Cafe Saint-Ex's Brazilian Night

Indulge yourself in Brazilian culture on Thursday, October 21 from 11am-1:30am as Café Saint-Ex celebrates its Brazilian Rhythms nights 3^rd anniversary with a day-long celebration of all things Brazilian!

Your exploration of Brazil will include authentic Brazilian cuisine, thirst-quenching caopirinhas (the official cocktail of Brazil), and the rhythmic sounds of samba.

This is an all day event, so there is no excuse to miss it!

In Case You Missed It: Philadelphia Fashion Week

This weekend, Deacon had a chance to experience Philadelphia’s 2^nd Annual Fashion Week! The designers included Alecia Zameska, Brian Saunders, and Project Runway’s very own Kristin Simms just to name a few.

The fashion shows were held in Philadelphia’s 23^rd Street Armory with an antique, cozy feel, fashionistas alike came together to enjoy over 15 runway shows. The room was filled with much excitement, unlimited PopChips and Vitamin Waters, and many local fashion lovers. The attendance was better than expected, possibly comparable to New York’s MB Fashion Week.

“The concept behind Philadelphia Fashion Week is to invite residents and visitors to celebrate the vibrant fashion, food, and arts and culture scene in Philadelphia. In a city known for its rich history, we are proud to make history by producing the first fashion week in Philadelphia,” says the Executive Director Kristie Bergy.

The designers revealed the Spring/Summer 2011 collections full of bright colors, vintage graphics, and vibrant patterns. The seasons are sure to highlight beautiful purples and lime greens and the florals will continue to be a favorite among designers.

If you weren’t able to attend, don’t worry! DC will be hosting it’s very own Fashion Week, February 21-27, 2011! Start planning now and don’t miss it!

Enjoy these great photos and video from Philadelphia Fashion Week 2010!

Say Yum: Muncheez Mania Free Crepes

There’s a new spot and town and much buzz about it! On Thursday, October 21, Georgetown will welcome its new, hip, and trendy restaurant Muncheez Mania. In celebration of its doors officially opening, the restaurant will be giving away one free crepe or sandwich per person from 12 pm to 2 pm.

Diners can enjoy healthy, homemade sandwiches served on the restaurants signature bread, saj, in options like Three cheese Thin Muncheez or Wild Thyme. There will also be delicious crepes available including the PBJ or Ham, Cheese and Mushroom to name a few. In addition to delicious cuisine, the restaurant offers a lively, energetic atmosphere with original mural artwork from a local DC artists, UV lights and fun music.

So make your lunch break a funky experience and grab a free crepe while you’re at it!