Area restaurants will be offering specials next weekend for Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1 when the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks starting at 6:30 p.m.

Kangaroo Boxing Club will deliver its pulled pork, bacon gorgonzola, brioche buns and sweet mild sauce for 10 in D.C. on Super Bowl Sunday. (Photo: Michael Key/Washington Blade)

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The Kangaroo Boxing Club, 3410 11th St. NW in Columbia Heights, will deliver a party platter for 10 people at least two hours before kickoff for $85. The platter includes, 5 pound of pulled pork, 10 brioche buns, 5 pounds of bacon gorgonzola macaroni and cheese and 8 ounces of sweet mild sauce. To order, click https://www.eventbrite.com/e/let-the-kangaroo-boxing-club-cater-your-super-bowl-party-dc-only-tickets-15458887950 here and email [email protected] with your name, address, phone number and any delivery instructions. Delivery begins at 1:30 p.m. You will be called before the delivery driver leaves for your home.

Legal Sea Foods at 704 7th St. NW, 2301 Jefferson Davis Highway in Crystal City and Tysons Galleria in McLean’ will offer a “Souper Bowl Special” on Jan. 31 and Feb 1. In honor of Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady’s sixth trip to the Super Bowl, get six souper bowls of clam chowder for $12 from their takeout counters. A half gallon of clam chowder is regularly $21.95.

Arcuri, 2400 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Glover Park, is serving up a variety of specials for Super Bowl XLIX. Fans can watch the game on the restaurant’s three 42-inch HD TVs while enjoying executive chef Richard Jones’ American-Italian fare. Also, guests can enjoy an unlimited open bar of draft beer, rail drinks and house wine starting at 6 p.m. until the last whistle blows for $50

The restaurant is also offering a football feast to-go. Three options are available including the First Down, which includes two 14-inch handcrafted, three-topping pizzas cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, a choice of baked lasagna or ziti, 10 meatballs, two orders of garlic bread and crudité served with an Italian garlic dipping sauce. The First Down is priced at $100 and serves up to five people. The Two Point Conversion includes four 14-inch, three-topping pizzas, a choice of baked lasagna or ziti, 20 meatballs, two orders of garlic bread and crudité, served with an Italian garlic dipping sauce for $190 and serves up to 10 people. The Touchdown includes six large 14-inch, three-topping pizzas, a choice of baked lasagna or ziti, 30 meatballs, four orders of garlic bread and crudité, served with an Italian garlic dipping sauce for $280 and serves up to 15 people

Arcuri will accept to-go orders until Friday at 5 p.m. with the food available for pick-up on between 4:30- 6:30 p.m. To place an order, call 202-827-8745 or email [email protected] and specify the time of pick-up. The restaurant will also offer pizza delivery within a 1.5-mile radius for $2.50. Anyone ordering three 14-inch pizzas, will receive a forth 14-inch pizza free. Those picking up orders wearing a Patriots’ or Seahawks’ jersey will receive 25 percent discount. Anyone wearing another team’s jersey will receive a 10 percent discount.

Rosa Mexicano will celebrate this year’s Super Bowl by offering a Guac-to-Go Party Pack of their signature guacamole, available for delivery on game day. The Guac-to-Go Party Pack comes with house-made tortillas and corn tortilla chips and is available for delivery along with the restaurant’s full menu. The cost is $5 per person and can be ordered to feed five, 10, 15 or 20. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Finally, City Tap House, 901 9th St. NW, will offer American pub fare with dishes such as a Philly cheese steak with duck fat fries; ten-spice wings with buttermilk dipping sauce; a Bavarian pretzel with smoked Gouda cheese sauce; beef fajita nachos with pickled jalapeños, requeson queso, black bean puree and pico de gallo; and a Buffalo chicken and ranch pizza ranging from $6 to $10 from 3-10 p.m. or until the end of the game.

The bar will offer unlimited drafts from its 40 beer lines and two beer engines during the game. The bottomless beer offering is priced at $35 per person and is limited to one draft selection per customer.

Blue Duck hosting two wine dinners

Blue Duck Tavern, 1201 24th St. NW in the Park Hyatt Washington, is holding “Taste of Napa Valley” wine dinners featuring Peter Franus Winery on Jan. 27 and Michael Mondavi Vineyards on Jan. 29 at the restaurant’s chef’s table. Priced at $155 per person per dinner, guests will taste wines from two of Napa Valley’s iconic wineries, while executive chef Ryan LaRoche prepares a special four-course menu to pair with the distinctive flavors of each winery.

The first dinner will have winemaker Peter Franus showcasing and pouring his wines. Franus got his start in Napa Valley in 1981 when he vinified his first chenin blanc from Mount Veeder. Over the past 30 years, he has improved his winemaking techniques and his vineyard sourcing. The winery now produces a large number of white and red wines that consistently receive high praise from connoisseurs and reviewers alike.

The second dinner will have winemaker Michael Mondavi attending to pour and discuss his family’s estate of wines. Mondavi founded Robert Mondavi with his father and brother in 1966, and they quickly grew into the largest California producer. Mondavi has refocused his wine making and in tandem with his children, Dina and Robert, started Michael Mondavi Family Estates in 1999, focusing on small production and site specific wines farmed and vinified in Napa Valley.

For reservations, call 202 419 6755.

Mio offers student dinner menu

Mio Restaurant, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, has introduced a new $25 prix fixe, three-course menu with an appetizer, entree and dessert. The special is available from 5-6:30 p.m. daily for anyone with a valid student ID.

The menu, created by executive chef Roberto Hernandez will change every other week.

The debut menu includes appetizers of ensalada de remolacha asada with spring mix tossed in brown butter balsamic vinaigrette with roasted beets, dry papaya, Granny Smith apples, goat cheese and candied walnuts; soup of the day; or croquetas de gandules con bacalao, pigeon peas “gandúles” and cod fish croquet with avocado mousse and tomato compote. The entrée selection includes a choice of pastelón de berenjena, vegeterian eggplant and sweet plantain Napoleon with guajillo tomato sauce; salmón en corteza de quinoa, white quinoa crusted salmon, confit leeks, shiitake mushrooms, snow peas and caper and roasted tomato tapenade; bistec encebollado con arroz y habichuelas y tostones, grilled steak with sautéed onions, rice and beans and tostones; and pollo al horno, free range roasted half chicken with sautéed seasonal vegetables and toasted coriander sauce. Dessert includes a choice of cuatro leches, traditional tres leches with dulce de leche, Italian merengue; or bizcocho de zanahoria, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and toasted walnuts.

Alexandria Restaurant Week

Visit some of the more than 60 participating restaurants during Alexandria’s winter Restaurant Week now through Feb. 1 and choose dinner for two or a three-course prix-fixe menu, both for $35 depending upon each restaurant’s special offer. At a range of local restaurants in Old Town, the West End and Del Rey from fine dining establishments to casual neighborhood favorites, guests can savor the flavors of Alexandria’s distinctive collection of eateries.

New this year, some restaurants are offering a three-course, prix fixe lunch menu for $20.15 or $15, while others are offering lunch for $10. Click here to see specific restaurant’s offers and menus.

Matt Kuhn takes over as chef at Nopa Kitchen + Bar

Chef Matt Kuhn is the new executive chef of Nopa Bar + Grill. (Photo: Ardeo+Bardeo)

Matt Kuhn has been named executive chef of Nopa Kitchen+Bar, 800 F St. NW in Penn Quarter. Kuhn has successfully run the kitchen at sister restaurant Ardeo+Bardo as executive chef since June 2013. He replaces the restaurant’s opening chef, Greg McCarty. Kuhn will develop a new menu.

Prior to his appointment at Ardeo+Bardeo, Kuhn was the executive chef of DC Coast. Kuhn started at the White Face Lodge in Lake Placid, N.Y., working his way up from chef de partie to chef tournant, and later to sous chef under the leadership of executive chef Brian Moyers. Then in 2007, Kuhn returned to Charleston, S.C., accepting a place in the kitchen at Fig. Kuhn was part of the culinary team in 2009 when executive chef Mike Lata captured his James Beard Foundation award. At Fig, he honed his French techniques and deepened his commitment to farm-to-table cooking.

“I believe Matt will bring a fresh approach to Nopa Kitchen+Bar” said owner Ashok Bajaj. “This American brasserie opened in April 2013 and change is good as it offers a new starting point for both the kitchen and for our frequent guests, as it gives them a new innovative menu to explore.”

12 Dates of Christmas

With Christmas just a week away, there’s so little time, yet so much to do. You still have last-minute shopping to take care of, as well as figuring out how to buy all those presents without maxing out your credit limit. To say you’re stressed is an understatement. So take a breather and spare a little time on treating yourself and your partner to a night off, and indulge in one of these 12 Christmas date musts.

Skaters at the ice skating rink at Washington Harbour in Georgetown. (Photo: Washington Harbour)

1. Skating for two:

Ice skating is such a classic winter date, and your options are limitless. You can choose to go outdoor skating at the Washington Harbour in Georgetown, the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden on the Mall, Pentagon Row in Pentagon City or travel via metro to Reston Town Center. If your partner doesn’t know how to skate, you can be their own personal instructor. But if you’re both pros, you two can get a little competitive as you skate laps.

2. Hot cocoa crawl:

While you’re shopping your brains out, take a little time out of your day to schedule a hot cocoa date with your lover. You could indulge in cocoas from frozen to steamy, and search for the best cocoa in the DMV.

3. Snow tubing:

Just an hour and a half from nation’s capital is Whitetail Ski Resort in Mercersburg, Pa. If you get a day off, take a mini vacation with your partner and be adventurous. Dress warm and get ready to literally fall for each other as you attempt to go down these slopes together.

The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse is lit nightly through Jan. 1 until 10 p.m. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

4. National Christmas Tree:

Head down to the Ellipse and the National Christmas Tree. This is a traditional date that never gets old. Grab your date and hold hands as you walk around picking out your favorite state tree. Plus, this is a great opportunity for you to take a ton of fun, festive selfies!

Break out the tacky sweater and booze! (Photo: meetup.com)

5. Snow Day Bar Crawl:

Take some stress away and have a drink. Checkout the Snow Day Bar Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 2-9 p.m. Buying tickets ensures you and your date free cover to a multitude of bars and discounted drinks.

6. Do you wanna build a snowman?:

Have a sleepover with your partner and do the snow dance. If its a white Christmas, go out and relive your childhood together and build a snowman. Who knows, maybe things will get frisky and a snow ball fight will leave you both wet and playful.

Be dazzled by all the lights at the National Zoo’s ZooLights. (Photo: Mike Becvar)

7. ZooLights at the National Zoo:

Take the afternoon off and take your date to ZooLights at the National Zoo. There will be a ton of sparkling lights, winter crafts, ice sculptures, choral groups and storytellers. So de-stress and surprise your lover with this cute, thought out date.

8. Water-skiing Santa:

Stop by Alexandria on Dec. 24 to witness his unusual date spot. You and your partner can watch Santa water-ski, as well as flying elves, a jet-skiing Grinch and Frosty the Snowman performing on the Potomac River. Plus, there wouldn’t be holiday cheer if there wasn’t a sing-a-long for you and your date to join in.

This date is designed to sparkle. (Photo: Gaylord National Resort)

9. Gaylord National Resort’s ICE!:

Go on a fun date to the National Harbor and stop by the Gaylord National Resort’s ICE! for a magical sight. With the resort filled with over 5,000 blocks of ice weighing in at 1.5 million pounds, this is truly a winter wonderland date spot. Make sure to keep your date close because you’ll need all the body heat you can get while you walk through this 9 degree destination.

10. Gingerbread hunting:

The step before house hunting together is making gingerbread houses together. If you wanna stay in for a date, attempt to build a gingerbread house together. This date is both creative and tasty.

11. Festival of Lights:

Go visit the Mormon Temple with your date for a speculator view at the Festival of Lights. With over 450,000 shining lights, you and your date can enjoy different musical groups every night.

12. Tacky sweater party:

Take the weekend off and host your own date party. Invite all your friends and their dates and see who comes in the most ridiculous sweater. This is the perfect time to see your date let loose and be silly with your friends.

So take a chill pill. Take a break from the Christmas stress and enjoy these winter days. Plan a date with your lover and even invite your friends to make it a group date. So let it all go and start scheduling exciting dates today before winter’s gone.

Local celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio was charged with drunken driving following a traffic stop in Baltimore on June 6, according to online court records.

Bryan Voltaggio was arrested for drunk driving June 6 in Baltimore. (Photo: Volt)

The season six Top Chef runner-up was charged with driving while impaired, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving under the influence per se, which means his blood alcohol level allegedly tested at more than .08 percent.

Baltimore police stopped Voltaggio, 38, who lives in the 9000 block of Bishop Gate Drive in Frederick, Md., at 12:20 a.m. on South Howard Street in Baltimore. Voltaggio did not contribute to an accident or cause personal injury, the records show. The records also show that he was committed on June 6 and released on June 7. A court dates is set for 9 a.m. on Sept. 19 in Baltimore Circuit Court.

Voltaggio owns a number of restaurants in the DMV including Range, Aggio and Lunchbox in Friendship Heights, and Volt and Family Meal in Frederick. He is opening another Family Meal in Ashburn and a second Italian-themed Aggio in the Inner Harbor in a space formerly occupied by Tatu, a sushi and Asian-styled restaurant.

Archambault leaves Blue Duck Tavern for The Back Room

Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault has left the Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt Washington for The Back Room at One57 restaurant at the new Park Hyatt New York, the brand’s flagship hotel.

Archambault came to the Blue Duck Tavern in December 2011. Under his direction, the restaurant received many local and national accolades.

Chef Sebastien Archambault has left the Blue Duck Tavern for The Back Room at One57 restaurant at the new Park Hyatt New York. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

Archambault was born in Lubbock, Texas, where his parents owned and operated a small restaurant before returning to their home in Le Bugue, France. It was there Archambault developed his love of food while working in his family’s restaurant. He graduated from the two-year French cooking and hospitality program of ESCF – Ferrandi. He worked at several award-winning restaurants including Restaurant Les Bouquinistes, under the direction of Guy Savoy, and at Restaurant Alain Ducasse. From 2000-2003 he worked Jean-Francois Rouquette at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome as a line cook and moving up to sous chef. He served as executive chef at Restaurant Champs-Elysees in Mexico, Restaurant Le Pirate in Corsica, which earned one Michelin star during his tenure, the Andaz West Hollywood hotel and its RH Restaurant and finally L’Epicerie Market in Los Angeles before coming to D.C.

A signature of Archambault’s cooking is using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which he stressed at the Blue Duck Tavern.

The Park Hyatt New York and The Back Room, located in midtown across from Carnegie Hall and two blocks from Central Park, are slated to open this Tuesday, Aug. 19. Walter Brindell, former general manager of the Park Hyatt Washington, is the general manager of the new New York location. It is New York’s first 5-star hotel since 2003 with rooms starting at $795 a night.

A spokeswoman told DC on Heels that “Park Hyatt Washington is currently interviewing for his replacement.”

Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week is Aug. 15-24

Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week is going on now through Aug. 24. Sixty participating restaurants are offering a dinner for two or a three-course, prix-fixe menu for $35. Click here to see a full list of participating restaurants and their restaurant week menus.

EatWell DC restaurants host benefit for City Dogs Rescue

EatWell DC’s restaurants will host their third annual Dining Out With the Dogs on Monday, Aug. 18, from 5 p.m. to close to benefit City Dogs Rescue. Participating restaurants Commissary, Grillfish, Logan Tavern, The Heights and The Pig will donate 15 percent of dinner sales to the organization, which works to rescue adoptable dogs in overcrowded and high-kill shelters throughout the DMV.

The event has raised more than $10,000 n its first two years and organizers hope to surpass a 2014 goal of $7,000.

“City Dogs Rescue’s mission is one that resonates with our company and so many of our guests,” said EatWell DC partner Josh Hahn, who helped launch EatWell DC’s charitable arm Give Well in 2010. “GiveWell allows us to have a great impact on the charities and community organizations in which we believe, and City Dogs does incredible, important work that we want to support.”

To increase contributions, EatWell DC has implemented a few new perks for diners this year. Partnering with American Harvest, each restaurant will feature a vodka cocktail with 100 percent of proceeds donated to City Dogs. Happy hour will run as usual until 7 p.m. at all restaurants, but each bar will have a “late night” happy hour from 10-11 p.m. In addition, any child can receive a free meal from the kids menu until 6:30 p.m.

Dogs are welcome to join on Commissary, Grillfish, Logan Tavern and The Heights’ patios, where City Dogs will have adoptable pups greeting guests.

Momofuku coming to CityCenterDC next year

Chef/owner David Chang tweeted on Wednesday that he will open his newest Momofuku restaurant in CityCenterDC, at the corner of 11th and I Streets NW, in the spring or summer of 2015.

Hey dc. @momofuku isn't coming home solo @momomilkbar & @ChristinaTosi are opening a spot too! That's right soft serve & cookies for all

— Dave Chang (@davidchang) August 13, 2014

Chang, who grew up in Northern Virginia, said the 4,500 square foot space will be the largest of any of his restaurants outside of Toronto. He said there will be items on the menu that the restaurant has never been done before or done before, but not a lot, as well as favorites. An outpost of Momofuku Milk Bar, the dessert branch of the empire headed by James Beard Award-winning chef/Springfield, Va. native Christina Tosi, will open inside the new restaurant.

Menus for the D.C. restaurant are still being developed but a Momofuku spokesman said the restaurant will offer a sort of greatest hits menu from other locations. But, Tosi expects her Milk Bar to feature items are legendary in Manhattan and Toronto like compost cookies will fillings such as broken potato chips and pretzels; crack pie, with an oat-cookie crust; and cereal milk steeped with sugary cornflakes.

Mio’s piragua cart. (Photo: Mio)

Mio serves boozy snow cones

Mio Restaurant, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW has added piragua, a Puerto Rican shaved ice dessert made with fresh fruit syrup. The ice cones are prepared at Mio’s Piragua cart on the patio.

The piraguas come in eight flavors: tamarind, guava, coconut, mango, lime, passion fruit, pineapple and Mio’s signature Puerto Rican coffee. The shaved ice is topped with a shot of DonQ Rum.

The cooling libation will be served through Sept. 21 at the restaurant’s 65-seat bar/lounge or on the 38-seat outdoor patio. Each flavor is priced at $5. Nonalcoholic cones, also priced at $5, are also available upon request.
 
 

Sample a MAG-nificent Cab at Blue Duck Tavern

Every Tuesday evening in August, Blue Duck Tavern’s general manager Joseph Cerione will be pouring a specially selected rare magnum of a featured cabernet sauvignon for a taste of the wines, which are not found on the restaurant’s wine list.

Blue Duck Tavern’s general manager Joseph Cerione shows off some of the Cavs that will be served. (Photo: BisNow)

With the Blue Duck Uncorked series, the restaurant will showcase one magnum bottle each week so guests can enjoy four-ounce pours for $30 each.

Cerione has chosen an assortment of Napa Valley Cabernets from the 1980s to showcase over. On Aug. 19, a 1982 special select cabernet sauvignon from Caymus Vineyards will be highlighted; on Aug. 26, a 1981 cabernet sauvignon from Silver Oak; and Sept. 2, a 1989 cabernet sauvignon from La Jota Vineyards will be poured.

“We chose to incorporate these vintage California cabernet wines into our Blue Duck Uncorked summer selection, as over time, they have matured to a lighter body with softer tannins,” says Garrett Kaneshiro, the restaurant’s director of food and beverage. “After the 1976 Judgment of Paris, these iconic producers really helped to put Napa on the map and define this style of wine through the 1980s and beyond. The retail wine list price for these magnums ranges from $650 to $1,600.”

The Blue Duck Tavern is located in the Park Hyatt Washington, 24th & M Streets NW.

Brookland Pint opens Monday

Brookland Pint, 716 Monroe St. NE in the new Monroe Street Market, will open at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, just in time for D.C. Beer Week.

Owner John Andrade in front of Brookland Pint. (Photo: Popville)

Owner John Andrade also owns Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights and Smoke & Barrel in Adams Morgan.

The Brookland restaurant and beer bar will open daily at 5 p.m. before adding lunch and brunch service after a few weeks.

Like its sister restaurants, Brookland Pint will focus on American craft beer with two dozen taps and a special “cellared list” of aged bottled, but a big attraction at this location will be a large outdoor patio along the Market’s gallery-filled Artwalk.

Rebecca Hassell, formerly sous chef at Estadio and executive chef at Big Bear Cafe, is running the kitchen.

Brookland Pint is open from 5 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Summer is winding down, schools are getting ready to open, crops are ripening on the vine and that means it’s time for county fairs. This week, the Montgomery County Agricultural and Prince William County fairs are in full swing. Take the kids to visit the animals, see where the milk on their cereal comes from, ride the rides and eat plenty of fried foods. If the farm life isn’t for you, there’s plenty of other things to do in the DMV this weekend.

On Metro, Orange, Yellow and Green line trains will operate on regular weekend schedules. Silver Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between Wiehle-Reston East and Stadium-Armory only. Red Line trains will operate every 16 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont and every 8-10 minutes Grosvenor and Silver Spring from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Blue Line trains will run every 24 minutes.

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair opens Friday in Gaithersburg. (Photo: Tom Fedor/The Gazette)

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

The best thing about summer fair season is that nothing ever changes. There will be plenty of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and more at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair along with food, rides, games and more food. On Friday night, there is Big Time Wrestling, on Monday an Interstate Truck and Tractor Pull, Wednesday and Thursday brings Monster Truck Madness and a demolition derby finishes up the fair on Friday and Saturday. Bring us back a candy apple or funnel cake.

Through Aug. 16 from 10 a.m.-midnight at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg. The carnival area is open from noon-midnight. Admission is $10 online or at the gate, children 11 and younger are free. On-site parking is $10, but free parking and shuttle buses are available at the Lakeforest Mall.

Prince William County Fair

The Prince William County Fair runs through next Saturday in Manassas. (Photo: Inside Nova)

Don’t worry Virginian’s, you can find much of the same at the Prince William County Fair. This year’s grandstand shows include a demolition derby on Friday, Wednesday and Thursday, a truck and tractor pull on Saturday, Dave Martin Rodeo on Sunday, Bulls-N-Barrels, a rodeo featuring just bull riding and barrel racing, on Monday, a garden tractor pull on Tuesday and a monster truck show on Aug. 15 and 16. There’s also a lion and tiger show, camel rides, a ferris wheel, funnel cakes and hot sausage sandwiches.

Through Aug. 16 starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon Saturday and Aug. 16, 9 a.m. Sunday and Aug. 15, 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Rd., Manassas. Admission at the gate is $10, children 5-13 and seniors 60 or older are $5. Aug. 11 is half-price day. Price includes parking.

Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna

Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna is playing at the Plateau at National Harbor. (Photo: Cirque du Soleil)

Cirque du Soleil’s latest spectacle, Amaluna, is set on a mysterious island that’s guided by the cycles of the moon. When the island’s queen, Prospera, directs her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honors femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next. In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, a group of young men lands on the island, triggering an epic, emotional story of love between Prospera’s daughter and a brave young suitor. But theirs is a love that will be put to the test. The couple must face numerous demanding trials and overcome daunting setbacks before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony.

Through Sept. 21 at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 4:30 p.m and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Plateau at National Harbor, 300 Waterfront St., Oxen Hill. Adult tickets are $40-$275 and children’s tickets are $30-$265 online or at the door.

Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale

Shoppers at last years sidewalk sale in Alexandria. (Photo: Old Town Boutique District)

It’s time of for the fifth annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale in the Old Town and Del Rey sections of the city presented by the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association, the Old Town Boutique District, DASH, and the Del Ray Business Association. More than 50 businesses will host unique promotional events offering deeply-discounted summer merchandise (up to 80% off), product demonstrations and other special events. Parking at meters and city owned garages are free and the free King Street Trolley starts at 9 a.m.

Aug. 9 and 10 during business hours in the Old Town and Del Ray sections of Alexandria. Parking at meters and in city-owned garages is free as is the King Street Trolley, which runs from the King Street Metro to the waterfront along King Street.

Splash Yards

Splash Yards, a big water festival comes to The Yards Park in Southeast D.C. on Saturday. (Photo: The Yards D.C.)

Get out your stylish bikinis and swim shorts and gather the crew for the biggest water festival D.C. has ever seen, complete with an epic water battle! Adults (21 and older) can cool off at Splash Yards, a pool party that turns Southeast D.C.’s Yards Park into an outdoor water festival complete with two pools, water slides, surfboard water games, a misting tent, a giant Instagram photo booth and a water battle at 4 p.m. Buckets of water, water soakers and blasters will be provided. There will also be lawn games. Frozen drinks and Bluejacket beer will be for sale at a tiki bar. There will also be music including all-’90s cover band White Ford Bronco at 3 p.m. and Rock Creek Social’s DJ Jerome Baker III at 4:30 p.m. Bring a towel and your sunblock.

Aug. 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. Must be 21 or older. Admission is FREE!

New Vintage Jazz and Wine Fest

A day of grooving to jazz and sipping wine is on tap at New Vintage Jazz and Wine Fest. (Photo: New Vintage Jazz and Wine Fest)

The annual New Vintage Jazz and Wine Fest, a day of grooving and sipping sponsored by Jazz Chroniclers, CapitalBop and the Petworth Jazz Project returns this weekend. The diverse lineup features soulful saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin and Soulsquad, Soul Understated with Mavis Swan, the straight-ahead bop sound of the Elijah Jamal Balbed Quintet, Funk Art, Lenny Robinson’s Wayne Contingency and the breathtaking piano of Allyn Johnson and Sonic Sanctuary. As the music plays, artists from Art Whino paint murals, food trucks serve snacks and wine experts pour samples of 15 different varieties.

Aug. 9 from 2-10 p.m. at the H Street Fairgrounds, 1299 Half St. SE. Admission to the concert is $20 or admission and 2-ounce tastes of eight wines of your choice is $40 online.

The Waterfront Market & Cafe opens at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Nov. 26) in the Torpedo Factory, 7 King St. in Old Town Alexandria.

Waterfront Market & Cafe opens Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. in the Torpedo Factory. (Photo: Waterfront Market & Cafe/Facebook)

For years, the only waterfront restaurant has been the Chart House, a higher-end seafood chain. Now, waterfront dining options will include Waterfront Market and Blackwall Hitch, a restaurant and bar that will be located in the old Torpedo Factory Food Pavilion. Blackwall Hitch, which still has to receive city approval, would be owned by Larry Ray, owner of the Big Vanilla health clubs in Maryland and at least one Greene Turtle franchise. He is preparing to open another Blackwall Hitch in the Eastport section of Annapolis in January.

“We have three miles of water, but only one place to sit out and have a drink,” Waterfront Market & Cafe owner Jody Manor said during a recent media preview. “The city has been a great partner. Everyone wanted to make this happen.”

The restaurant will be the first paying tenant in the space in the 10 years, although the city did have a museum shop in the space for a while. Although it is permitted to operate from 7 a.m.-1 a.m., Manor said it will initially open at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner on weekends.

Mini Maryland crabcakes, mini meatloaf and mashed cupcakes, and mahi and shellfish ceviche, l to r. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The 4,000 square-foot Waterfront Market and Café will offer custom sandwiches, flatbreads, sushi, weekend brunch, pasta, entrees, homemade pizza by the slice and other quick service items. The retail market will sell gourmet grocery items, fresh produce, roasted chickens, salads, ice, ice cream and side dishes as well as a selection of craft beers and local and international wines. It will also carry sweets from Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery up King Street, which is also owned by Manor.

The restaurant takes advantage of the building’s view of the Potomac with 54 seats on the city-owned boardwalk, 20 seats on the King Street sidewalk in addition to the 76 seats inside. The market and cafe will cater to boaters who dock at the marina (the market) as well as diners looking for a meal with a view.

Outdoor seating will include 54 seats facing the Potomac River. (Photo: Waterfront Market & Cafe/Facebook)

Rich Markus Architects designed the interior including copper light fixtures and tables made from reclaimed lumber.

Meg Samonds is Waterfront’s general manager. Most recently, she managed Washington D.C.’s iconic Kinkead’s and was the director of operations for the Ancora by Bob Kinkead. Prior to Kinkead’s, Samonds spent many years in fine dining and ran her own business, Nutmeg Catering.

Manor and his staff used community engagement to shape the menu and retail product selection. They received close to 400 responses to an online survey and social media outreach from requests for locally produced and sourced products, healthy/vegetarian selections and weekend brunch along with an interest in special events such as wine and cheese tastings.

“The mission is to build a sense of community on the waterfront,” said Manor. “I want people to come back and enjoy our waterfront. We are making every effort to exceed expectations and having the input from the survey has been a great resource to help us better serve the community and visitors.”

Waterfront and Blackwall Hitch are part of wide-ranging plans for redevelopment of Alexandria’s waterfront. A new hotel is planned for the former Cummings warehouse site on Union Street, and several other waterfront parcels are part of a larger redevelopment strategy.