It’s May, and the weather this weekend is supposed to be sunny and warm with temperatures in the 70s. It will be a perfect weekend for the many outdoor activities including the National Cathedral’s annual Flower Mart, Passport D.C.’s annual embassy tours, the Redskins’ Draft Day Party at FedEx Field, the Funk Parade and the fourth annual Running of the Chihuahuas at The Wharf. For foodies, you can eat sample foods at the National Harbor Wine & Food Festival, Taste of 8th, Taste of Dupont and the Bloody Mary Festival. There are plenty of indoor events too.

This weekend, Blue and Silver line trains will operate at regular intervals. Green and Red line trains will operate every 15 minutes, with Red Line trains operating every 10 minutes from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. between Grosvenor and Silver Spring. Orange Line trains will operate every 18 minutes. Buses will replace Yellow Line trains between Huntington and King Street with Yellow Line trains operating at regular intervals between Franconia-Springfield and Mount Vernon Square. Express buses between King Street and Huntington will add an additional 15 minutes, while local buses between King Street and Huntington with a stop at Eisenhower Avenue will add 10 extra minutes per station.

Visitors to the National Harbor Wine & Food Festival on the piers in 2013. (Photo: Trigger Agency)

National Harbor Wine & Food Festival

The eighth annual National Harbor Wine & Food Festival returns to the National Harbor waterfront and is tent-covered. This year’s festival includes more than 150 international, regional and local wines, spirits and beers. Sample all of the varieties as well as purchase them by the glass or bottle. There is a Cinco de Mayo pavilion, special craft beer tasting bier garten experience, whiskey and bourbon tasting, three stages of live music and more. A cooking stage will include appearances by chef Scott Drewno of The Source by Wolfgang Puck, chef Mike Isabella of Graffiato and chef Victor Albisu of Del Campo on Saturday, and chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley of Roofers Union, chef Bryan Voltaggio of Volt/Range restaurant, and chef Rahman “Rock” Harper winner of Hell’s Kitchen.

May 2 and 3 from noon-6 p.m. at the National Harbor.waterfront, 137 National Plaza, Oxen Hill. Admission is $55 on Saturday and $45 on Sunday at the gate and includes a souvenir wine glass unlimited samples, cooking demonstrations and workshop. VIP admission is $85 on Saturday and $75 on Sunday at the gate and includes an extra hour of sampling and access to VIP area.

The National Cathedral’s annual plant festival is back this weekend. (Photo: Carol Ross Joynt)

Flower Mart

Each year, the Washington National Cathedral’s annual Flower Mart attracts 20,000 visitors who come to enjoy the grounds and gardens. This year’s Flower Mart celebrates Asia. Shop for plants, enjoy diverse food and enjoy puppet shows, rides on the 1890s wooden carousel and entertainment for the whole family. On Saturday, you can climb the Cathedral bell tower’s 333 steps for $10. Tours will be given every half hour between 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. except at noon.

May 1 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and May 2 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
 
 
 

Around the World Embassy Tour

A Peruvian band plays outside the embassy during the 2014 open house. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

Travel the world and experience the food, art, dance, fashion, music, innovations and manufactured goods from different countries without leaving D.C. This year, 42 embassies will open their doors for the Around the World Embassy Tour sponsored by Cultural Tourism D.C., allowing guests to pet alpacas, play with robots, learn indigenous dances and more. Many of the embassies are within walking distance of the Dupont Circle and Van Ness metro stations. Some embassies require ID. Next Saturday is the European Union embassies’ open house.

May 2 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 42 embassies including Japan, Kenya, Bahamas, Korea, Bolivia, Morocco, Brazil, Costas Rica, Pakistan, Peru, Fiji, Qatar an Venezuela. Admission is FREE!

Explore space and meet an astronaut at the National Air & Space Museum’s Space Day on Saturday. (Photo: National Air & Space Museum)

Space Day

Find out what it is like to live and work in space from astronauts Patrick Forrester and Paolo Nespoli at the Smithsonian’s Space Day You can also learn about spacesuits and the tools used by astronauts and participate in STEM-inspired hands-on activities.

May 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum, 6th Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
 
 

Redskins Draft Day Party

Fan’s pose with the Redskins’ three Super Bowl trophies at the 2014 draft day party. (Photo: Redskins)

It’s time for the NFL draft, and the Washington team is throwing its Redskins Draft Day Party. The free event at FedEx Field includes appearances by players including Robert Griffin III, Dexter Manley, Ricky Irvins, Gary Clark and more. Wale is expected to perform between 12:30-1 p.m. Other events include live music and a performance by the Redskins Marching Band, passing and kicking contests, tours of the team’s locker room, pictures with the three Super Bowl trophies, rock climbing, hands-on tutorials, the debut of the 2015 Redskins cheerleaders, autograph sessions, a draft day scavenger hunt and free giveaways. Some food concessions will be open.

May 2 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at FedEx Field, 1600 FedEx Way, Landover. Parking lots open at 10 a.m., stadium gates open at 11 a.m. Entry is through the Comcast Sportsnet Gate (H) next to the Hall of Fame store. Parking and admission are FREE! Register online.

Funk Parade

A marching band leads last year’s Funk Parade. (Photo: Ted Eytan)

Saturday’s Funk Parade is actually an all-day festival with a street fair, the parade, a music festival and an after party. The day kicks off with the street fair from noon-5 p.m. in parking lots and alleyways along U Street between 15th Street and Vermont Avenue NW. You’ll find performances and workshops, including a guitar jam session, a songwriting class and hand dancing. The parade takes place from 5-7 p.m. Performers and pedestrians along with four marching bands – three from local schools and one from Brooklyn — will assemble at Florida Avenue and T Street NW, then proceed down T Street, north on Vermont Avenue, then west down U Street. A music festival with free concerts at 14 venues around the U Street including U Street Music Hall and DC9 from 7-10 p.m. The day winds down with an after party at the Howard Theater featuring Lee Field and the Expressons.

May 2 from noon-midnight at various venues in along the U Street corridor. Admission is FREE except the after party, which is $30.

Fruhlingsfest

Spring is here, which means it’s time for this year’s Fruhlingsfest at the Heurich House. The fun includes a May pole, scavenger hunts for the kids, face painting, live music, ice cream-making, a pig roast and beer from Virginia’s Old Ox Brewery.

May 2 from 1-4 p.m. at Heurich House, 1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW. Admission for people ages 13 and older is $20 online or at the door. Children 2-12 are $5. Admission includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic drinks. Guests 21 and older also receive two beer tickets.

Taste of 8th

Taste of 8th returns to Barracks Row on Saturday. (Photo: Barracks Row Main Street)

Once a year it’s possible to eat at just about every restaurant on Barracks Row in one afternoon. At Taste of 8th, more than 25 restaurants serve tapas-sized portions of their most famous dishes. If you already have a favorite dining spot or two on the Barracks Row, this is the perfect opportunity to check out some others. The food will take you from Ireland to Belgium, back to the United States, on to Korea and beyond. A menu by course of what every restaurant will be serving will be available during the event to plan a course-by-course, country-by-country sampling.

May 2 from 1-4 p.m. along Barracks Row, Eighth Street SE. Tickets are $20 for a pack of five online or at 8th and G Streets SE in front of Spring Mill Bread.

Taste of Dupont

Sample food from Dupont restaurant at Taste of Dupont on Saturday. (Photo: Dupont Circle Main Streets)

Kore

During Taste of Dupont, Dupont Circle restaurants will showcase their favorite appetizers, entrees, drinks and desserts. The progressive restaurant event allows patrons to explore neighborhood eateries by hopping from place to place with tasting tickets to enjoy the best Dupont restaurants have to offer.

May 2 from 2-5 p.m. around Dupont Circle. Tasting tickets are $5 each or five for $20 in advance. Tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. on the west side of the circle.

Korean Film Festival D.C.

The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow kicks off Korean Film Festival D.C. at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Freer Gallery. (Photo: Freer Gallery)

The Korean Film Festival D.C. featuring 17 Korean films kicks off with a full day of activities for the whole family from 11 a.m-4 p.m. at the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery. Explore the richness of Korean culture through hands-on activities such as a Korean kite making workshop, learning to play jegichagi, an animated film, gallery conversations, a cooking demonstration by Jae Ok Chang and dance performances. Sunday’s film, The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow will be shown at 2 p.m.

May 3-June 25 at various times at the Freer Gallery of Art, Independence Avenue at 12th Street SW, or the AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Admission at the Freer is FREE! Admission at AFI Silver is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children online or at the door. Click here to see the full schedule and purchase tickets.

Running of the Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas race during the 2013 Running of the Chihuahuas. This year’s event takes place Sunday at The Wharf. (Photo: Getty Images)

It’s time for the fourth annual Running of the Chihuahuas. The stubby dogs will be racing for $500 in cash and prizes in contests including speediest dog, as well as all-breed contests for best dressed and best trick. Registration is $20 with proceeds going to Rural Dog Rescue. Hand Painted Swinger will perform live. Cornona and Corona Light will be for sale along with food from Red Hook Lobster Truck, Sol Mexican and Captain Cookie. An after party will be held at Cantina Marina on the waterfront with dogs welcome.

May 3 from 1-4 p.m. at The Wharf, Water Street SE between Sixth and Seventh Streets on the Southeast Waterfront. Admission is FREE!

The Bloody Mary Festival

Guests sample Bloody Marys at the Bloody Mary Festival. (Photo: The Bloody Mary Festival)

Sure, you’ve had a Bloody Mary, but have you had the chance to sample a dozen different Bloody Marys in one sitting? At The Bloody Mary Festival, you’ll get three hours of unlimited drinking along with sliders from Rocklands BBQ, live music and Crunkcakes. Participating bars and restaurants include Hank’s Oyster Bar, Del Campo, Range, The Heights, Founding Farmers, Pearl Diver Oyster Palace, Rebellion, The Source, Tico, Buffalo & Bergen, Glover’s Pepper Sauce, Gordy’s Pickle Jar and George’s Bloody Mary Mix. Guests will vote for “The Best Bloody Mary in D.C.”

May 3 from 1-4 p.m. at Blind Whino, 700 Delaware Ave. SW. Admission is $50 online.

Listen to Your Mother D.C.

Being a mother can be a thankless job. It’s also a subject ripe for artistic inspiration. At Listen to Your Mother D.C., local storytellers will offer live readings on the humor, frustration and pride that go along with motherhood. Invite your mom and share a laugh.

May 3 from 2-4 p.m. at National Geographic, 1600 M St. NW. Admission is $15 online or at the door. Tickes at the door are credit card only.

By now, we’ve all heard about how wonderful Rose’s Luxury is. Located in Barrack’s Row at 717 8th St. SE, it was recently named the Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit magazine.

Rose’s Luxury (Photo: Brian Oh/Serious Eats)

Needless to say, D.C.’s most talked about restaurant is a tough place to get into. My first attempt ended in complete and utter failure. I happened to be in the neighborhood with my sister, and we decided to just drop in and see if we could get on the list. It was 5:45 p.m. on a Thursday night. We waited 20 minutes in a line that went out the door and down the street. By the time we got to the hostess desk we were told the wait was going to be about three hours. Come again? We decided to try for a table another day and slumped out with our heads down and bellies empty.

Last week, we set forth a plan of attack and were rewarded with a much-coveted table after only waiting one and a half hours. Walking in, we noticed that everything about this restaurant was thought out to the last detail from the décor to the mismatched plates to the overhead bistro bulbs draped in the back dining room. There was even a cubby under the table to keep one set of menus, thereby saving precious surface space for more important things… like food. We were greeted with smiling faces from every staff member, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.

Rose’s Luxury (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

A small plates style restaurant, we were directed to order between three to five dishes to share between the two of us. We happily obliged and went for the middle road, selecting four plates. Of course, we had already sneaked a peek at the rotating menu before sitting down and already knew what we wanted to order. To start things off, a beautiful brioche loaf with butter and honey arrived and almost immediately disappeared, devoured within minutes.

Brioche with honey and butter (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

Washington Post named the pork sausage, habanero and lychee salad as “one of the dishes every Washingtonian must try in 2014,” and it did not disappoint. The combination of flavors was out of this world. Basil, peanuts and coconut complemented the other salad components and left us scraping the bottom of the bowl to get every last bite.

Lychee salad (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

Our server brought over a dish on the house: watermelon salad with feta cream, black olive oil and watermelon radish. I love when restaurants give a complimentary dish. This is something we would never have ordered, but we were so happy we got to try it. It was almost too pretty to eat.

Watermelon salad (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

Due to some confusion, we were also gifted with a plate of caramelized cauliflower with Greek yogurt. Again, not something we were planning on ordering, but we’re not ones to turn away a free dish.

Next up was our favorite dish of the night: linguittini with saffron, butter, shrimp and lemon. It was so buttery and so rich … if only it were socially acceptable to lick the bottom of serving plates, I’d be all over it.

Linguittini (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

This is right about the time when our stomachs started expanding to their limits, begging us to stop eating, but we just couldn’t. With two more plates left, we were nowhere near the finish line. The pickle-brined fried chicken with honey and benne seed was the perfect blend of sweet and salty, and the Mexican grilled corn salad was smoky, light and refreshing. On recommendation from a coworker, we had hoped to save enough room to cap off our meal with the goat’s milk stracciatella, raspberries and spicy meringue, but unfortunately our sated stomachs got the better of us and we decided to try the dessert on our next visit. Our food comas were hitting us hard as we sat back, contemplating when we could justify splurging on another feast here.

Pickle-brined fried chicken (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

Mexican corn salad (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

I’m not exaggerating when I say this meal was the best I’ve eaten at any restaurant. The next morning I was looking through the photos I had taken from the night before and could literally taste each dish again as I flipped through the images. My sister even texted me “I am dreaming about last night’s dinner.” A week later, I’m still salivating over the pictures as I put this post together.

Rose’s Luxury definitely lived up to its hype and my high expectations. Everything from the clean, fresh flavors of the menu to the décor and service was inviting and genuine: a dining experience that was perfect and luxurious in every way.

With temperatures cooling, it is a perfect weekend to get out and enjoy the many events in the DMV. There are art shows, festivals, a giant yoga session, lots of food and even an event for dog lovers.

Metro plans major work on the Green Line this weekend, with the Naylor Road, Suitland and Branch Avenue stations closed beginning at 10 p.m. Friday through closing Sunday and buses replacing trains. Riders taking express buses between Southern Avenue and Branch Avenue should ass 25 minutes to their travel times. Riders using local buses stopping at all three closed stations should add 15 minutes for each station. Green Line trains between Greenbelt and Southern Avenue will operate at regular weekend intervals. Orange Line trains will operate every 24 minutes, and Red Line trains will operate every 22 mintues between Shady Grove & Glenmont and every 10-12 minutes from Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet every 10-12 minutes between 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday..Silver, Blue and Yellow line trains between Huntington and Fort Totten only will run on regular schedules this weekend.

Art All Night includes music, activities and visual and performing artists from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday in Congress Heights, Dupont Circle, North Capitol, Shaw and H Street NE. (Photo: Dakota Fine)

Art All Night: Nuit Blanche D.C.

How much art can you take in one evening? Art All Night: Nuit Blanche D.C., the brainchild of writer and curator Ariana Austin and sponsored by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, is back for its fourth year, featuring music, activities and visual and performing artists. Based on a festival concept that began in Paris, Art All Night offers residents and visitors an exciting opportunity to engage with D.C. arts and artists.Each neighborhood will host their own unique mix of artistic programming for audiences to enjoy.

Sept. 27 from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. in Congress Heights, Dupont Circle, North Capitol, Shaw and H Street NE. Admission is FREE!

Artwork including this one from Kelly Towles will be on dispaly at 100 Percent Bread, a pop-up art project. (Photo: Kelly Towles/Facebook)

100 Percent Bread

D.C. lifestyle company No Kings Collective celebrates its fifth birthday with 100 Percent Bread, a pop up art project at the old Wonder Bread Factory. The show features works by local artists including Kelly Towles, music from DJs like Spincer Tracy and a series of parties. Sunday brings two special brunches featuring art, mimosas and yoga.

Sept. 26 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. and Sept. 27 from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. at Wonder Bread Factory, 641 S St. NW. Admission is FREE! For Sept. 28, see Bendy Brunch below.
 
 
 

D.C. Walk for the Animals and Pet-A-Palooza

A dog costume contest will be part of Pet-A-Palooza. (Photo: Washington Humane Society/Facebook)

Bring your dog for the D.C. Walk for the Animals and Pet-A-Palooza charity walk and pet festival that aims to raise money to help end pet homelessness in D.C. The festival will include a best dog costume contest, a parade of pups, best dog trick contest and a musical sit contest, FREE rabies and distemper vaccinations. For the humans, there will be live music, kids activities, exhibitors, a bake sale and pet adoptions.

Sept. 27 from 10-2 p.m. at Kingsbury Center, 5000 14th St. NW. Admission is FREE!
 
 
 

Barracks Row Fall Festival

Last year’s Barracks Row Fall Festival. (Photo: Popville)

There will be food, music, artists and fun for kids at the Barracks Row Fall Festival Activities include a military chefs cookoff (beginning at 7 a.m.), beer garden, silent drill platoon, The Georgetown Chimes, the Trapeze School of New York and tours of the Marine Barracks at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 and 3:45 p.m..

Sept. 27 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. along Eighth Street SE from Pennsylvania Avenue to the Washington Navy Yards. Admission is FREE!

Cady’s Alley Oktoberfest

Cady’s Alley merchants celebrate Oktoberfest from noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (Photo: Cady’s Alley)

The merchants of Cady’s Alley in Georgetown celebrate Oktoberfest with authentic Bavarian fare from Kafe Leopold, a German beer hall with Alpine music from Die Drei, a fun zone and promotions by the Georgetown retailers. Traditional German dress is encouraged. Participating retailers including All Saints, Babette, Banana Republic, Boffi, Bonobos, Brooks Brother, Calypso St. Barth, City Sports, Cotemporaria, the Levi’s Store, Sephora and Steven Alan will be offer sales, drinks and/or giveaways

Sept. 27 and 28 from noon-5 p.m. in Cady’s Alley NW, Georgetown. Admission is FREE!

Trucktoberfest

Trucktoberfest comes to Wheaton. (Graphic: D.C., Maryland and Virginia Food Truck Association)

Some of the DMV’s favorite food trucks head to Wheaton for the Trucktoberfest Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival, sponsored by the D.C., Maryland and Virginia Food Truck Association. The festivals features 12 of the DMV’s favorite food truck including AZN Eats, Cajunators, Carmen’s Italian Ice, Carolina Q, That Cheesecake Truck, Feelin’ Crabby, Healthy Fool, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Sate, Sharbat Replublic, South Meets East and Tapas Truck, fashion trucks, a craft beer garden by the Limerick Pub, live music from The Exhcnage Soundstage and a kids’ zone with pumpkin decorating and bobbing for apples. Bands include Kicoman, Flex Matthews, Trevor Martin, Magnetar Flares and the Very Smalls.

Sept. 27 from noon-7 p.m. at Wheaton Triangle, Grandview Avenue and Reedie Drive at Wheaton Metro Station, Wheaton. Admission is FREE!

Taste of Friendship Heights

The Taste of Friendship Heights features restaurants from the Village of Friendship Heights. (Photo: Village of Friendship Heights)

The eighth annual Taste of Friendship Heights features food from Alfio’s, the Courtyard Marriott, Indique Heights, Maggiano’s, Mi Cocina, P.F. Chang’s, Rosa Mexicano, Sunrise Brighton Gardens, The Capital Grille and Whole Foods. There will also be live music from Dixie Power Trio, a moon bounce, basketball, face painting and a restaurant raffle.

Sept. 27 from noon-4 p.m. at Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Friendship Heights. Free parking at Courtyard Marriott. Admission is FREE! Four food and drink tickets cost $5 (cash only) with most food and drinks costing three or four tickets.

Bendy Brunch

At Bendy Brunch you can take a yoga class and have brunch. (Photo: Grip the Mat)

Grip the Mat, a new yoga company in D.C. pioneering “yoga social events,” presents Bendy Brunch on day three of the No Kings Collective fifth anniversary celebration, 100 Percent Bread (see above). Bendy Brunch includes art, a mixed-level, sensory yoga social with 200 yogis, brunch and mimosas. Bring your mat, a towel, a water bottle and a buddy.

Sept. 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Wonder Bread Factory, 641 S St. NW. Cost is $35 and includes a yoga class, brunch and one mimosa, but DC on Heels readers can save $5 by entering the code HEELS here.

Turkish Festival

All things Turkish come to Pennsylvania Avenue on Sunday. (Photo: S Pakrhin/Flickr)

Experience a magical journey to Turkey in D.C. at the 12th annual Turkish Festival. Presented by the American-Turkish Association of Washington, D.C., the day includes dance, music, cuisine, fashion and arts and crafts. Enjoy delicious Turkish food and traditional Turkish coffee while you browse and shop at the bazaar and watch stage performance. A kids’ tent will include hands-on activities such as making a Turkish tile, stringing a bead bracelet and photos in folklore costumes.

Sept. 28 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 12th and 14th Streets. Admission is FREE!