August 9 through August 15
www.ballyshaners.org
SPOTLIGHT
Alexandria Irish Festival
August 14, noon-7p.m. For good craic, merry music and hearty food, you can count on the Irish. Come out to dine on shepherd’s pie, corned beef, soda bread and possibly Irish stew too. A beer tent will be dedicated to Irish grog (Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp) and Miller Lite. Sláinte! Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street, Alexandria; www.ballyshaners.org; Free
Tyson’s Corner Schmoozarama
August 9, 6-8p.m. A business networking event adds great food, wine and beer into the mixer. Get a taste of Brazil with a special sampling menu with dishes like Picana Nobre, Toasted Yuccan Flour with Black Beans, Brazilian Sausage and more. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, 8010 Towers Crescent Drive, Tyson’s Corner; 703-639-3080; www.bisnow.com; $39 Early Bird Price
Virginia Harvest Wine Dinner at Wildfire
August 10, 6:30p.m. Wildfire hosts a five-course dinner to celebrate local, seasonal foods with Virginia’s famous rockfish, warm lobster tomato and spinach salad, spit-roasted grass-fed beef tenderloin, butterscotch ice cream and more. Wildfire, Tysons Galleria, 3rd floor, McLean; 703-442-9110; www.wildfirerestaurant.com; $75
“1 Hour” Beer School
August 10, 6p.m. or 8p.m. Busy schedule? This class leaves fewer excuses with a lesson of beer basics condensed into only one hour. Get a free beer glass along with cheese tastings as you learn about hops and what makes beer so great. Washington Wine Academy, 1201 South Eads, Suite 400, Arlington; 703-971-1525; www.washingtonwineacademy.org; $42.50
- Wine and History at Potomac Point Winery
August 11, 5:30-8:30p.m. On the historic grounds where Pocahontas lived, enjoy wine and cheese while Professor James Thompson walks you through tales of Virginia history and its connection with wine. You’ll also receive an autographed copy of The Birth of Virginia’s Aristocracy. Potomac Point Winery, 275 Decatur Road, Stafford; 540-446-2266; http://www.potomacpointwinery.com; $37.50
Guest Chef at Patowmack Farms
August 12, 7p.m. Chef Andrew Little of Pennsylvania shows his support of “farm-to-table” eating with every meal. This fresh five-course dinner features American twists on familiar favorites. The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, 42461 Lovettsville Road, Lovettsville; 540-822-9017; www.patowmackfarm.com; $80
- Uruguayan Dinner at City Square Café
August 13, 5:30p.m. Grab a taste of Uruguay’s most popular dishes, brought to you by hosts from the nation! You’ll be feasting on a three-course mix grill (Parillada) with rounds of Fresh Tomatoes, Fresh Oregano and Olive Oil, Chorizo, Short ribs, Chicken with Bravo Papas and Chimichurri Sauce, and Flan con Dulce de Leche. Uruguayan wines will be available separately. City Square Café, 9428 Battle Street, Manassas; 703-369-6022; http://www.citysquarecafe.com/; $39pp
Wine 101: A Guide to Tasting Wines
August 14, 3-5p.m. This class goes beyond how to taste by teaching how to pair wine with foods (tapas included for demonstration benefits) and how to distinguish between varietals (there may be a test to keep you accountable!). Evo Bistro, 1313 Old Chain Bridge Road, McLean; 703-288-4422; www.evobistro.com; $45pp
Assaggi Osteria International Wine & Cheese Festival
August 14, 3-7p.m. There are dozens of wines and cheeses to sample without it costing you too much cheddar. If you like what you taste, you can take it home for discounted prices. Assaggi Osteria, 6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean; 703-918-0080; www.assaggiosteria.com; $25 in advance, $35 at the door
- Mackintosh Fruit Farm Dinner
August 14, 7p.m. Chef Tona Bays prepares a dinner that is fresh and seasonal with a pickled vegetable salad, Trout with Grean Leaf Herb Jam Sauce, and finished with a Blackberry Chocolate Flan. Come dine on the terrace surrounded by the peach trees at the Mackintosh Fruit Farm. Mackintosh Fruit Farm, 1608 Russell Road, Berryville; 540-955-2161; http://www.mackintoshfruitfarm.com; $25