May 10 through 16

SPOTLIGHT

Taste of Arlington
Sunday, May 16, 12-5 p.m. Why settle for one restaurant when you can roam among the masses as you taste every bit of what Arlington has to offer. The 23rd annual Taste of Arlington is growing and this year will showcase several Arlington communities, from Ballston to Columbia Pike to Pentagon City. Good thing for your taste buds! A portion of the proceeds benefit Community Residences, Inc., a non-profit that assists people with disabilities to live independently. The event takes place along Wilson Boulevard, rain or shine, in front of Ballston Common Mall. No entrance fee, but you need tickets to sample food and beverages. $20 per ticket book in advance; $25 online or day of until 3p.m. Each booklet contains 8 taste tickets. Each food item costs $1/taste, sodas/water cost $1/taste, and beer/wine cost $2/2 tastes. http://tasteofarlington.com

Shula’s 48-Ounce Challenge

May 13^th, 6:30pm.  Local celebrity contestants Corey Raymer, DC 101’s Flounder, The Redskins’ Fred Davis, and Mike “Mouth” Moss will compete in the 48-Ounce Challenge at Shula’s Steak House at Tyson’s Corner Marriott.  The event raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network.  Shula’s Steak House Tysons Corner at the Marriott Tysons Corner; 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna; 703-506-3256. www.donshula.com Free.

Mount Vernon Wine Festival and Sunset Tour
May 14-16; 6-9 p.m. Bring your blanket for an elegant evening of live jazz music and amazing views of the Potomac River. 17 award-winning wineries will participate in the festival. Take a candlelit Mansion tour and visit the rarely seen Mansion cellar. Fruit and cheese boxes can also be purchased as can private reserved tables. The Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant will also have concessions available to enjoy while you sample fine Virginia wines. Regular Sunday tickets and VIP tables still available. www.mountvernon.org $30 admission; $24 fruit and cheese box, $1000 private reserved tables for 12 guests.

Vietnamese Culinary Tour
May 15, 10:30 a,m.-3 p.m. Les Dames d’Escoffier will host a culinary tour and tasting of Vietnamese foods. The group will be led by food writers, chefs, and restaurant owners. The day will begin with Vietnamese Iced coffee and Coconut cake, a tour of the Cho Gai Supermarket with a Green Papaya shredding demonstration, lunch at Viet Royale Restaurant with a Garden Roll demonstration, and a tasting at Song Que for Bubble Tea. The day ends with an introduction to the country’s arts and crafts at the Galerie Brigitte. RSVP at www.lesdamesdc.org or by calling 202-973-2168 before May 8. $50 per person.

Veramar Vineyards 10th Anniversary
May 15, 12-4 p.m. Celebrate Veramar’s 10th Anniversary with a cake cutting ceremony at 1p.m. All bottles of wine will be 10% off in honor of their anniversary. Veramar Vineyard, 905 Quarry Road, Berryville; 540-955-5510; www.veramar.com; Free.

Virginia Wine & Craft Festival
May 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The 24th annual festival features over 20 wineries, handmade crafts, live entertainment, and a variety of festival foods, such as crab cake sandwiches, seafood, and funnel cake. Historic Downtown Front Royal; Main & Chester Streets, Front Royal; 540-635-3185; www.wineandcraftfestival.com. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. $2 for wine tasting.

Winemaker’s Dinner at Veramar Vineyard
May 15, 6-8 p.m. Four-course dinner at Dancing Goat Restaurant paired with Veramar Vineyard wines. Courses include confit pork shank with frisee, roasted red pepper and artichoke and a roasted rack of lamb. The George Washington Hotel; 103 East Piccadilly Street, Winchester; 540-678-4700; www.dancinggoatrestaurant.com; $75 per person.

Loudoun’s 2010 Spring Farm Tour
May 15-16; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit several of Loudoun County producers on self-guided tours of 25 farms, 17 wineries, and 8 other venues. Meet the farmers, buy some goods, and play with the animals. www.loudounfarms.org

Anothai Anniversary

May 15, 7:30p.m. Celebrate Anothai’s 3^rd birthday with a live band.  If you can’t make it to the celebration, enjoy $3 Pad Thai for the rest of the week.  Anothai Restaurant, 43170 Southern Walk Plaza, Broadlands; 571-223-0053; www.anothairestaurant.com

Wines at Wolf Trap

May 15, 6-10p.m.  An intimate evening of fine wines and cuisine at the Barns at Wolf Trap.  A five-course dinner paired with wines, presented by Michael Martini of Louis M. Martini Winery of St. Helena, California, will be served while live entertainment will be conducted by Emil de Cou of the National Symphony Orchestra.  Guests will enjoy a preview of the 2010 Wolf Trap summer season and familiar favorites and have the chance to bid on fine dining, travel experiences, wine cases during a silent auction.  The menu is available online. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts; 1635 Trap Road, Vienna; 703-255-4030; www.wolftrap.org $300-$10,000.

Winchester International Festival

May 16, 12-3p.m. Sona Restaurant hosts a taste of the town at the Winchester International Food Festival.  Enjoy samples from local restaurants such as One Block West, Thai Winchester, Union Jack, Cantina D’Italia, Chop Stick Café, Blue Fox, Sona, and Trigo De Oro. Bring the family for some cricket and face painted. Proceeds will be donated to Evans Home. 2900 Valley Avenue, Winchester; 540-662-9299. $10, Free for children 12 and under.