Things to Do: Eat•Drink•Go LOCAL

Today, I was looking at LivingSocial's deal for an event called Eat•Drink•Go LOCAL. I'd never heard of it so I decided to take a moment to familiarize myself with it. It's an event held in three locations in Maryland that combines two of my loves, wine and food. The first event will be held in Frederick, MD on July 9.

Today's LivingSocial deal offers over 50% off of the cost of the wine tasting, it's only $7. Get your deal before it expires here.

Below is more information from the Eat•Drink•Go LOCAL website...

Eat•Drink•Go LOCAL Frederick

Join us for a pairing of the best of what the Frederick region has to offer. Browse local produce from regional farmers and enjoy cooking demonstrations -- all the while learning which local wines to pair with local fare.

Ticket Options

Entry into the Eat•Drink•Go LOCAL events is free; attendees can shop the market and enjoy chef cooking demonstrations throughout the day.

For $15, attendees can purchase a TASTING PASS and receive a stemless sampling glass and samples of Maryland Wine. (<-- this is today's LivingSocial deal)

For $25, attendees can purchase a FOOD & WINE PAIRING PASS and receive a stemless sampling glass, samples of Maryland wine, a six bottle carrier (for wine & produce!) and pairings of local ingredients and local wines.

Learn more

Cheers!

Things to Do: Safeway BBQ Battle

In case you hadn't heard, the annual Safeway Barbecue Battle is this weekend, June 25-26. It's held downtown along Pennsylvania Avenue (between 9th and 14th Streets NW). I went last year with a couple of my girlfriends and we had so much fun.

Despite the extreme heat, we made our way up and down the streets a few times, sampled some delicious BBQ, picked up a bunch of goodies, listened to live musical entertainment (can't remember who it was though) and ended up cooling in the shade with some BBQ. All I remember is leaving full and happy.

Unfortunately, I'll be out of town for this year's event (I'll be at the Taste of Chicago) but don't let that stop you. Have a big, greasy rack of ribs for me.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. If you plan to go both days, buy the weekend pass it's only $18. Also, if you can try to buy your tickets in advance so you don't have to spend time waiting in line. Get your tickets here. The best part of the event is the proceeds go to support the Boys and Girls Clubs.

To learn more about this year's event visit: http://www.BBQDC.com

Things to Do: Refugees Int'l Event (FREE)

Just received an email about this and wanted to spread the word...

In commemoration of World Refugee Day, please join co-hosts Refugees International’s Young Humanitarian Circle and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area for award-winning photojournalist Greg Constantine’s photography exhibit “Nowhere People: The Global Face of Statelessness.”

Greg Constantine’s photos give faces to a select few of the world’s 12 million stateless people in need of citizenship, rights, and protection. The exhibition aims to show the human toll of the denial of citizenship that has caused the involuntary exclusion of individuals from society, and to provide tangible proof that millions of people hidden and forgotten all over the world actually exist.

Thursday, June 23, 2011
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Photo Exhibition, Sponsored by UNHCR and UPS
Kennedy Center, Hall of Nations, 2700 F Street NW
Exhibit is free and open to the public. There is no fee to attend.

7:30pm – 9:30pm
Networking Reception featuring Dr. Michel Gabaudan, President of Refugees International
Maté Lounge, 3101 K Street NW
Sponsored by Peroni and Maté Lounge, featuring complimentary Peroni, cash bar with $5 cocktails and food specials.

Event is free to attend, but registration is required. Register Here

If you would like more information, call 202-828-0110 ext. 241 to speak with Katherine Wynne.

Refugees International
2001 S Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.828.0110
Fax: 202.828.0819
ri@refugeesinternational.org

Restaurant Review: Souk Moroccan Restaurant

Last weekend, I decided to go to Souk, they call themselves a Moroccan Tapas Bar, located in the revitalized H Street Corridor. I'm a lover of all things Moroccan so when a deal for the restaurant was on Groupon, I jumped at getting it.

I made reservations for 7:30, but had to call them to let them know I wouldn't be there until closer to 8. They said no problem, which was cool for a Saturday night. We walked in right at 8 and were given the choice of sitting in the front bar area or the dimly lit cozy back room, we chose the latter. I have to say it wasn't at all what I expected. While there were random Moroccan elements such as lanterns, it wasn't at all like the Moroccan restaurants I've been to where you sit on pillows and the wait staff are dressed in their native clothing wearing a fez. But different can be good right?

As soon as we were seated, our waiter came over to take our drink orders. I was feeling adventurous so I ordered this blackberry whisky & vodka drink that our waiter suggested. When he brought it out I took one sip and was like whoa, it was way too strong. I told him I didn't like it and 2 minutes later he came back with a better, less lethal version of the same drink.

Since, I'd done my research I had an idea of what I was going to order. Although the reviews were a little shaky, everyone seemed to rave about how good the Baba Ghanouge (photo 1) was. So we went with that for starters. Truthfully, I think I like saying it more than anything. It was tasty and the perfect consistency, but when our waiter brought out the spices, that really complemented it and changed the taste completely. Needless to say, we devoured it within a matter of minutes, and it was an ample size for an appetizer.

I'd never had a shrimp dish, nor any other type of seafood, at a Moroccan restaurant so I was pleasantly surprised to see some there. They usually specialize on chicken, beef and lamb. We ordered the Harissa Shrimp for our second course. It was seasoned with just the right amount of spice. The only thing was the shrimp were really small, but at least we got a lot of them and they were fresh. (photo 2)

For the entree we wanted something different than just the usual Moroccan dishes, i.e. bastilla, chicken with lemons or beef kabobs. Once again our waiter came to the rescue and suggested we try the Mixed Grill (photo 3). According to the menu, it was a combination platter of chicken and kafta kabob and lamb merguez (sausage), served over rice with saffron-infused tomato sauce. It was dee-lish! I will say I'm not a fan of lamb so that was the only thing on the plate I didn't eat but everything else was amazing.

I'll definitely be adding Souk to the list of my places to recommend. The food was excellent and the servers were very attentive and full of suggestions. So glad I didn't listen to the reviews on Yelp.

Food A+
Ambiance B
Service A

Souk
1208 H Street Northeast
Washington D.C., DC 20002
(202) 658-4224
www.souk-dc.com/