Girl Meets Food

Mmm…doesn’t the smell of charcoal and applewood smoke just make you want to hug a greased pig? When the heat leaves you so parched, so lifeless, leave the grilling to the pros.  Here’s a rotating calendar of outdoor barbecues–good all summer long.  The only movement you’ll have to make is wiping the soot mixed with tears of joy from your eyes:

Join Eventide’s Rooftop Barbecue with Chef Adam Barnett on the rooftop Sundays at 4 pm as he grills up barbecue chicken, grilled bratwurst, Angus burgers with bourbon samples. $30 for adults for food and bourbon; free for children under 10.  3165 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA.  703.276.3165

Because Friday is too far away, join Chef Rob Weland on the second Tuesday of the month when he wood-grilld a full goat, lamb, pig or King salmon at Cork’s Whole Animal Grill-Out, served with sides.  $50-$75 per person, $25 for optional wine pairing. 1805 14th Street NW, Washington, DC.  202.265.2675

Get your choice of burger ($7, local beef, chicken, black-eyed pea or turkey) with free toppings and chips at Helix Lounge’s Backyard Bash every Wednesday from 5-7 pm, grilled on their new wood-fire grill. DC Brau Lager is a steal for only $3.  1430 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC.  800.706.1202 more after the jump »

You’re late for everything.  You’re late to get up, late to work, late to leave–let’s face it, you’ll be late to croak.  We understand.  These establishments have happy hours which close slower than a hand-cranked stone gate operated by trolls, which turns out, sync perfectly to your schedule:

Wake up hung over and just keep on truckin’ at Asia Nine with happy hour all day Sunday.

Choose from $3 drafts, $5 select wines including sparkling, $5 sake or sake bomb (comes with Singha beer) and $17 buckets of 6 Singhas.

Select small plates are $3-$6, like Asian crispy wings or chicken fried wontons.  915 E Street NW, Washington, DC. 202.629.4355.

Ceiba offers a signature drink for $5 every day from 11:30 am-close, plus all lounge food items are ½ price Monday-Thursday from 9:30 pm-close and Friday-Saturday from 10 pm-close. 701 14th Street NW, Washington, DC. 202.393.3983

An ideal after-work cocktail destination, get $25 bottomless drinks every Tuesday from 7-11 pm (limited to two hours) at Ping Pong Dim Sum.

Try cocktails like vanilla & chili sidecars, beer, wine or champagne, plus edamame…if you want to pace yourself.  900 7th Street NW; 1 Dupont Circle NW.

DC Reynolds’ nightly happy hour is a real crowd-pleaser, with a buy-one-get-one-free deal on any drink your fuzzy little heart desires, every weekday from 5-9 pm. 3628 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC. 202.506.7178. more after the jump »

Get your Cinco de Mayo plans ready with this early edition of Pretty Marinated! full of buzz-worthy spirits, wine and beer.

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday this year. That’s the best news I’ve heard since discovering the wonders of day drinking.  Though I usually have a “no tequila before dark” rule, margaritas are the only welcome exception. These refreshing libations are perfect for daytime consumption; just think of the lime juice as your daily serving of fruit.

Even if sipping tequila straight is your thing, this all-day drinking guide will help you find your alcoholic niche this weekend.

So grab a sombrero, visit one of the following locales, and impress everyone with your 10th grade Spanish.

Though after twelve hours of margs, you’ll be speaking Mayan:

Party Animals

• El Centro DF is going all out, starting with its regular bottomless brunch ($35) from 11 am-5 pm, then chugging water until 6 pm when the real fiesta starts. For a $20 cover, fist pump with $5 margaritas and $4 Dos Equis, complimentary Mexican snacks, and DJs spinning beats until close.  Dinner menu not available. 1819 14th Street NW, Washington, DC.  202.328.3131. more after the jump »