Shutdown got you down? Think of it as a surprise sabbatical. Now that you’ve got extra time on your hands, check out our round-up of the best of the fine, wine and canine events this week. And guess what? It’s Pizza Month! This is the perfect time to drown your sorrows in the carby stuff without having to justify your behavior TO ANYONE. We got your back, girl.
Today: Cavalia: Odysseo, the $30 million extravaganza featuring 63 horses and 47 artists in a larger-than-life theatrical production, opens today at National Harbor. For a limited time, get a 50% off shutdown rebate.
Head to Alexandria, VA! Chefs Christophe & Michelle Poteaux of adorable French eatery Bastille will present a 5-course dinner featuring Soliste wines with special guest Claude Koeberle, $119, $79 without pairings.
Join Bryan Voltaggio as he hosts author Hank Shaw at RANGE for a 5-course dinner November 7 in celebration of his new book “Duck, Duck, Goose,” $100.
Tomorrow: Charlie Palmer is also hosting a Soliste Winery dinner October 10 at 6:30 pm. with Soliste winemaker and owner, Claude Koeberle will discuss how he has taken old world (Burgundian) beliefs and applied them to produce wines with finesse and balance that work in harmony with fine cuisine. $100.
Paul’s Wine and Spirits will be hosting its 13th annual Wines for Canines and Felines benefiting Montgomery County Humane Society October 10 from [6:30]-9:00 pm at Maggiano’s in DC. Taste over 100 different wines plus enjoy a full buffet and silent auction. $75, with all proceeds going to the Montgomery County Humane Society.
Saturday: Taste of DC returns October 12-13! Sample food from more than 50 of the District’s most popular restaurants and taste over 30 beers from around the globe in the Beer Garden, presented by Stella Artois.
Cook like an Italian! Join Osteria Marzano to learn to cook some of Chef Carmine Marzano’s best dishes, and then sit down to enjoy the lunch you just made. Complimentary champagne will be served, yes!
DC Wine Week begins! From October 12-19, this week-long celebration will be all about the vino, to support the area’s growing number of local wineries, wine shops, wine bars, restaurants and merchants.
Monday: October is National Pizza Month, and La Tagliatella in Clarendon will be offering select lunch-sized pizzas for $1 from 4-7 pm on the first three Mondays of the month, and every day the last week of the month. Benefitting No Kid Hungry, a non-profit making its mission to help end childhood hunger.

Mary was born and raised in New York City where her family owned restaurants. Instead of eating dirt on the playground, she ate duck blood, beef tripe and pork belly. She cut her teeth at The Mandarin Oriental and The Ritz-Carlton hotels, working with Barbra Streisand, Vanessa Williams, Michael Stipe, LeVar Burton, Jane Krakowski and others. Mary founded Girl Meets Food in 2009 as a cover for her debilitating addiction to fried chicken and was named Washington Post’s “Favorite Local Foodie.” After 13 years in hospitality, she started freelance writing for USA Today, The Washington Post, Eater, Washington City Paper, and more. Today, she provides digital marketing for hospitality clients as a content creator who’s contently creating content.