Dining Out

Back by popular demand (One person)! George's Hotpot and BBQ has separate dishes for reasonable prices. It's not all you can eat. You buy each dish and cook it in the BBQ or hot pot or both. Prices on average are about $6-10/dish. Two dishes are enough! They have wine and beer and soft drinks and tea. They also have a sauce bar similar to K-Pots. It's nice to be able to bring home what you can't eat and reheat it for dinner the following night. I thought the food was very tasty and they had good quality meat and seafood. Have a look at their menu: http://www.georgeshotpotandbbq.com/ All aboard mates!

Social Sips & Bites - it’s time for another epic night out! We’re heading to Tommy Joe’s for a high-energy evening packed with great drinks, loud sing-along moments, and that unbeatable SSB vibe. We’ll roll in at 7:00 PM to grab drinks, take over some space, and warm things up before the band hits. **Pop-Up Audio** is bringing the heat with rock, alt rock, and pop hits from the ’80s to today — the kind of songs that have you singing at the top of your lungs and dancing without even realizing it. Come early. Stay late. Bring a friend. Expect strong drinks, big laughs, and a dance floor that won’t quit. Let’s make it another legendary SSB night.

**Geek Nite Out Presents Kids Cheesy Line Reading Show!** Ever wanted to be an actor? Come share your talent with some of the corniest, cheesiest, most absurd lines ever uttered by kids from movies and television. Presented at Awesomecon Jr. Now this is podracing! This panel is in the Awesome Con Jr. Movement Zone Booth #442. **An Awesome Con pass is required for entry.** You can purchase them here: [https://awesome-con.com/badges/](https://awesome-con.com/badges/) We will also be hosting the Cheesy Line Reading Contest again this year! You can learn more about it here: [https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313586642/](https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313586642/) **GNO at Awesome Con:** [https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313368484/](https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313368484/)

Next up on the Best of Bars series - meeting up at Punchbowl Social in the Ballston Quarter Shopping Center! 🍔 Food, Games & Vibes: Punchbowl Social is a 3-floor bar and restaurant. The top floor has everything from arcades, to bowling, darts, and foosball. There's also a comfortable outdoor patio area if the weather's nice. Their happy hour menu (until 6:30pm) has select cocktails and beers for $5-6, and select bites and snacks ranging mostly around $5-8. The non-HH food and cocktail menus also have a wide selection to choose from. View the menus at this link, and scroll to the bottom: [https://punchbowlsocial.com/location/arlington](https://punchbowlsocial.com/location/arlington) 🤝 Meet & Mingle: This hangout is all about the social vibe — chatting, laughing, and meeting other young professionals while enjoying great food and drinks. Each floor has a different vibe, so come meet and explore the place, and find your nook to hang out with if you want to branch off of the main group! **We will aim to meet at the 2nd floor bar, since it's a better setting for socializing.** **🚗Punchbowl Social Location + details:** 4238 Wilson Blvd.Suite 1180 Arlington, VA 22203 **Happy Hour 3-6:30pm** **HH Food/Drink Menu:** [https://punchbowlsocial.com/happy-hour](https://punchbowlsocial.com/happy-hour) ### 🅿️**Parking:** Cheapest parking around is to park in the Ballston Public Parking garage next-door to the bar. 627 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203 Rates: Up to 3 hours, $1 3-4 hours, $3 4-5 hours, $5 ### **🚇Transit:** Take the Orange/Silver lines to Ballston-MU stop, walk 2 blocks east to N Randolph St. Turn right and walk south 2 blocks. https://maps.app.goo.gl/RsQFQkfynrQcBkB96

**🖥️ *It wants to be heard… so be afraid of the silence this Friday the 13th.*** **👋 What’s up guys**! Watching a horror movie on **Friday the 13th** sounds pretty perfect to me. This new film premiered at the **Fantasia Film Festival** to positive reviews from critics, though of course we’ll decide for ourselves if we agree. The movie has now been picked up by **A24** and is being released exclusively here in the U.S. This Canadian horror film is written and directed by **Ian Tuason** in his directorial debut. It centres on a paranormal podcaster who becomes haunted after receiving mysterious audio recordings from a couple plagued by a supernatural entity. From what I understand, the film is a **sound-driven, slow-burn thriller**, leaning heavily into audio-based immersive horror and a strong sense of isolation. If you’re a horror aficionado like myself, meet me at the **Look Dine-In Bar at 6:30 PM** for a quick catch-up before the film. The screening starts at **7:40 PM (Screen 11)** — feel free to join me in **Row D9**, or grab whichever seat works best for you. After the film, we’ll regroup and share our highlights (and maybe a few theories) for our **[Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/movieroadhouse)** **reflections**. If you’re into this kind of **audio-driven horror sub-genre**, then this one might be right up your alley. **See you guys there!** **Jonny** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 👉 **HEADS UP** * If you sign up and later can’t make it, please 🙏 drop us a quick message (or change your RSVP) — it really helps with planning. You can also follow me **[@jonnyhideout](https://www.instagram.com/jonnyhideout/)** or our **[@nova_cinemaclub](https://www.instagram.com/nova_cinemaclub/)** on instagram for fun updates. 🗓 **SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN** * **6:30 PM:** Drinks (Look Dine-In Bar) * **7:40 PM:** Movie (Screen 11) * **10:30 PM:** Review 📱**STAY CONNECTED** * Join our WhatsApp or Telegram groups (available by request), or hop onto our **[WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb73gBj2v1Iky4AX7U2D)** or **[Telegram Channel](https://t.me/novafilmclub)**[ ](https://t.me/novafilmclub)for quiet updates without the chat. Whatever you prefer! 🎬 **PLOT DETAILS** * The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way. [Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6uDeBYDHu4) 🎟️ **TICKET INFO & PRICES** * **Price:** From $13:50 * **Members price:** From $0.00 * **Tickets**: Look Dine In 📍**VENUE ADDRESS** * 1667 Silver Hill Dr, McLean, VA 22102 🔊 **HOW WE ROLL** * Have fun, be respectful, and no abuse of any kind * Three-time no-show limit (applies after your first attended event), please update your RSVP if your plans change * This group is for over-18s only 🌐 **FOLLOW US ONLINE** * [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nova_cinemaclub) * [Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/movieroadhouse) * [WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb73gBj2v1Iky4AX7U2D) * [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/novafilmclub) * [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@movieroadhouse) * [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/novacinemaclub) * [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/novacinemaclub) * [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jonnyhideout/) (Jonny) 🫂 **RELATED HANGOUTS** * [Movie Roadhouse London](https://www.meetup.com/movieroadhouse/) * [The Hideout: Film Club London](https://www.meetup.com/thehideoutlondon/) * [Cosmic Nightmares Book Club London](https://www.meetup.com/cosmicnightmareslondon) * [Ani-Mates: London Animation & Art Group](https://www.meetup.com/london-motion-design-and-animation-group/?eventOrigin=your_groups) * [Film & TV Review London](https://www.meetup.com/film-chat/?eventOrigin=your_groups)

This is where you meet the area's 40 and 50 years young; 40 somethings, 50 [somethings.......as](http://somethings.......as/) they are known as GENERATION Xers....., who are active, self accomplished, sophisticated, young at heart, empty nesters; who would like to do things and enjoy life; who has got time and could afford it as well! ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO ENJOY THE EVENT. YOU NEED TO GRAB AT LEAST A DRINK OR A FOOD ITEM :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. Direct RSVP required. We have the discretion to decide entry. Many of you were not born while we were partying:) The profile picture of this invite was taken while we were having a blast. One of our members was buying us rounds of shots. He almost spent $ 1K just on shots. LET US DO IT AGAIN! They also make us feel loved and honored, by serving, one of our signature cocktails, which is named after us - MerTini:) It will be one of the featured cocktails. Ask your bartenders:) DETAILS : * We will have a registration station and check you in. * Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. DRESS CODE : Unacceptable Attire: 1. Athletic Clothing: This Includes gym attire, sweatpants, yoga pants, and tracksuits 2. Baggy Clothing: Clothing that is excessively loose-fitting or oversized, such as baggy jeans, sagging sweatpants or oversized t-shirts. 3. Sportswear: Jerseys, team logos, and other sport-specific attire 4. Beachwear: shorts, tank tops, swimwear, and revealing clothing 5. Flip Flops: Open-toe sandals, thong sandals, and flip flops are not allowed 6. Timberlands and Steel Toed Shoes. PARKING INFO Parking might be a challenge and the event involves drinking. We highly encourage you to take a public transportation, taxi service or a ride share. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. ***N.B. : We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)).*** [) [) [) [) [) [) [) [) [) [) http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/3/d/600_440642365.jpeg http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/3/6/600_440642358.jpeg http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/e/e/600_440642286.jpeg http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/5/9/600_440642137.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/8/f/600_440641935.jpeg

MARDIS GRAS AT THE WHARF HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS MEETUP HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO IRELAND AT THE WHARF 🎉 About the Event Join us for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on the waterfront at The Wharf! The festival spans two main areas — District Pier and Transit Pier — with live Irish-inspired music, traditional Irish dancing, live rugby on big screens, and plenty of food and drink options from Wharf restaurants and bars. The vibe is casual, social, and festive with something fun happening almost every hour.  ✔ Free admission — no tickets required. ✔ Family- and pet-friendly (leashed dogs welcome).  ⸻ 📍 Meeting Spot We’ll plan to meet Zooz Cocktail Bar for food, drinks and socializing. Feel free to go off into the wharf, on the different peers, and experience the different activities happening and use Zooz as a homebase, where majority of the group will be. Grab a drink, wear green, and enjoy!  ⸻ 📆 Event Schedule 🎶 District Pier Stage (Main Music & Festivities) • 1:00 PM — Official festival kickoff (MacMillan United Pipes Band leads opening)  • 1:15 PM – Poehemia — High-energy Celtic rock from Baltimore-based band  • 2:30 PM – The 19th Street Band — Irish-influenced blend of Americana & punk  • 4:15 PM – Ben-David Warner Band — Irish-Americana tunes from Virginia  • 6:00 PM – Chasing Abbey — Irish group with electronic + traditional influences (festival music wraps by 7 PM)  🎵 Music runs all afternoon — perfect for chatting, dancing, or just enjoying the waterfront vibe.  ⸻ 🏉 Transit Pier (Dance, Rugby View & Stage Acts) • 12:40 PM – Six Nations Rugby Begins (Wales vs Italy) — shown live on big screen  • 1:00 PM – Legacy Irish Dance Academy — traditional Irish dance performance  • 2:00 PM – Kentucky Avenue Trio — Americana-style set on Transit Pier stage  • 4:00 PM – Boyle School of Irish Dance — more authentic Irish dancing  • 4:10 PM – Six Nations Continues (England vs France) on the big screen  ⸻ 🍻 What to Expect • Irish & Celtic Music All Day — from bagpipes to rock + folk vibes.  • Traditional Irish Dancing — lively performances sprinkled throughout the afternoon.  • Live Rugby Viewing — catch Six Nations on big screens at Transit Pier.  • Food & Drinks — explore outdoor festival bars and nearby restaurants (Kirwan’s Irish Pub, etc.).  • Family & Pet Friendly — bring kids and leashed dogs along for the fun.  ⸻ 📌 Tips for the Day • Wear green for St. Paddy’s vibes 🍀 • Plan to arrive a little early if you want a good viewing spot for music or rugby. • Use Metro to Waterfront Station and walk 5 min to The Wharf. 

Hey Social Sips & Bites friends! 🎶🍹 One of our group’s absolute favorite feel-good bands, The Nonessentials, are back at The Solace Outpost, and we want the whole crew there! This is your chance to kick back with friends, enjoy amazing live music, sip on something delicious, and grab a tasty bite. Every time The Nonessentials play, the vibes are high and the dance floor is calling - let’s make it a night to remember! https://www.thenonessentialz.com/

Join us to enjoy Marcus DC, located in the Morrow Hotel in NoMa / Union Market neighborhood -hailed as one of the area's top dining destinations (2026 Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants List), recognized as America's most beautiful new restaurant of 2025 by Robb Report and recognized for Executive Chef Anthony Jones who was named Rising Chef in the 2025 Eater DC Awards. It features a unique menu blending modern American cooking with Ethiopian and D.C. **The Washington Post** (Sietsema) While a number of dishes explain why Marcus DC is a hard reservation, the most riveting is a shareable entrée that’s the taste equivalent of a three-ring circus. Order Mel’s crab rice, and out comes a round pan of Carolina rice infused with obe ata, a rousing Nigerian red pepper and tomato sauce. The surface of the grains is colored with glossy bell peppers, okra stinging with hot sauce and spidery-looking, tangy fennel. Mounded on top is blue crab finished with béarnaise sauce mixed with uni — rich on rich, the top hat to complete the outfit. Like a proper paella, some bites are crisp, others are soft. Each forkful delivers a riot of flavor. Lucky diners get the bonus of having the largesse presented by Anthony Jones, the restaurant’s executive chef. A son of Maryland, Jones pays tribute to his family’s favorite crab shack, Mel's Crabs, near where he grew up in Calvert County with one of the best dishes now playing in Washington. Yes, I’m obsessed with it. We should all have more obe ata and sea urchin butter in our lives. The man behind the restaurant's name is Marcus Samuelsson, the famous talent behind Aquavit and Red Rooster in New York whose portfolio embraces 15 restaurants. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, the chef, 54, prefers talking about Marcus DC, set in the sleek Morrow hotel near Union Market. And rightly so: He’s in a hot spot of the best kind now — so much foot traffic! Such an inviting interior! — serving some of the most personal food of his career. He’s supported by a cast of locals, foremost Jones, whose attention and enthusiasm surface in every exchange and every dish. This being the Mid-Atlantic, much of the food originates from the water. Here come slices of fluke arranged in a circle with watermelon radishes and golden plantain crisps, buoyed by a fetching green pond: green apple and cucumber juice, as revivifying as the combination sounds. The kick on the plantains? Berbere, the Ethiopian spice blend. Browned scallops alternate with fleshy mushrooms and pickled white asparagus in another appetizer, this one set against a mole that’s a touch nutty and smoky. The airy-creamy green dollops? A whip of serrano, scallions and more. If you like spice, the kitchen has you covered. Throughout the menu, the kitchen deploys little accents that nudge plates from good to great. “Swediopian” is fusion at its finest: silken cured salmon and charred cucumber around which a server pours goldenberry broth, light yet assertive with ginger, mint and lemon juice. A sail of crisp injera makes for a fun finish. Samuelsson’s restaurants all serve cornbread, although it differs from location to location. For Marcus DC, the tall slices are tinted with blue corn, lashed with honey and presented with yassa butter, a spread of caramelized onion, preserved lemon and Dijon mustard that goes down like sunshine. The combination pretty much sells itself. The most widely consumed fish in Sweden makes another appearance in a select entrée, salmon crisped in the pan and so tender it falls away at the touch of a fork. Glazed with nori and gochujang, the fish arrives on a pale yellow butter sauce that pops with orange roe and gains color with minced chives. More fancies come courtesy of chunks of pickled daikon and little scrolls of sheer daikon wrapped around seaweed salad. Sweden meets Korea meets Japan. The strong ensemble cast reminds of my first dinner, when a server talked up Samuelsson’s far-flung interests. I recall the only continent he left out in his introduction was Antarctica. Just as Le Clou, the newcomer’s predecessor in this space, represented an uptick in French restaurants around town, Marcus DC rides a welcome wave of Black chefs sharing their stories, notably Kwame Onwuachi at Dogon and Eric Adjepong at Elmina. (Gone but not forgotten: Danielle Harris at the short-lived Almeda in Petworth.) As much as the menu, the interior helps tell Samuelsson’s story; the dining room is alive with colors that weave those of his youth with those of his travels. I love the spacious curved booths, the handsome bar and the open kitchen animated by cooks “in the city and of the city,” as Samuelsson puts it. Friends have spotted the top chef multiple times on the Acela en route from New York to D.C. He’s in town a fair amount. Samuelsson might like to know he has a great ambassador in the personable Jones, 36, who previously cooked under his boss at Red Rooster Overtown in Miami and knows his taste and his standards. This isn’t just a fishing hole, by the way. There’s roast chicken on the menu, because a hotel restaurant almost demands it. A glaze of sweet-tangy mumbo sauce brings it home. There’s a pasta, too, tossed with smoked clams and crisp snow peas and showered with pecorino. A meal could be made of the sweet potato, a side dish with star power: The smashed vegetable is made elegant with crème fraîche and shimmering salmon roe. Samuelsson’s secret weapons extend to executive pastry chef Rachel Sherriffe, whose sweet résumé includes Rooster & Owl in Washington and Jean-Georges in New York. At Marcus DC, she seduces diners with an intriguing rice pudding whose crisp notes come from puffed rice and whose green hue and breezy accent stem from Thai basil. An oval of yogurt sorbet and ginger lime jelly add cool and spark to the bowl. (The bite in the jelly? Sherriffe, who plays up savory notes in her handiwork, sneaks cayenne into the jiggle.) A dome of warm plum cake, flavored with almond paste and subtly nutty with teff flour, arrives with a scoop of cardamom ice cream and a crimson pool of sorrel jus that acknowledge both Samuelsson’s background and her Jamaican heritage — “Everything diaspora,” says Sherriffe. Looking forward to sharing this experience with you! ***Check out the menus [here](https://marcusdc.com/marcus-dc#menu)***[.](https://marcusdc.com/marcus-dc#menu) We ask that ALL folks honor their RSVP. If you are unable to attend after sending in a YES, please update your status so that others may join. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding. **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow a waitlist for paid events. If this event fills and you are interested in adding your name to the waitlist, please send host a message through the app. In the future, we will vary the days of the week and the types of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners. Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. All diners will pay their own tab. before departing the event. If you are unable to join us in March we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you for a fantastic dinner at Marcus!

Who's ready for some fondue. I use to love the Melting Pot. It was so much fun trying different foods in different sauces. I have read that they have recently updated the place. Join me for a fun experience. **About the Melting Pot**: Our interactive fondue experience is hard to find anywhere else, especially with our phenomenal food options. Choose from our selection of tender meats, fresh seafood, seasoned vegetables, handmade salad dressings, crisp fruit and more. The best part is that every entrée can be modified to taste just the way you like it, and most of our tasty menu items will slide right onto a skewer for easy dipping. See for yourself why our name is famous for creamy blends of artisanal cheeses and sweet chocolates. Fondue is a dessert that everyone can get behind. Check out their information **https://www.meltingpot.com/towson-md/** 🪷🪷Please be considerate when you RSVP. Don't sign up to only cancel last minute. It's not fair to those who are ready and available to attend. **I will be notifying everyone 2-3 days before the event. If there is no response from you, you will be moved to the wait-list**

Enjoy a bit of Columbus culinary history at Carfagna's market, wine bar and ristorante. We will gather for a glass of wine or two in the wine bar at 6:30 with dinner at 7pm. Arrive early if you like, shop and place your items in a cooler in your car. This is a pay-on-your-own event. I will have a reservation for eight, and you are encouraged to get your own reservation at 7pm. Message me if you want to be on my table. Keep your reservation up to date as the Attendance and Release of Liability provisions are enforced, including the 48 hour No-Show Rule. See the first page of Group Page for details. Read about the history of Carfagna's here and also see their weekly specials. https://carfagnas.com/about-carfagnas/

Let’s meet up at this popular sushi restaurant in Gahanna. There are cooked items as sushi. Check out the menu: https://restauranttora.com/columbus-tora-food-menu

Join us as we celebrate our March birthdays in style at the fabulous and upscale Guild House in downtown Columbus. Known for its warm, sophisticated atmosphere and beautifully curated menu, Guild House is the perfect setting for an elegant birthday brunch. Enjoy delicious brunch favorites, seasonal specialties, and handcrafted cocktails in a space that blends modern style with inviting charm. This gathering is our way of celebrating the incredible members of our community who are marking another trip around the sun in March. Whether you're a birthday guest or simply joining the celebration, expect great food, uplifting conversation, and the kind of positive energy that makes our events special. We’re truly grateful for the continued support of our members — it’s what allows this community to grow and these experiences to happen. Follow Black Love & Friends on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/share/17oXQtZz36/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/blackloveandfriends?igsh=djVrYnhqeG5nMjBx) to stay connected and be the first to hear about upcoming brunches, social gatherings, and other exciting member-only events. ✨ Good food ✨ Great company ✨ A beautiful celebration of community

Join me at 3 for dining, at Cafe Istanbul, on Easton. Cafe Istanbul in Easton, Columbus, Ohio, is a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant known for its authentic cuisine, including various kebabs (lamb, chicken, beef), falafel, and appetizers like Sigara Borek, served in a uniquely decorated setting reminiscent of old Istanbul. It offers a full bar, takeout, and reservations, with popular dishes like lamb shish kebab, doner kebab, and vegetarian options like moussaka. One thing this group doesn't seem to do a lot of is dine out. This is an opportunity for those that like to eat over a meal and connect to do so.