Food Addiction

Our NEIGHBORHOOD GEMS series features emblematic meals from around the world. This series shines a light on local restaurants and is designed to bring together inquisitive foodies and dishes that are unique and oh so worth a trip on roads less traveled! Join us for authentic Hunan & Szechuan dishes at ***Chef Tan***! **From Washington Post** Chef Tan invites diners to experience the tongue-tingling pleasures of one of China’s great cuisines in an understated Vienna strip mall. When Chef Tan opened in Vienna last July, the restaurant had no website and initially offered neither takeout nor delivery. Albert Yang, the restaurant’s regional manager, believed that diners should experience Hunan cooking at its freshest and most vibrant. “If you pack it to deliver, the color, the oil, the meat will change,” he says. This was a sacrifice he wasn’t willing to make, even if it meant losing business. Because of the low-key opening, I didn’t get wind of Chef Tan until February. Others had clearly beaten me to the punch. On my first visit, all but the large banquet tables in the handsome, wood-paneled dining room were occupied by chattering friends. Soon, my own table filled. Thinly sliced pork belly buried under waxy, modestly spicy green peppers. Morsels of chicken sweetly perfumed with ginger and surrounded by chopped red chiles packing merciless, browbeating heat. Tender slivers of lamb, ornamented with grassy cilantro and mild, neatly diced red peppers. As I inhaled steam abundant with chopped chiles, pungent fermented peppers and dark, sharp vinegar, I understood Yang’s stubbornness. This was not food destined for a takeout container. I floated back to the parking lot, in awe of the mastery quietly playing out between a paint supply store and a beer and wine shop in this Northern Virginia strip mall. When your server arrives with a mortar and pestle, it initiates a little table theater at Chef Tan. They slowly agitate the contents of the bowl, breaking through a layer of finely chopped green chiles and fermented bean curd to reveal strands of eggplants and wobbling, jet-black “century” eggs. If you’re unfamiliar, they’ll explain each ingredient, talking you through the curing process that gives these eggs their striking color and butter-rich texture. “Instead of just providing the best taste, we also want to show some culture and immersive experience,” says Albert Yang. In a region where these chile-prickling, ferment-tingling dishes are nearly impossible to find, Chef Tan serves each one with a sense of great duty. If this is your first taste of Hunan cooking, you should love it. And Chef Tan is easy to love. Owner Kevin Tan hails from the riverside city of Hengyang, as do many of the restaurant’s cooks, and dishes from their hometown shine. In lufen, springy rice noodles come in a concentrated stock warmed with anise and cinnamon, laid with thin strips of beef shank and a handful of crunchy peanuts. In another dish, the noodles float in a light seafood stock lit with green chile heat and packing seasonal vegetables and fillets of dense, flaky fish. Yang says his homesick friends once drove as far as New York for a taste of home. Chef Tan brought relief. Though the menu includes a small section of Chinese American standbys, the best way to orient if you feel a little lost is to take stock of what neighboring tables are eating and follow their lead. This is how I first came to know the pleasure of little river snails stir-fried with pickled long beans and the grassy nuances of tender lamb cooked with cilantro. Best of all, after four visits to my new favorite Chinese restaurant, I’ve barely scratched the surface. **Check out the menu** **[here](https://pos.chowbus.com/online-ordering/store/Chef-Tan/22196)** Separate checks will be arranged in advance. All diners will settle their own tabs. 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 and help us support local businesses. 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. To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we will continue to limit the group size. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 2 friends. **\*\*** **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow waitlists for paid events. *If this event fills and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please send a note to the host through the Meetup app. **\*\**** In the future, we will vary the days of the week and the types of restaurants to keep events interesting. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO GO WHEN YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT. Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. \*\* The small non-refundable registration fee helps us share the cost associated with the Meet-Up platform ($360/yr) and reduces the likelihood of no-shows, allowing us to better plan our events and accommodate all participants. Meetup charges $0.51 and Paypal charges $0.53 on the $2 registration fee. Thanks in advance for your understanding!\*\* If you are unable to join us in June, we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you for an wonderful dinner at Chef Tan!

Yummy Bowl serves Mongolian BBQ, sushi, and ramen. Mongolian BBQ is a stir-fry style of cuisine where you place a selection of raw noodles/rice, vegetables, fruit, and protein in to a bowl along with your choice of sauces and the dish is cooked for you on a large, round grill while you wait. Every bowl is delicious and you are the chef so the selection gets better every time! Expect entrees in the range of $17 plus tax and beverage. This is a great opportunity to meet others who are new as well as those who have been around a while! Look for GRASP table flyers and Eli's GRASP shirt to easily find the group. We can't wait to see you there!

Come join us for bingo at Atlas Brew Works in Alexandria. It's free to play. Win prizes on every round, and the winner of the final round gets a $50 Atlas Brew Works gift card for your next visit! More information: https://atlasbrewworks.com/pages/events#calendar-c3cfc1a3-4344-434e-a1b2-fb876f819883 Parking: Wegmans has a parking garage (via the Stovall St entrance) and is next to Atlas Metro: Eisenhower Ave (yellow line)

Summer temperatures look like they will start returning later this week, so let's take an after-work a jaunt up the Patuxent at Brown's Bridge before it gets too toasty. I haven't been downstream at all this year, so we'll make a right from the ramp and head downstream for about a mile and a half before turning around. There is no discernable current in this section. We have to be off of WSSC property by sundown at 8:27, but launching by 6:15 should give us plenty of time for a three-mile round trip. Give yourself enough time to drop your gear off at the water and park across the street. This is event is suitable for kayaks and canoes (but not inflatables). WSSC does not allow paddle boards on their reservoirs and has been getting more serious about enforcement. If you've got a seat attachment for your SUP and can paddle it sitting down, I think you're in the clear. As always, you must WEAR, not just carry your life jacket/PFD. WSSC requires a watershed use permit. Permits are $6.25 per day or $72 for the year. I heard that they increased the fine for not having one to $100. You can purchase them online at: [https://my.wsscwater.com/selfcare/views/public/login/login.faces](https://my.wsscwater.com/selfcare/views/public/login/login.faces)

**☕ Welcome to the Kindness Cafe Crew! 🌟** Hey there, wonderful souls! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new meetup group: **Kindness Cafe Crew!** 🎉 Our mission? To gather amazing people like YOU to share life experiences, learn from one another, and sprinkle a little kindness into our lives! Join us at **Panera** for a cozy cup of coffee, delightful conversations, and a chance to connect with fellow kindness enthusiasts. Let’s create a warm space where we can get to know each other better while sharing stories and insights that help us grow. So, grab your favorite mug and come be part of our journey! We can’t wait to meet you and make some beautiful memories together! **See you at the cafe! ❤️**

**Note: If you are a member of the Patreon and have already secured early access via the form -- you do NOT need to RSVP on Meetup.** Only people RSVP via the early access form and this meetup will be allowed entrance due to space reasons. Add some fire and flavor to your hump day with a DCGG gaming happy hour at Fat Pete’s BBQ in Cleveland Park. Fat Petes has long been a friend to the DC Nerd Community and has opened up a private space for DC Gaming Group members new and old to blow off some steam with some Switch Arcade games, board games, and great food and drink. Players of all interests and experience levels are welcome! This happy hour is a space for gamers who are interested in meeting new nerds, learning new games, and who value people over points. We will have a variety of games including classics like Card Against Humanity and Mario Kart plus whatever new arcade and board games y’all bring ;-) Agenda: 7:00pm - 7:35pm - We FEAST! Grab some bbq and drinks and get together with other guests at the reserved DCGG Feast Tables 7: 35 - 10pm -- Open Play! Video Games upstairs and Board games downstairs. BUT WAIT THERES MORE: Feel free to join the DC Gaming Community by hopping into the Discord: https://discord.gg/NP7v7VF Disclaimer and Community Code of Conduct: The DC Gaming Group is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for participants. to learn more about our code of conduct you can read more here. Events may be recorded for promotional material.

**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU** You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments! At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as: * What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind? * How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you? * What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person? * What exactly is the goal of the subconscious? This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time. And the most important topic: **HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!** This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center.

**{[Update]}** **The 5th Annual Woodmoorstock!** **This year brings us 60+ bands (classic rock, alt, funk, jazz, bluegrass, punk, metal) on 14 stages throughout the neighborhood. Woodmoor is a beautiful neighborhood that puts on this event for the community. Bands, food trucks and booths, and adult beverages from my favorite local brewery, Denizen's.** **The schedule** [Woodmoorstock Lineup ](https://www.woodmoorstock.com/lineup2026) **Interactive map** [Woodmoorstock Interactive Map](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1HarfBqQ3Qi4d8hXjlFDIGM-m1vtZYkw&usp=sharing) **Info is also available on their facebook or instagram pages.** **I posted a pic of my tentative schedule of bands I want to see but make your own or just wander around without one. A fun time is guaranteed!** **Some parking is available at the elementary school/park parking lot but neighborhood street parking is easy to find.** **Stuff to bring-** **- lightweight foldable chair** **- hat** **- water** **- sunscreen & bug spray**

THIS IS A FREE IN-PERSON MEETUP EVENT Irrational Emotions do not not come from your good experiences. They come from your painful experiences. Some common examples include breakups, abuse, stressful relationships, losing someone, losing status, etc. People often feel different, less trusting and less self esteem after such incidents. Unfortunately, these painful memories can continue to affect a person's happiness, often for life. * Find out why your past is preventing future happiness and fulfillment. * Learn about an amazing technique that can release those past painful emotions. In this meeting, we'll talk about an effective tool to FULLY get over the painful experiences, so that you can be free of the mental and emotional impacts from them. After this meeting, if you need more help, you can also consult with a counselor at no charge. This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement information center in Washington, DC.

Are past negative experiences hindering your ability to live a happy life? Are you ruled by negative emotions? Possibly you have a thought or emotion that hangs around for days and you just can't shake it. What is all this stress, anxiety, depression, acting out and self doubt? It's just crazy! It's not the real you. You **can** find out what is at the root of all this. There **IS** technology to relieve the pain of a lifetime. Areas you can be helped with: Control of unwanted emotions Lack of confidence Grief Anxiety Anger management Creating ideal relationships Depression Memory and more... This is an in-person class that can start you on the way to a better life, more confidence and less negativity. All the happiness you have lies within you. Let's find it! We only use natural proven techniques, called Dianetics; no drugs or labeling. This Zoom webinar is an introduction to proven techniques from the book "Dianetics, The Modern Science of Mental Health". This group is sponsored by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Washington, D.C.

Come join us for lunch @ Not Your Average Joe's. I will have other groups that I host joining us. WE will have ice breaker games too. Please members only please Ask for Meredith's table. FREE easy parking. See you at Lunch!

[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3351321) Location: The Goat River South 219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215 Street parking is free on Sundays [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: On a hot day in Bethlehem, a twelve-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: 'You exist too much,' she tells her daughter. Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer.

Join us Sunday, June 7th at 10am for a gentle beginner-friendly yoga flow in Goodale park with Victoria, one of our very own vegan community members and certified yoga teacher! Whether you’re brand new to yoga or a long time practitioner, this class is designed to help you slow down, stretch, breathe, and reconnect with yourself. Expect a relaxed, accessible flow focused on easing tension, moving mindfully, and leaving you feeling a little more grounded. All levels welcome! Bring water and a yoga mat (or towel if you don’t have a mat). A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated, but payment is absolutely not required to attend and enjoy class. A Venmo QR code will be available on-site for anyone who would like to contribute. The class duration will be one hour from 10-11am. After class, we’ll head to Woodhouse Vegan for anyone who wants to keep the good vibes going over food and conversation 🌱

**Let’s meet for pizza 1st at Mikey’s Late Night Slice which is connected to Pins! Then we will bowl (no heavy balls involved)**

Who’s up for a pizza night at the highly requested Pizza House? 🍕🍻 Join us at for great pizza, good laughs, and even better company! Come hungry and ready for a cheesy good time.

Hosted by OSU Extension Summer 2026 Food Preservation Workshops Join Shari Gallup from Ohio State University Extension, for a summer food preservation series at the Bryn Du Mansion. Discover how to safely preserve food at home. Learn basic food preservation methods including pressure canning, water bath canning and drying. June 4 - Water Bath Canning July 9 - Pressure Canning August 6 - Drying Fruits and Vegetables We're excited to once again welcome Shari Gallup from The Ohio State University Extension Office to lead a series of Life Local food preservation workshops. These hands-on sessions are designed to help participants learn practical, time-tested techniques for preserving seasonal foods at home. Registration is not yet open but will be available soon. Stay tuned for details on this wonderful series. Time 5:00 p.m. Location Bryn Du Mansion 587 Jones Road, Granville https://www.bryndu.com/public-events

A cookie covered in creamy frosting can brighten anyone’s day! National Frosted Cookie Day is all about that simple joy. **DETAILS:** We'll celebrate the occasion by visiting Cheryl's Cookies headqtrs. cookie shop, trying to decide which seasonal treats to choose! **NEXT:** we'll head west on Polaris Pkwy to Bonefish Grill for Happy Hour eats n drinks. We can share our sweet finds for dessert... *In a busy world, National Frosted Cookie Day offers a little sweetness that reminds us to slow down and enjoy the moment.*