Food Tasting

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED [HERE](https://www.crownandcollarsociety.com/event-details/crown-collar-society-chefs-tasting-2026-edition-march). ******<><><><>****** A beloved Society tradition returns. After an extraordinary year of full tables, empty plates, and rave reviews from our members, we are delighted to announce that our Chef’s Tastings will continue throughout 2026. What began as a quiet experiment in intimacy and indulgence has quickly become one of the most adored experiences within the Crown & Collar Society, thanks in no small part to our community’s enthusiasm and the astonishing creativity of our chef, whose menus have evolved into true works of edible art. These dinners have become a space where conversation lingers, flavors unfold, and members, both longstanding and newly joined, find themselves connecting in ways only possible when the world slows down and the senses take the lead. The Experience On select evenings across the 2026 calendar, we invite you to join us in Leesburg, Virginia for a private, chef-curated tasting experience. Each gathering features a multi-course menu paired with exceptional wines, hosted in an upscale, undisclosed venue shared only with confirmed guests. These evenings are intentionally intimate. Designed for presence. For resonance. For the kind of connection that deepens with every pour and every course. Membership & Attendance • Attendance is reserved exclusively for Society members with active memberships. • Members may purchase up to four (4) tickets for guests. If you would like to invite more guests to our Table, please reach out to us directly here. • Prospective members may apply for consideration or activate their membership at https://www.crownandcollarsociety.com/. Who We Are The Crown & Collar Society (CNC) is a private community of refined, open-minded individuals who appreciate the sophisticated, elegant facets of power exchange and likeminded pleasures. What Sets Us Apart Elegance & Excellence We curate every detail—from cuisine to decor to ambiance—to uphold the highest standards of quality and artistry. Curated Ambiance Our venues are intentionally chosen for their sophistication and privacy, offering a setting far removed from mainstream swinger or kink events. Gourmet Indulgence Dining is a signature element of our Society. We collaborate with exceptional chefs who continually push creative boundaries, transforming each dinner into a sensory journey. Artful Exploration Our events integrate the refined elements of power dynamics and likeminded pleasures with artistic depth and thoughtful design. Location This event is held in Leesburg, VA. Specific location details are disclosed only to ticket holders. Discretion, Safety & Security All Society members are held to the highest standards of conduct, discretion, and protection of Society information. Exact venue details are provided only to confirmed guests.

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!

ATTN TENNIS FRIENDS/FAMILY 6 HR WEEKLY SATURDAY NITES TENNIS MIXER STARTING AT 6PM EST. ALL LEVELS WELCOME. DOUBLES ROTATION (6PM TILL 8:30PM) $25 DOUBLES ROTATION (8:30 PM AND ON) INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVELS $25 OR A SEPARATE KING OF COURT CARDIO (8:30 PM AND ON) $25 RSVP VIA TEXT (MIKE) 703 505 5300 LIMITED SPOTS

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/

✨ SIP & SECURE THE BAG ✨ This luxe, hands-on experience invites you to design and create your very own custom purse while sipping wines and vibing with an incredible community. Whether you're a fashion lover, a creative spirit, or just looking for a unique way to unwind and connect, this is your moment to pour into yourself and leave with something beautiful you made with your own hands. Each experience includes a curated selection of materials, tools, and guided instruction. Tix link: https://www.melaxsocial.shop/event-details/purse-making-experience

**\*\*TICKETS ARE EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE ON [EVENTBRITE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yerba-mate-tasting-curated-blends-from-argentina-at-tango-pastry-tickets-1983507018888). Event capacity is limited to 25 people, so RSVP early to make sure us DMV Tea Enthusiasts can make an appearance.** Experience the soul of Argentina with an exclusive Argentine Yerba Mate Tasting at **Tango Pastry**, featuring a special collaboration with *Ciento Ocho Veces*, premium herbalists from the heart of Córdoba, Argentina. Yerba mate isn’t just a drink. It’s a centuries-old ritual of connection. The event will showcase **12 unique handcrafted blends** infused with organic herbs, sun-dried fruits, and exotic spices brought directly from Argentina to the DMV. If you are looking for an authentic cultural experience, this is the "real deal." **Your mission?** Taste the "Mate Flight," enjoy the vibes, and vote for your favorites! Your feedback will directly decide which 3 or 4 blends will join the permanent menu at Tango Pastry. **Your Tasting Ticket Includes:** * **The Mate Flight:** A curated selection of their 12 special Argentine blends to explore, from traditional to herbal and fruity notes. * **The Perfect Pairing:** Your choice of a traditional Argentine *Factura* (pastry) or a handcrafted *Alfajor*. * **A Seat at the Table:** Join the Tango Pastry community of "Mate Curators" and decide the future of the restaurant's menu. **Important Pricing Note:** Registration on Eventbrite is FREE to help the venue manage capacity. The tasting fee of **$20 per person** (includes the flight + pastry) will be collected at the register upon your arrival at the shop. *Please note that this event lasts all day (10am-5pm)*

Padaek is a family owned restaurant showcasing Lao and Regional Thai cuisine. Their new location in Arlington Ridge represents cultures through food, inspired by stories and family recipes from Chef Seng Luangrath's grandmother, aunt, and friends passed along in a refugee camp in Thailand. The integrity of Lao and Regional Thai cuisine is further demonstrated through the homestyle setting and art by a young local artist. Laotian food is similar to the cuisine from northern Thailand, but is spicier and more complex.

DC Film Society's 33rd Annual Party Watch the Oscars Broadcast ... LIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN! It's the next best thing to being there! Sunday, March 15, 2026 The Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA. (1/4 mile east of Glebe Road) **TICKETS**: $15.00 for DC Film Society members and WIFV members. $20.00 for the general public. Purchase advance tickets below. Same-day, on-site ticket sales start at 5:30pm. (CASH/CHECKS ONLY) The doors open at 6:00pm and the Red Carpet pre-show starts at 6:00pm. The Oscars broadcast is at 7:00pm. https://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/shows/357590 Come on out to celebrate, jeer and cheer this year's Academy Awards at the Washington, DC Film Society’s annual Oscars Watch Party, “And the Winner is…” on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Advance tickets are ON SALE NOW online. On-site door sales that night start at 5:30pm, followed by doors open for Red Carpet shows at 6:00pm, then the ceremony starting at 7:00pm. All proceeds support DC Film Society’s parent organization, the Washington DC Int’l Film Festival - Filmfest DC.

Join us for Ambar's multi-award-winning Unlimited Brunch! For $37 per person, enjoy unlimited small plates from the brunch menu, designed for sharing and exploring at the table. To RSVP, $25 (applicable to final bill) must be paid to meetup host to confirm your spot. Find the menu here! https://ambarrestaurant.com/page/capitol-hill-unlimited-brunch-menu

[Andy's Pizza](https://www.eatandyspizza.com/location/bethesda/?utm_source=Grande&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Grande_RSA&gad_source=1) in the Bethesda typically celebrates Pi Day (March 14) with special deals, such as past offers of two cheese pies for $31.40 or classic slices for $3.14. These, often branded with their "gotta get down on Pi Day" promotion. Let’s keep track of their deals as we get closer to Saturday 3/14. Those interested can join us to see a movie at Bethesda Row Cinema.

Join us for the fabulous curry, ramen, and more at ***Karé Bar*** in Chantilly! ***From Northern Virginia Magazine:*** Some of the best dishes in the world are fairly recent innovations. The Vietnamese banh mi, for example, appeared only in the 1950s thanks to the introduction of the French baguette in Ho Chi Minh City and the innovative thinking of the Le family. Japanese curry is a bit older, tracing back to the late 19th century, when British sailors enchanted with well-spiced Indian sauces brought those traditions back to another part of Asia. Eventually, Korea also created its own adaptation of the thick, flavorful gravy. Score another one for the global food community. Actually, score two. Kare Bar opened in Chantilly on Metrotech Drive, making it easy to head to Shilla Bakery or Chateau de Chantilly after lunch or dinner. Score three? Of course, I wouldn’t be keeping score at all if the food weren’t excellent. It is, as is the caring service and bright atmosphere. Start with something uniquely Japanese like monkfish liver with ponzu or a grilled hamachi collar, or stick to an old reliable like the juicy chicken or seafood dumplings, united by a crispy lacework of fried skirt. I tried both the Japanese and Korean curries. The latter is labeled as “spicy” on the menu, but didn’t seem to have any more heat than the Japanese curry. I recommend sticking to the Japanese sauce for its more robust flavor. Order it with the meaty, crispy donkatsu (pork cutlet curry) or the hamburger steak curry, essentially a well-seared dish of Salisbury steak. Whichever curry you order, it will come with sticky rice topped with a crisp-edged over-easy egg and a slew of veggies, ready to be drenched in curry. A shredded cabbage salad is bathed in an exceptionally appealing creamy sesame dressing. As winter sets in, there are few more fulfilling meals than a rib-sticking curry. This is the place that will keep you feeling like there’s no need to hibernate. Check out menu [here](https://karebar.com/our-menu/) **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. To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we would like to keep the group small. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 2 friends. In the future, we will vary the days of the week, geography and the cost of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO GO WHEN YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT. 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.Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. All diners will have their own tab to avoid any confusion. \*\* The small non-refundable registration fee helps us share the cost associated with Meetup platform ($360/year) and reduces the likelihood of no-shows, allowing us to better plan our events and accommodate attendees. Thank you in advance for your understanding!\*\* 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 seeing you at Karé Bar in Chantilly!

Love Sushi has a 4.5 rating! Get their signature 'Crush on you' roll (Yummy!). They are a fusion Asian place serving mostly Japanese, some Thai (Curried coconut chicken is great and Dam Dam noodles are spicy and really good), and they have really good Chinese won ton soup. Besides raw fish in Sushi and Maki there's cooked food like tempura and teriyaki. I love eating at "Love Sushi" as they make really good Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura, and Teriyaki, and they have Nigori Sake! Let's meet and greet over some good Asian food in Gaithersburg! Menu: http://lovesushirockville.com/menu.html All Aboard, Mates!

Food is one of the most meaningful ways to experience culture — and Ethiopian cuisine is rooted in community, tradition, and bold, layered flavors. Join the Global Food & Culture group as we gather at Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant to explore traditional dishes served on injera. If you’re open to sharing, we can create a few shared platters so everyone can sample a variety of dishes — but individual ordering is perfectly fine too. Enatye is a small restaurant and does not make reservations so they recommended the 2-4 pm time frame. We’re initially capping this at 12 guests to keep the experience comfortable and conversational. If interest is strong and the restaurant can accommodate, we may open additional spots. The good news is that they will bill each of us separately! Come hungry. Come curious. And come ready to connect around the table.

Every year we host a tasting to try German wines from the new vintage, with a focus on Riesling. Our host is Phil Bernstein, General Manager of MacArthur Beverages, one of the leading retailers of German Riesling in the country. Every year, Phil brings some of the best wines of the vintage. The new vintage is 2024, another in an increasing string of very good vintages, though regrettably the first to be carrying the increase in wine tariffs. Mosel Fine Wines says that “2024 is a must-go-to vintage for lovers of classic and ethereal Mosel lightness and elegance!” Vinous Media found that the German wines of 2024 are “sprightly, sleek, concentrated Rieslings with exquisite verve and full aromatic development.” Here is your chance to try the 2024s from some of the very best producers! **DATE**: **Friday, March 27th, 2026.** Doors open at 6:30 pm; tasting begins at 7:00 pm. Registrations are due by **Monday, March 23, 2026.** **VENUE**: **King Farm Community Center, 300 Saddle Ridge Circle, Rockville, MD 20850**. The Shady Grove Metro station on the Red Line is right across 355. The Red Line King Farm shuttle bus runs from there on a route passing the Community Center until about 7:30 pm, every 20 minutes, though if returning by Metro you would need to arrange a ride to the station with another guest, get a cab or walk (about 20 minutes to the station). **THE WINES**: (vintages are not listed for all wines from 2024) **Welcome Wine** \- NV Loosen “Dr\. L” Sparkling Riesling\, Mosel\, or similar **Two Peter Lauer Trockens** Peter Lauer Unterstenberg Riesling Fass 12, Mosel (classified as Grosse Lage) Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Riesling Fass 9 Kern, Mosel (classified as Ortswein) **A Pair of GGs (the Grand Cru dry whites of Germany)** Emrich-Schönleber Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe **Falkenstein Kabinetts Duo (same producer, vintage, grape, region and level, different vineyards)** Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben #8 Gisela, Mosel Hofgut Falkenstein Öckfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben #22 Mia, Mosel **Willi Schaefer Kabinett Vineyards Comparison (same producer, vintage, grape, region and level)** Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett, Mosel Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel **Delicious J.J. Pr**ü**m Spätlese (same producer, region, grape, vintage and level, different vineyards)** J.J. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Mosel J.J. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese, Mosel **An Auslese Finale (providing it arrives in time)** Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese “Urgluck” Riesling, Mosel A tasty buffet of cheeses, bread, crackers, cold cuts, grapes, veggies and sweets will be provided to accompany the wines. **COST**: $83 for members, $90 for non-members. If you have any questions about the event, please email the organizer, Dave Wendler: [davewendler@yahoo.com](mailto:davewendler@yahoo.com) . If you have questions about registration or membership status, please contact the President and Secretary of the GWS Capital Chapter, Carl Willner, at [carl.willner1@verizon.net](mailto:carl.willner1@verizon.net). To register and pay by PayPal or by check, go to our chapter website: germanwinesocietydc. org. Simply confirming attendance on meetup is NOT sufficient for a reservation. If you do not already have an account on our website, you will need to set one up. We can only accept electronic payment by PayPal, not credit cards or other electronic transfers. If you are including others in your electronic registration, please email the Secretary to let us know the names of your other guests for our registration list. You can become a member or renew, if your membership is not current, together with your registration for this event by including an annual $35 dues payment (for an individual or a couple). Please go to the Shop page of the website to find the payment buttons for this event and for dues. All GWS members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication. Members and guests should use public transportation to events, rely on a designated driver, or taste the wines rather than finish them.

Social Sips & Bites family - it’s time to wear your green and bring your Irish spirit. We’re heading to Kalypso’s Tavern for a St. Patrick’s celebration packed with festive vibes, great company, and special deals on food and drinks. What to expect: • Irish favorites like corned beef & cabbage • Shepherd’s pie and other hearty classics • Guinness specials • A lively crowd and that classic SSB energy Whether you’re coming for the food, the drinks, or just the fun, this is one of those nights you don’t want to miss. Come hungry. Come social. Let’s turn Kalypso’s green together. 🍀

Another Saturday Night Dinner by Request

Bonsoir à tous! Venez nombreux pour causer autour d'un repas ou d'un verre chez La Madeleine. On n'a que deux règles: (1) qu'on y parle exclusivement le français et (2) qu'on achète quelque chose à boire ou à manger (c'est La Madeleine qui le demande). Merci et à bientôt!