Mediterranean

Winter just got a lot more delicious. ❄️🍝 Celebrate DC Winter Restaurant Week at Divino, extended January 19–February 1, with a three-course dinner for $40. Cozy flavors, Italian favorites, and the perfect excuse to order that extra glass of wine. See you at the table. DINNER MENU $40 =ANTIPASTI= POLPETTE meatballs, San Marzano tomatoes DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano CAESAR SALAD Earth - Eats romaine, Grana Padano, anchovies, pangrattato BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP crispy prosciutto, sage foam, pine nuts =ENTREES= LINGUINE pomodoro or broccolini pesto TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE San Marzano tomatoes DOP, beef, peperoncino GRILLED SALMON zucchini, red pepper sauce, cherry tomatoes BAROLO BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS creamy polenta, oyster mushroom, demi-glaze DOLCI MOUSSE AL CIOCCOLATO chocolate, cream, strawberries CLASSCI TIRAMISÚ

Hello! Join us for our monthly luncheon held on the **4th Friday of the month** in place of Center Aging: Friday Tea Time. We direct you to check out [https://thedccenter.org/aging/](https://thedccenter.org/aging/) for RSVP information and to possibly answer any questions you may have about the upcoming event. We hope to see you there!

Looking for a classy spot with budget-friendly bites and drinks? Join Social Sips & Bites for an upscale happy hour with unbeatable deals! Menu Highlights: $10 Margaritas $8 Wines Appetizers from $9–$17, including their signature steak This will be a small and fun group.

**Unwind. Breathe. Reset.** Join us for a calming **guided evening meditation** designed to help you **release stress**, **quiet the mind**, and **restore inner peace**, even if you’ve never meditated before. * **Time:** 6:30 PM–7:30 PM * **Format:** Gentle guidance + quiet time + peaceful reflection * **Perfect for:** Beginners and experienced meditators * **What to bring:** Just yourself **Come as you are. Leave feeling lighter.** * **Reserve your spot** (recommended) * **Free Event - Donations Appreciated** * **Bring a friend. First-timers welcome!** * **Arrive early to settle in. Doors open at 6:00 PM.**

Hey Chapter Twoers, I have a feeling we're going to be stuck inside for a lot of the weekend. So come out while you still can and join us at McGinty's Public House in downtown Silver Spring for drinks and snacks. All are welcome!

Life will never be without its challenges. Knowing how to create a positive attitude can change a problem into an opportunity. By understanding and harnessing thought energy, you can improve the quality of your life and inspire others. **The workshop will cover:** * How your mind really works; * Understanding influences and the power of choice; * Developing positive self-awareness; and * Exploring the spiritual principles that sustain positive living. Fri., Jan. 23rd, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/8kGW2](https://shorturl.at/8kGW2)

Let us speak Italian and grab a drink or two. GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) 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. We have the discretion to decide entry. HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. Rules to abide : 1\. Event is 21\+ \(bring ID\)\. 2\. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well\. 3\. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible\. 4\. If you don't speak the other person's required language\, LEAVE THEM ALONE\. 5\. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion\. 6\. This is a face\-to\-face language exchange event\. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting\, by using the comment box or direct message\. 7\. 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\. 8\. 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 \(info@merevents\.com\)\. 9\. When you get there\, we will greet you and take you to your respective group\. 10\. Don't be shy of your local languages\. We have diplomates assigned to different countries\, who would love to practice your languages\. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\.
 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)). We have a school and will arrange you a class. AFTER THE EXCHANGE, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!

\*\*\*\* **Volunteers Needed!** Give back to the group by hosting your own smaller events (dinners, happy hours, brunches, lunches. etc). Join our Event Host program \*\*\*\* → **NEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS**, if you have questions about the group, RSVPs, or the overall dining event process, visit our FAQs (*ugh Meetup, we'll need to rebuild these*) and our No-Show Policy (for this event, by 12pm on Event Day). → **RSVP Cancellation Cutoff for this Event is Friday 10a, 1/23**. (Late Cancel applies after this, repeat occurrences can impact membership) \*\*\* **Winter Restaurant Week [RW] is back in DC!**: Learn more about DC's Restaurant Week ([http://www.ramw.org/restaurantweek/](http://www.ramw.org/restaurantweek/)) * Officially runs Jan 19 - 25 [some places will extend the deal beyond these dates] * 3-course fixed-price dinner special for $40 / $55 / $65 price tiers [not including drinks, and our required 30% tax / tip] → For this RW event TOSCA will be at the $65 tier, so **the minimum cost for the deal is $85** [drinks, wine/beer, and any extras items are additional and still factors our 30% tax/tip] → **By attending the event, each member agrees to participate using the Restaurant Week menu, and agree this $ minimum**. CASH PREFERRED PLEASE! \*\*\* **SPECIAL RULE for RSVPing to ANY RESTAURANT WEEK EVENT**: Lol, rule waived for this Restaurant Week period. ;) \*\*\* One of my favorite **Restaurant Week returns** in years. After not participating since 2019, **Tosca is back for DC Winter Restaurant Week 2026**, and this is a big deal. Prior to stepping away, Tosca was widely considered one of the **best Restaurant Week values in the city**, largely because they offered access to most of the regular menu rather than a heavily restricted RW subset. It’s genuinely nice to see them re-participate starting with this Winter 2026 run. **FOOD**: Tosca is an upscale Northern Italian restaurant known for clean, composed dishes, house-made pastas, and well-executed seasonal proteins. Prior to 2019, Tosca earned a strong reputation during Restaurant Week because they treated it as a true showcase, often allowing diners to order from **most of the core menu**, with only a small number of premium items carrying upcharges. That approach consistently delivered strong value and positive feedback. **Vegetarian & Gluten Free note:** * Tosca does not typically list fixed vegetarian entrées for Restaurant Week. Instead, the kitchen **curates vegetarian dishes daily using seasonal ingredients**. * Vegetarian selections may vary night to night, but the restaurant has committed to offering vegetarian options throughout Restaurant Week and has historically handled this thoughtfully. * Gluten-free pastas are available upon request. For **Winter 2026**, Tosca is returning at the **top Restaurant Week pricing tier**, with a base RW dinner price of **$65**. Expect a small number of optional premium upcharges, often items like **beef tenderloin or veal**, which many diners have historically found reasonable relative to normal menu pricing. → View Tosca’s menus: [https://www.toscadc.com/menu](https://www.toscadc.com/menu?utm_source=chatgpt.com). Only a couple of items have upcharges. **All must opt into the RW menu and priceponts** **SPACE**: Polished, contemporary, and unmistakably upscale. Tosca’s dining room feels refined and professional rather than casual. **Service leans formal**, with a traditional fine-dining pace and attentiveness. Business casual works, but many guests will be dressed more formally, especially during Restaurant Week evenings. This is a good choice if you enjoy a more classic, composed dining experience. → Visit the restaurant site: [https://www.toscadc.com/](https://www.toscadc.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) +++++++++ ==> Tax/Tip combo is our required 30% tax/tip policy (see the FAQs for more details). ==> Limited to 6 slots See you there! JoeN \*\*\* **CLOSEST METRO**: * **Metro Center [Red, Blue, Orange, Silver]**. Exit Metro Center toward **12th Street NW / F Street NW**. Once you come up the escalator/stairs, you will be on **F Street NW**. Walk **east on F Street NW** for **about 2 blocks** (toward 12th Street). When you reach the corner of **F Street & 12th Street NW**, you’ll see 1112 F Street. * For directions using the Metro, try using the Plan a Trip feature at the WMATA website ([click on your preferred Metro station](https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/index.cfm) then at the Station page level click "Plan a Trip". **PARKING**: No valet parking is offered. TOSCA offers **free validated parking for dinner patrons after 5 pm at the District Center Parking Garage** (West Side, in the building 555 12th St. NW) (look for One Parking) on 11th St. NW between E and F St., requiring guests to bring their parking ticket for validation. \*\*\* 1. Limited to **6** slots. 2. I**f you RSVP "YES" please make sure you can definitely make it**. With 5,800+ members and limited seating, we cannot afford no-shows. It's unfair to the other members who would like to attend and also to the organizers who have to explain to the restaurant why the reserved # of guests didn't show (can damage our reputation and ability to do larger reservations in the future). No-Show / Late Cancel rules apply (see our Discussion area on the website). 3. **Join the WAIT-LIST of you don't get an initial spot**! Use the Waitlist option. Also, check back regularly as attendees have been known to cancel up to Noon the day of the event. We may use emails during the week to confirm continued interest, so check! 4. **Billing (add 30% tax/tip to your bill)**. Remember, include the required 30% for tip / tax in addition to the food / beverages you order as defined in our FAQs. 5. **NEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS**, if you have questions about the group, RSVPs, or the overall dining event process, visit our FAQs ([http://diningout.meetup.com/149/messages/boards/view/viewthread?thread=1650845](http://diningout.meetup.com/149/messages/boards/view/viewthread?thread=1650845)) and our No-Show Policy ([http://tinyurl.com/5byotq](http://tinyurl.com/5byotq)).

**Weekly Sunday Meditation Classes with Sanema Naomi Hardrick** * Each class begins with **guided breathing meditation**, to help settle the mind, let go of distractions and cultivate inner peace. The meditation is followed by a brief, traditional Buddhist prayer, called *Liberating Prayer.* * The Teacher will then give a **practical teaching** based on the topic of the class series and explain how we can integrate Buddha’s timeless wisdom into our busy daily lives. * The teaching is then followed by a **guided meditation** to help us mix our mind with the teaching and take it to heart. * Time permitting, at the end of the meditation class we spend a few minutes in **group discussion** and the teacher will take any **questions** that the class might have about the topic. **COST:** Standard: $12 \| Financial Hardship: $6 \| [Register](https://meditation-dc.org/sunday-mornings/) \*\*[Member Pricing: ](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/)\*\*FREE & Available as an online class. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

**Sahaja Yoga teaches a unique method of meditation, rooted in ancient spiritual knowledge.** We follow a format of continuous integration of topics in our classes so that no two classes are same and so we are able to accommodate new meditators along with experienced ones. **Through Sahaja Yoga, you can achieve a state of meditation known as thoughtless awareness. In this state, you experience and enjoy the present moment without any distractions from the past or future. Your consciousness works in flow with your inner energy ([Kundalini](https://us.sahajayoga.org/the-kundalini/)).** Some of the things we go over with in our programs are how to awaken your dormant Mother energy called Kundalini. Meditation with Mantras using power of very basic mantra to bring peace within! Meditation with music, what are Chakras, how to take affirmations, what is Thoughtless Awareness and how to find the state of your Chakras. *Meditation sessions led by an experienced fellow meditator.* **Please join us to awaken the dormant energy within you and re-balance your emotional, physical and mental state of being!** **Sahaja Yoga was founded in 1970 by Shri Mataji**. She envisioned a world where people would be transformed, and lead more balanced lives. She has worked tirelessly to help people meditate and achieve greater spiritual heights through this meditation. **Cost**: Free **Parking**: Paid parking in garages and on street. Garage-40 Cordell-St.Elmo Garage, Saint Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD is 2 mins walking distance from meditation center. **How to reach us?** We are at **Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center** on **4901 Saint Elmo Avenue** **Bethesda, MD 20814**, *walking distance from Bethesda Metro Center* **You can learn more about this meditation** from [us.sahajayoga.org](https://us.sahajayoga.org)

Join Us for Simple Tools to Start Meditating Today! If you have ever wanted to meditate but did not know how to begin, this class is for you. People meditate for all sorts of reasons: to relax; calm down; relieve stress; improve relationships; understand themselves; tap into their potential; find meaning and purpose in life and awaken their spirituality. Join us to begin incorporating meditation into your daily life. Free Event - Donations Appreciated.

Let’s meetup at Cafe Istanbul for the last day of Restaurant Week. You get three courses for $30. This is the menu: https://614now.com/rw-menu/cafeistanbul-easton

**Free & Open to the Public!** Feeling stressed, burnt out, lacking focus or clarity, struggling with mental health, or just need a midday energy and creativity boost? **Join me every Monday from 12:15pm to 1pm at Sharon Woods Metro Park (Westerville, OH) for Nature-based Mindfulness Walks and Meditations.** Being outside in nature and cultivating a mindfulness practice is scientifically proven to improve mood, energy, focus, creativity, enhance physical and mental health, and reduce stress, burnout, and symptoms of depression. This 45-minute session combines nature exposure with simple mindfulness and mind-body practices (gentle movement, guided meditation, and nature awareness), to promote your holistic wellbeing and offer a positive and restorative break to your day. As an Integrative Wellness & Life Coach who specializes in nature-based mindfulness and mind-body modalities, I am committed to providing accessible, beneficial, and educational community experiences. Please share the word and I'm looking forward to seeing you there! **Directions**: Meet at the Northeast Lot and Pavilion (on your right) before Apple Ridge Picnic Area in Sharon Woods Metro Park at 12:15pm **Schedule**: * Introduction * Opening meditation * Nature walk – a facilitated silent nature-mindfulness experience * Closing meditation Walk distance: approximately 1.25 mi *In the spirit of acceptance, enhancing mind-body experiences, and widening our tolerance for discomfort, this event is held regardless of weather conditions, unless otherwise notified for potentially unsafe conditions (e.g. active thunderstorm, tornado warning, etc.)* **\*\***There is no maximum number of people who can attend. I'm only able to set a maximum at 10 with my current subscription of MeetUp. So if you see that the event is at "max capacity", please come join us regardless! **\*\***

Our group, KIND MEALS, will be picking up the tab for pizzas, at MIKEY'S LATE NIGHT SLICE, on Sunday, February 8th from 12-2pm. We will be trying out MIKEY'S Vegan Fake-ass BBQ Chick'n pizza and Vegan Fake-ass Pepperoni pizza, as well as some other special vegan pizzas that are served there. All the vegan pizzas are covered with Selfish Cow vegan cheese. The pizza is free, drinks on your own. Join us to learn more about **[KIND MEALS](https://kindmealscolumbus.org)** (a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Cols. Ohio, providing hunger relief services to those in need). All of the food we serve is fresh and vegan! If you love working with community, being of service, looking to hang with some fun like-minded people, and just love to socialize on a Sunday afternoon, join us for some FREE vegan pizzas at MIKEY'S LATE NIGHT on 4th and Main. Mikey said the more the merrier!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Let’s meet up for light bites and some drinks at Bonefish Grill. Happy hour goes until 6:30. Check out the menu : https://bonefishgrill-d8cba7f0a6b8gwd7.a02.azurefd.net/menu/BSH-5_1025.pdf

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. *The 5AM Club* by Robin Sharma explores how waking up early and following a structured morning routine can dramatically improve productivity, mindset, and overall life mastery. Through a blend of storytelling and practical frameworks, it teaches high performers how to build discipline, focus, and long-term success by owning the first hour of the day. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*

**Join Us for Brunch at Portia’s Cafe!** 🌿 Come meet fellow vegan friends and enjoy a delicious brunch with the Columbus Vegan Meetup! We’ll be gathering at **[The Cozy](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/12hqnx2x0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj9lPzVmI6SAxXs48kDHS9NMbgQqdYPegYIAQgFEAI)** (located right next door to Portia’s Cafe) to sample a 100% vegan and gluten-free menu featuring savory wraps, breakfast favorites, hearty soups, and decadent desserts. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with a community that shares your values while supporting a local, family-owned staple in our city. * **When:** Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM * **Where:** the Cozy (next to Portia’s Cafe) * **Address:** 4428 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43214 We can’t wait to see you there!