Mediterranean

You have to buy a ticket for this event, not only RSVP! 🎟️Register here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977534510956?aff=oddtdtcreator **French-Hispanic Networking: Connecting Communities, Creating Opportunities** On **January 29**, from **5:30 PM to 7:30 PM**, join us at **The Ven at Embassy Row** for an exclusive event bringing together the **French and Hispanic communities** in the Washington D.C. area. This event is proudly organized by the **French American Chamber of Commerce** and the **Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce**. This gathering is designed to **foster meaningful connections**, build lasting professional relationships, and open doors to new opportunities for collaboration between these two vibrant communities. It’s the perfect setting to **expand your network**, exchange ideas, and share experiences with leaders and professionals across diverse industries. Your **ticket includes one drink**, and if you are a member of one of the Chambers of Commerce, be sure to use your organization’s **PROMOCODE** to receive your exclusive discount. Throughout the evening, there will also be **surprises and special announcements** that will make this experience both unique and memorable. If you are part of the **Hispanic or Francophone community**, this event is made for you: a space where culture, business, and connections come together to create **real and lasting opportunities**. Don’t miss out—be part of this one-of-a-kind networking experience.

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

Thursdays at 6:30pm Take 30 minutes at the end of your day to unwind and connect to your potential for inner peace. Suitable for everyone, these meditation classes offer guided meditations and practical advice for improving the quality of our mental peace. **Registration** Each class is available by drop in. **Standard:** $5 **\| [Member Pricing:](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/) Free** [Register Here](https://meditation-dc.org/thursday-night-rest-and-reflect/) Everyone is welcome to attend, no previous experience is required. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

A weekly networking meeting where we have a lot of fun and of course, meet other busy professionals!

You need to buy a ticket for this event, not only RSVP ! 🎟️Register here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yoga-and-sound-bath-tickets-1979627608467?aff=oddtdtcreator 🎟 Free for FACC Members 💵 $25 for Non-Members **Jump start the new year by prioritizing yourself.** Join us on January 29, 2026 from 6-7:30pm for a nourishing gentle yoga class accompanied by a deeply restorative sound bath. Yoga offers far more benefits than just stress relief. It is a powerful practice for whole-body well-being, especially for women as we move through different life stages. Gentle yoga supports hormonal balance, improves sleep, strengthens the body, enhances flexibility, boosts our mood, and helps reduce inflammation. It also allows us to cultivate greater awareness of our bodies, empowering more intentional self-care and supporting the management of chronic health conditions. This class is accessible, supportive, and welcoming to all levels. Whether you are a new or practiced yogi or yogini, come as you are and leave feeling grounded, restored, and renewed. Be sure to register early as space is limited to 20 yogis! **Event Details** * **Date:** Thursday, January 29, 2026 * **Time:** 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM * **Venue:** 4401 East-West Hwy Suite 303, Bethesda, MD 20814 **Featured Instructors** **Julia Gaspar-Bates** is a certified hatha yoga instructor and a Board member of the FACC Women in Leadership committee. A yoga practitioner for nearly 30 years and a teacher for 18 years, Julia’s classes are designed to incorporate a deep awareness of breath control with careful attention to the physical alignment and benefits of each pose. An intercultural consultant in her non-yogic world, Julia integrates mindfulness practices in her work to enhance self-awareness and help develop cultural intelligence. **Juan Hernandez Gonzalez –** Originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Juan has lived in the DC area since 2007. A visual artist and self-taught musician, Juan started to play gongs and singing bowls as part of his personal meditation and spiritual practice. The abstract, enveloping sounds of these instruments invite him to transcend, and he finds joy and fulfillment in sharing this experience with others. Juan has performed at his congregation as part of centering activities and during yoga classes. **About the 1440 Health Collective** 1440 Health Collective was founded in 2017 in Bethesda, MD as a space for true healing transformation, not just treatment. The name was inspired by the 1,440 minutes in each day—a reminder that wellness isn't a luxury or a destination but is woven into every moment of life, a reminder to nurture oneself. Founded by Jessica Luke with one room in a chiropractor’s office, today 1440 Health Collective a thriving wellness center—a collaborative community of independent practitioners who provide care for one’s whole being. [https://1440health.com/](https://1440health.com/ "https://1440health.com/") The **Women in Leadership Committee (WIL)** of the **French-American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.**empowers and connects women across the French-American professional landscape through events, advocacy, and leadership development. WIL works to spotlight and support women leaders in the United States and beyond.

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!

Join us in opening the new year in French-Mediterranean Style at Barbouzard! The Washington Post review (by Tom Sietsema Sept. 18, 2025) The crackle of energy whenever a new restaurant debuts reminds me of opening night at the theater. In many cases, the dining room is (over) staffed with a cast of well-rehearsed people, dressed to impress in whatever uniform the owners think represents the theme, everyone eager to introduce you to a concept they hope you enjoy. A new-car smell typically mingles with kitchen aromas. “Welcome to Barbouzard,” a server says to my posse, launching into a spiel that announces veteran chef Cedric Maupillier, of the late Convivial in Shaw, as the headliner and a theme designed to bring a taste of the French Riviera to downtown Washington. The name, suggested by a friend of principal managing partner Nasr El Hage and rooted in French slang, alludes to the city’s sense of power, intrigue, the clandestine. “Barbouzard means ‘secret agent,’” says our server, whose gaze then pivots to me. “You never know,” he says playfully. “One of *you* could be a secret agent!” Maupillier and El Hage met at a Bastille Day party at the French Embassy last year and launched Barbouzard on K Street NW with a cocktail party for friends and supporters July 14 — a year to the day later. Maupillier seems born for this job. A son of Toulon, the chef has relatives in Cannes and Marseille. (His résumé includes the late Mintwood Place, Central Michel Richard and the long-shuttered Citronelle.) “I want to cook for everybody,” he says, acknowledging that not everyone has “a budget for caviar,” a feature along with shellfish platters at Barbouzard. One of his more gently priced dishes, a rabbit pasta, is $31 and harks back to his youth, when he spent time in Provence, hunting with his grandfather. Maupillier uses ruffled, bell-shaped campanelle, the better to catch juicy bites of braised rabbit, lightly sweet with carrots, woodsy with mushrooms and whisked to the table beneath filings of pecorino. If you pay any attention to menu categories, an increasing number of restaurants are offering what amount to two sets of appetizers. One is usually described as “snacks” or “bites,” sometimes for sharing; the other is a typical first course. A sly way of getting diners to spend more money? A chance for chefs to put more of their creativity on display? Whatever the reasoning, focus on what the menu at Barbouzard calls “easy to share finger food.” The showiest of the bunch look like petits fours: bases of brioche layered with foie gras mousse, preserved cherry and port jelly. Each of the five bites of “Foie Gras Opéra” glints with edible gold. “I feel bad about eating this,” says a companion as he pops the rich art into his mouth. Even the more common combinations call to me. Crimson slices of bell pepper slowly cooked in olive oil and paired with Nicoise olives and plump, intense Calabrian anchovies feels like eating red peppers for the first time, and salt cod whipped with potato, olive oil, garlic and thyme and sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs makes a standout brandade de morue. Kudos to the restaurant for welcoming more people to the party by flagging dishes that contain nuts and pork and are gluten-free or vegetarian. Cracker-like chickpea pancakes served with a pistachio-colored foam of whipped scallions and cream cheese present like some of the fanciest chips and dip in town. Your next stops on the menu ought to be crudo and scallops. Maupillier creates what resembles a rose from ribbons of raw tuna, which blossom in a frothy pool of coconut milk and minced bell peppers dotted with cilantro oil. Influencers (aren’t we all these days?) are also likely to snap and post seared scallops interspersed with miniature corn flans in a foamy orange pool coaxed from red curry paste, fish stock, milk and sharpeners including ginger and lemongrass. The dish tastes of sea, summer, the tropics. Chef might consider bottling and selling just the sauce. (Hint, hint.) This being downtown, the owners thought Maupillier should put steak on the script, which the chef reluctantly did. D.C. is stocked with places that excel at grilled beef, after all. Still, hanger steak served with a bold green peppercorn sauce and housemade fries could compete with the city's best. More novel is a fan of smoked duck, each slice rimmed in a band of flavor-carrying fat, splayed over braised leeks and endive and a dark red beet puree. Orange in different guises lends vibrancy to the main course. Some lesser moments sneak in, among them the rich-on-rich lobster Américaine, the seafood a little muted, the pasta cooked nearly to mush. I love the sauce, though, a creamy, cognac-laced bisque fueled with lots of flavor from lobster shells. Maupillier is proud of his elegant bouillabaisse, in which the different fish and shellfish are cooked separately and the broth is added at the table. Fans of the traditional, more robust and saucier version of the classic might be disappointed. (In fairness, the dish is listed with quote marks.) The restaurant doesn’t pause between lunch and dinner. Instead, it offers “golden hour,” during which lighter fare — a wagyu cheeseburger, gazpacho, truffle prosciutto croquettes — is offered. Basically, the amenity is a happy hour that does double duty, playing up the room’s gold accents and its location in the Golden Triangle, downtown’s business district. I can see the room animated with diners who prefer way-late lunches, super-early dinners or anyone who needs a little festivity at odd hours. Convivial enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for sweet endings, renown that continues at Barbouzard, where the warm date pudding is enhanced with halvah ice cream and a cardamom-infused toffee sauce. Fittingly, one dessert is designed to look like a tin of caviar. In reality, it’s tiramisu paved with chocolate pearls set with chilled oil (hence a shimmer like pricey roe) set in a tin atop faux crushed ice. Very Vegas, the confection goes by “Caviamisu.” The charm award goes to what looks like a pear robed in chocolate, named for the chef’s mother, who adored the dish. Slicing into the dessert, Poire Belle Michèle, reveals a delightful surprise: the form is shaped from hazelnut financier, diced pear, white chocolate and more, then centered in a wavy bowl of marzipan-sweetened custard sauce. El Hage says he wants to make Barbouzard a dining destination, and he’s off to a strong start. More than $4 million went into the interior whipped up by designer Olvia Demetriou of HapstackDemetriou+. The light fixtures suggest champagne bubbles, the floors are paved with stone or tiles that look like white oak, the ceiling is coffered, and the seating — plush red chairs, cinnamon-colored booths with their own sound systems — is all about your comfort. El Hage says he plans to dim the lights and use blackout shades for future brunch service. Already, a DJ emerges on Friday and Saturday nights, when the owner hopes “After Dark” catches nightcappers. Is now a proper moment to talk about luxury dining? The times are some of the most sobering I can remember in the past 25 years, what with wage hikes, the federal takeover of DC police and ICE crackdowns on immigrants. I point this out to say the word “restaurant” comes from a French verb that means “to restore” and that eating establishments are, good times and bad, the backdrop to many of our lives — indeed, some of them make life more worth living. Barbouzard aspires to help light the way. Looking forward to sharing this experience with you! ***Check out menus [here](https://barbouzard.com/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. \*Note: Event fee is non-refundable\* 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 January 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 Barbouzard!

**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

**NEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS** Before attending your first event, please take a moment to understand how our dinners work and what we ask of members. → **[Learn how DC Metro Dining works](https://tinyurl.com/Landing-Page-DC-Metro-Dining)** **RSVP CUTOFF (i.e. Final Change Your Mind if Registered YES)** → **RSVP Cancellation Cutoff for this Event is Saturday 10a, 1/31**. (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 like Cordelia Fishbar 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 Cordelia Fishbar 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. ;) \*\*\* We’re heading to **Cordelia Fishbar** for a **Restaurant Week dinner** in the Union Market neighborhood. This seafood-centric restaurant blends coastal influences with globally inspired preparations, making it a standout choice for a flavorful winter night out. **FOOD**: Cordelia Fishbar focuses on **fresh seafood, crudo, conserva, and charcoal-grilled specialties**, drawing inspiration from Spain, Portugal, Asia, and the Americas. Reviewers highlight dishes like **coal-roasted oysters**, **crudo-style seafood**, and **jumbo lump crab toast**, along with beautifully prepared **grilled calamari and whole branzino**. The raw bar selections and char-grilled items are consistently praised for their **freshness and distinctive flavor**, and guests also appreciate thoughtful wine pairings and creative cocktails designed to complement the seafood. This is a **great choice for seafood lovers**, especially if you enjoy a mix of small plates and shareable entrées that highlight seasonal fish and shellfish. → Explore Cordelia Fishbar’s RW menu (PDF, focus on the areas of 'Choice of One'): **[https://www.ramw.org/sites/default/files/restaurant-week/menus/CFB_RW_Dinner_2026.pdf](https://www.ramw.org/sites/default/files/restaurant-week/menus/CFB_RW_Dinner_2026.pdf)**. **All must opt into the RW menu and priceponts. Note any upcharged items or additional item are extra and have their own 20% gratuity.** **SPACE**: Cordelia’s space in Union Market feels **warm and vibrant** with rustic-meets-coastal design and an intimate yet lively atmosphere. The expansive bar and oyster selections make it fun to start with drinks and small plates before dinner, and the dining room works well for conversation and tasting a range of seafood dishes. → Visit the restaurant site: [https://www.cordeliadc.com/](https://www.cordeliadc.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**: * **NoMa-Gallaudet U** (Red Line) is the closest major stop. Exit toward **Morse Street NE**, walk **northeast on Morse Street NE** to **550 Morse St NE**, just inside Union Market. The walk is about **6–8 minutes**. * 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**: Parking options include Union Market valet on **5th & Neal Streets NE** and nearby garages. Street parking can be limited, especially on weekend evenings—Metro or rideshare is recommended. *** ***Attendance Notes:*** * **If you RSVP “YES,” please commit to showing up**. With 5,800+ members and limited seating, we can’t afford no-shows. It’s not fair to other members or to our relationship with the restaurant. * **No-Show / Late Cancel rules apply** (see links below). * **Can’t get a slot?** Join the Waitlist and check back frequently—spots often open up before Noon on the day of the event. You may also receive midweek confirmation emails to reconfirm your RSVP, so please check your inbox. * **Billing Reminder**: Add 30% for tax and tip to your food and drink total. This is part of our group’s expectations and helps smooth out service with the restaurant. * **New Members / 1st Timers**: [Visit our FAQs](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C0GeZMWGwc1akHj63aViQ_5n1YpBqPt_/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=107783167750249492259&rtpof=true&sd=true) and [No-Show Policy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BU0ZjQNdMwTjIkZVGlOlw8rTIia5xWhE/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=107783167750249492259&rtpof=true&sd=true) if you're unfamiliar with how we run things. Looking forward to dining with you! – JoeN

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

**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)

**NEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS** Before attending your first event, please take a moment to understand how our dinners work and what we ask of members. → **[Learn how DC Metro Dining works](https://tinyurl.com/Landing-Page-DC-Metro-Dining)** **RSVP CUTOFF (i.e. Final Change Your Mind if Registered YES)** → **RSVP Cancellation Cutoff for this Event is Friday 10a, 1/30**. (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 like Mallard 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 Mallard will be at the $55 tier, so **the minimum cost for the deal is \~$72** [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. ;) \*\*\* *** I'm in the mood for Southern dishes. Let's revisit one of the best in the area at Mallard—a Logan Circle standout blending Southern lowcountry ingredients with refined technique. We went here during Summer 2025 RW and it was very highly rated. It's a deep menu for RW, which is great to see. **FOOD**: Refined Southern. Led by Executive Chef Hamilton Johnson (“Chef Ham”), Mallard riffs on his South Carolina roots with smart sourcing and whole-animal creativity, duck is often used in many dishes. Johnson cooked under Charleston legend Frank Lee and later at DC icon Vidalia under Jeffrey Buben (8 years as lead Chef de Cuisine), so expect comfort flavors elevated with polish. Ah I miss you, Vidalia. **→** **[Checkout the RW menu on page 3 (PDF)](https://c8c632ac-6c55-4674-83e4-e16ee90cf3ed.filesusr.com/ugd/a14382_6d932c5beddb496aa002c047b450476d.pdf)**. Reminder: **All must opt into the RW menu and pricepoints. A couple of the items are have upcharges if selected (mostly duck dishes).** Curated beer program that sources from upstairs neighbor, Churchkey. Cocktails are excellent as are the wines. For Restaurant Week expect an optional Wine Pairing list will be offered with this menu. **SPACE**: Warm, convivial bistro energy—perfect for sharing plates and conversation. Mallard sits on 14th Street near Logan Circle. Beloved beer mecca Churchkey is above, for context. → Checkout [Mallard's website](https://www.mallarddc.com/) to learn more +++++++++ ==> **Tax/Tip combo is our required 30% tax/tip policy** (this is NOT optional. it's a requirement to attend any of our events). ==> Limited to **8** slots See you there! JoeN *** **CLOSEST METRO:** **McPherson Square (Blue/Orange/Silver)**. Exit to 14th & I St NW. Walk north on 14th St NW \~0.6 mi (10–12 min) to 1337 14th St NW (between N St and Rhode Island Ave). Easy straight shot up 14th. Alternatives: **Farragut North (Red) or Dupont Circle (Red)** are \~15 minutes’ walk. For directions using the Metro, try using the [Trip Planner at the WMATA website](https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/index.cfm). **PARKING**: No Valet parking. Multiple Parking Garages or ground level paid parking lots nearby though. Else, street parking within 4 blocks is not impossible but come early to hunt. Rideshare or use Spothero. *** 1. Limited to **8** slots. 2. **If you RSVP "YES" please make sure you can definitely make it**. With 5,000+ 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 (*repeat No-Show or Late Cancel can impact membership*). 3. **Join the WAIT-LIST if 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 (http://diningout.meetup.com/149/messages/boards/view/viewthread?thread=1650845#2991513). 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) and our No-Show Policy (http://tinyurl.com/5byotq).

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

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!

Hello everyone! For our first dinner together, we’re keeping things low-key and casual. Take a look at the menu and let us know what you think we want this to be easy, relaxed, and enjoyable for everyone. Quick housekeeping note: many restaurants require most of the party to be present before seating. No-shows impact the entire group, so if someone repeatedly commits and doesn’t show more than once, we’ll have to remove you from future dinners to keep things fair and smooth for everyone. Looking forward to a great night and even better conversations 🍽️✨

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

If you would like to participate in a fun gift exchange please bring a wrapped $5 sweet treat 😋