Taste of DC Returns To Penn Avenue This Weekend; Kick-Off Party Speeds Through 901 Restaurant & Bar!

PENN QUARTER -- The food festival known as the Taste of DC returns to the District this Columbus Day weekend (Saturday, October 8th through Monday, October 10th), for a three-day community celebration of local food and beverages.

The foodie fete will feature tastings from more than 60 of Washington’s “quintessential” restaurants and eateries, including Ben’s Chili Bowl, Co. Co Sala, Ping Pong Dim Sum, Lincoln, Surfside, Public, Station 4, Restaurant Marvin, Luke’s Lobster, Local 16, as well as concerts by Big & Rich, Styx, and Rusted Root, among others.

Tracing its original roots back to the early ‘90s, Taste of DC owes its newfound reemergence to the efforts of local serial entrepreneur and former The Apprentice contestant Steuart Martens and his self-described team of “wizards and food nuts”.

And to celebrate the re-launch of the savory, sweet, and sour event, organizers hosted a private kick-off party for sponsors, participating restaurants and charities, and supporters on Thursday evening at Penn Quarter’s modernly-furnished 901 Restaurant & Bar.

Co-hosted by Chicago-based deal website Groupon, Capitol File Magazine, Ferrari of Washington, SVEDKA vodka, and Vida Tequila, the guest list-only event featured passed hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, interactive photo booths, and even live music courtesy of The Greenbeets and Tim Sheff.

Staying true to its local roots, the festival’s launch party benefited a variety of area charities, including DC Central Kitchen, Luke’s Wings, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, and Bread for the City.

It’s a new foodie world this holiday weekend D.C.!