As part of an ongoing effort to alert you, the readers of DC Foodies, to all of the really cool food-related events, classes and opportunities throughout the Washington Metropolitan area, we give you this week's edition of the Foodie To-Do List.

Each Wednesday, we give you a heads-up on a few of the upcoming events that we think look particularly interesting.  This week, we've got:

Watch Art & Soul's Art Smith Compete on Tonight's Episode of "Top Chef Masters" at Art & Soul:

What:
With five of six winners' slots filled, Top Chef Masters is heading into the home stretch with tonight's episode.  Here in DC, we've got a chance to watch one of our adopted celebrity chefs compete: Art Smith, whose Art & Soul is in the Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill.  To celebrate his participation, the restaurant will feature complimentary signature appetizers and will air the episode at 10 PM.

When:
Tonight (Wednesday, July 22)
Happy Hour from 8 to 11, Top Chef Masters airs at 10 PM

Where:
Art & Soul in the Liaison
415 New Jersey Ave., NW
Washington, DC

Why:
Check out ArtBar and enjoy some classic Art Smith dishes while watching to see if the chef can bring home the big check for his charity, Common Threads.  As far as we know, this is the only formal Top Chef Masters watch party in DC.

Cost: 
Hors d'oeuvres are complimentary, just pay for your drinks (and be sure to try one or two of their cocktails while you're there!).  If you're hungry, you can also enjoy a Top Chef-inspired three course tasting menu for $39, with a portion of the proceeds going toward Common Threads.


Montgomery County Farm Tour & Harvest Sale:

What: 
For 20 years now, Montgomery County has put together an annual event celebrating the farms and producers within the county.  Their brochure promises music, demonstrations and activities in addition to the sale of fresh produce and flowers at various farms.

When: 
Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th, 10 AM to 4 PM

Where: 
More than a dozen farms throughout Montgomery County - check the website for participants

Why: 
We've got a surprising number of farms within a short drive of Washington, and this is a great opportunity to get to know many of the local producers who show up week after week at our neighborhood farmers' markets.  It's a great weekend excursion for all ages.

Cost:
The tour is free, all you need to do is pay for your purchases in support of these local enterprises.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Summer Restaurant Week:

What:
You know the drill by now.  Thirty-one restaurants in the area will be offering two course lunches and three course dinners at special fixed prices next week.

When:
Monday, July 27th through Sunday, August 2nd. 

Where:
30 participating restaurants in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area (and the Old Angler's Inn in Potomac).  Most are concentrated along Wisconsin, Woodmont, Bethesda and Cornell Avenues.

Why: 
Restaurant Week remains the best way to introduce yourself to new restaurants that you've been meaning to try but haven't gotten around to.  The best places use it as a chance to show off; the worst consider it a burden and it shows in their offerings.  Make sure to ask about their menu before you commit - since it's such a concentrated area, it's easy to move on to the next restaurant if your first choice looks disappointing.

Cost:
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week is a little more complicated than DC Restaurant Week.  Participating restaurants offer their menus at either $12 or $15 for lunch and $25-$30 per person for dinner.  Check the listings to figure out when your top choices are participating and what they're charging, and then make your reservations. 

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If you would like your events posted here, please email [email protected] with the event info.

Here are the details about what the different restaurants are offering for Bethesda Restaurant Week for Summer 2008. We're still getting details in from the restaurants, so stay tuned if you don't see a restaurant you are interested in going to.

Assaggi - $15 Lunch
Offering a special menu for lunch for Restaurant Week. Assaggi will also have their normal menu, but it will be normal price.

Bacchus - $12 Lunch, $25 Dinner
Offering a subset of their normal menu. Their normal menu is normally 12 pages, the Restaurant Week menu is 4 pages.

Bice - $15 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Lunch menu is here, Dinner menu is here.

Famoso - $30 Dinner
Famoso is offering a choice of four appetizers, three entrees and three desserts for Bethesda Restaurant Week patrons.  Choose between a gratin of scallops, caesar salad, a mesclun mix and the soup of the day for your first course, a pair of pastas, tuna fillet with ratatouille and chicken paillard for your entree, and panna cotta, sorbet or ice cream with fruit and nuts for your dessert.

Faryab - $30 Dinner
Faryab is closed on Mondays, so you may want to plan accordingly.

Gaffney's - $15 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Gaffney's is participating at both lunch and dinner, but please note that their lunch menu is set at $15 instead of $12.  Menus for both are available on their website.

Grapeseed Bistro - $30 Dinner
Menu for Bethesda Restaurant Week is posted on their web site now. Definitely review it before making your reservation because it's a little complicated.

Jaleo - $12 Lunch, $30 Dinner
For Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week, Jaleo Bethesda will be offering a choice of any two tapas for $12 at lunch and a dinner that is 3 tapas plus a dessert plus coffee or tea for $30.  They will also be participating in DC Restaurant week, where they will offer a choice of any two tapas from modern classics, a soft drink and flan or sorbet for $20.08 at lunch and a soft drink, gazpacho or green salad, three tapas, flan, sorbet or chocolate hazelnut dessert for $35.08 at dinner.

La Ferme - $15 Lunch, $30 Dinner
La Ferme is offering a 2 course lunch menu for $15 and which is available Monday-Friday from 11:30-2:30. Dinner is 3 course menu offered at $30 and is available Monday through Sunday from 5-9:30.

Lunch (choose 2 of 3)
Appetizers
Chilled Ratatouille Soup with Basil or a Trio of Deviled Eggs served over Boston Lettuce chiffonade

Entrees
Dijon Mustard coated Palliard of Chicken served with Grilled Vegetables with a Spicy Tarragon/Mustard Sauce
Pan Seared Mahi Mahi filet with Toasted Almonds

Desserts
Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee or Peach Melba

Dinner Menu
Appetizers
Chilled Gazpacho Analou or Spinach, Endive and Walnut Salad with a Roquefort Dressing

Entrees
Breast of Chicken stuffed with Spinach and served with Calvados cream sauce or Fricassee of Monkfish, Shrimp and Bay Scallops in a White Wine sauce over Linguine or Saffron Risotto with Roasted Vegetables and Red Pepper and Tomato Coulis

Desserts
Duo of White and Dark Chocolate Mousse or Blueberry Claufoutis

La Miche - $30 Dinner
Dinner is $30 for 3 courses from a "Summer Special Menu" which is a selection of 3 appetizers, 4 entrees and 3 desserts.

Lia's - $15 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Most of their normal menu will be available.

McCormick and Schmick's - $15 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Lunch (either a salad and entree, a cup of soup and entree, or entree and dessert.)
Desserts - Creme Brulee or Jake's Chocolate Truffle Cake
Soup - Cup of Chowder
Salads - Mixed Greens or Caesar
Entrees - Cedar Salmon or Parmesan Crusted Sole or Fettucine with Scallops and Shrimp

Dinner 
Crab Soup or Salad
Parmesan Crusted Sole or Cedar Salmon or Rainbow Trout
Creme Brulee or Jake's Chocolate Truffle Cake

Mon Ami Gabi - $12 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Lunch- $12pp not including tax, gratuity and drinks
Entrees
Creamy Chicken Mushroom Crepe or Salmon Burger or Croque Monsieur or Roasted Chicken Salad Sandwich

Desserts
Profiterole

Dinner- $30pp not including tax, gratuity and drinks
Appetizers
Chilled Gazpacho or Butter Lettuce and Shaved Vegetable Salad or Chicken Liver Mousse Pate

Entrees
Pan-Seared Salmon over Orzo or Roasted Pork Tenderloin or Roasted Chicken and Frites or Steak Frites with choice of sauc

Desserts
Chocolate Mousse or Bananas Foster or Warm Bread Pudding

Passage to India - $30 Dinner
Menu for Bethesda Restaurant Week is available here.

Sushiko - $15 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Lunch
Appetizers
6 piece Sashimi Appetizer Or Shrimp & Vegetable Appetizer

Entrees
Sushi Assortment
(1 piece each of Tuna, Salmon & Yellowtail Nigiri plus choice of 1 maki:  California, Crunchy Shrimp, Salmon-Avocado, Spicy Tuna or Cucumber-Avocado) Or Chicken Teriyaki

Dinner $30.00 (3 Courses)
Appetizers
Miso Soup & Seaweed Salad OR Miso Soup & Sushi-Ko Salad

Entrees
Tempura  Appetizer
(3 pc shrimp and 5 pcs vegetable) OR Sashimi Appetizer (7pc) (3 Tuna, 2 Salmon, 2 White Fish) OR Salmon Ceviche OR Soft Shell Crab Roll

Desserts
Sushi Assortment (1 piece each of Tuna, Salmon & Yellowtail Nigiri plus choice of 1 maki:  California, Crunchy Shrimp, Salmon-Avocado, Spicy Tuna or Cucumber-Avocado) OR Chicken Teriyaki

Tragara - $12 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Bethesda Restaurant Week menu is posted on their web site.

Tavira Dinner $30 for 3 Course
Appetizers
Caldo Verde - Portugal’s National soup, shredded hale, onions, potatoes and olive oil, garnished with chourico
SALADA DA HORTA - Fresh market greens, tomatoes, onions and Mediterranean dressing
MEXILHOES NA CATAPLANA - Steamed mussels, tomatoes and bell peppers in white wine sauce
PORTUGUESE SARDINES “ESCABECHE” - Marinated sardines with cloves of garlic, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, bay leaves and paprika, served at room temperature

Entrees
BACALHAU A BRAZ - Shredded salted cod sautéed with onions in olive oil, combined with straw potatoes, olives and egg
LOMBO DE PORCO A CACADOR - Pork loin with wild mushrooms, braised in brandy Croft, served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes
FRANGO A PIRI-PIRI - Grilled chicken, Portuguese style in Piri-Piri sauce (hot spicy pepper sauce), served with home made potato chips
CALDEIRADA PORTUGUESA - A traditional Portuguese fish stew with shrimp, clams, mussels, sea scallops and potatoes
PARRILHADA DE MARISCOS - A traditional Iberian mixed seafood charbroiled on a skewer, served with aioli

Dessert
BOLO DE CHOCOLATE COM GELADO - Chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream
PUDIM FLAN - Traditional Portuguese caramel custard

Visions - $12 Lunch, $30 Dinner
Lunch
Appetizers
Cup of Any of Our 3 Soups of the Day
Lunch Fried Calamari
Single Crawfish Roll
Mesclun Greens, Marinated Roma Tomato Salad, Red Onion & Balsamic Vinaigrette

Entrees
Thin Sliced Ham, Swiss, Arugula and Honey Mustard Panini
Roasted Chicken Pasta with Pine Nuts, Mushrooms, Parmesan Cream and Spinach
Teriyaki Beef Ribs with French Fries and Jiicama Slaw
Shrimp, Chicken and Andouille Jambalaya with Rice
Yellowfin Tuna Stir Fry with Jasmine Rice

Dinner
Appetizers
Steamed Black Mussels with Bacon, Black Beans and Leeks
Crispy Fried Calamari with Sweet Peppers and Lemon Basil Aioli
Teriyaki Beef Cross Cut Short Ribs with Asian BBQ

Entrees
“Mac & Cheese” Roasted Chicken, Pennsylvania Cheddar and Breadcrumb
Atlantic Salmon “Cuban Style” with Plantains, White Rice and Black Beans
Chicken Dijon with Smashed Potatoes and Grilled Vegetables
Single Crab Cake with Herbed Rice and Red Pepper Sauce
Single Filet Mignon Satay with Plantains and Cucumber Salad

Desserts
Chocolate Crème Brulee
Tira Misu with Toasted Almonds

Update: Look here for Summer,August Restaurant Week Menus

For those of you who've been emailing us asking, no, pleading for us to tell you the dates for the Summer/August DC Restaurant Week, we seriously haven't been ignoring you. It's really because we didn't know until now the exact dates when it will be. This week however, I got an email from Chef Geoff's saying that it was August 11th through the 17th. Now, the WashingtonDC.org web site still hasn't announced the official dates, so you might want to take this with a grain of salt.

Of course, DCFoodies.com will be posting menus for DC Restaurant Week as always so check back in late July for the complete list, or check out the menus from past Restaurant Weeks if you want to make a reservation now.

As we do every Bethesda Restaurant Week, here's all the information about the menus of the participating restaurants. If we don't have any information from the restaurant or it's not posted on their web site, we've instead included a link to their current menus (which is NOT necessarily what they'll have during restaurant week) or their phone number to call to get the full details. We'll continue to update this page as we get more information from the restaurants. Remember, Bethesda Restaurant Week is January 28th through February 3rd.

Bethesda is doing something a little different this year for Restaurant Week. Instead of a three course lunch for $20, you can get a two course lunch for $12, which honestly, makes a lot more sense because who wants three whole courses for lunch?!

Click the following link for guidelines on how to choose restaurants during Bethesda Restaurant Week.

Bethesda Restaurant Week Menus for Winter 2008

Famoso
Dinner
Famoso's Bethesda Restaurant Week Menu

Gaffney’s Restaurant
Lunch & Dinner
Gaffney's lunch and dinner menus for Bethesda Restaurant Week.

Grapeseed
Dinner

Grapeseed is offering their full menu and the scallops and filet will have a small supplement. If you want, you can choose two appetizers and skip dessert.

La Miche
Lunch & Dinner
Lunch Menu
Appetizers
-- Salad Maison, Caesar Salad, Soup du Jour.
Entrees
-- Broiled Mahi Mahi with Cucumber Salad, Jumbo Lump Crabcake, Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin.
Dessert (may be added for $5)
-- Profiterolles, Homemade Sorbet, Mousse au Chocolat.
Dinner Menu
Appetizers
-- Salad Maison, Caesar Salad, Soup du Jour, Escargot.
Entrees
-- Duck Confit, Broiled Salmon with Mussels Supreme Sauce, Grilled Pork Loin, Beef Bourguignon.
Dessert
-- Chocolate Croquant, White Chocolate Casis Cake, Lemon Mango Cake, Souffle w/Grand Marnier, Chocolate.

La Ferme
Dinner
La Ferme's Restaurant Week menu will be posted on their web site.

Lia’s
Lunch & Dinner
Lia's DC Restaurant Week lunch and dinner menus which are likely to be the same (or very similar) for Bethesda Restaurant Week, but we'll update them when we get the exact menus.

Mon Ami Gabi
Lunch & Dinner
Mon Ami Gabi's Lunch and Dinner menus for Bethesda Restaurant Week.

New Orleans Bistro
Lunch & Dinner
New Orleans Cafe's Dinner Bethesda Restaurant Week menu. The lunch menu is TBD. They are also extending their offering an additional week.

Old Angler’s Inn
Lunch & Dinner
Offering a set menu with a choice between two items in each course category.  A vegetarian option is also always available by request.  Their plan is to extend Bethesda Restaurant Week pricing through the entire month of February, with the exception of Valentines Day which has its own set menu. Call for details. The current menu is here.

Ristorante Tragara
Lunch & Dinner
Tragara's Bethesda Restaurant Week menu is on their web site.

Rock Creek - Bethesda
Dinner
Rock Creek has their dinner menu for Bethesda Restaurant Week on their web site.

Visions Restaurant
Lunch & Dinner
Lunch
Apps (Choice of)
-- Cup of Any of 3 Soup of the Day
-- Lunch Fried Calamari
-- Single Crawfish Roll
-- Mesclun Greens, Marinated Roma Tomato Salad, Red Onion & Balsamic Vinaigrette      

Entrees (Choice of)
-- Thin Sliced Ham, Swiss, Arugula and Honey Mustard Panini
-- Roasted Chicken Pasta with Pine Nuts, Mushrooms, Parmesan Cream and Spinach
-- Club Salad with Roasted Chicken, Ham, Bacon, Cheddar. Creamy Basil Ranch
-- Teriyaki Beef Ribs with French Fries and Jiicama Slaw
-- Veggie Panini with Basil Mayo, Grilled Eggplant, Zucchini and Tomato
-- Cilantro & Garlic Marinated Yellowfin Tuna Satay over Rice & Stir Fry Vegetables

Dinner
App (Choice of)
-- Steamed Black Mussels with Bacon, Black Beans and Leeks
-- Crispy Fried Calamari with Sweet Peppers and Lemon Basil Aioli
-- Teriyaki Beef Cross Cut Short Ribs with Asian BBQ

Entrees (choice of)
-- "Mac & Cheese" Roasted Chicken, Pennsylvania Cheddar and Breadcrumb
-- Cajun Catfish Grilled with Fresh Thyme Risotto & Lobster Cream Sauce
-- Dad's Pasta with Crab Tomato Sauce and Roasted Garlic
-- Atlantic Salmon "Cuban Style" with Plantains, White Rice and Black Beans
-- Filet Mignon Satay with Sticky Rice and Vegetable of the Day

Dessert (choice of)
-- Chocolate Crème Brulee
-- Tira Misu

Althenian Plaka
Dinner
301-986-1337

Bacchus of Lebanon
Lunch & Dinner
301-657-1722

Blackfinn Restaurant
Dinner
Current Menu

Brasserie Monte Carlo
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

Centro Italian Grill
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

Clyde’s of Chevy Chase
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

David Craig Bethesda
Lunch & Dinner
301-657-2484
Current Menu

Divino Lounge & Restaurant
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

Faryab Restaurant
Dinner
301-951-3484

Geppetto Restaurant
Lunch & Dinner
301-493-9230

Guardado’s Restaurant
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

Javan Fine Persian Cuisine
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

Jean-Michel Restaurant
Dinner
301-564-491

L’oustalet
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

M Cafe
Dinner
Current Menus

Oakville Grille & Wine Bar
Lunch & Dinner
301-897-9100

Passage To India
Dinner
Current Menus

Persimmon Restaurant
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

Pizza Zero
Lunch
Current Menu

RAKU - Bethesda
Dinner
301-718-8680

Rarely Legal Grille
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menu

Tavira
Lunch & Dinner
Current Menus

Trattoria Sorrento
Dinner
301-718-0344

click for the most recent Bethesda Restaurant Week info

Bethesda Restaurant Week for Summer 2007 is going on this week, July 23rd through the 29th. The complete list of participating restaurants can be found here, or you can see them on a map here. Unlike DC Restaurant Week, restaurants participating in Bethesda Restaurant Week don't have a fixed price so check what the deal actually is. As I've said in past Restaurant Weeks, this is a good time to try David Craig, but on a more personal note, I might take this opportunity to finally go to Persimmon, Divino Lounge, or Famosa.

As with most Restaurant Week deals, stick with restaurants where the special is actually a good deal. For instance, if say a restaurant is listed on Washingtonian's Cheap Eats, then Restaurant Week probably isn't the best time to visit that place. Or, if the restaurant always has a 3 course dinner for $25, then you can get that anytime, so why waste a trip during Restaurant Week?

Update:

The following restaurants have extended their Restaurant Week offering another week until August 5th.

Brasserie Monte Carlo
Café Europa
Geppetto Restaurant
La Miche
New Orleans Bistro
Oakville Grille & Wine Bar
Persimmon Restaurant
PGA Tour Grill
Yin Yankee

Click for the most recent Bethesda Restaurant Week info.

OK everyone. Don't forget about Bethesda Restaurant Week! It's January 22nd through the 28th. Check out the full list of restaurants here.

If you're smart, as soon as you read this, you'll call David Craig or Passage to India and make a reservation before they're completely booked. Personally, I'm curious about Famoso and Raku which mysteriously showed up in the Washingtonian 100 Best issue this month...

Click for the most recent Bethesda Restaurant Week info.

Lingering in the shadows of DC Restaurant Week is Bethesda Restaurant Week, which happens NEXT WEEK, July 17th through the 23rd. While there aren't nearly as many restaurants participating, the deals you'll find are just as good. You can find a list of participating restaurants here, however, I did a little research last night, and here is a little more info about what the different participating restaurants will be offering. Dinner is $30 or $22 per person and lunch is $15 per person.

La Miche
Dinner Only
La Miche is offering their extensive three-course dinner menu, which is normally available for $35 per person. Look here for their regular menu. Note: Items with a * are not available.

Passage to India
Dinner Only
Passage to India is my favorite restaurant in Bethesda. Chef Sudhir Seth is putting his most popular items and a few dishes which are his favorite but not on the menu. Here's there Restaurant Week Menu.

Mon Ami Gabi
Lunch and Dinner
The first time I was ever at a Mon Ami Gabi was in Las Vegas. I had a good enough steak there, that when the location in Bethesda opened, I went back again. You'll enjoy their unconventional frites. Click here for their lunch menu and here for their dinner menu.

La Ferme
Dinner Only
1st Course (choice of)
-- Feuilleté of snails and mushroom provençale
-- Gratin of seafood in lobster tarragon sauce
-- Salad of Mesclun with tomato, mushroom and Roquefort dressing
-- Chilled asparagus soup with chives

Entrees (choice of)
-- Braised medallions of veal with tomato and olives served with saffron rice and wilted spinach
-- Pan seared flat iron steak au poivre with bouquetiere of vegetables
-- Grilled filet of salmon served over Swiss chard with dijon mustard sauce and Duchesse potato
-- Smoked chicken breast served with cheese raviolis with a broccoli and walnut cream sauce
-- Wild mushroom and asparagus risotto with Parmesan cheese and sun dried tomatoes

Dessert
-- Lemon layer cake served with peach sorbet and cherry compote
-- Sacher tort served with apricot foam and sour cream sorbet
-- Medley of seasonal melons served with sabayon in a cookie

Grapeseed
Dinner Only
From what I can tell, Grapeseed has their entire menu available to Restaurant Week diner. For some of the entrees, there is a small upcharge, but otherwise it's all there. Look here for a copy of their menu for the week.

David Craig
Dinner Only
I found out from David Craig that they will have a few choices from their appetizers, entrees, and desserts, but I don't have any details about which will be available.

Those are the only restaurants that have responded so far. Hopefully that helps you make up your mind on where you want to go.