What's Happening In Washington, DC: January 9, 2017

Every four years, the District gears up for bi-partisan partying and gets dressed up to celebrate a new administration, but this time the pre-inauguration vibe in our nation's capital is different, and people from both political parties are looking for alternative ways to spend their time. Food- and wine-lovers, no matter who they voted for, have plenty of delicious things they can do if going to the balls and hoopla aren't their thing. Culinary pursuits are bi-partisan and people from "both sides of the aisle" can make plans to celebrate Restaurant Week in D.C., attend an Italian cooking class, or leave the kitchen behind and dine on superb pasta at a new, top-notch Italian restaurant. That's just three things happening in D.C. this week.

D.C.'s Winter Restaurant Week Runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, 2017

It's ba-ack! D.C.'s Winter Restaurant Week is here, and this year there are some places to eat that are worth fighting for if you want to get a seat. The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) has set the dates: Monday, Jan. 30 to Sunday, Feb. 5 with more than 200 restaurants serving a $22 brunch menu, the $22 lunch, and/or $35 dinner menus. A new Diner Rewards Program automatically enters patrons to win exclusive deals on meals when they book reservations through RAMW.

Sfoglina Now Serving

Sfoglina (pronounced sfoal-yee-nah) may be a tongue-twister for Yanks to say, but the pasta, by all accounts, goes down easy at this new Italian restaurant from famed husband-and-wife restaurateurs Fabio and Maria Trabocchi (of one-star Fiola, Casa Luca, and Fiola Mare fame). This newest addition to the Van Ness neighborhood is a classic pasta house specializes in hand-rolled and filled pasta and regional specialties you won't find in other restaurants. Mangia, mangia!

Urbana Cooking Demo Series

Home cooks interested in upping their Italian cuisine game still have time to register for Urbana restaurant's cooking demonstration class, Italian Comfort Food, hosted by executive chef Ethan McKee. He'll be manning the wood-fired oven for the class. The cooking fun is offered Saturday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., and attendees will learn how to cook two pasta dishes (gemelli with taleggio cream and pancetta and pumpkin tortelli with sage butter) and a polenta dish (polenta with roasted quail, house-made pancetta, and figs) for just $55 per person. Just email to register.