Cicadas Be Damned: What We’re Eating & Drinking This Memorial Day

With all the BBQ’s and picnics, many people seem to forget that Memorial Day, the U.S. federal holiday observed on the last Monday of every May, was created to  to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military. This Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st, certainly raise a toast and give appreciation to those that have fallen. And if picnicking and BBQing with friends and family for the first time in a long time, let the DC Area Hospitality community help: 

Angie’s Tables Tablescape Boxes
Angie's Tables are keepsake boxes curated with tablescapes. This one is particularly charming for Summer Brunch. This Cheerful Daffodil tablescape is the perfect way to bring summer sunshine into your lifestyle after the long, dreary winter. This box is perfect for hosting al fresco parties or entertaining graduation celebrations. This box is delivered with four place settings including a tablecloth, table runner, charger plates, napkins and ring holders, votive candles and holders. Tablescape boxes begin at $139.99. angiestables.com

Memorial Day Brunch At All-Purpose Pizzeria
Join All-Purpose Pizzeria for a special Memorial Day Brunch. Try breakfast pizzas, sweet treats like cinnamon rolls and polenta muffins, or the Jersey Egg Bomb. You can also enjoy sipping on cocktails. Grab a seat on the patio or on the roof deck with sweeping views of the Anacostia River. May 31st from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 79 Potomac Avenue, SE; resy.com/all-purpose-capitol-riverfront

Art & Soul Host Memorial Day Weekend Summer Kickoff Celebration
Celebrate Summer this Memorial Day with live music, food and drink specials. Enjoy $9 burger and beer specials from May 27th through May 31st beginning at 5:00 p.m. Art and 415 New Jersey Avenue NW; artandsouldc.com

Take-Home Grill Kits From Baker's Daughter
Chef Matt Baker's take-home grill kits feature a choice of protein, sides, and sauce, along with a mixed green salad and marinated mixed vegetables, each feeding four. Choices of protein include NY strip, filet mignon, or salmon, along with optional enhancements like lobster tail and crab cakes. Available for pick-up on May 28th through May 31st. 1402 Okie Street NE (Ivy City); bakersdaughterdc.com

Brasserie Liberté Brunch
Brasserie Liberté is offering Memorial Day brunch with signature Mimosa Kits, which include a bottle of sparkling wine and seasonal juices. Brunch favorites include eggs benedict, croque monsieur, moules frites, Liberté classic burger, and more. The brunch menu is available on Memorial Day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. with dinner service to follow. 3251 Prospect Street NW; libertedc.com

Shop Online And Pick-Up Curbside With Butchers Alley
Summer days, grilling, fresh seafood and deli salads are almost here. Get ready for Memorial Day weekend with Butchers Alley. Shop your favorite fresh fish and shellfishto grill, prepared and ready to eat foods like salmon burgers, classic deli salads, and more for the upcoming long weekend. If you order online by 1:00 p.m. your online order will be ready for pick up by 5:00 p.m., same day. If you order after 1:00 p.m., your order will be ready for next day pick up. butchersalley.com 

Centrolina’s MDW Grilling Kit
Perfect for a backyard barbeque, Chef Amy Brandwein has got you covered for your grill sesh to kick off the unofficial start of summer. This grilling kit is $200 and serves 4 people. The kit includes various grilling meats, sides and finishes, dessert, and beverages Orders must be placed by 8:00 p.m. on May 26th and will be available for pick-up or delivery from May 28th through May 30th between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. 974 Palmer Alley NW; centrolinadc.com

BBQ Wines & Rosé Packs From Cork
Order your wine bundles from Cork this Memorial Day. Choose the BBQ Season bundle ($105), a weather-appropriate mix of two rosés, two whites, and two reds. As we welcome the warmer weather, rosés are arriving from across the pond, and our palates yearn for freshness. Let Cork do the selection for you, sit back, and enjoy. Other pre-selected bundles for your MDW include the French Tour Rosé ($69), Iberian Peninsula Whites ($55), and more. 1805 14th Street NW; corkdc.com

Annual Memorial Day Pig Roast By Dirty Habit DC
In celebration of Memorial Day weekend, Dirty Habit DC is throwing their annual Pig Roast BBQ in the courtyard. The free event includes a special menu with all the traditional Barbeque offerings like hamburgers, hotdogs, sides, plus their signature DH Burger (egg and teriyaki) as well as their Rice and Rose (inspired by Guns and Roses). Reservations are needed but there is no ticketing or entry fee to attend. May 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 555 8th Street NW; dirtyhabitdc.com

House-Made Charcuterie And Cheese Sampler From Fare Well
The house-made charcuterie and cheese sampler offers a plant-based appetizer option for Memorial Day cookouts. The $70 package includes cashew-almond cheddar, herbed cashew chèvre, smoked cashew mozzarella, capicollo, chorizo, pepperoni, and other meats and cheeses along with pickles, spicy mustard, fig jam, and thyme crackers, all made in-house. 406 H Street N; toasttab.com/sticky-fingers-bakery-bistro

Memorial Day Weekend Musical Brunch at L'Auberge 
Join L’Auberge Chez François on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, May 30th for their very popular musical brunch series featuring the local guitarist and composer Jarrett Laskey. Back by popular demand, Jarrett is a professionally trained classical guitarist performing a repertoire of guitar music, including French standards, classical, and contemporary songs. Feast on Chef Jacques’ four-course brunch repast paired with brunch cocktails, of course, while Jarrett provides his soft acoustic music. Brunch menu items include assorted breads and Chef Pascale’s house-made croissants with local butter, crémant d’Alsace, mimosas, bloody marys, and much more. Hosted on Le Grande Tente Terrace, with very limited exclusive seating. 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. $75 excluding tax and gratuity; for a total of $96 per person. 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls VA; laubergechezfrancois.com

Grilling Made Leban-easy with Take-Home Grill Kits By Lebanese Taverna
This Memorial Day weekend, welcome grill season in style with a package of ready-for-the-flame Lebanese Taverna favorites, like chicken and kafta kabobs, along with Lebanese potato salad, watermelon & feta salad, and other summertime sides. The kits are $79 each, feed four to six, and are available for pick-up from Lebanese Taverna full-service restaurants and the Market from May 27th through 31st. lebanesetaverna.com/grill-kits

Memorial Day Cookout Kits from Melange
Melánge’s has your cookout kits for this Memorial Day. The chef-crafted kits let customers grill and chill as Chef Taddesse does all the prep work and gives expert grilling instructions. Chef Taddesse is offering two kits, one featuring burgers, one with aged ribeye steaks, and both come with garnishes, sides, and dessert. The Burger Bash kir is priced at $75 and the Grill Master kit is priced at $105, with both kits serving up to four people. Pre-order by Thursday, May 27th and pickup Saturday, May 29th or Sunday, May 30th between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m. 449 K Street NW; melangedc.com/burgerbash; melangedc.com/grillmaster-cookoutkits

Napoli Memorial Day Wine Tasting
On Saturday, May 29th, Napoli Salumeria will be hosting a wine tasting event where you can sample new wines and enjoy authentic Neapolitan treats. The event will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Napoli Salumeria in Pentagon Row. 1301 South Joyce Street, Arlington VA; napolisalumeria.com

Neighborhood Provisions Memorial Day Supplies
Hard to believe, but here it comes: Memorial Day and that wonderfully festive three day weekend launch into summer. And no matter where your plans take you this year – from the backyard to the beach – Neighborhood Provisions has what you need to celebrate in style. Shop a selection of Memorial Day meats for the grill, tasty sides, refreshing cocktails and beer + wine bundles, and more. Head to the Memorial Day Shop and place your order now for pickup or delivery on the day of your choosing: Thursday, May 27th through Sunday, May 30th. Prices vary by package. nrgprovisions.com

Memorial Day Weekend Patio Kick-Off at Opaline
Opaline Bar & Brasserie is kicking off Memorial Day weekend on Friday, May 28th with a live performance by vocal guitarist Andy Branigan on their patio. Enjoy listening to Andy entertain with his diverse palette of funk, folk, rock and pop favorites. A menu of French-inspired fare along with a variety of specialty cocktails, Sofia Rosé and beer selections will enhance the evening on Opaline’s patio. 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. 806 15th Street NW; 202.730.8701; opalinedc.com

Memorial Day Brunch At The Pig
Logan Circle’s The Pig will be serving brunch featuring a Chesapeake Oyster toast special appetizer ($8) with fresh shucked local oysters. In keeping with the restaurant’s “nose to tail” menu, brunch also includes pork hash, pork benedict and a breakfast platter with eggs and house made sausage. Brunch will be available on May 31st from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and dinner service is from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. 1320 14th Street, NW; ThePigDC.com

Memorial Day Weekend BBQ Picnic from Rose's at Home
The perfect menu to enjoy at home or take with you on your Memorial Day Weekend getaway. Includes BBQ pork belly sliders with creamy slaw, crispy onions & BBQ sauce; homemade spiced potato chips with sour cream & onion dip, charred broccoli salad with buttermilk dressing; mustardy potato salad, and a ten inch rhubarb pie with whipped cream. Delivered by Rose’s at Home. $150 and serves two. exploretock.com/rosesathome

Memorial Day Grill Package & Oyster Box Pick-Up From RPM Italian
Let RPM Italian do the grilling for you and enjoy some of their favorite items this Memorial Day. Some stand-outs include: New York steak, grilled shrimp, and corn on the cob. This package is $95 and serves 2 people. Plus, if you order an Oyster Box this Memorial Day you will receive a 1oz Savage Blonde. Box items include an oyster shucker, shallot mignonette, and more. The box is $55 and serves 2 people. Enjoy on May 31st and pick up from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 650 K Street NW; exploretock.com/rpmitalian-dc/grill-package; exploretock.com/rpmitalian-dc/oyster-box