Belgian Restaurant Week Runs from July 15-21

Ten restaurants and the Embassy of Belgium will team up later this week to kick off Belgian Restaurant Week in DC, which will run from July 15-21. The week will be chock full of events designed to celebrate the food, beverages, culture, and hospitality of Belgium. The following restaurants will all be participating: Belga Cafe, Brabo, Brasserie Beck, Et Voila!, Granville Moore’s, L O’ocolat, Le Pain Quotidien, Marcel’s, Marvin, and Mussel Bar.

Each restaurant will have specials all week (I’ll link you to each below), but here are the main events of the week:

July 14th – Preview kick off of Belgium National Day Celebration at Brew at the Zoo
Chefs Bart Vandaele of Belga Cafe, Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s and Brasserie Beck, Claudio Pirollo of Et Voila! and Neil Pfieron of L’Ocolat host the VIP tent at this annual National Zoo fundraiser giving guests a taste of events to come during Belgian Restaurant Week. Serving mussels, frites, waffles, and plenty of Belgium’s beverage of choice, beer, guests will sample delicious flavors that celebrate a country’s heritage.

July 15th – Official Launch of Belgian Restaurant Week with Prix Fixe Menus at all participating restaurants
Belga Cafe, Brasserie Beck, Brabo, Marcel’s, Et Voila!, Granville Moore, and L’Ocolat proud to host prix fixe menus in honor of Belgium National Day. The menus will be offered July 15th – July 21st.

July 16th – Mussel Throw Down
Come join us at the Eastern Market Hall for the second annual ‘Mussel Throw Down.’ Sous Chefs from participating restaurants will go up against 2010 Embassy Chef of the Year Jan Van Haute of the Belgian Embassy for a chance to earn the crown of Mussel King. Competition takes place from noon till 3pm. $5 entrance fee includes one bowl of mussels and a beer.

Sponsorship

July 17th – Waffle Brunch
Belga Cafe, Brasserie Beck, Et Voila!, Granville Moore, L’Ocolat and Marvin serving up traditional Belgian style waffle brunch menus.

July 18th – Chocolate & Veuve Cliquot

Noted for being a premier destination for chocolate, Belgium prides itself on one of its most beautiful creations. Belga Cafe, Brasserie Beck, Marcel’s, Granville Moore, and Et Voila! will each be offering chocolate and flowing Veuve Cliquot.

July 19th – Dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence

Open to the public, this third annual affair at the Belgian Ambassador’s Residence in Northwest DC is not to be missed. Featuring all seven participating restaurants, this six-course elegant dinner is a menu created with Belgian heart and soul. Each course is paired with a Belgian brew; the final course is a grand finale in Belgian chocolate and coffee. Cocktail hour begins at 6pm. Dinner is at 7pm. $175 per guest. Valet provided. Please contact Belga Cafe to purchase tickets and for more information.

July 20th – Duvel Roll Out Events
Belga Cafe, Brasserie Beck, Granville Moore and Et Voila! are hosting launch parties for the DC unveiling of labels by one of Belgium’s premier brew makers, Duvel. Come meet the brewmaster, distributors and pourers featuring an exclusive taste as we welcome Duvel blends back to the U.S.

July 21st – Belgian National Day Celebrations
All participating restaurants continue the celebration with their prix fixe menus and restaurants draped in the flag of Belgium. After hours parties continue the celebrating at various locations with DJs and customer awards including round trip airfare to Brussels.

July 20th & 21st – Belgian Artists Exhibit co-hosted by L’Ocolat at MFA (Morton Fine Art)
MFA | 1781 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington | Champagne and Belgian Chocolate provided.

Here are individual links to the specials at each restaurant next week:

Belga Cafe
Brabo
Brasserie Beck
Et Voila!
Granville Moore’s
Le Pain Quotidien
Locolat
Marcel’s
Marvin
Mussel Bar