Food Bloggers Gettin LOOSE!!!

It's the first Wednesday of the month again and the DC Food Bloggers will be holding their happy hour at Hill Country Barbecue Market.

Elena Brent Rosemond-Hoerr of Biscuits and Such will be hosting. The event starts at 6:00 pm.

Mount Pleasant's Tonic Fills Up to Take A Bite Out of Breast Cancer

Lightning struck again for Take a Bite Out of Breast Cancer last Tuesday evening. Only this time, the crowd filled Tonic in Mount Pleasant - sister to Tonic in Foggy Bottom.

Once again, Lisa Shapiro of Dining in DC made it through along with Rick Amernick and his DC Captial Striders Running Group. The group, which often gets involved with volunteer or charity races and events, has over three thousand members. 

I haven't seen the numbers from that night yet. But it seemed like every corner of Tonic was occupied by customers.

There's a heap of pictures posted for your viewing pleasure after the jump.

And I want to thank everyone again for coming out to both Tonic's for the Take a Bite events. Thanks for showing your support.  

Foggy Bottom's Tonic Welcomes Take A Bite Out of Breast Cancer

If you were one of the unlucky ones who didn't get a chance to visit Tonic at Quigley's Pharmacy this last Tuesday for Take A Bite Out of Breast Cancer, all I can say is that you missed something special.

Dining In DC's Lisa Shapiro, who is the Chairwoman and founder of the campaign, was among the many guests who participated. 

Others bloggers included Kate Michael of K Street Kate and Bindesh Shrestha of Desigrub. Bindesh actually served as the co-ambassador to Tonic with me and came through with a congress of friends who were a pleasure to meet and dine with.

Thanks to everyone for coming out.

I've compiled pictures of the evening after the jump.

Oh, and if you missed this past Tuesday's event you still have an opportunity to contribute through Tonic in Mount Pleasant this coming Tuesday, October 18th. That day, 25% of sales (including alcohol) will go towards the charity.

There are other restaurants and bars participating throughout the rest of the month. So if Tonic on Tuesday doesn't work for you check out the other participating restaurants at the Take a Bite Out of Breast Cancer website.

Washington DC Foodies and Drinkers Will Be Taking a Bite Out of Breast Cancer in October

In the month of October, DLDGLG will be proudly participating in the Take a Bite Out of Breast Cancer campaign.

Take a Bite partners with Washington D.C. area restaurants and bars to help raise money for Pink Jams! - a DC-based non-profit that helps bring awareness and advocates early detection for both women and men.

Individual restaurants and bars will take a day, week or more and donate a portion of their sales to the campaign. 

Lisa Shapiro of Dining in DC is the chairwoman for Take a Bite and has been working tirelessly to organize the month-long effort.

She's gathered her fellow food bloggers to help spread the word. In doing so, each blogger will be tethered to a participating establishment acting as an “ambassador."

When Lisa approached me, there was no question I had to get involved.

Two of my aunts, Liz and Annie, as well as my grandmother, Mary, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. My grandmother was a twenty-year survivor but not without having gone through life-altering surgery.

In September 2008, my aunt Annie went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In 2009, her doctors discovered that both of her BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes tested positive. With this knowledge she elected to undergo major surgery.

Since then, she's had numerous operations between March 2010 and June 2011, and is still undergoing reconstructive procedures.

My aunt Liz was diagnosed in 2008 and underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery that year. In August 2011, the cancer returned and she underwent major surgery again this past September. She too will be enduring major reconstructive procedures like her sister.

Despite it all, both Liz and Annie have remained steadfast and courageous.

As you can see, there was no question that I had to contribute to the Take a Bite campaign. 

Like my aunts, countless individuals around the country must interupt their lives in order to save it. I believe participating in this charity can help others beat this cancer.

And if Take a Bite accomplishes it's mission with only one person, without a question it would be worth it.

As an ambassador, I will be bringing my own readers’ attention to the contributions that both Tonic locations are making (Foggy Bottom on October 11 and Mount Pleasant on October 18).

Friends and acquaintances are encouraged to visit the other restaurant locations that are participating as well.

View Take a Bite Out of Breast Cancer in a larger map

So next month, please help drive up sales and, thus, increase the amount that particular eatery or saloon will be donating. It's a worthwhile cause.

Note: This post has been revised since its original publication

Food Bloggers Gettin LOOSE!!!

We'll be getting a taste of China's Sichuan Province next week because Jason "Foodgeek" Yaskoir of DC Füd is hosting September's DC Food Blogger Happy Hour at Mala Tang in Arlington. If you write about food/drink or simply love to talk about it, this event will feel like home. The festivities begin at 6:00 pm sharp. And don't forget to bring your business card. 

DC Food Bloggers Gettin LOOSE!!!

Lisa Shapiro of Dining in DC is hosting the next DC Food Blogger Happy Hour at J&G Steakhouse on Wednesday, August 3rd at 6:00. I got excited just a minute ago while reading Lisa's blog and seeing the delicious fare being served. I am a big fan of crab cakes. I am also a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc drinking fool.

Political rant of the day: incidentally, it should be an interesting evening considering legislators on Capitol Hill will probably not have agreed on a debt ceiling compromise until late Tuesday night. 

If a deal isn't struck, the United States government will be postured to default of its debts for the first time in its history. 

Arguably, it may not be absolute Armageddon - but it will certainly be the topic of the day (besides food and drink, of course).

But I digress... 

Note: This post has been revised since its original publication