On Monday, word of Meat Week reached a few of DC’s vegetarians and vegans. Given the proven links between meat and high cholesterol, heart attacks, cancer and even…ahem, poor sexual performance, we became very concerned for the health of our beloved District.
Photo by Gracy Obuchowicz houndstoothphotography.com
We decided the only solution was to immediately offer Washingtonians the chance to experience amazing greens from some of DC’s most exciting restaurants during a Meat-Free Week.
The schedule is an impressive one! The restaurants participating in DC’s inaugural Meat-Free Week include RAMMY Award Winners, America’s first certified organic restaurant, the 2009 OpenTable.com Diner’s Choice Winner, and Washington City Paper’s 2009 Best Bakery and Best Vegan Restaurant. One restaurant boasts 32 secret doors. The First Lady has dined at two of the restaurants on the list, and the President even joined her at one.
Two of the restaurants are debuting new vegan menus, and one is offering discounted rates off their regular prices. Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder, will be attending dinner one night. And two of the events are fundraisers, including one with all profits donated to Haitian relief.
THE SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 6th
Great Sage – RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER
*New Vegan Menu!*
Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville, MD
Gene Baur dinner moved to Saturday, February 27th.
Regular dinner option moved to Saturday, February 13th.
Sunday, February 7th
My Little Bistro – OPENING AT NOON TODAY
*New Vegan Menu!*
353 Cedar St., NW
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — No Reservations Needed
DC Vegan Bake Sale to benefit the victims of Haiti – RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER
Falls Plaza Giant, 1230 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Stay tuned for further details!
Monday, February 8th
The Mansion on O Street – *$5 Off Lunch or O’Dinnertini for Meat-Free Week Participants!*
2020 O St., NW
12 p.m. – 2 p.m — Lunch Reservations required at http://www.omansion.com/lunch
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. — O’Dinnertini Reservations required at http://www.omansion.com/martini
**To receive the discount note “$5 Off Meat-Free Special” in Additional Comments of Reservation**
Tuesday, February 9th
Sticky Fingers Bakery to benefit Compassion Over Killing
1370 Park Rd., NW
7 a.m. – 8 p.m. — No Reservations Needed
Wednesday, February 10th
Busboys & Poets
All Locations!
8 a.m. – Midnight — No Reservations Needed
*Updated hours!*
Photo by Gracy Obuchowicz houndstoothphotography.com
Thursday, February 11th
The Source
575 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
5:30-10:30 — Reservations Recommended
Friday, February 12th
Restaurant Nora
2132 Florida Ave., NW
5:30-10:30 — Reservations Recommended
Saturday, February 13th
Great Sage – *New Vegan Menu!*
Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville, MD
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Reservations Recommended
Sunday, February 14th
Science Club
*Bonus Week End Celebration!*
1136 19th Street, NW
6 p.m. – 3 a.m. — No Reservations Needed
Featuring DJ Meegs vs. Video Killers from 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
How To Enjoy DC Meat-Free Week
Q: Why should I participate in Meat-Free Week?
A: At the same time that you improve your own health, you’ll benefit the planet, lessen animal suffering, and enjoy some of DC’s very best restaurants!
Q: To be a part of Meat-Free Week, do I have to attend every event?
A: Feel free to treat yourself to as little or as much delicious meat-free food as you want. You can come one day, but you’ll probably be tempted to come all seven…
Q: Can anyone come to the events, and do I need to R.S.V.P. in advance?
A: Meatatarians, carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and all others are welcome to attend any part of Meat-Free Week. The schedule indicates when reservations are recommended or required.
Q: How does Meat-Free Week work once I get to a restaurant?
A: The same as any other visit to one of these great locations! Dine with your party and order as you wish. When in attendance, your Meat-Free Week organizers will try to make themselves known. Please feel free to introduce yourself and tell us what meat-free options you enjoyed.
Q: What does it cost to participate in Meat-Free Week?
A: We’ve provided you with a fabulous schedule of restaurants, but what you spend is entirely up to you. Treat yourself to a cupcake or indulge in a full tasting menu.
Image from Vaute Couture vautecouture.com
Q: Any advice?
A: Be adventurous. Try a restaurant you’ve never experienced before. Order a dish that you’ve never heard of. Or, order a favorite dish prepared in a new way. Expand your horizons. Bring a friend. Come alone and talk to your neighbors. Remember, you can win friends with salad.
Q: Are there plans for another Meat-Free Week in the future?
A: In 2009, Compassion Over Killing seized upon Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin’s idea to have a vegetarian week in Takoma Park, and Mayor Bruce Williams signed a proclamation establishing April 24-30 as Takoma Park Veg Week. As a result of the very successful celebration, Sen. Raskin is still a vegetarian! Compassion Over Killing will host another Veg Week in April 2010.
Q: What if I want to make every week Meat-Free Week?
A: Check VegDC.com for help finding even more veg-friendly options in DC. Or, contact any of the below organizations for information on the joys of embracing a veggie lifestyle!
Find DC Meat Free Week on Facebook
Sponsored by
Media inquiries related to DC Meat-Free Week can be directed to Amber McDonald.
amber.l.mcdonald@gmail.com ~ Twitter @AmberMcD
Related Posts
- DC Meat-Free Week SUCCESS!!!
- VeganFest 2010
- Miriam’s Kitchen Responds to City Council Resolution with Meat-Free Day
- DC City Council Adopts Meat-Free Mondays
- Takoma Park Veg Week
- sticky fingers bakery! free stuff today, COK benefit tomorrow
Thanks so much for this terrific information! Much appreciated.
Ill be hitting My Little Bistro and Sticky Fingers for sure!
this is awesome! i was just bitching about meat week on we love dc, so i am so glad it occurred to someone else that vegan week is a way better idea.
[...] DC Meat Free Week | DC Vegan [...]
http://www.nbcwashington.com/around-town/food-drink/Step-Away-From-The-Steak–Its-Meat-Free-Week-83537432.html
I feel that “meat free” advocacy is misguided. Especially when it’s proposed as a way to “lessen animal suffering”. The processes of producing cow’s milk, chickens’ eggs, and perhaps even honey, seem to cause more suffering than just killing an other animal for his or her “meat”.
[...] Meat Free Week. The event was cooked up by DC Vegans, and details (hours, reservations, etc.) are here. Participating venues have sprouted all around the metro area; there’s probably one near [...]
[...] after Meat Week. And if you can get past the somewhat preachy opening paragraph, the write-up at DCVegan is a good read (and a direct response to one of our posts from last week). Who knew – you [...]
The Source is doing Meat-Free Week? I have never eaten there because their menu is so heavily un-vegetarian friendly. Maybe they can incoporate some of these dishes onto their reguar menu.
I like that many of the places are outside DC proper.
When going to The Source, you need only alert your server that you’re a vegetarian or vegan. They always have off-the-menu veg options at the ready. The Source was actually named “Best Vegetarian Find” by DC Magazine in 2008.
Just as an FYI, I covered this and some other unexpected veggie finds in DC in a NotForTourists article here: https://www.notfortourists.com/Features.aspx?city=wa&id=307
http://www.vegnews.com/web/articles/page.do?pageId=1661&catId=8
The vegan bake sale will be rescheduled, and we’ll endeavor to mention Meat-Free Week!
[...] at other restaurants, including the Mansion on O Street, Nora, and The Source by Wolfgang Puck. Check DC Vegan for any weather-related changes. Also check it for any questions about the week-long event, [...]
Shouldn’t the first sentence of your article read On Monday, word of Meat-FREE Week reached…”
I want to add that the top 2 photos were shot at The Source by the amazing Gracy Obuchowicz of DC’s Houndstooth Photography (www.houndstoothphotography.com). She’s the best!
[...] response to Meat Week, DC Vegan joined forces with Compassion Over Killing to plan the inaugural DC Meat-Free Week. Unfortunately, Old Man Winter doesn’t seem to want you to eat your [...]
oh, my bad: didn’t realize there was an actual meat week. (gross.) any plans to reprise meat-free week sometime when the city isn’t buried in snow?
Absolutely! I definitely see another Meat Free Week in our future! But, the Source is open today and the weather for the rest of the weekend is only set to improve.
The Science Club has joined the list of Restaurants for DC Meat Free Week!!!
[...] Timothy Meinberg: The Science Club has joined the list of Restaurants for DC Meat Free Week!!! [...]
[...] Timothy Meinberg: The Science Club has joined the list of Restaurants for DC Meat Free Week!!! [...]