Taking Dad to Washington, DC, this Father’s Day?

Besides the monuments and memorials, you might want to take the Silver Line Metro to Tysons Corner, Virginia, add drag Dad over for that belated Mother’s Day gift.

What about food (the all-family crowd-pleaser)?

Jose Andres opened America Eats Tavern in The Ritz Carlton last year after running trying it out as a pop-up for a historical food exhibit at the National Archives.

Super Chef stopped in for a tasting of dishes that the restaurant is serving for The Virginia Festival, running June 17th to June 30th and featuring Virginian-themed dishes and local wines. Head Chef Nate Waugaman‘s superlative Shrimp & Grits went perfectly with local Catoctin Creek Distilling Company‘s fine 92-Proof Roundstone Rye. The Virginia Peanut Soup: garnished with celery and blackberries was a rich version grown-up version of a PBJ minus the sugar. The Fried Chesapeake Oysters with rhubarb remoulade went down especially well with a cold glass of white chardonnay from Trump Winery.

And don’t forget the hams, whether American country or Spanish serrano.

Coming up is a Catoctin Creek Tasting on Wednesday, June 17 followed by a Blend Your Own Bordeaux Competition on Friday, June 19th and more wine tastings: click here for more information.