Belgian Restaurant Week; The Rickey: DC's Native Cocktail

EVENT PLANNING—Though the city-wide restaurant week doesn't start for another month, Belgian Restaurant Week kicks off tomorrow and lasts through July 21. Belga Café, Brasserie Beck, Brabo, Marcel's, Et Voila, Granville Moore's, Marvin, Le Pain Quotidien and L'Ocolat will all have special prix-fixe menus throughout the week. There's also going to be all kinds of special Belgium-related events, like Saturday's Mussel Throwdown in Eastern Market or Tuesday's six-course meal at the Belgian ambassador's residence. Check for full details (and menus) on Belgian Restaurant Week's official site. [EaterWire]

BOOZE NEWS—DC officially has a native cocktail in the rickey. Mixologist Derek Brown joined DC Councilmember Jack Evans and historian Garrett Peck this morning to read a proclamation embracing the gin-and-bourbon cocktail that originated right here in DC. More specifically, the drink was invented at a bar named Shoomaker's that inhabited the JW Marriott's downtown address back in the 1800s. Brown has apparently trained all the hotel's bartenders on how to make a proper rickey, too. Yay, history! [EaterWire]

FOOD TRUCKS—Truckeroo is back! The monthly food truck fest returns for its second go-round tomorrow just adjacent to Nationals Park. Once again, there will be upwards of 20 trucks on hand beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing through the evening. [EaterWire]

Belga Café [Photo: Barracks Row Main Street]