EVERYWHERE—District Bean has put together a handy specialty coffee shop locater so that you may never know the terror of drinking Starbucks when what you really want is Counter Culture or Intelligentsia. [District Bean via @frijolita]
OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA—Earlier this month, Pizzeria Paradiso's Alexandria location completed renovations that have tripled its bar area and this week it celebrates. The City Paper has a rundown of the brewer meet and greets as well as the beer dinners they'll be offering, plus the possibility of a similar expansion for the Georgetown location's basement bar. [WCP]
BETHESDA—Speaking of beer dinners, Food, Wine & Co sends over word of tomorrow's launch of their new monthly "Beer Talks" series — a two-hour tasting with a rotating set of brewers. Kicking it off tomorrow at 8 p.m. will be brewers from Oskar Blues, who will be offering tastings of their beers alongside a menu of dishes such as braised pork belly, barbecue brisket and tater tots served with a Dale's Pale Ale mayo. Reservations are $50 and can be made by calling 301-652-8008. [EaterWire]
Big Bear Cafe [Photo: Allison C./Yelp]