Weekend Bashes at Virtue, Jackie's; Dino Turns Seven; José Andrés' Diplomatic Sendoff For America Eats Tavern

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA—In honor of Old Town Alexandria's Independence Day fireworks display, Virtue Feed & Grain is taking over that controversial Wales Alley all day tomorrow for a barbecue featuring ribs, chicken, potato salad, tomato salad, corn bread, corn on the cob, dipping sauces, watermelon, cake, iced tea and lemonade. Tickets are $21.95 per person and $12 for kids — and include snow cones. [EaterWire]

SILVER SPRING—Neighborhood favorite Jackie's Restaurant hosts a cookout and bake-off on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. in Silver Spring, this one offering all-you-can-eat ribs, brats, chicken, potato salad and Mexican corn on the cob. Tickets are $20 and $5 for kids, for whom there will be hot dogs. Pastry chef Carolyn Crow will judge a bake-off that gets underway at 1:30 p.m. For reservations call 301-565-9700. [EaterWire]

CLEVELAND PARK—Another neighborhood stalwart, Dino celebrates its seventh anniversary this month, beginning tonight with free booze and special menus all month long. Wish Dino a happy birthday or simply demand some free wine and ye shall receive along with your dinner. Further, now through July 17, they're offering a Venetian-style four-course menu, which switches to a four-course Montalcino menu from July 18 through the end of the month. More details available on the official site. [EaterWire]

JOSE ANDRES WIRE—Chef José Andrés and his team from America Eats Tavern designed a menu for the State Department's Chiefs of Protocol Conference this week as "the final act of America Eats," per a release. Among the dishes featured: the restaurant's shrimp in grapefruit cocktail, barbecue beef short ribs and the key lime pie. [EaterWire]

Video: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turns to food for diplomacy

· Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Turns to Food For Diplomacy [CBS News]

Virtue Feed & Grain [Photo: R. Lopez]