Bearnaise's Bulldog is Back; Barmini Cocktail Classes

EVENT PLANNING— D.C.'s Restaurant Week isn't the only game in town this month. Let's not forget Alexandria Restaurant Week (beginning Jan. 17; details here) and College Park Restaurant Week (beginning Jan. 20; details here). [EaterWire]

PENN QUARTER— Learn about cocktails from some of the best. Barmini's Juan Coronado will be hosting cocktail classes in February on Wednesdays. The classes are $95 per person and each focus on different eras: the Golden Era of Cocktails (191 –1935), for example, is centered around the Prohibition period. Each class features three drinks, plus bar snacks: attend all four for $365. [EaterWire]

BALLSTON— Since quarterback RGIII was benched, Big Buns' tribute burger now has a caveat. The Arlington burger chain is now calling the football player-themed burger The RGIII aka The Kirk Cousins, Washington Post reports. [WaPo]

CAPITOL HILL— Bearnaise's beloved bulldog is BACK! Chef Spike Mendelsohn Tweeted a photo of the pooch statue today (it's now sporting a protective chain). The mascot went missing in November and was featured in Eater's Shit People Steal column. Sadly, it wasn't returned — the restaurant had to commission another one from France, according to a spokeswoman. [Twitter, EaterWire]

[Photo: R. Lopez]