Dining Activism in Adams Morgan, Bracing for Barbecue Week, Plus More Intel

Love, LGBTQ-style

Duplex Diner Saturday is hosting a special drag dinner fundraiser benefiting the LGBTQ-oriented activists at Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders. Performers from Dupont Social Club will flow through the dual dinner seatings (6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.); all tips are slated to be donated to SMYAL. Tickets start at $20, but VIP packages ranging from “Princess Tiana” ($50 per person scores free tots) to “Princess Cinderella” ($500 contribution garners a bottle of French bubbly). It’s all going down at 2004 18th St. NW this weekend.

Spotted

One-time presidential hopeful cum newly minted Housing Secretary Ben Carson made himself at home at The Bombay Club for a few hours Wednesday. Spies say the former neurosurgeon enjoyed a leisurely lunch with an unidentified companion.

Smokin’

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington has cooked up new promotion, “BBQ & Grilling Week” (June 16 - June 25). “The theme is ‘Celebrating Summer in the City,’ the industry group said of the week-long agenda of “restaurants offering grilled and smoked summertime favorites on a special menu.” No word, yet, on which local smokehouses plan to participate, but the homegrown meat carnival is expected to serve as a warm-up for the annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle.