Beloved Bartending Vet Sambonn Lek Is Now Mixing Drinks at the St. Regis

Feeling overwhelmed by all the local restaurant deals and news? Here’s a quick digest of tidbits you might otherwise have missed. Subscribe to our newsletter, which goes out every weekday afternoon and includes links to the day’s top stories, and/or keep an eye on the Eater DC homepage to stay up to date.

DOWNTOWN—The glitzy St. Regis hotel just hired hospitality vet Sambonn Lek as bartender. Lek mixed drinks for decades at the Mayflower hotel before returning to his native Cambodia in 2012. Lek is serving celebratory “Sam I Am” cocktails at the bar from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11 (magic tricks are also on the agenda). He returns to the area after several years overseeing Sam Relief Inc., an organization he founded in 1999 that builds schools in Cambodia and funds local university scholarships. 923 16^th Street NW

GEORGETOWN—NYC’s women’s-only networking club the Wing threw a party April 10 celebrating its debut in D.C., and its swag bag was one not to miss. Along with redeemable freebies from Colada Shop and Momofuku, each bag contained $80 bottles of Chanel perfume. Its in-house cafe, Perch, is scheduled to debut on Thursday, April 12; members should expect avocado toast and D.C.-themed cocktails.

MT. VERNON TRIANGLE—The 15^th Annual Blue Jeans Ball held at the Marriott Marquis on Sunday, April 8 raised $432,000 for the Capital Area Food Bank. Some 800 people attended, with funds collected via sponsorships, silent and live auction items, ticket sales, and individual donations.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS—D.C. native and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi is featured on the episode of Netflix’s Chef’s Table airing Friday, April 13; she’s expected to show off some of the sugary treats she’ll teach locals how to make at the new Milk Bar store/classroom slated to open later this year in Logan Circle. Milk Bar has released a “greatest hits” bundle ($20) featuring a slice of crack pie, three birthday cake truffles, a compost cookie, and a cereal milk soft serve ice cream in conjunction with the show.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS—D.C.’s annual GinWorld Week is in full swing across D.C., with spots like Jaleo offering specials on gin and tonics — the national drink of Spain — at all locations. There’s a list online of all participating restaurants and bars.