Mandu Happy Hour

Last night I went to Mandu, a Korean place on S and 18th. My friend and I were both very happy with our meals, but the happy hour- over, alas- also caught my eye. From 4 to 7, their selection of Asian beers are just $2 a bottle (normally $6), and mandu, the dumpling from which the restaurant takes its name, are just $3 for a plate of 6 (also $6). If you can snag a set of the small cold vegetable dishes that accompany meals, you're set for the night. Yelpers have griped about the lack of culinary purity, but if you've got a craving for dolsot bibimbap and can't make it to Annandale or are just looking for a happy hour that goes a step beyond Miller drafts and soggy nachos, this is a good bet.

Charity happy hour at 18th Amendment

Young Consultants of DC is holding a happy hour event tonight at 18th Amendment to benefit Facilitating Leadership in Youth. A $10 donation to this fine cause will get you free apps and drink specials. Specials include $3 Bud Light drafts & bottles, $4 rail drinks, $5 house wines, $10 sangria pitchers and $12 margarita pitchers. There'll be a raffle for free gas cards, dinner at the Park at Fourteenth, tickets to the Comedy Spot, and a one week stay in Bethany Beach, among other things, although it's not clear whether that's included in your donation.

Young Consultants of DC Happy Hour
7-10
613 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20003

Correction: Mount Plesant film series

The movie playing on July 12 in Lamont Street Park will be Shrek (in Spanish with English subtitles), not Blanca Nieve. It still starts at 9.

Vapiano Mini Dolce

Sometimes you just need a little bite of sweetness to finish off your dinner, but $7 bucks for a giant slab of cake can be excessive for your wallet and your waistline. Vapiano has rolled out three small desserts for just $2.50 each- tiramisu, panna cotta, and strawberries with mascarpone- that should do the trick.

Vapiano M Street
1800 M Street N.W.

Free Movies in Mount Pleasant

When summer hits, it seems like sunset finds a classic movie playing in every park in the city. Now Mount Pleasant's joined in with a series in Lamont Street Park. You've already missed E.T., but you can still catch Blanca Nieve (Snow White, in Spanish with English subtitles) on July 12, and Raiders of the Lost Ark (with Spanish subtitles) on August 9. Films start at 9, but there'll be music before Raiders starting at 8, and starting at 7 before Blanca Nieve there's raffles and games celebrating independent businesses.

Bliss/Ladytron afterparty at Redeem

Brightest Young Things is hosting an afterparty on Saturday at Redeem for the Thievery corporation / Ladytron / Seu Jorge and TV on the Radio concert at Merriweather and the Bliss show at the Black Cat back stage. You'll have to wait until 1am if you don't have a ticket stub from the Outernational Music Tour or a Bliss dance party hand stamp, hopefully the free booze won't run out first. RSVP here. Once you get in, you're sure to forget the producers are "fueled by Toyota Matrix."

Bliss/Ladytron Afterparty
Saturday, June 28

Redeem
1734 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

FREE: Dolcezza Bethesda

Dolcezza sells its delicious Argentine gelato at its Georgetown store, where you can also get Counter Culture Coffee and a churro if you're in the mood for something a little more warming, Cowgirl Creamery, and at various farmers' markets. On Thursday between 6 and 11, in celebration of the grand opening of their Bethesda location, they're giving out free gelato until they run out. This week's long list flavors include blackberry, coconut dulce de leche, grapefruit Campari, and Valrhona Chocolate Amargo. You can read about their construction woes, favorite gelato spots in other cities, and their process for selecting new flavors and ingredients on their blog.

Dolcezza Bethesda Row
7111 Bethesda Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814

Grand Opening Thursday, June 26, 6-11

FREE: fro-yo

TangySweet the newest edition to the Dupont outskirts (it's on P-street people) opens today. And to celebrate their grand arrival they are giving away FREEEEEE samples, and relatively generous ones! They have three flavors: (1) normal, (2) green tea, and (3) pomegranate. And then you get to add a topping which could include anything from frutti pebbles to kiwi. And it is all natural and fat free, and (on yeah!) delicious.

Plus, despite the growing line, my server was incredibly nice - added bonus. So, if you are in the area, celebrate Friday and cool off with a visit to TangySweet. I have to say, though, now that I have it, I'll definitely be dropping bank at this place.

Tangysweet
2029 P Street NW
(between 20th and 21st)
www.tangysweet.com

Starbucks card

When I'm close to home I stick to Mayorga, but when I'm further afield Starbucks often serves as my substitute office, library, and meeting room. Now they've rolled out a slew of benefits for customers who register their giftcards on the company's site. In my office, those puppies seem to sprout up at every corner, though not as much now that our Lexis rep changed (Jennifer? I miss you!). If you go to the site and set up a profile, you'll get perks like free refills on drip and iced coffee, free syrups and other customizations like soy milk, and two hours of free WiFi from AT&T each day. It looks like the drink benefits require payment with your card, and to get the WiFi you have to use the card at least once a month. If you're a die-hard customer or are trying to keep track of how much money you spend there, you can also sign up for automatic balance reloads.

Horton Hears a Who

Who didn't love Dr. Seuss as a child? Or doesn't now?

Tonight, Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse is hosting a special $1 viewing of the latest Dr. Seuss inspired cinematic installation - Horton Hears A Who. I saw this film in theatres and you will leave feeling happy about life. And for $1, who can complain?

Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA 22204
Showing begins at 5:45
Thursday, June 5, 2008

http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/default.aspx?page=event&eid=662