‘Jazz in the Park/Garden (6/11/10)’
courtesy of ‘teddien’

Fourth of July weekend–fireworks and patriotism in the air, parades and picnics abound. After the jump are some of the dining specials and options you can raise a beer to this Independence day.

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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Get Yourself a Pic-a-nic Basket

Red Apron and Planet Wine have two July Fourth Packs to offer. The Brews & BBQ Pack provides you with two six-packs from local Port City, 12 handmade Red Apron hot dog with buns, and a jar of Chef Nate Anda’s mustard. The Fireworks & Picnic Pack has a Red Apron rillette (two choices), pates or artisanal cheese, baguettes, wine and sparklers. Both packs are $45 and are in a clever insulated bag. While the website said to order by June 29th, maybe you can squeeze out a picnic basket from them still or just assemble your own with some Red Apron meats and Port City beers.

Keeping the picnics in Alexandria, Brabo’s Butcher’s Block will have picnic spreads available with house-made sandwiches, cheese, beer and wine. Some of the sandwiches on their menu include turkey with a dijon mayonaisse, red onion marmalade, avocado, arugula and a balsamic vinaigrette and the chef’s chicken salad which changes weekly.

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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Cork Market and Tasting Room is also offering picnic baskets for the 4th. The All-American Sandwich Picnic ($25 without wine and $35 with wine) has a choice for two sandwiches, included grilled vegetables and goat cheese and a turkey BLTA with herb aioli, potato chips, honey-mint fruit salad and cookies for dessert. The Red, White and Chicken picnic basket ($40 without wine and $55 with) has buttermilk fried chicken or Peruvian grilled chicken, two seasonal salads and a rustic fruit crostada or cookies. Place your order 24 hours in advance and pick it up at Cork.

Bayou Bakery also has options to make your own picnic, including smoked paprika potato salad, watermelon and feta salad, BBQ pork sandwiches, buttermilk biscuits and VA ham gravy. They also have star-shaped blueberrie pies to round off your meal. Call them by noon on July 3rd to place your order.

‘District of Piiiiiiiiiie’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Rounding out all these savory picnic baskets, Buzz Bakery of Ballston has 4th of July pie cupcakes from Tiffany MacIsaac. Think all-american pie but in a cupcake: yellow cake with a cherry or blueberry filling and a buttercream “crust.” You have to pre-order them to be picked up on July 3rd, and they’re $22 for a half dozen.

Enjoy Corn on the Cob, but not on the Lawn

If picnics aren’t what you’re going for, 701 is offering some classic American specials with a twist on the 4th (bonus: it’s located close enough to the Mall that you can claim a decent spot to watch the fireworks after dinner). Chef Ed Witt’s menu includes bison chili with cheddar and cornbread croutons, a smoked wagyu brisket with a asher blue & bacon potato salad, and crab cakes with a summer vegetable slaw and chili sauce. Their pastry chef, Melanie Parker, will be serving a red, white and blue parfait with white chocolate cream, raspberry gel and fresh, local blueberries.

Poste Modern Brasserie in Penn Quarter is hosting a July 4 Picnic in their courtyard. So you can still eat hot dogs, burgers, ribs, coleslaw and potato salad, but do it in someone else’s backyard. Again, you’ll have the added bonus of being downtown and within (decent) walking distance of the Mall. For dessert, there’s cobbler and fresh watermelon.

Enjoy some good food this 4th of July and happy Independence day!