Red Velvet Cupcakery's Penn Quarter location is giving away free muffins from 8 to 11 a.m.

What better way to kick off a new month than with free breakfast? Red Velvet Cupcakery in Penn Quarter will be giving away complimentary muffins from 8 to 11 a.m. to celebrate the launch of their new breakfast muffins. The muffins are available only at the bakery’s Penn Quarter location at 507 7th St. NW., but the company says they plan to expand the line to other locations in the future.

Brgr:Shack opens, serving major food groups

“[B]urgers, salads, beer, and cupcakes make up four of the six Arlington food groups,” says ARLnow. And if you’re looking for them all in one spot, Ballston’s newly opened Brgr:Shack is ready to serve. The new burger joint, located at 4215 Fairfax Dr., features grass-fed signature beef burgers, served with fresh cut fries or sweet potato wedges. The menu also includes salads, classic shakes, ice cream, and beer. Cupcakes will be available shortly.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week extended

Guess what, Restaurant Week fans. Due to last week’s inclement weather, the Bethesda Urban Partnership has extended Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week to Feb. 6. The promotion includes two- and three-course lunches for $12 or $15 and three-course dinners for $25-$30. See full list of participating restaurants here. (h/t DMV Dining)

Sneak peek: Pork Barrel BBQ

Pork Barrel BBQ’s storefront restaurant in Alexandria is planning for a March debut. But if you’re interested in getting a sneak peak, tonight is your chance. The upcoming barbecue eatery will be the focus during tonight’s Meat Week celebration. The event will take place at Mango Mike’s at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to Janelle Dennis at janelledennis@gmail.com.

• Poll: Where’s your favorite barbecue spot?

Härth brings farm-to-table to Tyson’s

Härth Restaurant is opening inside the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner this spring. Chef Tom Elder will be heading the kitchen, creating a menu that focuses on regional American cuisine and comfort food. According to the Feast, Elder will source ingredients from several Virginia farms, as well as utilize vegetables grown in the restaurant’s terrace garden. An adjacent lobby bar will offer handcrafted cocktails, local and regional beer and wine, and a menu featuring flatbreads, charcuterie, and small plates.

In other food and restaurant news...

• The Source’s chef Scott Drewno will be online today at 11 a.m. to chat about Chinese cuisine in honor of the upcoming Lunar New Year.

• Arlington police continues to give food trucks a hard time. (ARLnow)

• Kitty O’Shea’s owner Danny McFadden says his lease isn’t up until 2015, but that’s not stopping the property owner, Schupp Company, from working on plans for a hotel to be built in the space that Kitty currently occupies. (TBD)

• The Mighty Pint looking to stay open until 5 a.m. on Saturdays. Can it be done? (PoP)

• Tasteful attire: Clothing made of food is on the rise. (WSJ)

• “This is all about personal responsibility. What about the "toxic" food environment? Shouldn't these guidelines be directed at the food and restaurant industries?” -- Marion Nestle on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines (The Atlantic)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Dining in DC: Valentine’s Day roundup
• Borderstan: Dining out for a cause: It’s gets better
• What’s Hot Washington: Local aphrodisiacs

• Bethesda Foodie: Review: Cava Grill
• Lunching in the DMV: Review: Elevation Burger
• We Love DC: Eat like me: January’s best dishes

• Will Blog for Food: Recipe: Lobster bisque
• Mango & Tomato: Recipe: Vegetable Medley
• Capital Cooking: Recipe: Recipe: Oxtail, root vegetable & barley soup

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• Jan. 30 - Feb. 6 -- Meat Week
• Feb. 1 -- Sugar and Champagne Affair
• Feb. 1 -- Free muffins at Red Velvet Cupcakery
• Feb. 3 -- D.C. Food Bloggers Happy Hour at Indique Heights
• Feb. 3 -- Complimentary breakfast at the Brown Bag

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 1-28 --  Free drink at Buddha Bar
• Feb. 1 -- Free muffins at Red Velvet Cupcakery
• Feb. 3 -- Complimentary breakfast at the Brown Bag

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