We're so excited for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, starting this Friday, July 26th, with a spectacular opening ceremony on the Seine. Over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries will float down the Parisian River. The Games will run for just over two weeks, concluding with the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 11th. Whether you're watching gymnastics, water polo, or breaking, take advantage of our ongoing list of where to watch and what to eat and drink. Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken: In honor of this year’s Olympic Games, Astro Doughnuts will offer a ½ dozen box of Olympic themed doughnuts. Included in the box are 3 doughnuts filled with black cherry jam, finished with a cream cheese glaze, and adorned with Olympic-themed ring and medal decorations. The remaining 3 doughnuts are filled with peach compote and finished with cream cheese glaze and decorations. The boxes are available for pre-order through August 1st and are available for $32 at both the Downtown DC and Shirlington locations; Multiple Locations. For more information, click here.Barrel Oak Winery: Join Barrel Oak Winery for a golden (and silver) opportunity to savor the finest wines that have earned top honors in prestigious competitions. For $20, toast to champions with a special tasting event featuring 5 exceptional wines: Sauvignon Blanc '22, Seyval Blanc '21, Vidal Blanc '21, Rosé '22, Syrah '21; 540.364.6402. 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane, VA. For more information, click here.Bluejacket: Join Bluejacket for daytime viewing specials during the Olympics from Friday, July 26th - Sunday, August 11th, 11:00 a.m.  - 5:00 p.m. Enjoy $8 sausages, $9 frozens, and $10 liters while you cheer on your favorite athletes; 202.524.4862. 300 Tingey Street SE. For more information, click here.Bresca: Beverage Director Will Patton is in full Olympic mode. Bresca is supporting and honoring this year’s Olympians by offering a new reimagined drink menu, prepared just for the 2024 games, based on each event.Get those Michael Norman vibes on with the Fastest Man Alive ($16), or cheer on USA gymnastics while saluting the Magnificent Seven ($16), or sip on the Believe in the Impossible; 202.518.7926. 1906 14th Street NW. For more information, click here.Central Michel Richard: The French-American Bistro, Central Michel Richard, is celebrating the Olympics in style by streaming the games live. To enhance the experience, they are offering complimentary Parisian snacks and starting happy hour specials at 1:30 p.m; 202.626.0015. 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. For more information, click here.Commodore: Commodore is celebrating the Olympics with special French and American offerings throughout the games. Enjoy drink specials like The Olympic, French 75 served on draft, and Gold Medal Jell-o Shots. For food, savor the Monte Cristo, Poutine Steak Frites, and Crab Dip Pretzel; 202.525.5309. 1636 17th Street NW. For more information, click here.Cranes: Cranes invites guests to get into the Olympic spirit with exclusive specials at the bar from Friday, July 26th - Sunday, August 11th. Enjoy the Full Cranes Happy Hour every day from 12:00 - 8:00 p.m., featuring a special cocktail, the Golden Dream, for just $9. This delightful drink blends seasonal yuzu, vodka & apricot liqueur, capturing the essence of summer; 202.525.4900. 724 9th Street NW. For more information, click here.Duke's Grocery Foggy Bottom: Duke's Grocery Foggy Bottom will be running its 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. happy hour specials, featuring $7 select beers / wines and $7 rail spirits. During the Olympic Games, they are also offering a Buy 5, Get 1 Free drink card. Guests who purchase 5 drinks will receive a 6th for free. Offer is valid only at Duke's Grocery's Foggy Bottom; 202.733.3967. 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. For more information, click here.Fairmont DC: Fairmont DC is transforming its Lobby and Loggia into the Olympic Headquarters from Friday, July 26th - Sunday, August 11th. Guests can watch Olympians on large screen televisions while enjoying specialty cocktails and French fare crafted by Executive Chef Jaimie Montes de Oca. Featured dishes include Croque Monsieur, Pissaladière, and Paris Brest. Cocktails are available for $18 each. No reservations are necessary. The Lobby and Loggia are open from 2:00 - 10:00 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday) and 1:00 - 11:00 p.m. on (Friday-Saturday); 202.429.2400.  2401 M Street NW. For more information, click here.The Golden Age: The Golden Age is serving up a special cocktail in honor of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The “Abra Cadaver” is a righteously uplifting cocktail that puts a coffee-infused spin on the “Death in the Afternoon” — an Ernest Hemingway classic from the Paris bar that famously carries his name in memory, Bar Hemingway. This invigorating blend of Caffe Borghetti, proper French Absinthe, and coffee brings together the bold richness of roasted coffee beans with the elegance of absinthe and a fragrant emulsion sitting afloat. Perfect for those who crave a touch of darkness in their glass; 1726 Connecticut Avenue NW. For more information, click here.Lapop: Lapis’s underground lounge in Adams Morgan is celebrating the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with a specialty cocktail offering running Monday, July 1st through the end of August. The “Afghan in Paris” ($16) is inspired by the classic French dessert, Bananas Flambe, and is made with Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, Tempus Fugit Creme de Banana, and cardamom bitters. The Old Fashioned-style cocktail makes for a boozy but fruity bev that’ll make you feel like you’re celebrating the summer games in the city of lights; 202.299.9630. 1847 Columbia Road NW. For more information, click here.Last Call Bar: Last Call Bar presents "Games Wide Open!" Celebrate the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics at Last Call Bar, an inclusive watering hole. Starting Sunday, July 26th, cheer for the USA team with a circle of five drinks inspired by the Olympic ring symbol. Enjoy festive concoctions such as the Olympic Torch, Track Star Martini, Beam Queen, and more! Don't miss the Medal Count (3 Jell-O Shots sprinkled with gold, silver, and bronze luster dust). The Olympic Menu will be available daily from July 26th to August 11th; 1301-A 4th Street NE. For more information, click here.Lutèce: In honor of the Paris olympics, Lutèce’s Bar Manager Megan Coyle has created three new cocktails that will be available throughout the games from Friday, July 26th - Sunday, August 11th. Each cocktail takes inspiration from French cocktail culture and a bronze, silver, or gold base spirit. The Gold cocktail features a golden calvados brandy and is complemented by laurel liquor, Meyer lemon, and ginger. The Silver cocktail, which takes inspiration from the color of the Cantarelle gin, also features yuzu liquor, pineau des charentes, dem, and ginger bitters. And the Bronze cocktail features a bronze-colored Maison Rouge brandy as its base with lime, GF, salted honey, and angostura bitters; 202.333.8830. 1522 Wisconsin Avenue NW. For more information, click here.Michele’s: You can nosh on tasty French food that represents many of the regions from France, courtesy of Chef Matt Baker in the heart of downtown DC specifically prepared for this year’s Parisian games. Dishes include: Frisee au Lardon, Pickled Vegetable Ratatouille and Saucissons, served with Lyonnaise Crackers or  Potato and Black Truffle Tarte Flambee, and seasonal Peaches and Cream Tart with Lemon Verbena Ice Cream; 202.758.0895. 1201 K Street NW. For more information, click here.Petite Cerise: Just in time for the summer Olympics, acclaimed Chef Jeremiah Langhorne has launched a $58 prix fixe menu featuring dishes inspired by the south of France and North Africa. Enjoy dishes prepared with classic French technique, a cheese cart service, and an exclusive French wine list and specialty cocktails. Dish highlights include “Farm Egg Omelette”, “Chesapeake Striped Bass En Croute” and more; 202.977.4550. 1027 7th Street NW. To make a reservation, click here.Philippe Chow: As Team USA heads to Paris, Philippe Chow is championing in style with a shimmering Wagyu Beef wrapped in gold leaf, served alongside the restaurant’s signature Lobster Fried Rice. Priced at $75, this exclusive dish also benefits the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation with 50% of each dish donated. Available from Friday, July 26th -  Sunday, August 11th; 202.601.8888. 635 Wharf Street SW. For more information, click here.Purple Patch: For the duration of the Olympic games, Purple Patch is offering 5 "Olympic Bowls" and a "Filipino French 75." The $16 Purple Patch Olympic Bowls options are Spicy Adobo Fried Chicken Bowl, Eggplant Adobo Bowl, Lechon Kawali Bowl, Tapa Bowl, and Tocino Bowl. The $12 Filipino French 75 features Purple Patch Gin; 202.299.0022. 3155 Mount Pleasant Street NW. For more information, click here.Taffer’s Tavern: Looking for the perfect spot to watch the Olympics in DC? Check out Taffer’s Tavern at. With excellent happy hour specials, it's an ideal gathering place for enjoying the games. Happy hour includes $3 off cocktails, $6 beer pints, $10 glasses of house white / red wine, and 1/2 off select wine bottles. These deals are available Monday to Thursday from 3:00 p.m. - close, Friday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. / 9 p.m. - close, and Saturday to Sunday from 9:00 p.m. - close; 202.984.7237. 700 6th Street NW. For more information, click here for more.Thirsty Cow: Cheer on your favorite teams and watch all of the Olympic coverage in Thirsty Crow’s cool basement bar, and nosh on cocktails and Chef James Wozniuk’s Fried “Olympic Rings,” made with Tempura batter, Tamarind salt, and Curry Ketchup; 202.730.2295. 3400 11th Street NW. For more information, click here.

The Washington Post gathered 37 best things to do for the weekend, and you know Nycci was involved. Check it out here.Photo: TJ Davis

Hm…what to eat over the holiday weekend? Nycci knows where you can get the best spread for your holiday celebrations~

Did you miss me — probably not because a new Industry Night shows up in your inbox every week. But your girl here has been in Chicago for a few days for the James Beard Awards. ANDOMG — so incredible. It’s hard to put into words how special it is to be out there with so many of the most important creatives who are changing the food space one bite at a time.The media awards are always a cozy affair and powerful. I always walk in there and think I am so well read — and then I learn about all these essays, and stories and shows — there’s so much good content out there and at the media awards you get to hear from the people who are writing, filming or speaking those stories. I’m gonna tear up — but it is amazing.Now If you’ve never been to the awards weekend there’s a break between Media and Chefs. So during the break the day is filled with meet & greets like the Nobu brunch, the fantastic AAPI panel discussion and a celebration of bees at the Violet hour.At least that’s what I went to — there’s like 20 on record and probably another 20 off record events.Then the awards.So your girl here was hired once again by Hilton to emcee the red carpet. That means in hair and makeup at 11am, on the red carpet at 330 and at 331 the fire started — literally — for 2 and half solid hours I was chatting and cajoling and asking questions to Ruth Riechl!! Marcus Samuelson, Rick Bayless, Richard Blaze and so many of the nominees and all in 6 inch heels. It was a whirlwind! Literally my head was spinning. I then sat down with snacks in hand cause it’s a three hour show.Did DC represent or what? Masako Morishita for Emerging Chef, Mike Rafidi for Outstanding Chef and not DC but definitely DC adjacent, Harley Peet won best mid-Atlantic chef for his Bas Rouge in EastonSidebar — if you follow me at @nyccinellis you can learn about all these spots —.There’s a pretty spectacular reception after the awards and I think we shut it down.Now don’t think I just did the Beards — three days of amazing walks through that gorgeous city - down the river, on the lake and through the neighborhoods. And the food scene is on fire - Rose Mary, the Croatian restaurant in Wicker Park - the pasta and morels oh and the the cheesy- bready burek! And Galit in Lincoln Park - Middle Eastern/Israeli. That wine list was so diverse and interesting and the somm took us on such a journey.I didn’t do this on purpose but speaking of wine …. if you are watching this show on YouTube and you should and you should subscribe too!You see that I am no longer at the Capital Jewish Museum, I am in Delaplane VA, in the Piedmont Region of Virginia. Just East of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery. The 30-acre vineyard with its traditional Vitis Vinifera and American French hybrids has 10 varieties of grapes growing here including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Petit Manseng oh and Virginia’s premiere native grape Norton.I’m so grateful to the team here, especially Adriana Lucca, for agreeing to host the show here for the next four episodes!Wine in Virginia can be traced back to the first settlers, and even a few founding fathers — hello Thomas Jefferson — but it wasn’t until the late 1970s when the industry began to take root.Now for quite some time much of the wine world dismissed Virginia viticulture — but that has changed! The last 50 years has allowed for an explosion in both the quantity and quality of Virginia wine. What began as a scattered handful of wineries to over 300 wineries and counting, Virginia winemakers and wine lovers alike are reaping the fruits of that labor.So we are talking about VA Wine! The winemaker here at Barrel & Oak is Jeremy Ligon. He was on F&TB recently and when we talked about me doing Industry Night here at the property I was like let’s get a panel together of VA wine makers and talk about the trajectory of VA wine — to say that Jeremy understood the assignment is an understatement. Today I have-Jeremy Lignon Winemaker at Barrel & Oak Winery (and Brewery!)-Jason Murray - Owner – Winemaker - Viticulturist at Arterra Wines-Kerem Baki - Winegrower and Owner of Hillsborough VineyardsListen in to hear the full history here, or watch the episode here.