Good Eatin' Events For Memorial Day Weekend

The chili will be hot at the annual Café Saint-Ex chili cook-off.

WHAT: Café Saint-Ex and Bar Pilar's 2nd annual Memorial Day Chili Cook-Off

WHEN & WHERE: Monday, May 31 from noon to 4 p.m. on Saint-Ex's patio

DETAILS: Local chili masters will compete against the chefs from Saint-Ex and Bar Pilar, including exec chefs Billy Klein and Justin Bittner. A panel of five judges (including Metrocurean!) will name the winners. There will be face painting for the kiddies, temporary tattoos and a local student-run fresh lemonade stand. Proceeds from food and beverage sales will benefit the local Fillmore Arts Center.

Summer lawn parties kick off this weekend at the Mandarin Oriental.

WHAT: Memorial Day Crab Pot lawn party at Sou'Wester

WHEN & WHERE: Sunday, May 30, with lunch from 1 to 3 p.m. or dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Mandarin Oriental's lawn

DETAILS: Roasted blue crabs, boiled Carolina shrimp, hush puppies, ham biscuits, fried chicken with coleslaw and homemade ice cream cones are on the menu for the Memorial Day meals, which kick off the Mandarin's monthly summer lawn parties. Priced at $70 per guest (not including tax and gratuity), these events offer communal seating and family-style menus. For reservations or more information, call 202.787.6068.

WHAT: Charity pig roast at 3 Bar & Grill in Clarendon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

WHEN & WHERE: Sunday, May 30 from 4 p.m until they run out of pork on the restaurant's patio

DETAILS: Chef Brian Robinson of 3 and Bev Eggleston of Eco-Friendly Foods will roast a 250-plus-pound pig from Eco-Friendly. Pulled pork sandwiches will be available for a suggested donation of $5, with all proceeds benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Drink specials will run from 4 to 9 p.m., including $3 Bell’s Oberon Ale, $2 Miller Lite and $5 Bacon Bloody Marys.