Fall Preview: 10 New Washington Event Ideas for Catering, Decor, Rentals & More

The Cosmo Couture exhibit, which runs September 26 to October 14 in the Corcoran's Gallery 31, will display the garments designed for the September 20 Cosmo Couture event held at Artisphere. Made by local architects, interior designers, and Corcoran graduate students, the designs were inspired by Raymond Saunders's "Red Star (1970)," a painting in the Corcoran’s collection.

Domenico Cornacchia—executive chef and owner of Assaggi Osteria, Assaggi Mozzarella Bar, and Bistro Vivant—is introducing a seasonal menu, available for banquets, that centers around chestnuts. Dishes will include puree of chestnut soup with crispy guanciale and pecorino cheese (pictured), foie gras with chestnut and Sauternes, and pancetta-wrapped roasted quail stuffed with Italian sausage and chestnuts. The restaurants will offer the menu October 7 to 29.

"Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" is an exhibit organized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum that will display more than 250 artifacts from over 70 artists during its run at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. This is the only East Coast venue for the touring exhibit; the items will be on display in Washington from September 7 to January 6.

After a preview earlier this month with a display of Julia Child's kitchen, "Food: Transforming the American Table 1950-2000" opens November 20 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The museum's first major exhibition on food history will explore how new technologies and various social and cultural shifts in the second half of the 20th century influenced major changes in how America eats.

Just in time for election season, the Lounge at the Park Hyatt Washington's cheese specialist, Lisa Hviding, has selected two blue cheeses and two red cheeses—representing the political parties—that will be available nightly through November 6. The cheeses, all from American farms and creameries, are served alongside housemade pinot noir jelly, Vidalia onion jam, dried fruits, and breads.

With animal prints ruling the fashion runways this year, DC Rental has jumped on the trend with its new alligator-print service tray, which comes in silver, black, and white.

DC Rental is also offering the new "Synergy" crystal glassware collection by Van Cleef featuring delicate etchings. The line includes water, red wine, white wine, and champagne glasses.

New York-based Luke's Lobster has arrived in Georgetown. The seafood purveyor's namesake lobster rolls, along with its crab rolls, shrimp rolls, and chowders, are available for in-house events at the two-story restaurant, as well as for delivery in the area. The newest addition to the menu is the Blue Monster blueberry ice cream sandwich (pictured).

Kale is having a moment—the leafy green vegetable is making its way onto restaurant and catering menus alike. For health-conscious clients, Design Cuisine has crafted a new "super foods" menu that features roasted kale chips (pictured), caramelized cauliflower, and bison meat.

Delicioso Catering DC is bringing a traditional breakfast dish to the dinner table this fall with their new steak-and-eggs plate. A pan-seared potato is topped with a six-ounce filet, a sunny-side-up egg, and lightly fried onion rings.