There’s been plenty of buzz, openings & updates in the Washington, D.C. metro area over the past week or so. Here’s some of the highlights, including a variety of new places to check out…

Boss Shepherd‘s is now officially open in Penn Quarter, at the corners of 13th & E. The focus is on local ingredients and classic American dishes. Locally sourcing doesn’t stop with the food though, it extends to the drink as well.

That’s why the restaurant will have their own 5-gallon barrels of  A. Smith Bowman reserve whiskey as well as Catoctin Creek roundhouse rye. Local beer will hail from the likes of Port City, DC Brau, Flying Dog & Atlas Brew Works

Speaking of local beer, head to the new Denizens Brewing Co, located on East-West Highway in Silver Spring. The craft brewery has a large outdoor patio space, so be sure to get there while the weather is still good. The beer list, and food menu, are both to be expanded in the coming months…

Ready for more beer? Good. Then head to the brand new Sauf Haus Bier Garten in Dupont Circle, located in a very not-new building dating back to approximately 1880. The DC Preservation League has been involved with the rehabilitation of the building and is throwing a kickoff party on July 29th. You can learn more and pick up your tickets here

Still ready for more beer? I knew you liked to party. On Monday, July 28th, Heavy Seas Alehouse is hosting a Beach & Beer dinner, offering diners  a four-course prix fixe dinner & beer pairing menu for $65, with pours of Red Sky at Night, Plank III, Small Craft Warning and Loose Cannon cask.

Tickets available here. The price includes tax & tip. That means you don’t even have to do math. Win-win…

Chuy’s, an authentic Tex-Mex chain with a 30-year history, is coming to the D.C. Metro area. First up in August is Chuy’s Fairfax, with a second spot planned for Springfield this fall. Official opening for Fairfax is slated for August 26.

Amongst the highlights, you can expect to find the “fully-loaded nacho car” an unlimited build-your-own nacho station with chips, salsa, queso, ground sirloin and more…

Mio Restaurant has a new executive chef, Roberto Hernandez. Hernandez previously had a stint in the kitchen as a special guest chef, and now he’s ready to take the reins full-time on the Latin American restaurant. Get a glimpse of what Hernandez will be cooking up on their official website.