It was an evening of walking around in the fresh air, stopping every few feet to pick up a small plate of tasty food and a plastic Dixie-sized cup of wine to go with.

The rain held off for Zoofari 2008, the Washington National Zoo’s annual outdoor fund-raiser featuring food from about 100 of the city’s best restaurants, with many master chefs on hand. This year’s theme was Frogs & Friends, because “frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts are declining rapidly around the world,” according to the zoo’s Web site.

When two tickets to Zoofari landed on our desk on the day of the event, we were not sure what to expect. This would be our first one. An adults-only event at the zoo, which is normally packed with rugrats?

First off, it is a familiar format for anyone who has attended something like Taste of Bethesda, an event that has been running almost as long as the 20-years-running Zoofari.

Some other things a first-time Zoofari person learns: Nobody questions you when you go back for a second smoked-bacon sandwich or a third glass of Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc, even though you know full well what it tastes like.

The Whole Foods stall is probably going to get a bit less traffic than, say, the Bobby Van’s one.

There is no shame in having two or even three small plates at a time on your cute little plastic tray, which comes with a little holster for your wine cup.

When you go home, a sweet lady with a singsong voice hands you two large bagged Firehook Bakery cookies “to take home, for the road.”

What is especially nice about Zoofari is you don’t go home feeling full and sluggish because you were strolling around the entire time. Doing the walk-and-eat ensures you have a small finger sandwich here, a teeny cup of gumbo there — and lets you leave space for the strawberries and chocolate waiting for you at the Melting Pot stall near the exit.

Everyone has their favorites, but we had a special love for what was on offer from Indique Heights, BLT Steak and Rock Creek.

Indique Heights’ bhelpuri — “rice puffs and crisp gram noodles tossed with cilantro and tamarind chutney,” according to the description — was the most delicious thing we ate all night. If that doesn’t sound delicious, that’s because it is hard to explain. It definitely makes you want to go and get more of that, and try all their other treats.

BLT Steak had two sandwiches on what looked like a ciabatta roll: one with bacon, one with chorizo. It was an hour until closing time when we got there, which might have explained why the server seemed so bored when we stopped by. He was absent-mindedly picking up one of each and handing them over, but when we chatted and showed a bit of interest, the server brightened and gave us the chorizo sandwich along with a couple slabs of the delicious, ultra-thick, spicy herbed bacon.

Rock Creek’s treat was amazing — a seafood dumpling in a broth rich with herbs, nuts and a touch of heat. It tasted like nature, in the best possible way. Chef Ethan McKee, whose new spot Rock Creek Mazza was profiled recently here in Cork & Knife, was attentive and showed no signs of flagging even as the evening was wrapping up.

And yes, there was wine. A whole lot of it. Barefoot, the Little Penguin, Monkey Bay (delicious Viognier!) and a bunch of other familiar brands were there, along with a few local wineries and smaller producers. Depending on where you went, you either got a short pour or a long one, a festive mood or a get-me-outta-here one.

Good food, a good cause and fresh air — these things mix well, no doubt. And what do Washingtonians like better than helping others as they help themselves?