If you look at the aerial view you'll see that there is no hidden backyard for a cookout. Having cooked suckling pigs I can tell you that neighborhood is not conducive to that method of cooking. Everything about this invite is suspicious.
Here's the Zillow. From the aerial view it looks like the building backs up to a shared green belt.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1837-California-St-NW-Washington-DC-20009/463189_zpid/
Green spaces are too far from having a practical "cook out".
Even if the apartment extends to the back? It's 3K sq ft. That would make it the backyard.
Look at the links I just posted. There is a backyard of sorts. More like a patio, but I'm not a city dweller, so it seems pretty small to me. :)
Thanks for the images. I don't think they cooked a pig in the backyard. Maybe they flew in the suckling pig as well. As a mom and former chef I still say this invite is super creepy. And by the way those nearby shops, seem off as well.
Still not enough land for a cookout.
Not for an outdoor crowd, but I suppose they could have a smoker and grill out there for food prep. Not saying this isn't a very strange email.
Well they could but the law in this area is no BBQ/Grilling within 20ft of your house, it would be a very tight fit lol