Even in the dog days of summer, no moss is growing under the restaurants in town. From beer pairings to drag brunches, here are several options to keep your August interesting.
Rustico’s Near & Far Beer Series, Aug. 7
During the dog days of summer, what could be better than sipping some cool Scandinavian beers and daydreaming of colder climes? Next Monday, Rustico pairs just such beverages with a five-course menu to bring the Nordic vibe to Alexandria. While the food menu is as-yet unannounced, the beer list is intriguing indeed. From the Evil Twin Classique Imperiale — a saison that comes by way of Denmark via New York — to Denmark’s Mikkeller Black Hole, an imperial stout that might perhaps drink more like a dessert than a beer, brew lovers will be sure to have something new to try. Tickets are $55; reservations are required. 827 Slaters Lane.
Larry’s Crawfish Boil at Society Fair, Aug. 12
Society Fair is back with another rendition of their crawfish boil. With all-you-can-eat crawdads and all the fixin’s — boiled potatoes, corn on the cob, and Andouille sausage, just to name a few — the restaurant’s bistro will be hopping with down-home Louisiana-style flavors. Tickets are $35 each; diners can choose from several seatings, ranging in time from noon to 8 p.m. 277 S. Washington St.
Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-27
If it’s August, it’s time for Alexandria’s Summer Restaurant Week. More than 60 restaurants will take part in this year’s summertime event, and the tasting menus and special deals abound. From higher-end mainstays such as Jackson 20 and Vermilion to the more grab-and-go bites of Haute Dog and Meggrolls, the slate of participants is expansive and bound to appeal to every palate. Bonus: Hummingbird, the new restaurant from Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong, is offering prix fixe specials as part of the week — a perfect time to get a sneak peek into one of Old Town’s newest spots. www.visitalexandriava.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/
Sparkle Saturdays Drag Brunch at Hank’s Pasta Bar, Aug. 19
On the third Saturday of the month, Hank’s Pasta Bar takes weekend dining to a new level with its drag brunch. Blending a hearty meal with a performance — this month hosted by Summer Knight and featuring Whitney Guccigoo and Gadfrie Arbulu — Hank’s gets the weekend started in style. Tickets are $25 apiece and include an array of options from the brunch menu; reservations are required. 600 Montgomery St.
Hope Nelson owns and operates the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.