Start the month with ice cream and see it through to an Oktoberfest-style anniversary celebration, with plenty of stop-offs in between. What’s cooking in Alexandria this February? Read on to find out.
Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Feb. 1
Why not kick the month off in the most decadent way possible? From 8 a.m. to noon on the first day of the month – happily a Saturday, at that – Jeni’s will be scooping up the shop’s new skillet cinnamon roll ice cream. Need a little more kick with your cream? Try a coffee float, which is just what it sounds like – a scoop of ice cream tucked into a mug of coffee. (Pro tip: Get there early to snag a souvenir mug.) All the profits from the four-hour event will go to DoSomething.org. 102 S. Patrick St. 8 a.m.-noon.
Colossal IX Release Party at Port City Brewing, Feb. 1
Port City Brewing is celebrating its ninth anniversary, and what better way to ring in a new year but with the newest version of its Colossal series. This year’s model is a Weizenbock style, bringing a full-bodied, wheat-based beer to the table. If you’ve missed some of the Colossal brews from years past, several varieties will be on offer with limited supply. Count on live music and a variety of food trucks to keep things lively all day. And can’t make it to the Saturday event? Port City will kick off its weekend celebration with some Friday festivities, as well. 3950 Wheeler Ave. Noon-11 p.m.
Chocolate and Cheese Class at Cheesetique, Feb. 10
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Cheesetique will help you step up your A-game. Cheesetique owner Jill Erber and chocolatier Robert Kingsbury team up to walk you through an evening of decadence. Learn about how to make chocolate, how to pair said chocolate with both wine and cheese and, naturally, get ready to taste the samplings. An abundance of chocolate, plus half a dozen cheeses and two wines, will be available for taste-testing – all in the name of education, of course. 2411 Mount Vernon Ave. 7-8:30 p.m. $55.
Village Brauhaus One-Year Anniversary Party, Feb. 22
Forget Oktoberfest – the German-style restaurant in Old Town is having a celebration for another reason this February. Village Brauhaus turns a year old this month, and the pub is having a party to toast the occasion. Food specials – and beer specials, naturally – will be on offer all day, and Johnny Koenig and his band will bring in live music from 3 to 7 p.m. 710 King St. 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.
Hope Nelson is the author of “Classic Restaurants of Alexandria” and owns the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.