Oysters, beer, happy hours and giving back to the community — April is full of food-and-drink events for every palate and persuasion. Here are some of the month’s best picks.
Barks, Brews and Bites at the Alexandrian, April 4
The Alexandrian hotel is kicking off a happy hour in support of the Alexandria Police Foundation. With an aim to help the organization support its active and retired police dogs, Barks, Brews and Bites is itself a dog-friendly event where visitors can meet some of the police department’s active-duty K9 officers as well as play games and win prizes. Each ticket earns guests a beer from Port City Brewing. 480 King St. 5:30-8 p.m. $10.
Ideaal Tripel Release Party at Port City Brewing, April 5
Out with the heavy, spiced winter beers; in with the honey-gold brews of spring. Port City Brewing is tapping its Ideaal Tripel, a Belgian-style tripel that’s at once light and complex, and is taking advantage of the warmer weather to celebrate. Plunk down on the patio or take a seat inside (for March Madness viewing, of course) and get a taste of spring. Staff will host a brewery tour at 6:30, and the Borinquen Lunch Box food truck will be parked outside the brewery for a taste of Puerto Rican fare. 3950 Wheeler Ave. 3-10 p.m.
Vola’s Spring Oysterfest, April 6
As the weather warms up, what better time to take advantage of Vola’s Dockside Grill’s new patio space and mow down some oysters? Vola’s has you covered with all things mollusk. Your entry ticket gets you a feast of fresh-shucked oysters, oyster stew, fried oysters, broiled oysters, beer and wine. The fare is unlimited, so bring an appetite. 101 N. Union St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $80.
Volunteer Alexandria Sandwich-Making at Great Harvest Bread Company, April 6
Move over, parents — this volunteer event is for children only. Volunteer Alexandria is hosting a peanut butter and jelly sandwich-making event for children ages 6 to 12 with the aim of putting together 75 sandwiches for a local school. Citing a report that nearly 29,000 Alexandrians live at or below the poverty threshold, Volunteer Alexandria aims to help feed local students in need by encouraging young volunteers to help their peers. Great Harvest Bread Company is donating the space for the event. 1711 Centre Plaza. 10 a.m.-noon. Register at https://www.volunteeralexandria.org/opportunity/a0C1B00001Y93plUAB?fbclid=IwAR3RlWBPFrobZcPXQPHC8PhcqdjZbNHBPUcWCqFOjw57-atMX-R94azE_ms .
Blackboard at Pizzeria Paradiso, April 14
Join owner and Chef Ruth Gresser and executive beer director Drew McCormick for the second of Pizzeria Paradiso’s spring “Blackboard” classes, “All About Pizza Dough.” The class will lead off with a pizza dough-making and stretching demonstration and will encourage students to try their own hand at the process. In case all that pizza-making induces some hunger, Paradiso’s New York-style pizza will be available for snacking. Wash it all down with some beers selected by McCormick. 124 King St. Noon-1:30 p.m. $40.
Hope Nelson owns and operates the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.