Craft cider, a waterfront festival, a whirlwind taste of Del Ray’s favorite restaurants and a crab feast to cap it all off — such is life in June for Alexandria foodies.
11th Annual Taste of Del Ray, June 2
Del Ray’s storied annual event is back for another year. Eighteen restaurants are poised to line up and showcase their best dishes in the hopes of winning the People’s Choice award. Guests can sample each restaurant’s wares as many times as they like, and the docket of participants is diverse. From Cheesetique to Al’s Steak House, from Kaizen Tavern to Taqueria Poblano, there’s something for nearly every palate. Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Oxford Street. 1-3 p.m. $20.
Lost Boy Cider Grand Opening, June 8 and 9
Alexandria’s first craft cidery is finally ready to open its doors to the public. The cidery, which uses only apples from Virginia to make its array of hard ciders, has made its home out of a renovated 6,000-square-foot warehouse, offering a tasting room as well as its production facility. In addition to Lost Boy’s cider, food will also be available at the grand opening event, which spans two days. 317 Hooffs Run Drive. Noon-9 p.m. both days.
Portside in Old Town Summer Festival, June 22
Food, music, craft beer – this annual Old Town festival has it all. Pizzeria Paradiso, Rocklands Barbecue and Dolci Gelati will be on hand to dish up a sampling of favorites while guests listen to musical acts ranging from Ethiopian jazz to Latin folk and several stops in between. Feeling a little parched? Port City is once again hosting its waterfront beer garden; for $6 a beer, you can cool off with a frosty brew while you boogey down. Waterfront Park, 1 Prince St. 2-8 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria Crab Feast, June 29
Del Ray Pizzeria is branching out a bit with its first annual crab feast. Sporting all-you-can-eat blue crab and hush puppies as well as several varieties of beer on tap, the feast will set up shop in the pizzeria’s parking lot. It may be a diversion from DRP’s regular menu, but isn’t variety the spice of life? 2218 Mount Vernon Ave. 3 p.m. $50.
Hope Nelson owns and operates the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.