From strawberries to cocktails, here are April's food and drink events
April brings days that celebrate everything from azaleas to the Earth, but there are plenty of other reasons to get out and about, too. Look for cocktail classes, wine dinners and the very first Bee Festival at the northern edge of Pender County. Here's a look. And let us know if there's an event we should add, by emailing aballard@gannett.com.
April 1: Wrightsville Beach Brewery is hosting a Mini Croissants & Craft Beer pairing at 6201 Oleander Drive in Wilmington with the help of Burney’s of Wilmington. The four-part pairing includes a lemon pastry with the P.O.G. Berliner Weiss and a chocolate fudge with the Oysterman Stout. It starts at 11 a.m.
April 1: Local bar expert Fred Flynn is offering the four-part Cocktail College 101 at Greenfield Lake Yacht Club, 1756 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington. You'll learn about the origin and history of spirits and how to make a classic cocktail. Space is limited and cost is $250.
April 2: Wilmington's Cinnaholic location in Mayfaire is celebrating their Three-Year Anniversary with $3 Old Skool Rolls all day, beginning at 10 a.m.. limit one per customer. It's at 6841 Conservation Way.
April 4: For more cocktail instruction, there's Mixology 101 with Matt at Wine Knot Sky Bar and Lounge, on the ninth floor at 201 N. Front St. in downtown Wilmington. This time, it's all about the Manhattan. Tickets are $40 and it starts at 6 p.m.
April 5-7: End of Days Distillery in Wilmington's Cargo District is hosting a series of pop-up food events this month at their onsite Concept Kitchen Co. It begins with Sap Lai, with a menu of Laotian and Vietnamese dishes at 1815-A Castle St. On following weekends, look for events with chef Luke Evans and with Circle Pit BBQ.
April 6: The Island Men organization postponed their fifth annual Mac and Cheese Festival to this day. The festival features five variations of the comfort food dish and samples prepared by Pleasure Island chefs. You can pair it with craft beers from Good Hops Brewing from 1-3 p.m. at 811 Harper Ave. in Carolina Beach. Admission is $10.
April 6-7: For more than 25 years, Poplar Grove Plantation has been hosting the Annual Herb and Garden Fair. Look for plants, flowers, food trucks, concessions and more. There's a $5 admission fee, with kids under 12 free. It's 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
April 9: On Tuesdays in April, Kipos Hellenic Cuisine and Chactun Tequila (from makers of the local Blue Shark Vodka) are partnering for Tequila Tuesdays beginning this evening. You can get the new Minotaur Bites cocktail, with mango, blanco tequila, a splash of sparkling wine and a salt-sugar-cayenne rim for half price.
April 9: Savorez and Palate are partnering for a European Wine Dinner that will feature the flavors of Italy, Spain and France. Tickets are $75 and it takes place at 1004 N. Fourth St. in Wilmington.
April 11: Sweet N Savory's sister restaurant Epicurean Bistro is hosting a wine dinner, "Sailing the Iberian Coast" with six courses. Tickets are $59 and it takes place beginning at 6 p.m. at 1978 Eastwood Road in Lumina Commons.
April 13: The Castle Street Collective nonprofit is hosting a Spring Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction to raise money for their beautification efforts along the street. Chef Heather Rhodes is preparing a three-course meal with wine pairings at Castle Street Kitchen, 509 Castle St. Auction items include dinners and food events at local businesses. It's 6-9 p.m. and tickets are $95.
April 13: In Carolina Beach, Stoked Restaurant is hosting a Five-Year Anniversary Celebration at 313 Canal Drive. They will be offering food and drink features all day, giveaways and with live music beginning at noon.
April 13: The eighth annual Great Chowder Cook-Off hosted by the Carolina Beach Inlet Association begins around 1p.m. In addition to being able to taste all the chowders for $10 entry, there will also be hotdogs, games and drawings at Good Hops Brewing. 845 Harper Ave.
April 14: Rx Chicken & Oysters is hosting a fundraiser and art show to benefit another downtown Wilmington business. The Rx Art Party will include live painting demos from local artists, raffles and live music to support Bryan Jacobs of Lula’s Pub, who recently had a stroke. The event is 2-5 p.m. at 421 Castle St., Wilmington.
April 14: The Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County is bringing back its popular Food Truck Rodeo. It takes place noon-5 p.m. at 615 Ogden Park Drive in Wilmington. Look for a variety of food options and the proceeds will go to a All Wheels Pump Track at Northern Regional Park.
April 16: One of Wilmington's favorite chefs is bringing "At the Chef’s Table with Chef Keith Rhodes" to The Seasoned Gourmet and their Cape Fear Food & Wine club. The series will feature different guests and this month, its chef Jamie Davis or The Hackney and a semifinalist for the James Beard Best Chef Southeast award. Tickets are $110 and it begins at 6:30 p.m. at 5500 Market St. in Wilmington.
April 16: Three10 restaurant in Wilmington's Brooklyn Arts District and Queen of Wines are an Alsatian Winemaker Master Class & Wine Dinner with a 17th generation winemaker. The class and dinner are $140, or you can reserve a spot for the $98 dinner. It starts at 4:30 p.m. at 1022 N. Fourth St., Wilmington.
April 17: Shuckin’ Shack in downtown Wilmington is starting a “Meet The Makers” series showcasing local seafood and beer. It begins with this event with Carolina Beach Oyster Co, and Raleigh-based Gizmo Brewing. Tickets are about $50 for beer samples and all you care to eat oysters. on the river view patio. It's 6-8 p.m.
April 18: Ruth's Chris Steak House in Wilmington hosts two regular dinner series, one for wine and one for spirits. This one is the Maker's Mark Cocktail Dinner at 244 N. Water St., Wilmington. The event features five course, including an amuse bouche and a dessert. Tickets are $140 and the event begins at 6:30 p.m.
April 21: Downtown Wilmington fun makers are bringing the Bloody Mary Bar Crawl back to the area. It begins at 1 p.m. at The Husk, 31 S. Front St. and there will be nine participating bars serving up the classic cocktail. Participants can vote for their favorites. The event is free, but you can reserve your spot here.
April 21: On Earth Day weekend, Wilmington Vegfest is one of the events -- and one focused on plant-based eating. It's noon-4 p.m. at Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington. Look for food trucks, beer for sale, yoga and more.
April 21: Brunswick Beer XChange is hosting a brunch event with Petite a Petite with Chef Tosha. The menu will include Southern favorites like chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy served buffet style. It's 10 a.m. - noon and cost is $40. Mimosas and other brunchy beverages will be sold separately.
April 23: Cape Fear Literacy Council’s popular annual Luncheon for Literacy tends to sell out. In addition to good food and a keynote speech from author Jason Mott, the event features testimonials from students and volunteers. It begins at 11:30 a.m. at Northside Church. Tickets start at $100, and registration closes on April 15.
April 25: The third annual A Taste of Home features a progressive dinner and beer pairings from Middle of the Island and Wilmington Brewing Company. as well as a chance to tour homes in the Sunset Reach community at 1110 Rockhill Road, Castle Hayne. It's 5:30-9:30 p.m. and tickets are $55.
April 27: The inaugural Bee Festival takes place in Holly Ridge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a wide range of activities including food trucks and vendors. Plus, a DJ will be playing some sweet tunes. It takes place at 127 Sound Road, Holly Ridge.
April 27: The Carolina Strawberry Festival will start this year with the Garden Gala, a pre-festival event set to take place 1-6 p.m. at the Gardens at Johnson Nursery at 985 Johnson Nursery Road in Willard. There will be food, drinks, music, and garden tours -- as well as an after party hosted by the Mad Boar restaurant.
April 27: Carolina Beach Bar Club and Island Beverage are working with non-profit Special Pedals bike shop for the Bikes, Beers, and Biscuits. It's an opportunity to get a beer, enjoy biscuits from The Southerly, and get your two-wheeled transportation ready for the summer. It takes place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1206 N. Lake Park Blvd., in Carolina Beach.
April 28: The 10th annual Strawberry & Wine Festival is scheduled to take place at the Sunset Beach Town Park. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and get there early for the strawberry shortcake, which sells out every year. A $5 donation supports the Old Bridge Historical Society.
April 30: The monthly wine dinner series at Blue Surf Arboretum West, at 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington, continues with a five-course meal paired with German wines. A bubbly reception starts the event at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $95 and reservations close two days prior.
April 30: In Southport, Southern, A Gathering Place Kitchen & Bar has a series of special dinners, including a Southern Italian wine dinner with four courses. There are two seatings, one beginning at 4:45 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $155.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: April food, drink and restaurant events to check out in Wilmington, NC
