Rain, rain go away. Seriously, go away. Don't let this weekend's weather dampen your spirits. Party like it's 1929 or preview Mike Randolph's upcoming Mexican restaurant. Stay dry if you can -- fingers crossed the rain doesn't affect this month's Food Truck Friday. Check out our food-related recommendations after the jump.
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Friday (Aug. 8):
Bootlegger's Bash @ Missouri History Museum
"The repeal of Prohibition brought drinking back into the open, but it marked the end of the road for speakeasies, those covert establishments that kept thirsty Americans oiled on illegal booze. The Bootlegger's Bash, tonight from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum, lets you party in a re-created speakeasy without suffering through the social-engineering disaster of Prohibition. The party features a costume contest (with prizes for those most authentically dressed in 1920s attire), a complimentary dessert bar and -- of course -- a cash bar. The event coincides with the museum's ongoing American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition exhibit. Admission is $10 to $15."
Restaurateur and chef Mike Randolph is planning a new Mexican restaurant just doors down from his pizza joint, the Good Pie. Publico is still a while away from opening, but preview the menu tonight at his breakfast restaurant Half & Half. It's an a la carte menu with choices like duck gizzard, roasted pig, Gold Creek oysters and lots more. You can check out the full menu here. Dinner is from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; no reservations.
Food Truck Friday @ Tower Grove Park
"One of the summer's best events is back for its August takeover of Tower Grove Park. Yes, the lines are long, but the food is totally worth it. Grab some friends and pick from trucks like Chop Shop, Guerrilla Street Food, Completely Sauced, Hot Aztec and lots more. Live music this week is from Western Satellites. From 4 to 8 p.m. Admission is free."
Back to School Beach Party Open House @ L'Ecole Culinaire
Check out educational opportunities at L'Ecole Culinaire, but eat and drink while you're doing it! There will be seafood tastings, make-your-own watermelon lemonade and key lime tarts, a seafood beach boil demo, food samples and more. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free, food is complimentary and open to the public.
Saturday (Aug. 9):
Grand Opening Celebration @ 612 Kitchen & Cocktails
The 1920-style speakeasy in Kirkwood is celebrating its opening today with a big party. Dress in your flapper best and enjoy specials all day, plus a visit from the Batch 19 girls. Live music begins at 9 p.m. from Jansen and the Big Rigs. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Admission is free.
Sunday (Aug. 10):
Paris of the Plains Pop-Up @ Planter's House
The Paris of the Plains cocktail competition festival and competition is in Kansas City, but the bartenders will be whipping up special cocktails and giving mini-seminars (including one from barman extraordinaire Ted Kilgore). From 2 to 3 p.m. in the Bullock Room, hear about the recent history of craft cocktails in Missouri from Kilgore and Ryan Mabee, new bar techniques from Berto Santoro and terroir from Brandon Cummins. There will be samples, too. Tickets are $15, available here. After that, meet and drink with the three Kansas City bartenders and learn more about Paris of the Plains. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free.
It's the tenth anniversary of this festival celebrating possibly our favorite vegetable. Enter your weird looking tomato in the Most Unusual contest, check out tomato-inspired art, bid in a live auction, drink some killer bloody marys and lots more. From noon to 7 p.m. Admission is free, but funds raised benefit Lift for Life Gym.
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