We're getting down to the wire here. Christmas is next week. If you already have all your shopping done, unlike us, there are some delightful holiday events to keep you occupied while your friends are stuck at the mall. Check out our food-related recommendations after the jump.
See also: Six Pastry Chef Secrets to Perfect Holiday Cookies
Friday (December 20):
Dinner with Santa @ St. Louis Zoo
You still have time to tell Santa what you want for Christmas! Eat an Italian buffet and look at the Christmas lights display, Wild Lights. You can also hang out with Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. Dinner seating is at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission and dinner is $24 for adults, $22 for kids. Reservations required; call 314-646-4897.
Around the World Wine Dinner @ Missouri Botanical Garden
This month's theme is Great Expectations, so expect a traditional English holiday feast. The hors d'oeurves are potted smoked trout and English cheeses with toast. Next it's curried potato-kale soup with fried oysters, then potato-crusted halibut, lemon beurre blanc, roasted brussels sprouts with bacon. The third course is ale-braised pork shank with plum reduction and crepes. For dessert, it's mince pie with Grand Marnier Hard Sauce and stilton with honey and marmalade. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $58. Call 314-577-0200 for reservations.
A Christmas Killing: The Murder of Ebenezer Scrooge @ Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
Bissell presents its annual Christmas show, the interactive murder-mystery A Christmas Killing. Shows take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from now through December. The cost per seat is $52.95 per person and includes a four-course meal with entree options such as an eight-ounce New York strip and baked white fish with an almondine sauce. Call 314-533-9830 for reservations.
Saturday (December 21):
Sugar Plum Fairy Tea @ Kitchen Conservatory
Enjoy this holiday-tastic hands-on demonstration at the Kitchen Conservatory. Chef Christie Maggie will offer several teas, nutmeg-pecan scones, blue cheese-pear quiche, deviled crab salad on apple crisp, mini croque monsieurs, eggnog-spiced éclairs and chocolate-filled butter puffs with candied oranges. From 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.. $45 per person; register here.
Sunday (December 22):
Sunday Night Supper @ Chaumette Vineyards & Winery
Every Sunday night you can enjoy a feast of local produce and meats at Chaumette Winery in Ste. Genevieve. This week, it's winter minestrone, hearty greens with peppercorn dressing and croutons, grilled Meyer Farm berkshire pork chops withmustard creamed spinach and a roasted mélange of potatoes. $18 per person, $7.45 for kids twelve and under. Call 573-747-1000 for reservations. From 5 to 8 p.m.
Feast of the Seven Fishes @ The Libertine
Feast of the Seven Fishes is a traditional Italian holiday celebration. It's eight courses for only $45. Start with bakala (salt cod with grilled bread), then seafood 'meatballs' agrodolce tradition Italian sweet and sour sauce. Next is caesar salad with smelt croutons, buccatini tossed with salsa d'acciughe. Then comes fish: braised eel in red wine and saba, baked swordfish with salsa salmoriglio, whole roasted fish with salsa verde. Dessert is housemade cannoli. Call 314-862-2999 for reservations.
