It's here! Warm weather! Celebrate with a 4 Hands War Hammer, or sit back and enjoy a fashion show at Hiro Asian Kitchen. Did we mention the fish fries? Check out our food-related recommendations after the jump.
See also: Fish Fry Frenzy: A Gut Check Guide
Friday (Mar. 7):
Stout & Oyster Festival @ Schlafly Tap Room
Schlafly is flying 30,000 pounds of fresh oysters of its biggest food and beer festival of the year. Choose from several kinds of oysters as well as Schlafly's three stouts: Oatmeal, Coffee and Nitro Irish. The full Tap Room menu is also available. Enjoy live music from Brown Bottle Fever Friday night from 5 to 9 p.m., Duddy Breeks on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. and Gumbohead from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, with food and drink available for purchase. Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight. Plus, check out satellite parties at Stagger Inn on Saturday and Vin de Set on Sunday.
A Taste of Fiction @ Central Library
Some of the best pastry chefs in St. Louis are creating sumptuous desserts based on books. It's a literary foodie's dream! The event benefits the St. Louis Public Library Foundation. Unfortunately, the event is sold out, but you can check out the desserts on display at the Central Library on Saturday. Books include Alice in Wonderland, Faust,, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Game of Thrones and more. Chefs include Pastaria's Anne Croy, La Patisserie Choquette's Simone Faure, the Ritz-Carlton's Nathaniel Reid, Pint Size Bakery's Christy Augustin and lots more. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday (Mar. 8):
Trailnet Beans, Bikes & Brews @ Immaculate Conception Church
"The faithful trees overhead and to each side of you are budding, you only need a light jacket on, and the path ahead runs long and rejuvenating through the new day. A spring breeze scented with awakening earth notes ripples your hair as you ride. What a peaceful easy feeling -- but you're dreaming. It's still wintertime. Still, spring is just up around the bend, so close in fact you can celebrate it today. Trailnet Beans, Bikes & Brews is the local organization's 2014 ride season's kickoff chili party and you're invited. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall (7420 Anna Avenue, Maplewood; 314-436-1324 or visit www.trailnet.org). This potluck chili party features brand-new gear from local bike shops, live music and, yes, beer. Admission is $5 per person if you bring chili or other food to share; it's $10 if you only bring yourself, but children ten and younger get in free. Attendees are asked to make reservations at the website."
Lupulin Carnival @ 4 Hands Brewery
It's 4 Hands' birthday y'all! Come celebrate its second anniversary with the release of the War Hammer Imperial IPA. There will be carnival festivities (a.k.a. games and performances) plus live music, beer tastings from twenty breweries, and carnival-inspired food from Seoul Taco, Chop Shop and the 5th Wheel. You'll get a commemorative glass, too. From 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $35, available here.
Drinking beer for charity? We're down. FestivAle is the sixth annual fundraiser for the Gateway chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. FestivAle is also celebrating 80 years since the repeal of Prohibition, so the night is Roaring Twenties-themed. Participating breweries include 4 Hands, Alpha, Cathedral Square, Exit 6, Crown Valley, Charleville, Ferguson, Granite City, Kirkwood Station, Morgan Street, O'Fallon, Perennial, Rock Bridge, Schlafly, Six Row, Square One and Urban Chestnut. So basically, everyone. VIP tickets, which get you in an hour early to the Perennial party, are $75 and general admission is $50, available here. From 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Food and fashion are coming together at Hiro Asian Kitchen. Munch on five courses inspired by the runway show, featuring designers Paul Gibson and Victorla. There will be cocktails, too, of course. From 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $55 in advance, $65 at the door.
Sunday (Mar. 9):
Dewey's Pizza School @ Dewey's Ellisville
This event was rescheduled after the March 3 Pizza School was canceled due to incelement weather. Learn to make your own pizza -- yep, even toss it -- from the experts at Dewey's. Pizza School events each benefit a different charity. Today's class is giving 100 percent of its proceeds to Camp Rainbow. There are seatings every half hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required; it's $25 per person. Call 636-227-3400 to reserve your spot.
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