This weekend is going to be totally spooktacular, if only because October is finally here. It should be dry, so check out Grove Fest or celebrate a year with Rise Coffee. Continue on for this weekend's food-related recommendations.
See also: Thursday Throwdown: The (Local) Pumpkin Spice Latte Battle
Friday (Oct. 3):
Best of Missouri Market @ Missouri Botanical Gardens
"If it's early fall, it must be time for the Best of Missouri Market & More. You know it, pilgrim. This annual blowout held at the Missouri Botanical Garden is as reliable a harbinger of autumn's advent as jackets being plucked out of closets and the onslaught of pumpkin-flavored everything. Well over 100 food producers and craftspeople from all over Missouri and our neighboring region display and sell fresh produce, baked items, flowers (both fresh and dried), herbs, handcrafted goods, baskets, wooden toys and lots more. In addition there's live music courtesy of the Ladue Mountain Boys nearly all day today. Friday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This rain-or-shine event is always a good time for everybody of any age, and admission is $5 to $12."
Food Truck Friday @ Tower Grove Park
It's time for the final Food Truck Friday of the year, so you'd better get to 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 Miss Jubilee. From 4 to 8 p.m. Admission is free."
Celebrate beer and Germany all month long with the latest in St. Louis' Oktoberfest celebrations. Check out the German market, Spaten Beer School, the twenty-piece Deutschmeister Brass Brand, dancing and more. German food offerings include Rouladen, Schweinhaxen, potato pancakes, German potato salad, weisswurst, Hungarian wurst and knockwurst, plus plenty of beer. German wine from the Rhine will also be featured. Find the full schedule here. Friday, from 3 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. General admission tickets are $10, VIP is $50, and the Spaten Beer School is $25, all available here.
Second Anniversary Party @ SOHA Bar & Grill
We just named SOHA's the Best Beer Selection in town in our Best of St. Louis issue. So celebrate its second birthday with some of those great brews. Two different sets of beers will go on tap at 6 p.m. on Friday night and Saturday night. Friday it'll be Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (2013), Perennial Loomi Weisse, Bells Kalhaven Ale and Cask Schlafly TIPA. Saturday they'll have Cantillon Cuvee St Gilloise, 4 Hands Volume 2 and 2nd Shift Cask Mullineaux with grapes. Admission is free.
Saturday (Oct. 4):
Todd Geisert Farm Tour & Dinner @ Geisert Farms
Geisert Farms in Washington supplies some of the best restaurants in St. Louis with pigs and produce. Jump at this chance for an intimate look at the fifth-generation farm behind the food. Dinner will be provided by Local Harvest using Geisert produce and paired with beers from August Brewing. There will also be live music from Augusta Bottom Consort, a hayride tour and a cozy bonfire. From 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 each, available here.
"The Grove neighborhood's eclectic street festival includes everything from fashion shows and interactive murals to outdoor games and street performers. Over 70 vendors peddle goods and foods such as Layla, Urban Chestnut, Siam, Amy's Corner Bakeshop, Just John's and Atomic Cowboy. Admission is free. 2 p.m. to midnight."
One Year Anniversary Party @ Rise Coffee
While you're at Grove Fest, stop by the cutest coffee shop in the neighborhood -- and our choice for the Best Coffeehouse of 2014 -- and help celebrate its first birthday. There will be live music from the Thin Dimes, free treats, backyard games, pumpkin painting and more. Rise's food truck will also debut. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
A Taste of Benton Park Festival @ Arsenal and Jefferson
We named Benton Park the Best Restaurant Neighborhood in this year's Best of STL and for good reason. This Soulard cousin is home to the Benton Park Cafe, Jax Cafe, Sidney Street Cafe, Blues City Deli and many more. Sample food from fifteen local restaurants starting at 1 p.m. There will also be chalk art and live music. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tasting is $10 per person.
Sunday (Oct. 5):
Date Night for Couples: Taco the Town @ Kitchen Conservatory
Wind down after a big weekend with a little taco time. Educator Kelly Green Gardner will be teaching you a variety of tacos in this hands-on class. You'll make roasted corn and jalapeño dip with fresh tortilla chips, spicy chipotle-pork tacos with sun-dried-tomato salsa, green-chile chicken tacos with roasted tomatillo salsa, avocado-mango salad with bacon and toasted pumpkin seeds and queso fresco, Spanish rice with zucchini and tomatoes, plus caramelized bananas with rum ice cream and Mexican hot chocolate sauce.
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