Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are five choice dining events going on around the Twin Cities:
1) Zen Box Izakaya Ramen Attack Block Party
When: Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Zen Box Izakaya
What: To celebrate the restaurant's two-year anniversary, Zen Box is throwing a ramen tasting and block party at their restaurant at Washington and Portland Avenues. Zen Box's own John Ng and celebrity chefs Mihoko Obunai and Shige Nakamura are each making ramen for the event. There will also be Surly beer on tap, a DJ, and musicians from Mu Performing Arts playing taiko drums. Find menu offerings and details on the event here.
2) 3rd Annual Rauchfest 2013
When: Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.
Where: Harriet Brewing
What: The 3rd Annual Rauchfest is a one-day festival featuring craft beer, food trucks, local art, and live music. Harriet Brewing will brew a single batch of Rauchfest, their smoked Oktoberfest Lager for the festival. Food trucks Tollefson's Family Pork, AZ Canteen, and Potter's Pasties will be at the festival as well as live music, painters, arts and crafts, fire dancers and more. Find music lineup and ticket information here.
3) Black Forest Inn Oktoberfest
When: Friday 6 p.m. through October 6th
Where: Black Forest Inn
What: Black Forest Inn kicks off their Oktoberfest season this Friday with ten consecutive days of German themed events. Festivities will include live music, a celebrity keg tapper, German fare, prizes, beer, and much more. A schedule of events and more can be found here.
4) Urban Growler Fall Fundraiser
When: Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Urban Growler
What: The women-owned and operated brewery in St. Anthony Park invites you to attended an open house. Sample some of their beers (including Wild Rice Ale and Graffiti Rye IPA), check out new merchandise, eat food, listen to live music, and enter a raffle to win free beer for life. Find more information about the open house here.
5) Mill City Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mill City Museum
What: Celebrate Minnesota brewing past and present as Mill City Museum and the Mill City Farmers Market team up for their seventh annual Mill City Oktoberfest. This is a free, family event with activities including cooking demonstrations (Kramarczuk's), music, dancing, beer and whiskey samplings (Fulton and 2 Gingers), food, brewing history, and more. A schedule of events can be found here.
Also of Note: The Ale Jail and Wine Thief celebrate their second and seventh anniversaries with samplings from 20+ breweries and 9 wine distributors (Friday, 4 to 7 p.m.). Fulton is hosting the Mpls Firefighters Coats for Kids fundraiser at their brewery (Monday, 7 p.m.). Register to paddle the mighty Mississippi then feast on fare from Lucia's To Go during a Fall Harvest River Picnic (Sunday, 3 p.m.). Icehouse is throwing a party with music, dancing, food, and 612 Brew beers (Saturday, 2 p.m.). To gear up for this year's Zombie Pub Crawl, Glam Doll Donuts is having a doughnut eating contest at Triple Rock Social Club (Saturday, 1 p.m.). Sea Salt Eatery is is tapping a keg of Southern Tier's Pumking pumpkin ale (Friday, 11 a.m.). Speaking of outdoor, seasonal dining, Sandcastle has announced that their final day of the season will be October 6.
