Meritage's OysterFest; Summit EPA at Chipotle

ST. PAUL—Today, tickets went on sale to the general public for Meritage's upcoming OysterFest, on Sunday, October 13. This year, you have to buy a ticket in advance; there won't be any same-day sales. A Platinum Pass ($100) gets you unlimited oysters and two hours of early admission before the oyster hordes; a regular pass ($50) gets you a dozen oysters and one complimentary beverage; and a general entry ticket ($25) gets you in, but no oysters (you can buy them individually with wooden nickels, for sale separately). This year's OysterFest also features live music, a chef shucking contest, and New York's Times Square famed Naked Cowboy. [EaterWire]

SEWARD—Recently-opened tea house and tasting room Verdant Tea has hired a new chef, Nate Uri, who will be expanding the menu (including hot and cold soba noodle bowls) in mid-September, as well as micro-brewed kombucha available on tap. The menu has already expanded since the tasting room's summer opening to include both sweet and savory congee (a traditional Chinese rice porridge) at its "congee bar." [EaterWire]

TWIN CITIES—Chipotle news! Last week, all Twin Cities Chipotles began serving local brewery Summit's EPA. The addition of the local brew comes a few months after the chain began serving made-to-order Patrón margaritas in May. [EaterWire]

[Photo: Meritage Website]