Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are five choice dining and drinking events going on around the Twin Cities:
1) Smack Shack 1 Year Anniversary Party
When: Monday, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Smack Shack
What: Smack Shack invites you to stop in on Monday to help celebrate the one-year anniversary of the restaurant's opening. The food truck turned North Loop brick n mortar will have complimentary hors d'oeuvres and mini-daiquiris in the bar as well as live music entertainment. More information can be found on Smack Shack's Facebook event page here.
2) Haute Dish Sour Beer Dinner
When: Monday, 7 p.m.
Where: Haute Dish
What: Haute Dish has put together a four-course sour beer dinner. The restaurant is paring items like General Tso's sweetbreads and foie fried rice with domestic and imported sour beers. Reservations are recommended. The menu complete with pairings can be found here.
3) Marvel Bar Cocktail Class
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Marvel Bar
What: Learn how to make a perfect cocktail from a top Twin Cities bartender. Marvel Bar's Pip Hanson is teaching a class on how to craft a perfect Sidecar (a classic cocktail traditionally made with cognac and orange liqueur) this Saturday. Cost of the class gets you hands on training, take-home bar materials, and a tasting session. To reserve your spot or to find more information, click here.
4) Distillers Dinner at Lake & Irving
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar
What: Sure we've seen wine dinners and beer dinners but there's a distiller's dinner happening at Lake & Irving. The meal will feature Chicago's Letherbee Distillery products in and around each dish. Letherbee will also feature and release their absinthe brun (a white absinthe aged for 6 months in oak barrels) at the event. Reservations are limited and must be made in advance. Details and more information can be found here.
5) 6th Annual Chili Cook-off
When: Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: Northern Clay Center
What: Take in some ceramic art and culinary art at this 6th annual chili cook-off at the Seward art center. Guests are invited to make their own chili bowl during a free workshop and then sample and vote on the chili during the competition. To register your chili or to find more information, click here.
Also of Note: Both locations of Republic are hosting events featuring Bent Paddle Brewing (Thursday). The Lowry is having a release party as Oskar Blues Brewery continues to make its debut locally. Rainbow Chinese is still offering a special Chinese New Year Menu (through Sunday). Sen Yai Sen Lek and Lift Bridge are teaming up for a beer pairing dinner (Tuesday). The Gray House is doing a special tasting menu in honor of Bob Marley's birthday (Thursday). Gastro Non Grata tickets are now on sale for the event on the 16th featuring food from The Rabbit Hole.
